To some a food truck means a quick , tasty lunch . Yet to others it has a more significant meaning - freedom. That's the case with sisters Ana and Paola Fernandez and Ana's wife, Katherine Rengifo. The work may be hard but there are payoffs.
Amelia Nierenberg , a contributor to the prestigious Boston Globe , The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and the Yale Daily News wrote this thoughtful piece about the trio for yesterday's New York Times Food section. Both Fernandez' and Ms Rengifo emigrated from Venezuela, a country that's still unraveling as this is being written.Ana and Katherine came here for a vacation leaving behind a bathing suit design company and store on Margarita Island a popular destination off the Venezuelan coast. Paola joined them in New York.It was iffy for them to return. Most of their family and friends had already left and urged them to do the same. They were granted what's known as an open asylum claim citing fears of persecution from the government. There's uncertainty in whether they will be allowed to stay, yet they are building their food business despite that. The couple have done everything they could to bring in an income. They've worked as nannies and line cooks, along with cleaning houses and making coffee still. The food truck is a Sunday only affair.
Luckily the food truck has provided both stability and money. They made favorite foods to help them combat homesickness. Familiar flavors made them feel like they were almost home - almost. Last December, after hearing about Smorgasburg, the weekly outdoor culinary bazaar in trendy Williamsburg, they brought those familiar flavors for an audition of sorts to its' headquarters in Crown Heights. One of the founders of the weekly food fest, Eric Denby was struck by their personalities. He gave them a shot. Their food truck, Vayalo Cocina,Let's Go Kitchen in Spanish was born. One Venezuelan specialty is street hot dogs. This popular dish is a hot dog loaded with bacon, onions, avocado and several sauces. It's called Tumba Rancho, roughly translated into "bringing down the house because it's so overloaded that it can fall apart while eating it. Then there are the arepas, savory cornmeal cakes. One is a vegan, full of tomatoes, avocados and olive oil, called the Mama Gladis, named for the Fernandezes mother , still in the country. The three cook some the food at a friend's apartment Saturday to be sold on Sunday. They hope to expand with a delivery only service along with another stand.
A food truck isn't just a food truck. It is a way out and a way up for so many cooks and chefs. For the Fernandez-Rengifo family it is both, a way out of a turbulent country and a way up to a better life.
Thursday, July 11, 2019
Wednesday, July 10, 2019
A Sous Vide Summer
Is boiled food the way to go in the summer? Surprisingly yes! Using a sous -vide can actually make for tender, butter soft beef cuts. Barbecued steaks will no longer have that chewy "shoe leather" texture.It's a much needed step for the perfect outdoor meal.
Melisa Clark wrote about it in today's New York Times Food section. A sous-vide is now a must have for cooking cuts that will be later seared on an outdoor grill. What is a sous -vide? It's really a method of vacuum sealing food and immersing in warm water with temps ranging anywhere from 120F to 140 F. The actual machine kind of looks like a meat thermometer and turns any large pot into a hot tub for food.The wand , also called a thermal immersion circulator, heats and circulates the water around. It's not just for beef, chicken, pork and fish. Veggies can also receive the sous-vide method. Amazon sells the sous vide wands and the prices vary from $200 to $400 however Ms. Clark has found some that only cost $45. Only a few years ago they were $1000, and used only by food techies and chefs. She recommends them and assuages home chefs that their kitchens will not heat up with sous-vides the way they would with other appliances. Also special sealer bags don't have to be bought. The food can be put into a plastic or silicone bag and the air squeezed out of them.
The recipes are delicious and perfect for the grill. They just require a quick time on the grill to acquire a nice crust and color. Anyone can make them. Ms. Clark interviews interviews New Orleans cinematographer, Jake Springfield, who is far from being a chef. However when friends come over he treats them to sous vide cooked tenderloins that have a quick sear on his backyard grill. The food comes out perfectly. The recipes are easy . Ms. Clark offers sous-vide steaks with spicy salsa verde, sous- vide ginger pork with celery slaw and a sous-vide salmon with caper-parsley vinaigrette. To be honest the celery slaw would be good with any barbecue meat however it offsets the pork which is marinated in a soy sauce, sriracha, ginger and smooth peanut butter. This is a perfect Saturday night dinner for the family dish as is the salmon with the vinaigrette The fish is basted with an herb paste of dill, parsley and scallions. The vinaigrette has a good dose of scallions and parsley, spiked with capers and cloves. Of course the best dish is the sous-vide rib steaks with a sinus clearing salsa verde. Jalapenos and harissa give this normally mild steak sauce a jolt. The steaks, though, would be good just on their own, thanks to being rubbed with garlic paste and rosemary.
For those barbecue chefs , buy a sous-vide to create the best tasting meats. It's a definite plus to any backyard cookout. Any meat - and veggie will be at their flavorful best.
Melisa Clark wrote about it in today's New York Times Food section. A sous-vide is now a must have for cooking cuts that will be later seared on an outdoor grill. What is a sous -vide? It's really a method of vacuum sealing food and immersing in warm water with temps ranging anywhere from 120F to 140 F. The actual machine kind of looks like a meat thermometer and turns any large pot into a hot tub for food.The wand , also called a thermal immersion circulator, heats and circulates the water around. It's not just for beef, chicken, pork and fish. Veggies can also receive the sous-vide method. Amazon sells the sous vide wands and the prices vary from $200 to $400 however Ms. Clark has found some that only cost $45. Only a few years ago they were $1000, and used only by food techies and chefs. She recommends them and assuages home chefs that their kitchens will not heat up with sous-vides the way they would with other appliances. Also special sealer bags don't have to be bought. The food can be put into a plastic or silicone bag and the air squeezed out of them.
The recipes are delicious and perfect for the grill. They just require a quick time on the grill to acquire a nice crust and color. Anyone can make them. Ms. Clark interviews interviews New Orleans cinematographer, Jake Springfield, who is far from being a chef. However when friends come over he treats them to sous vide cooked tenderloins that have a quick sear on his backyard grill. The food comes out perfectly. The recipes are easy . Ms. Clark offers sous-vide steaks with spicy salsa verde, sous- vide ginger pork with celery slaw and a sous-vide salmon with caper-parsley vinaigrette. To be honest the celery slaw would be good with any barbecue meat however it offsets the pork which is marinated in a soy sauce, sriracha, ginger and smooth peanut butter. This is a perfect Saturday night dinner for the family dish as is the salmon with the vinaigrette The fish is basted with an herb paste of dill, parsley and scallions. The vinaigrette has a good dose of scallions and parsley, spiked with capers and cloves. Of course the best dish is the sous-vide rib steaks with a sinus clearing salsa verde. Jalapenos and harissa give this normally mild steak sauce a jolt. The steaks, though, would be good just on their own, thanks to being rubbed with garlic paste and rosemary.
For those barbecue chefs , buy a sous-vide to create the best tasting meats. It's a definite plus to any backyard cookout. Any meat - and veggie will be at their flavorful best.
Tuesday, July 9, 2019
Vegan Vacations
It's that time of year when vacations beckon.Yet for vegans it can be rough, especially when they visit a city or resort that is more carnivore friendly. Herbivores need not worry.There are ways to get through a holiday away.
If you're adventurous, then consider vegan travel sites. One of the most meatless cities is Toronto, Canada. One neighborhood ,Parkland, is even nicknamed called Vegandale because of the large amount of vegan restaurants there.If you go , then also try the first vegan "butcher" Yamchops that offer coconut chip bacon and beet burgers. However this fascinating New York of the North has other attractions such as a Hockey Hall of Fame and Yonge-Dundas Square which features outdoor concerts and community activities. If it's warm then visit some of the city's many beaches. A lesser known place is Campbellville, home of happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary. This farm, located not that far from Toronto is a sanctuary to all animals, from pigs to chicken who were slated for the slaughterhouse.It started with a little pig Esther, her two dads, realtor Steve Jenkins and Derek Walters , a magician(!) and how she grew into a 600 pound beauty. Space was needed for her so the sanctuary was created.Abused and abandoned farm animals were added in the ensuing years. As for a place to stay there is the Mohawk Inn and Convention Center, however the hotel restaurant is a chop house. Go to the nearby smaller restaurants and cafes for vegan options.
Another vegan city is - what else - New York City. Manhattan boasts 600 (!!!) good vegetarian restaurants such as Blossom On 9th, This trendy eatery serves the Impossible Burger topped with everything from soy bacon to vegan mozzarella. They also serve a Sunday brunch complete with mimosas and bellinis. As for a quick bite go to Molly's Cupcakes which has build your own toppings cakes and cream filled ones. Manhattan is home to famed vegan Stella McCartney's store. She offers leather free shoes and bags along with ethically made clothing.They carry everything from footwear for men and women, bags and clothing. Europe also boasts vegan cities for those wanting to go overseas. London and Berlin are known for their animal consciousness.London has the humorously named Temple of Seitan which hosts a huge variety of different burgers and faux chicken. There is also Ms. Cupcake, a 100 per cent vegan restaurant. Check out the history of British veganism which started in the 1830's at Alcott House, Ham , Surrey. Berlin, home to centuries of history and amazing cathedrals has its' own chain of vegan supermarkets Veganz!Then there is Sao Paulo Brazil which boasts 280 vegan eateries plus open markets. It is also an art center so catch up on Brazilian art at Museo de Arte de Sao Paolo.
A fun vegan vacation can be had. There are cities and farm that cater to the meatless lifestyle. Visit them and enjoy a wonderful holiday.
If you're adventurous, then consider vegan travel sites. One of the most meatless cities is Toronto, Canada. One neighborhood ,Parkland, is even nicknamed called Vegandale because of the large amount of vegan restaurants there.If you go , then also try the first vegan "butcher" Yamchops that offer coconut chip bacon and beet burgers. However this fascinating New York of the North has other attractions such as a Hockey Hall of Fame and Yonge-Dundas Square which features outdoor concerts and community activities. If it's warm then visit some of the city's many beaches. A lesser known place is Campbellville, home of happily Ever Esther Farm Sanctuary. This farm, located not that far from Toronto is a sanctuary to all animals, from pigs to chicken who were slated for the slaughterhouse.It started with a little pig Esther, her two dads, realtor Steve Jenkins and Derek Walters , a magician(!) and how she grew into a 600 pound beauty. Space was needed for her so the sanctuary was created.Abused and abandoned farm animals were added in the ensuing years. As for a place to stay there is the Mohawk Inn and Convention Center, however the hotel restaurant is a chop house. Go to the nearby smaller restaurants and cafes for vegan options.
Another vegan city is - what else - New York City. Manhattan boasts 600 (!!!) good vegetarian restaurants such as Blossom On 9th, This trendy eatery serves the Impossible Burger topped with everything from soy bacon to vegan mozzarella. They also serve a Sunday brunch complete with mimosas and bellinis. As for a quick bite go to Molly's Cupcakes which has build your own toppings cakes and cream filled ones. Manhattan is home to famed vegan Stella McCartney's store. She offers leather free shoes and bags along with ethically made clothing.They carry everything from footwear for men and women, bags and clothing. Europe also boasts vegan cities for those wanting to go overseas. London and Berlin are known for their animal consciousness.London has the humorously named Temple of Seitan which hosts a huge variety of different burgers and faux chicken. There is also Ms. Cupcake, a 100 per cent vegan restaurant. Check out the history of British veganism which started in the 1830's at Alcott House, Ham , Surrey. Berlin, home to centuries of history and amazing cathedrals has its' own chain of vegan supermarkets Veganz!Then there is Sao Paulo Brazil which boasts 280 vegan eateries plus open markets. It is also an art center so catch up on Brazilian art at Museo de Arte de Sao Paolo.
A fun vegan vacation can be had. There are cities and farm that cater to the meatless lifestyle. Visit them and enjoy a wonderful holiday.
Monday, July 8, 2019
The All Inclusive Backyard Party
The warm weather is the best time to get to know your neighbors. No one is cooped up. Everyone is out and about. Why not take it a step further and have an all inclusive backyard party. Friendships can be forged. recipes can be changed. Best of all lessons about inclusiveness can be learned.
Of course the most important part is the planning. Unlike a block party which requires a permit three months in advance, a backyard party can be put together even in a week.Put aside time on a Friday or Saturday for a meeting of where it will be held.It doesn't necessarily have to be in the biggest yard. You could set up tables and folding chairs in the driveway and leave the backyard for contests and games. Secondly, write down a list of who's bringing what.The menu should be an all inclusive one, with neighbors and yourself cooking up family or ethnic dishes. Remember that neighborhoods are international these days and there are going to be a lot of delicious dishes from around the world. Encourage people to bring their family's best recipes. Also consider dietary restrictions and allergies for both adults and kids. It's up to the planning committee if alcohol will be served. Serve it if everyone is OK with it. Usually barbecues or outdoor meals usually call for just beer for the grown ups and soda and juice for the kids.The same goes for meat which certain religions forbid. You may want to go for an all vegan bash.
Apart from neighbors bringing in their family dishes there should be typical summer foods too. Have plenty of hot dogs and burgers for the kids and diehard barbecue lovers. Different sausages such as brats and Italian sausages can be cooked for something different. If you're making the last make sure you have sauteed peppers and onions too for a good hoagie sandwich. Your neighbors may bring over unusual with non traditional meats like mutton or goat. Embrace the difference. You and your family will expand their culinary tastes as well as you picking up a new recipe.Also have some classic American sides like macaroni salad which is easy to make. If that's one dish to make too many consider picking up a tub of it from your local supermarket or deli. Throw in potato salad and coleslaw too, if no one is making those. A fun dish that's universal is roasted corn. Have differently flavored butters, such as lemon and tarragon on hand for easy slathering. As for desserts, you can't go wrong with watermelon wedges. They're refreshing and a favorite. You could buy a Sno Cone machine and make frozen treats for everyone. They're only $44 on Amazon and will probably used many more times. Homemade ice cream cake is another treat as are homemade ice cream cupcakes.
A neighborhood backyard party is a fun way to meet the neighbors and try new dishes. Barriers can be torn down and new friendships forged. It's also a great way of celebrate the summer.
Of course the most important part is the planning. Unlike a block party which requires a permit three months in advance, a backyard party can be put together even in a week.Put aside time on a Friday or Saturday for a meeting of where it will be held.It doesn't necessarily have to be in the biggest yard. You could set up tables and folding chairs in the driveway and leave the backyard for contests and games. Secondly, write down a list of who's bringing what.The menu should be an all inclusive one, with neighbors and yourself cooking up family or ethnic dishes. Remember that neighborhoods are international these days and there are going to be a lot of delicious dishes from around the world. Encourage people to bring their family's best recipes. Also consider dietary restrictions and allergies for both adults and kids. It's up to the planning committee if alcohol will be served. Serve it if everyone is OK with it. Usually barbecues or outdoor meals usually call for just beer for the grown ups and soda and juice for the kids.The same goes for meat which certain religions forbid. You may want to go for an all vegan bash.
Apart from neighbors bringing in their family dishes there should be typical summer foods too. Have plenty of hot dogs and burgers for the kids and diehard barbecue lovers. Different sausages such as brats and Italian sausages can be cooked for something different. If you're making the last make sure you have sauteed peppers and onions too for a good hoagie sandwich. Your neighbors may bring over unusual with non traditional meats like mutton or goat. Embrace the difference. You and your family will expand their culinary tastes as well as you picking up a new recipe.Also have some classic American sides like macaroni salad which is easy to make. If that's one dish to make too many consider picking up a tub of it from your local supermarket or deli. Throw in potato salad and coleslaw too, if no one is making those. A fun dish that's universal is roasted corn. Have differently flavored butters, such as lemon and tarragon on hand for easy slathering. As for desserts, you can't go wrong with watermelon wedges. They're refreshing and a favorite. You could buy a Sno Cone machine and make frozen treats for everyone. They're only $44 on Amazon and will probably used many more times. Homemade ice cream cake is another treat as are homemade ice cream cupcakes.
A neighborhood backyard party is a fun way to meet the neighbors and try new dishes. Barriers can be torn down and new friendships forged. It's also a great way of celebrate the summer.
Saturday, July 6, 2019
Road Trip Pit Stops
It's holiday time and that means road trips.They're fun and exciting with them ending at a sunny beach, cool mountains or interesting town or city. Road trips also mean pit stops - namely to eat. The question is do you eat something at a rest stop or pack your own food? Which is better?
Rest stops can be fun,especially if you 're with friends or have tweens. You can settle down for a few minutes before the next leg of your journey.If you're traveling on New Jersey's Garden State Parkway or Turnpike, you could always pull over in to the Garden State's various rest stops and either relax with a Starbucks coffee or grab a salad at Burger King. However many don't go for the healthy eats which kick starts a week or two of vacation indulgences. Some rest stops , such as the ones located on the New Jersey Turnpike, has an entire section where visitors can pick up low calorie salads with such varied ingredients as feta cheese, olives, flax seeds, and bean sprouts. They also have a good array of healthy, low calorie whole wheat wraps too. Any of these and water make for a good lunch or dinner . Another thing to look out for is a farmer's market. Many of the rest stops host local farmers and their produce. You can easily pick up some tomatoes or fruit for snacking, along with artisanal whole grain breads.
A better idea is packing your own lunch and dinner.One fun one is stuffed pita pockets with turkey and a cucumber salad. The last is an easy make of chopped cucumbers, tomatoes and parsley with a vinaigrette. Hummus is the perfect snack or meal on the road, especially stuffed into a pita pocket. Try making a home made one with a squirt of lemon for a refreshing bite. If there are kids, there should be snacks.I just found these at my local Stop & Shop by the produce. They're Perfectly Free Fruit Bites and those little balls or bubbles are only 25 calories each. They are definitely going into m
Rest stops can be fun,especially if you 're with friends or have tweens. You can settle down for a few minutes before the next leg of your journey.If you're traveling on New Jersey's Garden State Parkway or Turnpike, you could always pull over in to the Garden State's various rest stops and either relax with a Starbucks coffee or grab a salad at Burger King. However many don't go for the healthy eats which kick starts a week or two of vacation indulgences. Some rest stops , such as the ones located on the New Jersey Turnpike, has an entire section where visitors can pick up low calorie salads with such varied ingredients as feta cheese, olives, flax seeds, and bean sprouts. They also have a good array of healthy, low calorie whole wheat wraps too. Any of these and water make for a good lunch or dinner . Another thing to look out for is a farmer's market. Many of the rest stops host local farmers and their produce. You can easily pick up some tomatoes or fruit for snacking, along with artisanal whole grain breads.
A better idea is packing your own lunch and dinner.One fun one is stuffed pita pockets with turkey and a cucumber salad. The last is an easy make of chopped cucumbers, tomatoes and parsley with a vinaigrette. Hummus is the perfect snack or meal on the road, especially stuffed into a pita pocket. Try making a home made one with a squirt of lemon for a refreshing bite. If there are kids, there should be snacks.I just found these at my local Stop & Shop by the produce. They're Perfectly Free Fruit Bites and those little balls or bubbles are only 25 calories each. They are definitely going into m
my lunch box when I make my shore day trips.I bought them in the mixed berry which is made up of strawberry, cranberry and blueberry concentrate.I definitely want to try their pineapple mix bites as well. Kids love crunch too. Try anything of Annie's Homegrown products. Have little containers filled with their cheddar bunnies and a new product, white cheddar bunny puffs, which are like a much healthier Cheez Doodle. Wash these down with either Bubly seltzer or Silk mini bottles of chocolate almond milk.
Pit stops are one of the most important parts of any road stop. Make sure that you start and end your trips by eating and drinking foods that help boost your energy levels and satisfy your hunger. They can make those many miles back and forth enjoyable.
Friday, July 5, 2019
The Sparkling Ice Contest
Sparkling Ice drink is a must have during these sweltering summer days. It eally is the perfect sip, with its variety of different flavors. What's best is that it can be turned into a fun treat for kids or a boozy one for their elders.
What the flavor is running now. Go to the website www.sparklingice.com. The grand prize is a week long Caribbean Cruise package from the Holland American line. Other prices include a Yeti cooler, a JBLportable Bluetooth speaker, the ultimate beach chair with a built in cooler. There's also the chance of winning a spikeball game set, a fun inflatable float or a beach bag full of summer essentials.
No matter what the flavor, Sparkling Ice is the perfect summer drink.I like putting it in my Slushie cup and having a cool ,refreshing zero calorie ice. For kids pour their the grape raspberry flavor into Popsicle molds and freeze. You could also turn the Classic Lemonade one into pops too.For a grown up treat, add a shot of vodka to the Sparkling Ice lemonades. Rum mixed with their pineapple- coconut Ice is a fizzy pina colada, great for a warm night under the stars. Freeze the crisp apple flavor in ice cube trays and plop in a glass of hard cider for a real kick. Keep in mind that Sparkling Ice is also good as a drink on a picnic or a day at the beach.
Sparkling Ice is the perfect summer thirst quencher. Always have it on hand to cool off. It is the summer must have that should always be in your fridge.
No matter what the flavor, Sparkling Ice is the perfect summer drink.I like putting it in my Slushie cup and having a cool ,refreshing zero calorie ice. For kids pour their the grape raspberry flavor into Popsicle molds and freeze. You could also turn the Classic Lemonade one into pops too.For a grown up treat, add a shot of vodka to the Sparkling Ice lemonades. Rum mixed with their pineapple- coconut Ice is a fizzy pina colada, great for a warm night under the stars. Freeze the crisp apple flavor in ice cube trays and plop in a glass of hard cider for a real kick. Keep in mind that Sparkling Ice is also good as a drink on a picnic or a day at the beach.
Sparkling Ice is the perfect summer thirst quencher. Always have it on hand to cool off. It is the summer must have that should always be in your fridge.
Thursday, July 4, 2019
A Happy And Diversified Fourth
Celebrate the Fourth and the diversity that is our country. Have a barbecue with German hamburgers hot dogs and cole slaw. Rinse it down with beer from Germany and Mexico. Or if you prefer fried chicken, whose recipe came with the enslaved from West Africa. Finish with ice cream that had its' origins in Italy and France. Or you could have French based marshmallows with Brazilian chocolate on good old American graham crackers which are taken from the English digestive biscuits. Snack on indigenous popcorn later on as you watch the fireworks.
Just remember that America isn't about one race, one religion and one nationality. All of us make up the melting pot and mosaic that is this great country. Don't listen to the harmful otherwise.
Celebrate everyone and everything about them, especially their foods!!!
Happy 4th of. July to Americans around the globe!!!!!!
🎆🎆🎆🎆🎆🎆
Just remember that America isn't about one race, one religion and one nationality. All of us make up the melting pot and mosaic that is this great country. Don't listen to the harmful otherwise.
Celebrate everyone and everything about them, especially their foods!!!
Happy 4th of. July to Americans around the globe!!!!!!
🎆🎆🎆🎆🎆🎆
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