Mexico in Buenos Aires...tsk tsk.

When I think of American food I think of, well, Mexican.  Burritos, fajitas, quesadillas, anything smothered in sour cream, cheese, and salsa.  Between the endless chains and small "authentic" Mexican restaurants (I am not including Taco Bell in this category), I think American's could teach Mexican's a thing or two about their own cuisine.  Ok, not really, but we could definitely teach those in Argentina what (our) Mexican food is all about.  

(guiaoleo.com.ar)

I went to El Salto de las Ranas (The Frogs' Leap) here in Buenos Aires last night and I was completely underwhelmed.  There was a 5 peso silverware fee on top of the ridiculous prices.  I ordered the quesadilla con hongos (mixed mushroom quesadilla) and it came out as two little soft taco type things the size of my palm.  With no sour cream, no salsa, nada.  They tasted well enough, but cost 10 pesos and were gone in 10 seconds.  I also got a cazuela de guacamole (guacamole in a terra cotta pot).  The guacamole was average, leaning on the side of pretty decent.  But it came with a spoon.  I have always thought of guacamole as a dip instead of a soup.  Guacamole soup (?) 12 pesos.  

Now, I may sound cheap when I say that this was expensive but to be fair the portions were just too small and strange.  And the service was slow and unfriendly.  To be fair, the place itself was dramatic and colorful and had a chandelier made of corn stalks.  Perhaps I ordered incorrectly, but most other items on the menu were in the 50 peso price range.  If you would like to find out for yourself and (hopefully) prove me wrong: Rodriguez Peña 1164 - Ciudad de Buenos Aires Tel: 4811-2635

Cold Sooooup

Is it me or does cold soup get a bad rap?  Yes, I know, it is not the season to be defending anything cold, but I am a loyal lover of cold soup year round.  Many times the ingredients are raw and therefore quite healthy, and a lot of times the soups tend to not be as heavy as those cream based chowders.  After all, as the winter months linger, we all tend to put on a few pounds.  This way, you can eat soup and have a taste of summer, too. . . 

(image from the perfectpantry.com)

GAZPACHO (yes, it deserves to be in all caps) is typically a tomato based summer soup as it is served cold and requires fresh and ripe ingredients.  There are, however, other kinds of gazpacho, depending on the country.  For instance, Spain has a white gazpacho which is cucumber based, and much creamier. Here is my take on the traditional recipe:

Ingredients:

8 ripe tomatoes, chopped


1/2 purple onion, finely chopped


1 cucumber, peeled, chopped


1 red bell pepper seeded and chopped



2 tablespoons olive oil


1 clove garlic

2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice


2 teaspoons sugar


Salt and fresh ground pepper to taste


6 or more drops of Tabasco sauce to taste


1 ½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

4 cups tomato juice, V8, or even Clamato if you're into that sort of thing..

Optional garnishes: dollop of sour cream, avocado cubes, croutons, cut up fresh mozzarella.

Method:

Combine all ingredients and blend slightly (I prefer a blender to a food processor, personally).  Place in a non-reactive storage container, cover, and refrigerate for several hours so the flavors blend.  You will probably find that the longer you wait to eat it, the stronger the flavors will become.  When you are ready to eat, add garnishes.  

As a side note, I recommend cutting everything pretty coursely, and not being too careful about peeling and taking out the seeds.  I prefer gazpacho to be a little bit chunky, rustic if you will, while others prefer a smoother consistency.  But no matter how you cut your veggies or how long you blend, make sure your gazpacho is never thin.  The worst thing that could happen is for it to come out watery.  Trust me. 

Cold Curried Yogurt Soup 

Ingredients:

1/3 cup water

1 teaspoon curry powder

1/2 cup fat free half and half

3 cups plain nonfat yogurt

1 cucumber, chopped and seeded

1/2 cup green onions, chopped

salt to taste

 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Garnishes:

1 tablespoon parsley, chopped 

1 tablespoon dill, chopped 

Method:

Dissolve the curry in water. In a large bowl mix the curry water, the yogurt, half and half, and all ingredients except for the garnishes. Stir well until combined.  Chill for a few hours.  Add garnishes. 

Cantaloupe Soup (I know, I know, just listen..)

Ingredients:

2 large cantaloupes, seeded and chopped

5 tablespoons sugar

1 1/2 cups sour cream

4 tablespoons chopped fresh mint 

1/3 cup whatever white wine you have sitting around

1/2 teaspoon orange peel, grated

1/2 teaspoon lemon peel, grated

Garnish:

mint leaves

Method:

Blend the cantaloupe, sugar, and mint until even.  Stir in the remaining ingredients and chill for a few hours.  Add garnish.   For a cute touch, you can serve the soup in a seeded cantaloupe.  

Something a little different

I know I usually write about food, as that is what this is all about, but I thought I would share a different experience with you:

Nare Café- (602 Seneca Ave.- 347-294-4739)$, Great for Groups, BYO Wine:

For months I had been wondering when or if there would be nightlife in my neighborhood of Ridgewood, Queens.  Happily, I report that slowly but surely one is emerging.  I went to the tiny but cozy Nare Café, a dark and heady hookah and tea bar that was previously in Manhattan but shut down due to underage drinking.  What I found was mood lighting, loud music, and fantastic service. I went with friends and we asked for two hookahs - one mango and one cantaloupe, out of the 20 flavors to choose from.   The hookahs, which seemed never-ending and are the unbeatable price of $7, appeared with a teacup filled with soapy water and a bubble wand.  Sam, our server, showed us how to create gigantic smoke-filled bubbles.  They were the nights greatest hit.   Our server constantly came and replaced our coals while making small talk about the area and their new location.  We had brought our own wine and he opened it for us for free, though said that after the first time there is a $10 corking fee.   As the night and the smoke seemed to be ending, Sam reached our table with one more hookah, on the house.  We chose coconut, my favorite of the evening, and settled back into our carved wooden benches for more conversation, exhalation, and bubbles.   M-R 4 pm to 2 am.  F-Sun 4 pm to 4 am.

Olea Mediterranean Tavern

(image from flikr.com)

First, let me start out by saying that I love tapas.  I am one of those people that usually ends up with food envy.  I look at the menu and there are (usually) three things that I can't choose between.  I used to ask the server to just pick between those three and surprise me, but the (not so surprising) result was always the most expensive dish.  Enter: tapas.  A little bit of everything that I want to try, without the depressing emptying of my wallet or my rolling on home.  A few tapas, a little wine, and I couldn't be happier.  So without further ado, I introduce to you Olea.  

Olea Mediterranean Tavern (171 Lafayette Ave in Fort Green, 718-643-7003, oleabrooklyn.com) $$- I went the first time with a few friends that had recently fallen in love with the place.  I, the converted, loved it so much I took my boyfriend there for his birthday.  It is warm, romantic, and small enough to feel personal without being cramped.  In other words, we could hear each other speaking.  The service was very much above average the first time, and average leaning towards good the second.  

I (in between both visits and sharing) tried the oysters (East and West coast), falafel-crusted artichoke hearts with eggplant, grilled baby octopus, lamb meatballs with feta and tomato sauce, asparagus, sirloin steak, crusted salted cod, swiss chard, and orange creme brulee for dessert.  The artichoke hearts, lamb meatballs, and the swiss chard were my favorites, though I recommend everything I tried.  The baby octopus was a bit bland but fine, and the salted cod needed to be kept in better company than olives which made it just too salty, but overall everything was sauced well, flavorful, and perfectly portioned.  The wine list is not particularly inspired, and they did not have the wine I ordered either time, but the beer list had my boyfriend downing one so he could try another.

The atmosphere itself is reason enough to go.  Try and go either for an early or late dinner, because there are no reservations for parties of less than five, and as the place is small it tends to fill up quickly.  Or go for brunch.  I think the best way to go is checking it out during "Happy Happy Happy Hour" where mostly everything is about half off (tapas are $3-$7 otherwise).  Look on their website for more details about special and regular events, like Spanish Fridays.  

Lamb on a Budget

 

Dill Lamb Chops with Sweet Fall Squash

 

Sautéed Lamb Chops:

4 lamb chops

2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

2 tablespoons salt

1 tablespoon red pepper flakes (or black pepper)

1 clove garlic, peeled and diced

3 tablespoons olive oil (or enough to cover bottom of large pan).

-Combine dill, salt, pepper, and garlic in a medium size bowl.  Place one lamp chop at a time in the mixture and make sure to cover both sides with a healthy amount.  Rub in. 

-Heat up oil in large pan over high heat.  When oil is warm, put lamb chops on. Cover for 5 minutes, then flip. Lower heat to medium.  Let rest. Sautéing  should take no more than 15 minutes

 

Tzatziki:

4 ounces thick Greek yogurt

4 ounces sour cream

1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced

¼ lemon, juiced

1 teaspoon olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

1 clove garlic, peeled and diced.

 

-Combine Greek yogurt and sour cream in a medium size bowl.

-In a food processor, combine and blend lemon juice, olive oil, cucumber, and dill until smooth.

-Fold in blended ingredients into the creamy mixture and slowly blend. – do not mix too much or the yogurt will become runny.

-Add salt and pepper to taste.

-Put in refrigerator to chill for one hour.

-Pour over lamb chops or serve on side. 

 

Sweet Fall Squash:

 ½ acorn squash, peeled, seeded, and diced into one inch cubes

½ stick butter, softened

3 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon honey.

 

-Preheat oven to 420 degrees. 

-Grease medium pan with ½ of the half stick of butter.  Place diced squash into pan and cover with the rest of the butter and brown sugar.  Drizzle the honey over the squash.  Cover with foil and roast in oven for 45 minutes.

Enjoy!

Be Bold, Order Strangely

Sushi Yasuda $$$(204 E 43rd St- Tel (212)972-1001)- Yesterday, a friend and I decided to catch up over sushi. We chose Sushi Yasuda because I had been hearing great things (freshest fish ever, melt in your mouth sushi, etc) and luckily for me, my friend loves sushi as much as I do.  If nothing else, the constant dare by reviewers of "Sushi Yasuda is not for sushi amateurs" was, for me, reason enough to go.  

I called for a reservation and after much confusion and difficulties because of the language barrier, I was able to get a reservation from 7:30 to 9 at the sushi bar. My interest immediately grew as I have never been given a time limit at a restaurant and definitely not at the bar.  

I arrived and was impressed and intimidated by the decor.  Huge light wood panels cover the entire room and little bright lights keep the room elegantly but well lit.  Sushi Yasuda is nothing but clean in atmosphere and presentation.  I have read reviews that say dress casually.  I think they mean business casual as most people were in suits.  This is definitely the type of place to recommend to your boss.

My friend and I both ordered the prix fixe sushi menu which came with salad or miso soup, 5 pieces of sushi, and 2 rolls (everything is picked from the prix fixe menu and therefore some of your favorite choices may not be an option) for $22.50 or a few dollars more with dessert.

We started off with drinks, he drinking a Pinot Grigio (the only option) and I drank plum wine.  He got the salad and I got the miso soup.  I recommend the salad, the soup was a bit bland.  Then it was time for the sushi.  My five pieces were salmon, squid fin, sea scallop (not Himo), cherrystone-clam, and striped-bass.  His included rainbow trout and orange-clam (his sushi pieces pictured above).  The sushi comes with a thin layer of soy sauce painted on and any more soy sauce would have overwhelmed the taste of the fish (a lesson my friend quickly learned).  Everyone was right.  The fish is incredibly fresh, does melt in your mouth, and is not for beginners.  

The rolls were slightly less exciting to my Americanized tongue.  With rolls, and I'm sure that this is the stuff of amateurs, I expect more, well, stuff.  A little roe here, a chunk of avocado there.  The rolls at Sushi Yasuda, like everything else in their establishment, are no-frills and all about quality.  Each roll comes as traditional fish, rice, and seaweed, with a dab of wasabi.  My friend and I each ordered two rolls but the sushi chef had the fun idea of splitting them up so we could try a little bit of everything.  Had we known this beforehand, we wouldn't have chosen so similarly.  The white king salmon roll was a personal favorite.  

Sushi Yasuda is not for the timid.  Be bold, order strangely.  If you do not go for the prix-fixe menu, try the chef's red penned selections of the day.  They are the freshest.  Expect attentive service (if not a bit difficult to understand), and be sure to ask your chef what it is that you are eating.  

Peru in Brooklyn

(image from nycgo.com)

Chimu (482 Union Ave- (718)349-1208)$$- Next to Union Pool, the rowdy Williamsburg bar, is a small but not so hidden gem: Chimu.  After much argument about price vs. atmosphere vs. type of food, my boyfriend and I finally agreed upon eating Peruvian, more so out of frustration than anything else.  He wanted to eat something warm and heavy in a relaxed setting and did not want to pay very much.  I immediately picture Friday's.  No.  To Chimu we went.  

We arrived around 7 and the place was nearly deserted.   The lights were low, the candles were plentiful, and the fun Peruvian music was just soft enough.  The service was attentive without being overbearing, and continued to be so even after 8 when Chimu became instantly packed.  

I ordered a glass of house red (it was fine) and he ordered a Pisco Sour which was frothy and much larger than expected.  

I ate the ceviche mixto which was piled high calamari, shrimp, white fish, mussels, onions, cilantro, and even a small crab.  It came with Peruvian corn, sweet potato, and a regular potato.  Additionally, I ordered a side of maduros (fried sweet plantains).  Everything was fresh, well seasoned, and thoughtfully planned out.  Well, everything but the corn which was bland and unnecessary.  

My boyfriend had the Chupe de Camarones, a gigantic creamy soup with large pieces of shrimp and vegetables floating around.  It had a ton of queso fresco, which was not mentioned on the menu but was a happy surprise.  The soup was much bigger than expected and we saw a table next to us splitting it (a wise decision).  He also had a chicken empanada which was very crunchy but kind of greasy, nothing special.  Do not order the soup if your stomach is sensitive.  While it was definitely tasty and very filling, it was perhaps too much cream and cheese (I never thought I would say that) for one recipe.  Perhaps splitting it would be less harsh on the belly.  

Go to Chimu.  Go very, very hungry.  We went hungry and came home with leftovers.  Try everything mentioned above (minus the empanada), the Aji de Gallina, or the Jalea.  Finish it all off with a dulce de leche crepe and I promise you will be wanting to go back very soon after.  

Molecular Ice Cream

(photo from Things to See NYC)

I went to Lulu and Mooky’s today, a new ice cream place on the Lower East Side. L&M’s opened just two weeks ago. This is obvious upon arrival as the place is empty, silent, and sports a tiny hand written sign outside that says “Liquid Nitrogen Ice Cream.” After reading about it through TastingTable.com I decided to try it out in 40 degree weather on a rainy Thursday. Though they (he, really. A quiet Middle Eastern man who seemed shocked to be working there) opened an hour past their regular opening time, it ended up being worth the wait. For $3 (soon to be $4) you can mix and match your own flavors, the result being two creamy scoops. I ordered butter pecan mixed with pumpkin spice (tasted exactly like fall) and my friend’s ordered hot chocolate (fine. nothing to write home about) and pomegranate mixed with burnt sugar (tasted exactly like a flower shop). Other flavors include cotton candy, hot sauce, basil, egg nog, and of course the more traditional flavors.

Go and pick out your flavors which are there mixed in with a creamy substance and then blended. Soon after watch as liquid nitrogen pools around the bowl, the blender, and your belongings. Definitely worth the visit.

Lulu and Mooky’s- 129 Allen St., Manhattan. 5 pm-12 am M-S, Sundays 1 pm-7 pm.

Peru in Buenos Aires

I’ve been here in Buenos Aires for a month now, visiting with family and enjoying the country that has for as long as I can remember been my second home. Traditional cuisine in Argentina consists mostly of lots of meat and lots of wine. And don’t get me wrong, I love empanadas and morcilla (blood sausage) as much as the next person, but after a few days my pescatarian accustomed body is crying for some fish. The problem? Buenos Aires’ main mass of water is el Rio de La Plata. While it may be the widest river in the world, it is not the world’s main source for fish.

My solution, aside from an abundant amount of insanely expensive sushi, is Peruvian food. Ceviche! I know of no greater combination than fresh raw fish with fresh vegetables. And luckily for me (and all tourists who can take advantage of the exchange rate) it is much cheaper than other Argentine options. As I have previously mentioned, it is important to me to be able to eat inexpensively. What a better way to do it than in another country and in the greatest company: my family.


Chan Chan (Hipólito Yrigoyen 1390 - Tel: 4382-8492) $$ - A small and authentic family owned restaurant in the center of Buenos Aires. Though the presentation of the food and of the place itself are not particularly exciting, it can be quickly overlooked. The service is exceptional and the food is fresh, traditional, and comes in massive quantities. Even if you are accustomed to the gigantic portions served in the United States, you will not leave anything but full. And while the place is slightly plain in appearance, it is clearly not trying as hard as some others to be obviously Peruvian (think humble, not ugly) . It is a relaxed environment without too much noise. The only downfall is that they do not take reservations, so get there before 10 pm. If that is not an option for you, they also deliver. Try: A pisco sour, the oysters, the assorted fish soup, and the ceviches especiales (ask for them spicy). *Does not take credit cards

Mochica (Agüero 520 - Tel: 4866-2200) $$$- Try Mochica for their large assortment. Whether you are an adventurous eater with a strong knowledge of Peruvian food or it is your first time trying it, you will find something to eat, and chances are you will like it. Though they do take reservations, it has not seemed necessary yet. Upon my first visit, the service was absolutely awful and we ended up drinking wine and eating bread until we lost all interest in our orders. To their credit, there were two servers on staff and a few minutes after we sat down another party came in unexpectedly- of 12 people. On the positive side, the wine selection is large and the food was mostly worth the wait. The salmon ceviche was bright, light, and well seasoned. In fact, all ceviches were on point except for the assortment of three, which was way too salty. The three sauces quickly combined, creating an all too powerful effect. They deliver in a “40-50 block radius” though I do not suspect that you will have too much trouble getting a table. And the place is perfect for dates or small gatherings.

5 Cheap Eats in Brooklyn

(Sea pictured. Image found online)

Eton Dumplings- Winner of an Eat Out Award, Eton Dumplings will send your taste buds and your wallet home happy. For $3.75 you receive 5 plump dumplings. The chicken/mushroom dumplings, a crowd pleaser, are slightly crunchy on the outside and salty inside. Vegetarians can eat the veggie/tofu dumplings, though they are not as highly recommended. Though the joint is called Eton Dumplings, what really steals the show are the shave ices. There are 22 flavors including lychee, watermelon, cotton candy, and raspberry. These traditional Hawaian shave ices (and yes, they are really shaved) are just $3.75 for a regular or $4.75 for a large and can easily be shared between two people. Call ahead as sometimes the orders take longer than desired.

(718) 222-2999. 205 Sackett St, 11231.

Willie’s Dawgs- Located in pricey Park slope, Wilie’s dawgs is an addicting hot dog shop with a humorous menu and creative ideas. Try the Mutto-o de Mayo (chipotle sauce, chopped onion, tomato, cheese, cilantro, “gold dust” aka crush taco chips, all on a challah roll) for $5. If you’re a vegetarian, try the Phoney Baloney Dawg (grilled marinated carrot) for $3.23 plus extra for some toppings or the Downward Facing tofu Dog for $3.73 . All hot dogs come on fresh baked rolls (challah, rye, and multi-grain) which are as fresh as they claim.

Take your hot dog outside to the back patio and kick back with a $1.50 soda. Average total? $5.25 for yummy hot dog goodness.

(718) 832-2941. 351 5th Ave, 11215.

The Myrtle-Wycoff Taco Stand- Everyone is partial to the stands by their own home, but I have to say, I’m not just being biased. When I first moved to the area, I was looking for something, anything,that would lift my foodie spirits. I found the Myrtle-Wycoff taco stand. Family owned, these tacos could not be more traditional in flavors and in customs. There are no lines, so be prepared to yell out for that chicken taco (or beef paunch burrito, or pork ear torta) over the crowd of regulars that forms every morning and never dies down (it is open 24 hours, after all). The roasted pork taco is a personal favorite but at $2 each why not try them all? The tortas (sandwiches) are well portioned and smothered in cilantro. Open any of the small compartments in front of the metal truck and you will find different flavored sodas, such as tamarind, a welcome refreshment after so much heat.

Located directly in front of the Myrtle Ave-Wycoff Ave train station.

Sea-You won’t believe the prices after walking in to the impossibly hip Sea. A shallow reflecting pool sits in the middle of the large space, clear bubble chairs hang from the ceiling in the waiting area, and a swinging bench seats many impatient customers. While Sea is usually completely packed for dinner, it is their lunch that steals the show. The music is not as invasively loud during the day and there is usually no wait. Order any entrée or special on the lunch menu and get a free appetizer. Try the pad thai with chicken and shrimp entrée and get the steaming Southern Soup (shrimp, squid, scallop, with spicy lemongrass and lime leaf). The portions, though half portions are still enormous, so expect to take some home. Spend $7.50 on an appetizer, entrée, and get to take some home? Look past Sea’s posh décor and you will find low prices.

(718) 384- 8850. 114 North 6th St, 11211.

Alligator Lounge- Walking by Alligator Lounge on a Friday night, it’s hard not to be tempted by the smell of gooey warm pizza on a wood-burning oven. And considering the pizza is free, why resist? For every drink you get, you get a ticket for a free personal pizza. There are over 10 draft beers as well as all the standard liquors. Beers can range from $3-$5 and drinks are about $5. Sit down at one of the small half-circle booths with a personal pie and a tall mug of beer and if it’s Wednesday, a bingo card. Alligator Lounge has many weeknight events, also including karaoke in the dungeon like back room on Thursday. There are many locations to choose from, so check them all out.

This Alligator lounge- (718) 599-4400. 600 Metropolitan Ave, 11211.

Starting to Eat

Finally, I’ve joined the world of blogging.  I kept telling myself that eventually I would, but would put it off due to various excuses (lies):  the timing wasn’t right, I didn’t know enough, didn’t know what to write about, etc.  And while I’m certain that this is simply a starter blog, at least I’m starting! 

After graduating with a BA in Creative Writing, I kept asking myself what I could possibly write about.  I experimented with several subjects before deciding that the best thing to keep me writing would be to write about what I love: food.  So now, I have joined the very popular and ever growing world of foodies.  To put it simply, I am starting to truly eat.  

Most of you are familiar with this story.  Currently unemployed, new resident of New York City:  What do I eat?  Where can I eat without plowing through my savings at full speed?  These are questions many of us ask ourselves today.  While it is not my only mission, it is my current goal to investigate this subject while enjoying myself and also indulging in the occasional splurge.  I am confident that as I start and continue Starting Out Eating it will become more defined and specific.  For now, I just want to share my experiences … and begin!