http://www.thecookingadventuresofchefpaz.com Culinary Tales of a Novice Amateur Cook ~ "Look Mom, I'm boiling water!" Tue, 09 Mar 2010 04:05:26 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en   I first made this Ecuadorian dish last month for my mom's birthday.  Since then, I've made it several more times.  According to Laylita's Recipes, "a menestra is a popular stew type dish of lentils or beans and served with rice, plantains, salad and your choice of protein: beef, pork, fish, ... http://www.thecookingadventuresofchefpaz.com/2010/03/09/menestra-de-porotos-bean-stew/ Well, here's another photo from the last snowstorm we had in February -- a couple walks their dog in Central Park.  Thankfully, today, there's only a trace of the snow in the city.   Although Fall is my favorite season, I'm SO looking forward to Spring. The dog in the photo reminds ... http://www.thecookingadventuresofchefpaz.com/2010/03/07/new-york-monday-28/     If you’re interested in helping the earthquake victims of Chile and are unsure of where to make a donation, you might want to consider the international disaster relief agency ShelterBox.  They deliver emergency shelter (a ten- person tent, blankets, water purification, storage equipment, a ... http://www.thecookingadventuresofchefpaz.com/2010/03/04/shelterbox-and-some-awards/ Hi Everyone:  Sorry I missed putting up last week's New York Monday and food post.  I have a family emergency and have been unable to blog.    I'm trying to get back on track. We had another blizzard last week.  Lots of snow everywhere.   One man was killed in Central Park, ... http://www.thecookingadventuresofchefpaz.com/2010/03/01/new-york-monday-27/     With the exception of the occasional bacon and ham, I do not prepare or eat pork dishes.  However, the other day, I saw an enticing Mexican recipe posted by Mari of Once Upon a Plate that I just had to try it.   The food looked so mouth-watering and I liked that ... http://www.thecookingadventuresofchefpaz.com/2010/02/17/carnitas-little-pieces-of-browned-pork/   Snow, snow everywhere! The back of a snow-covered statue in Harlem. We had a snowstorm earlier this week.  It may snow again this Monday. Have a great week, everyone. Paz                     http://www.thecookingadventuresofchefpaz.com/2010/02/14/new-york-monday-26/ Yes, that's supposed to be a heart-shaped cake.  However, no one could would wait for me to take a photo of my finished product and I was too tired to fight off the cake eaters. When I first saw this cake on Lululu at Home, the stripes immediately captured my ... http://www.thecookingadventuresofchefpaz.com/2010/02/14/zebra-cake/ Chopped cilantro and onions -- part of the ingredients to make sofrito.   I'm not so crazy about turkey.  The only part of the turkey I like LOVE is the wings.  Yeah, I love turkey wings and that's it.  For a long time, I'd just sprinkle salt and pepper and drizzle olive ... http://www.thecookingadventuresofchefpaz.com/2010/02/09/turkey-wings-a-la-helin/ Part of the menu you'll find at a Lebanese restaurant on the West side. Have a great week, everyone. Paz                     http://www.thecookingadventuresofchefpaz.com/2010/02/07/new-york-monday-25/ Melting chocolate chips and butter for the cake.   Neither my family nor I really care for chocolate cake.  We rarely eat it and prefer yellow cake over a chocolate one.  Recently, I saw a Mexican chocolate cake recipe on Canela and Comino .  One ingredient in particular intrigued me.  Ground cayenne ... http://www.thecookingadventuresofchefpaz.com/2010/02/03/mexican-chocolate-cake/