Boriqua Blog

It causes me great sorrow to say, that this afternoon, at about 5:30 PM, I suffered a huge loss. Mami’s oldest sister, Maria, passed away, after a long struggle with emphysema which was further complicated by other issues.

Tia Maria was a pretty incredible woman, not to mention a dynamo in the kitchen. Papi would race to her house around the holidays for her pasteles en hoja, and her red beans were so good you could eat them with bread alone…her recipe for Arroz con Dulce is in my book ! She had a very dry sense of humor, and was quick to give solid advice (on my sixteenth birthday, “Girl, you want to open your eyes and close your legs!”), was incredibly independent (she kept her own house with chicken, turkeys, and house dogs) and tilled her own expansive yard (with banana trees, mango, pomme rosa, grapefruit, achiote bushes, gandules, and even yuca plants) made her own meals, and always had the foresight to send a plate of whatever to a neighbor in need. I can remember many times as a hungry college student, making a pit stop in her house on Essex St. on the Lower East Side, and having her set a quick place for me at her table. I could always count on Tia hooking me up with rice, beans, and some of her great pollo frito or carne guisada.

Tia never traveled much, she was always a “mujer de la casa”, but tonight she’s making a heck of a trip…and when she gets there, I want her to say hello to a very good friend of hers, and a very special person to me. Tia, tell Abuela that we miss her and we love her, much as you will be missed, now…thank you for your kindness, your guidance, and your love, and may God bless you and grant you light.

Tia Maria

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I’m going to take a chance here, and assume that you all have gotten the clear indication that my trip to the D.R. was a resounding success. Let me take that one step further, and say that one of the most unforgettable meals that I had on my trip, was a the El Cantabrico restaurant, which has been at the same site for 42 years.

I would be hard pressed to say that I have ever been treated with more genuine hospitality and graciousness in a restaurant. The charming (and handsome!) captain, Esteban, described dishes, explained ingredients, and refreshed us with pitchers of Sangria.

Esteban brings out lechon

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I took advantage of the gorgeous weather we’re experiencing in Brooklyn this week to step out to the Red Hook Ball Fields, and grab some great Latino eats. You are probably well informend by now, of the stalls of food from Mexico, Salvador, and Honduras. Apparently, everybody else had the same idea!

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I’ve actually sat at the computer for 10 solid minutes, trying to figure out how I can describe this restaurant to you. It was one of many highlights on my trip to Santo Domingo, and as I understand it, even among the residents, it is a very special treat indeed, when one ventures to the doors of El Meson de La Cava, open since 1967. The restauarant itself is a natural limestone grotto, carved out by the waves of the ocean.The caves have been home to Tainos, pirates (I wonder if Cofresi ever made a hide out here?), and more recently, Dominican freedom fighters. Las Jevas started out on a hot night, and we had the time of our lives!

Ninotchska, Daisy, Ondina, Migs, and Dona Miggy

I really had no idea what to expect, and when we started to descend, I started to get a little worried. All worries were calmed when we arrived at the beautifully appointed dining room.

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A couple of months ago, I was sitting at the birthday brunch that Violet hosted for me at Dos Caminos SOHO, and our friend Paul was talking about a space that a friend had suggested he celebrate his upcoming 50th birthday celebration at. Violet immediately piped up to say that he should not worry about planning that. He had friends who would be happy to do that. So this month, on July 1, 2007, we helped Paul celebrate his semi-centennial celebration at a lovely recreation space in his ultra fabulous apartment building in the Financial District. I had the honor, with my kitchen ninjas at The Passionate Palate, of doing the food for Paul’s party, and since there was no working stove in the space, I developed a cold cocktail hour and buffet for his menu ( with the exception of the mini-Cubano sandwiches). Paul’s lovely wife, Paula is from Argentina, and she wanted to do little passed sandwiches like her family does in Buenos Aires. We served Shrimp Cocktail a la Daisy (with a dab of guacamole on a corn tostada and a cocktail sauce garnish), Gazpacho Shooters, Open Face Goat Cheese, Cucumber and Red Onion Tea Sandwiches, Fruit Tartar with Caviar Garnish, and Mini- Cubano Sandwiches (we had to go upstairs to Paul’s apartment for the final pressing).

Shrimp Cocktail a la Daisy

Gazpacho Shooters

Open Faced Goat Cheese Tea Sandwiches with Cucumbers and Pickled Red Onion

Mango and Strawberry Tartares with caviar Garnish

Mini- Cubano Sandwiches

I had promised myself (the Queen of Prep), that I would prep enough so that I would be able to set the ninjas up for the party, and then once the cocktail session was over, and the buffet table was set up, that I would join the festivities as a guest. Paul had opted for a Black and White theme, and all of his guests were happy to oblige. The room is very minimalist so the black and white thing worked very nicely, with splashes of color coming from beautiful flowers artistically arranged by Paula and Kerry Muldoon, Paul’s party planner.

The space also has a gorgeous outside veranda which overlooks the NY Stock Exchange…how’s that for a view!

The buffet table looked beautiful as well. We created a lovely Cold Poached Salmon served with Cream Dill Sauce, an Herb Roasted Loin of Beef served with a Horseradish Sauce, a Green and White Salad with green lettuce, fennel, Belgian endive asparagus, haricot verts, and scallions with a Champagne Vinagrette, and a Wheatberry Salad with Grilled Vegetables (eggplant, red peppers, portabello, green and yellow squash, onion) in a Balsamic Glaze.

The Cold Buffet Table

Cold Poached Salmon

Cold Herb Roasted Filet of Beef

We wrapped things up with a lovely birthday cake from Mother Mousse Bakery, filled with white chocolate mousse and raspberry filling, topped with chocolate covered strawberries…delicious!

Paul’s Birthday cake

It truly was a fabulous evening, full of family and friends who came to help Paul celebrate his life.

Here’s wishing you many, many years of health, wealth and happiness, and a life brimming with friends who cherish you, Paul. You deserve it! Feliz Cumpleanos….and many more!

Paul and Paula

*edit : most of the photos on this entry are compliments of Paul’s friend Maura who generously contributed her time and her artistic eye to document this fabulous party.

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Just as an FYI, I was shaken awake this morning by nothing less than a tornado. If I lived in Kansas, I guess that wouldn’t be so out of the blue, but in Brooklyn, NY, this is some seriously rare news! I immediately heard the boys running downstairs from the third floor, so I knew I hadn’t imagined it (of course, there was little doubt, as Roxie barked up a blue streak!). The whole thing lasted seconds, but it was enough to lay a smackdown on my poor historic neighborhood, the likes of which I can’t remember in the 19 years I have lived here. Trees that were over 100 years old are history, and trees as young as 25 years old have been devastated as well.

On the bright side, it appears no one on my block has been hurt (although there were a couple of close call funny stories!), although it breaks my heart to see so many of our beautiful trees laid to waste.

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Yucca Fries, Salt Cod Salad, Grilled Red Snapper, Ajilimojili and Strawberry Surprise (see below)

I’m baaaaaack! I’m back and ready to go! My epicurean excursion to the Dominican Republic was nothing short of amazing, albeit not nearly as extensive as I would have liked to be, so I foresee another trip back to Quisqueya somewhere in the future (I know, it’s a tough gig, but someone has to do it! ). Aside from all the great food that I had the pleasure of experiencing, I was lucky to take in beautiful sites, and make a ton of new friends!

The beautiful view from beachside restaurant El Neptuno in Boca Chica, D.R. is truly breathtaking.

My fear of becoming a candidate for gastric bypass, after my gastronomic jaunt was quickly assuaged when I discovered that restaurants offered the freshest of seafood, a surplus of the most beautiful tropical fruits, and an overabundance of delicious vegetables and salads. In addition, I discovered quipe (think alcapurria) a meat and bulgar wheat croquette which is absolutely delicious, and has middle eastern roots. I actually tasted the traditional Middle Eastern quipe and the more modern Dominicanized quipe, as well as a raw quipe which is served with flatbeads. All where incredibly delicious. I’ll be blogging all about the food on the trip on Boriqua Blog, so make sure you check it out with some regularity, as there are going to be lots of pictures.

A basket of delicious Middle Eastern quipe makes a perfect snack.

The glorious Framboyan tree is the national tree of the D.R.

Whether on the beaches of Boca Chica or Samana, on the mountains of San Cristobal, or the quaint town of San Jose de las Matas, my companions and I were dazzled on a daily basis by the natural beauty of the Dominican Republic, and the friendliness of it’s people. A drive into the country rewarded us with visions of rice paddies, trees hanging heavy with mangoes and all kinds of citrus, and genuine hospitality.

Excursions into the city had there own rewards as well. Restaurant after restaurant invites you to partake of their delectable culinary creations. I can say unequivocally that I had some seriously good food in the D.R., and not least among it was an incredible meal that I had in Miggy’s childhood friend’s family’s house (did I say that right?). The Estevez family invited us to a “Welcome to Santo Domingo” dinner at their beautiful and gracious home, where they prepared a meal that was nothing short of incredible (Boriqua Blog!). You guys may have heard me say time and time again, that I am savory, not sweet, right? Well, Ninotchska Estevez, who planned and with the help of her sister Walewska (yes, that Walewska, of Mamajuana fame!), and mom, Magda, prepared this feast, may have well challenged this trait. Ninotchska prepared the most delicious dessert that evening, and agreed (after much begging and pleading) to share her recipe for Sorpresa de Fresas (Strawberry Surprise), which I have chosen as my exclusive recipe for this month’s newsletter. Light and refreshing, it is a marvelous addition to your next barbeque, buffet, and dinner party, and it has the added attraction of being one of those make ahead recipes (my faves!).

Sorpresa de Fresas a la Ninotchska

My trip to glorious Quisqueya has left me waxing poetic, eager to make a return visit, and happy to welcome a couple of new friends into the folds of the infamous Sofrito Girls! Life is good, my friends…I can’t imagine possibly being any luckier than I am! Have a great rest of the summer!!

Ninotchska, Daisy, Walewska, and Miggy

Strawberry Surprise

For the cake:

• ½ cup butter
• 1 cup white sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tablespoon white vanilla
• 1 ½ cups all purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ cup milk

Preheat oven to 350. In a blender beat the butter and the sugar until smooth, add the eggs one by one, and lastly the vanilla.

In another bowl, sift the flour with the next 2 ingredients, then with a wooden spoon add this mixture to the butter mix, adding milk alternately (beginning and ending with the flour).

Place the mixture in a baking dish. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees.
Let it chill and unmold.
Cut in squares.

For the cream:

• 3 cups cold heavy cream
• ½ cup confectionary sugar
• 1 tablespoon white vanilla
• 1 box of cream cheese
• 2 small boxes of fresh strawberries sliced, save 3 for decoration
• 1 cup strawberry jam

In your blender, beat the cream of milk until it reaches a slightly light consistency, add sugar and vanilla, keep beating, and finally add the cheese. Beat well and save. In a big deep bowl begin by placing the cream, followed by slices of cake, jam and some strawberries, and repeat. Finish with the cream and cover thoroughly.
Decorate with mire strawberries.

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I’ve had incredible Dominican style breakfast here in NYC, and was eager to experience it on the island itself. My guide, Ninotchska Estevez alerted me to a spot called Panaderia Sum, which was recently renovated, and offered a good Dominican breakfast. Continue Reading »

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Is it me, or has it gotten really quiet around here lately? Everyone must be having a really fabulous summer, because things have really quieted down in the “comments” section, lol…I thought I’d break the Dominican Republic retrospective up a little bit and share something a little different…
…..and speaking of crickets, I was invited to the NY Premiere of the Jennifer Lopez/Marc Anthony movie, “El Cantante” last Thursday evening. First let me say that I have always been a great fan of Hector LaVoe and his music. That is the music of my teen hood, my first crush, that I first learned to salsa to. In short, I really, really, really wanted to love this movie. I had seen a trailer of it last year at The NY Puerto Rican Day Parade, and felt my hairs stand up when I saw Marc Anthony singing “Aguanile” as Hector LaVoe. I felt he had really captured the “Hector” thing. So when I got the chance to attend the premiere, I jumped!

The premiere was held at the AMC Theater on 42and Street, and the was very little in the way of organization when we got there. I’ve been to premieres at the Ziegfeld, and the red carpet is always well defined, security is on top of everything, and traffic is under control. The fact that the AMC is a 25 theatre complex, complicated that a little bit, but we managed to be herded in only to get up to the theater and wait 90 minutes (the movie was to start at 7PM and started at 8:25 or so), the air conditioner was not working, and people were walking out in droves. Still, I wanted to stick it out like a true fan. I’ll leave it to Siskel and Ebert to critique the movie, but as a fan, I was disappointed. The movie really should have been called Puchi LaVoe, but I digress.

Okay, I figure…maybe the after party at Cipriani’s will be better…I mean how bad could a party at Cipriani’s be, right? *Sigh* I felt bad because it felt to me like JLo’s and MA’s celebrity fans did not come out in support of the movie. Miggy happened on Omar Minaya, the GM of the NY Mets, and then we trapped the only other Fania All Star that I saw there that night , Johnny “El Maestro” Pacheco (I whispered in his ear that I had a crush on him since I was 16, and he said, “Now you tell me!”).

Miggy and Omar Minaya

Daisy, Johnny “El Maestro” Pacheco, and Miggy

Marc Anthony made a brief appearance, saying that he had been told to sing 2 songs, but he was going to do 4. He brought the house down with a wall shaking rendition of “Mi Gente”, but I felt like I had just managed to get a mere taste of the LaVoe experience.

On the way home, I felt disappointed that my appetite for the movie (I was really hungry for it) had not been satiated…too bad…they had some incredible material to work with.

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Like I said in my previous post, I was off to a really good start with my Dominican food expedition, with the very real promise of it only getting better! We started off our second day with an excursion into the colonial part of Santo Domingo where we visited a confectionery which had a lot of sweets I had never seen.

Chicharron de Leche and Dulce de Naranja

However, since we are all up for sampling, we bought assorted packages and had ourselves a sugar rush! Exactly what we all needed to energize for our little tour of La Colonial. We stopped by La Catedral Primada de las Americas, which is the oldest cathedral in the New World, built from 1514 to 1546. The cathedral was beautiful without being overwhelming, and I stepped inside to say a short prayer, and light a candle.

The main alter

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