A Very Merry West Indian Christmas....

This Holiday season, I thought I would share a bit of my Guyanese/West Indian heritage with you all. Here's a taste of my part of Queens. Last year I had the pleasure to have two of my cake recipes featured in the Queens Chronicle. Now you ...can make these goodies in your home and have a bit of West Indian cheer this year.
http://www.qchron.com/qboro/stories/caribbean-christmas-recipes-for-the-holidays/article_29a9c93d-a78f-5c5f-9b5d-d0027453114d.html

 

Black Cake aka West Indian Rum Cake

 

 

 cup dried raisins1 cup dried prunes
1 cup dried currants
4 cups rum or red wine
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups flour
10 large eggs
3 tablespoons burnt sugar or caramel
1/4 cup citrus zest
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1 teaspoon mixed essence
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup chopped peanuts (optional)

For the fruits:
Wash fruits. Using a food processor or blender grind fruits and about three cups of rum or red wine and place in an airtight container. Rum- or wine-soaked fruits can be stored for 10 days to 1 year (Add more wine for longer storage).
Preheat oven to 315 degrees:
In a large bowl combine butter and sugar. Mix until sugar is dissolved and butter is white and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Combine soaked fruits (and optional nuts), essence and zest and mix well. In another bowl measure flour and ground spices and salt. Combine well. Add dry ingredients to wet batter in three parts, mixing well after each application. Mix in burnt sugar or caramel and combine until uniformed color forms. Grease two 8-inch baking pans and pour cake mixture into them evenly. Bake for approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes or until firm to the touch or a stick inserted in the center of cake comes out clear. Let cake rest for 1 hour, remove it from pan then pour 1 cup rum or red wine over it. Add more alcohol once per week or as desired.

Sponge Cake

1 cup sugar
1 cup butter
1 1/2 cups flour
6 eggs
1 teaspoon mixed essence
1 teaspoon citrus zest
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/5 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees:
In a medium mixing bowl combine butter and sugar. Mix until sugar is dissolved and butter is white and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, making sure each egg is fully incorporated in the batter before adding another. Now add essence and zest and stir. In another bowl measure flour, spices, salt and baking powder and combine.
Add dry ingredients to wet batter in three parts, making sure you mix well after each addition. Grease a 9-inch baking pan and pour cake mixture into it. Bake at 350 degrees for approximately 40 minutes or until top is golden brown and test stick inserted in center of cake comes out clear. 

NOVEMBER ~ THANKSGIVING GIVEAWAY

November is not only the month that we celebrate Thanksgiving but also the month I celebrate my birthday (Happy birthday to me!). It is also the month that most Americans do a lot of driving to visit family members for the Holiday. We thought it would be the perfect time to show our appreciation to our loyal and new readers by offering a $25 BP Gas Card to one lucky person.
Entry is simple, become a fan of our Tasting Queens Facebook page and answer the Trivia question correctly (posted on November 10th) and you have a chance of winning. Winner will be chosen randomly and Gas Card mailed to address provided within one week of announcement. Contest starts November 10th! Must be a fan of Facebook.com/TastingQueens to be eligible to participate. Good luck to all :-)

Filipino Family Style Dining

On a cool Fall afternoon, my dad, sister and I found ourselves shopping on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. In true Noel fashion one thing led to another and with food on the brain we made our way East of the City towards our beloved Queens. I once had a co-worker who bragged about this quaint but amazing Filipino Restaurant in Woodside. Not quite sure how the memory of that came to me but it led me to Google, and Google led us to Tito Rads Grill and Restaurant.
Located at 49-12 Queens Blvd in Woodside NY, this gem can be easily missed if one is not attentive. It is indeed quaint but sincerely welcoming. We entered to find our host rearranging tables to accommodate a larger group. She quickly motioned for us to take one of the vacant tables and get comfortable. We did just that feeling settled quickly as we took in the clean, modern furnishes and the refreshing scene of a family at each table. It seemed like the perfect place for us to be on a Sunday night.

The menu was filled with delicious sounding dishes...one after the other. Who could ever choose? Yvette (I hope I'm spelling it correctly) came over to take our order and I quickly seized the opportunity to explain our purpose there and get her expert advice on what we should sample. With a bright smile she went right into the specials of the night as well as the famous Filipino must haves. "Adobo", she said. "You must try our Adobo" and with that said we went to ordering.

 Our appetizers were Camaron Rebosado  (Fried Shrimp) that was served with a special sauce and Nilagang Baka a wonderful Beef Soup with Asian Veggies. The generous serving of large shrimp were hot, fresh and crispy. The batter was seasoned just right with a slight tangy goodness. It was devoured at once!

The soup was a dream. It was perfection in a bowl. The beef was tender and bursting with flavor. The vegetables just right...al dente and the broth, well...it was as close to soup heaven as one could get. It was a delicate, yet bold and a savory lover's delight.
While waiting for our main course we sampled an unusual treat; Avocado Shake. it was light, smooth and a palate cleanser. A refreshing drink to have especially on a Summer day. We also tasted what appeared to be a Filipino style Sweet Tea with colored Tapioca Pearls. It was served with shaved ice and thoroughly enjoyed.

Our entrees were Pork Adobo, Grilled Milk Fish, and Manok Sa Gata (Chicken with Coconut Milk and Ginger) all served with steamed White Rice.
The Pork Adobo was succulent! It was served in a zesty, dark, rich sauce with a strong flavor of ripe tomatoes. It was really delicious and the generous portion appreciated.

Manok Sa Gata was next to be sampled and it did not disappoint either. It had a rich but not too heavy creamy sauce with spinach, ginger and potatoes.
Then, the star of the night arrived... The Grilled Milk Fish (A Filipino tradition) was served wrapped in a Banana Leaf with a pickled Bitter Melon Salad. Yvette unwrapped it and gently sliced it down the middle to reveal the vegetable stuffing on the inside of the boned fish. It was delicious. Mild in flavor but delivering a satisfying punch when paired with the Bitter Melon (which stole the show with my dad and sister).

During the meal, we were made to feel extremely comfortable and welcomed. We laughed and were merry.
Our desert of choice was Halo Halo, a melting pot of goodness. At first we were a bit skeptical, after hearing the ingredients of Sweet Banana, Beans, Taro, Coconut, Ice-Cream, Cream and Shaved Ice but the final product was the perfect way to end the night. It was sweet but smooth even with the Shaved Ice. We were instructed to mix it all together and that we did to happy mouths and contented hearts.

Dinner at Tito Rads was thoroughly satisfying. The service was great, the food superb and the atmosphere welcoming. There's no doubt that we will be back to savor even more of the Filipino flavor that is Tito Rads Grill and Restaurant. We happily award an outstanding A to this establishment and urge you all to take a taste of the Filipino gem.

**There was the cutest baby at the table to our left, who could not get enough of her parent's Avocado Shake. She would protest every time the glass was moved across the table to her mom. Absolutely adorable :-)

IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN... OCTOBER GIVEAWAY.

Here it is folks. Your chance to win one of our Monthly Tasting Queens Giveaways. Our October Gift is a $15 ITunes Gift Card and all you have to do to be entered is name the first restaurant we visited and reviewed. Leave your answer in the comments below and you could be the winner. It's that simple. Happy trails. :-)

Afghan Eats

Afghanistan: A country often misunderstood but so rich in culture. Here's our journey through a bit of the food and flavor.

On a bright Sunday afternoon, my family decided to join me on a tasting trip. Our choices were Egyptian, Filipino or Afghan cuisine. After a quick vote, the tastes of grilled meaty kababs and  basmati rice won the vote. We chose the restaurant Aria in Flushing and quickly left to start our adventure.
Aria Kabab House is located at 72-55 Kissena Blvd in Flushing, New York. It's one of four stores on a small strip mall off of 72st.

Upon entering the eatery, we were greeted by the inquiring looks of four cute children, dressed in colorful wear. We took a seat and a man with a very long, full beard and a pleasant face greeted us and brought over the menus. It took us a while to decide what we should have as the menu was quite extensive.
Nevertheless, like usual, hunger won out and we made our selections. This trip we skipped over the appetizer round and focused on the main course.
My sister Shannice chose the Sharwarma Kabab Platter. This was a spiced chicken and vegetable medley that was served with seasoned Basmati Rice and homemade bread.

My mom went for the the Chicken Kufta and Chicken Tikka. The Chicken Kufta was a ground chicken log-like patty and the Tikka were medallions of Chicken, seasoned with traditional spices. It was served with the same aromatic Basmati rice.

My young niece could not be persuaded to try something new, so she opted for a handmade burger with fries. The patty was seasoned with chopped herbs and spices and was quite tasty. It was not like any burger I've ever had (Yes, I did taste it). She also opted for the Strawberry Slushy with real fruit. It was the perfect drink for a hot Summer day.

My sister Shellon chose the classic Chicken over rice combo. It was flavorful and full of veggies, just the ways she likes it. It was also served with the rice we have grown to love.

As for me, it was the Beef Kufta and Chicken Tikka platter that drew me in. The seasoned beef patty was delicious and the chicken did not disappoint either. I was in Halaal food heaven.
We enjoyed our dishes with the coveted "white sauce" and another green herb sauce that was zingy and spicy and simply delectable.

Our desert was the ever pleasing, ever satisfying Boklava. It's layer after layer of of thin, flaky pastry was delicious. Interestingly enough, it was not too sweet and the topping of chopped pistachio was just right.

We thoroughly enjoyed our outing and Aria Kabab deserved the solid B+ we gave it. The restaurant is more of a quick bite or takeout place and the ambiance was seriously lacking. I wanted to hear some ethnic music so I could do my little shimmy as I waited for the meal to arrive.
Enjoy any one of these dishes if you are ever in Flushing and have the craving for a nice Afghan meal.

Brazilain Street Food the Tasting Queens Way

In this recipe we've turned Brazilian street food on it's heels. The biggest twist was that we indulged and used Shiitaki Mushrooms in place of bread and chose to serve them with grilled zucchini wedges rather than the traditional oily French Fries. Not to worry, we didn't spare any of the flavor. So break out that grill already and enjoy this Summer recipe with your friends.

Ingredients:

Two large Shiitake Mushrooms
6oz All beef burger patty
One large Steak Tomato
1oz Fresh Corn Kernels
1oz Micro Greens
1 Egg
1tsp Capers
1/2 tsp of your favorite steak seasoning
1/2 tsp vegetable oil
1tsp Green Goddess Anything Dressing

Now let's get cooking. I used a George Foreman grill for this recipe but feel free to fire up your outdoor grill if you have one. Heat grill to 500-600 degrees (outdoor) and place seasoned patty on it. Cook with lid open for about 3 minutes on each side. I like my meat close to well done, so feel free to cook yours the way you like them.

While the burger patty is getting those gorgeous grill marks, heat medium pan and add vegetable oil. Beat the egg and fry. Before flipping, top with corn and capers. Remove from pan and set aside. Slice tomatoes and set aside. It's now time to remove the burger from the hot grill and leave it to rest. You can either grill the mushrooms for approximately 2 minutes or if you so desire (as I did), you can heat a pan and sear them for about 1 minute on each side using a quick spritz of cooking spray. Next sear cut Zucchini wedges and set aside.

Now it's time to stack! Start with one of the mushrooms, then add the fried egg. Place beef patty next and top with greens. Add dressing and top with remaining mushroom bun. Finish plating your master piece by adding a quick salad and vegetable wedge. You are now ready to indulge your senses. Dig in and enjoy!

Tasting Brazilian Street Food at Pao De Queijo

A brisk Monday night took my sister Shannice and I to Astoria, Queens to taste some classic flavors of Brazil. This was not to be the typical meat fest like most would expect at a Brazilian Grill but rather a taste of authentic Brazilian street food in the form of a Burger.
Pao De Quijo is a quaint little eatery is located at 34-01 30th Street in Astoria, NY. It can be easily identified by the large flag of Brazil that's hung outside. At the entry is a counter and dessert case and a friendly member of staff is ready to greet us.

We are then told to seat ourselves as he followed us with the menus. The list of burgers are quite extensive and the various toppings intriguing. Our server took time explaining his recommendations in the most beautiful accent. We both found this a really great addition to our experience and I share in a schoolgirl-like giggle or two with my sister ;-)

We finally get down to ordering and chose Mandioca Com Carne Ou Frango (A Yucca patty filled with beef and cheese) and Pastel De Carne Ou Queijo Chicken/Cheese (Brazilian Empanadas). They arrive, and do not disappoint. They are cooked to golden perfection and served hot. The Yucca patty is moist with a slight breaded crust and the beef/cheese filling is delightful. The Cheese Empanada is a crusty, crunchy cheesy goody. It was amazing that we managed to share equally. The Chicken version is also well received, leaving us anxious for a taste of the burgers.

Our first Burger was made of Sliced Beef, Cheese, Bacon, Egg, Brazilian Sausage, Corn, Potato Sticks, Lettuce and Tomatoes or second Burger was a Chicken Burger with Cream Cheese, Corn Lettuce and Tomatoes and our third was a made of Ground Beef, Ham, Egg, Smoked Sausage, Corn, Lettuce and Tomatoes. The Chicken and Beef Patties were seasoned to perfection. The Sliced Beef was succulent and full of flavor. Let's face it, anything that's served with Bacon and Sausage is a winner in our book. Simply put we enjoyed these hearty, meaty offerings but were unable to finish them all because of their hefty nature. We were optimistic, however, to take the left overs home and try again the following day.

Our desert consisted of a Strawberry, Banana and Peach Smoothie and a slice of Brazilian Flan. The experience here can be summarized in one word...PERFECTION! The Smoothie was all natural and delicious. The Flan was rich and smooth with a perfectly caramelized top.

We left here full and happy and highly recommend this little Brazilian Cafeteria to all who will listen. A solid A was earned by Pao De Queijo.

A Ship out of Portugal

On a chilly, rainy night in Eastern Queens, my sister and I set off in search of dinner. We decided that Peruvian food was in order and made our way to a restaurant that I had always wanted to try. To our dismay, we found the location closed with a "for rent" sign posted in bright yellow and red. Whatever should we do now? We were super hungry and weary of driving too far from home. A dull silence fell over the car as we each pondered our options when my sister came up with the much needed solution. "How about that Portuguese place on 101?" she asked. At first I was unsure of where she meant, but it quickly came rushing back to me; all but the name of the place. The drive over was filled with many sore attempts at guessing the name of the place we had passed for more than 10 years but never tried.

We arrived at O'Lavrador Restaurant on 138-40 101st Avenue in Jamaica Queens and left the car with the valet. After entering through the large wooden doors, we were greeted by Chica our server for the night. She promptly seated us and left us to peruse the menu. Right away we noticed that this was very much a Seafood Restaurant but neither of us was really in the mood for the gifts of the sea.

Our appetizers consisted of a unified favorite of Fried Calamari and to it we added three croquettes, one Salted Fish, one Shrimp and one Beef. The appetizers proved to be a bit of a disappointment, with the shrimp croquette being filled with imitation crab meat, the beef version having no detectable beef just mostly seasoned bread crumbs and the calamari not being of the fresh variety. The fish cake however was average, so we split the tiny log in two and enjoyed the bite.

To wash it all down we opted for Mojitos, Passion Fruit and Mango. The first attempt at these was somewhat less than a success but our very nice server Chica remade them herself and they were quite enjoyable the second time around.

It was time for dinner and up for review were Costeletas de Borrego com Molho de Alecrim and Vitela a Lavrador (Grilled Lamb Chops with Rosemary Sauce and Veal Scallopini with Fresh Mushrooms).
The presentation was lovely! After the rough start to the meal we were super excited to see delicious looking, warm plates set before us. The Grilled Lamb Chops were delightful and cooked a perfect medium well as was requested. The sauce was bold and beautiful, boasting a rich dark color. I only wished that the chef used fresh rosemary instead of dried to make the sauce.

Next up for review was the Veal Scalopini. They were great! Tender, thin pieces of veal in a bright sauce with fresh mushrooms were hard to resist. I could have eaten two servings of these. Confession time...we are both mushroom lovers and find them hard to resist in whatever form they find us. Thankfully these were perfectly cooked and delicious. The let down on this plate however, were the potatoes they were served with rather than the rice that was promised on the menu. The potatoes were boiled and slightly gluey on the inside. This was sad for the somewhat of a potato connoisseur that I consider myself but I refused to let this sway me from the other great parts of the meal.

Dessert consisted of Serradura (Sweet cream mousse layered with crushed Portuguese vanilla crackers), Tiramisu and Coffee.
Serradura was blissful...smooth, creamy, vanilla cookie bliss. The Tiramisu was forgettable however but the Serradura made up where that fell off.

The one thing that stood out the entire night was the impeccable service. I am a sucker for great service as I think in most cases it can be even more important that having the very best tasting food. This restaurant had it highs and lows in the food department but the service continued to soar from start to finish. So all things considered we give O'Lavrador a solid B and recommend the entrees for a family dinners or even date night.