the latin kitchen | hungry sofia

Jun 4

Cúrate on TLK

Photographer Christopher Shane

It’s one of the challenges of starting a blog that you hope it will lead you to other things then those other things keep leading you away from your blog. Last month, a perfect storm of deadlines and travel kept me from posting as often as I would like. Rather than come back empty handed again, I’d like to have a little more to show for my long absences. I met chef Katie Button at this year’s SOBEWFF and I was so happy to interview her for The Latin Kitchen. I knew she had a great back story – neuroscientist, sorcerer’s apprentice at el bulli, travel through Spain where she met her boyfriend then husband then business partner – but what really captured my imagination was her description of Asheville, NC. It’s where she and her family have set down roots and opened their glowingly reviewed tapas bar Cúrate and prohibition style Nightbell and I can only think of it as Brooklyn in the mountains. Also, I love this picture of the cherry blossoms that canopy over the restaurant’s front door.

Feb 28

SOBEWFF 2014

When my last and final book deadline came and went this month, I found myself heading back to Miami again for the South Beach Wine and Food Festival. Now one of the largest in the country, the festival is essentially held in my own backyard though I’d never gone down for it before. After interviewing a few of the chefs who’d be participating for The Latin Kitchen, I was excited to be there for the event itself but had not idea what to expect. Read more

May 13

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Griddle Scallops with Malanga Pureée and Chorizo Oil

Beginning next week, I’ll be taking a pretty extensive cookbook research break that will keep me away from this site well into June, so I didn’t want to miss the chance to post one more time. In what might be the most boring premise for a reality television show ever – leading up to any trip, I stop buying food and try to only use what I have on hand. That left me with a few links of chorizo bought for garbanzos, an extra 2 pounds of malanga that never became fritters, and a half bunch of parsley because – well there’s just always parsley.

Catching Up in February

February has been bittersweet. Back from an amazing research trip to Miami, I was looking forward to celebrating my birthday back home from home in New York when it was swallowed by Nemo. Still I can’t complain and was beyond grateful that my friends were still willing to celebrate with me against all sense. I was lucky not to have any damage, though it is a reminder that recovery is ongoing for my neighbors. If you haven’t already seen it, Zac and Cat Overman have put together All Hands on Deck, an e-book to benefit Restore Red Hook. From Baked to Cacao Prieto to the Ball Field’s El Olomega, it’s a great collection of recipes for a good cause and – as they’d say in Sweden – så Brooklyn. Read more

Oct 28

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Catching Up in October

October was a whirlwind even before there was a Frankenstorm on the way. While we wait to wait it out, I thought it was a good time to catch-up for October. To start, I was thrilled to be part of an article written by Rachel Swarns – In the Kitchen, Holding on to Heritage Before It Slips Away – for the New York Times. I’ve also been spending a lot of time at The Latin Kitchen – building up a virtual spice rack both sweet and savory. To top it all, my sister Carmen (also my partner at La Filosofia) were included in a travel story for New York Magazine that metaphorically sent us to Norway. Read more

Aug 22

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Paletas de Jamaica con Frambuesa

A few weeks ago, I interviewed Fany Gerson for The Latin Kitchen about La Newyorkina on New York’s High Line which has become my favorite stand at one of my favorite city spots over two seasons. I love the way the park cuts into the sky line, but I hadn’t appreciated what the expanding line-up of food stands brings to the space until Fany described seeing her incandescent pops walking along the railway paths. Read more