Today's Challenge:Favorite Seasonal Food Living in New York City all of my life, you would think that I would be used to the cold weather during winter months.NOPE.I complain every time it snows or when the cold air smacks me in the face.But the good thing about living in New York is having many options of what to eat when it's cold out.After I'm done complaining to my friends about how cold it is and how I can not wait until summer time, I immediately think about what type of food would make my little frozen heart (and body) sing for joy. And 9 out of 10 times the food/dish (that may not be considered officially as a "seasonal" food) but is my go-to seasonal food during the winter months is none other than a few orders of soup dumplings.I love them because they are pockets of warm soupy pork goodness and are the perfect dinner to warm you up when the temperature matches your age.The soup dumplings pictured above is from the only place in New York that I enjoy getting soup dumplings from: Shanghai Cafe DeluxeWhat's your favorite seasonal food?! Comment below.
Day 29 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Breakfast Food
Today's Challenge:Favorite Breakfast Food For all long as I can remember I love eggs for breakfast.I like them scrambled, fried, boiled (hard), and omelette style.Eggs are my go-to breakfast food.I however do not like soft, runny eggs. It may be a Food-texture issue but something about it doesn't sit well with me. The only times I can deal with a runny egg is when someone is mixing the egg into my bibimbap 🤤In the photo above you'll see an egg, bacon, and cheese breakfast sandwich. It's not your ordinary breakfast sandwich. It's a BEC on a croissant.This ties in perfectly with today's challenge because today (1.30.18) is National Croissant Day! Woohoo!Comment below let me know:1- What's your favorite breakfast food?2- What do you like on your croissants?
Day 28 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - What’s In Your Freezer
Today's Challenge:What’s In Your Freezer My freezer isn't as glamorous as my refrigerator. My freezer just has a bunch of bread, ice trays and ice-cream in it.I think everyone's freezer should contain ice-cream at all times.It's the perfect after dinner snack or even the perfect any time snack.It's also a good excuse to eat ice-cream all year around.People (in NYC) think ice-cream is just for the summer time but not with these pints available at all supermarkets.What's your favorite flavor or brand of ice-cream? Do you have ice-cream in your freezer right now? Comment below.
Day 27 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - What's In Your Refrigerator
Today's Challenge:What's In Your RefrigeratorThis challenge question is probably my favorite and I've been looking forward to it.I follow a lot of foodies on Instagram and I love seeing when people post what's in their refrigerators. It's usually so cute, so organized, and so goals worthy.So when it was my time I just so happened to be doing groceries that afternoon because it's January and of course I'm eating healthier (like millions of other people at the beginning of the year).And here's a list of what's in my refrigerator!Blue Diamond's Almond Cashew Milk Simply Orange - Pulp Free Orange Juice Beetology - Beet + Berry JuiceHealth-Ade Kombucha - Pink Lady AppleSodaStream Seltzer (a must have in my home ALWAYS)Goya - Mayonnaise*The rest are just veggies, mostly for the rice bowls I'll be creating this week for dinner.Comment below. Tell me what's in your refrigerator and if we have similar items in our fridges.
Day 26 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Fast Food Restaurant
Today's Challenge:Favorite Fast Food RestaurantBeing that I live in an area of Queens (NYC) that's surrounded by so many different types of sit-down restaurants, I generally do not go to fast food joints.But.....when I get the craving for fast food my go-to place is Popeyes.I'm not a huge burger person so I stay away from McDonald's and Burger King but somehow the chicken at Popeyes calls my name when I'm too tired to cook.One of my biggest regrets from my trip to New Orleans was not stopping at the Popeyes location while I was there. My friends and I had so many other places to try on our list but I feel like the chicken from the actual Louisiana Popeyes would be extra delicious. I do plan on going back to New Orleans and when I do, I'll be sure to grab some wings.What's your favorite fast food restaurant? Comment below.
Day 25 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Food Truck
Today's Challenge:Favorite Food TruckI mentioned before that I really do like food trucks. They remind me of summer time. And usually summer time here in New York City is pretty much lit!Food trucks allow you to eat on the go and are usually a specific type of food.I've gone to many food truck festivals and music festivals that have food trucks and I always find myself at the lobsters truck.I don't know what it is but I love a good lobster roll from a food truck.I hopet that doesn't gross too many people out but it's a pretty regular thing to see a food truck that sells lobster on it.Now, to answer the challenge question, my favorite food truck is the:Urban Lobster Shack They serve THE BEST lobster rolls in town (on a food truck) and the price is pretty reasonable. Whenever I order I go for the traditional (seen in the photo above).WHat's your favorite food truck? Or favorite food to eat from a food truck? Comment below.
Day 24 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Regional Specialty
Today's Challenge:Favorite Regional Speciality This was an easy one.I have not been to Katz's Deli many times but the few times I've gone I've left pleasantly stuffed and surprised by how fresh the meats are and how low key the restaurant is.Being that the restaurant is famously known and opened in 1888, I expect this restaurant to be a bit high class because so many celebrities.But it's not. It's super chill. It's totally diner style but they offer some of the best meats I've had in this city.With diner style seating and tons of celeb photos plastered on the walls this place screams old school New York.If you eat meat and are in New York City, you have try the roast beef. Just look at that photo above.It's a dream to eat.
Day 23 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Soup
Today's Challenge:Favorite SoupMy first reaction was to say Ramen but I'm sure people will be on my page trying to fight me if I gave that answer.Therefore, I'm going with my second-best answer: Chicken Noodle SoupIt's really simple to make, you can eat it any time of the year, it helps when you have a cold and it's super hearty.As soon as it gets a teeny tiny bit cold here in New York I love making soup from scratch.Chicken Noodle Soup is my go-to. And even when you are weak and sick it's easy enough to make.Here's a quick recipe if you want to make it. Get some fresh organic veggies, broth, and some hormone free chicken breasts and you are ready to go.The photo above is a soup I made while I was sick.What's your favorite soup? Comment below.
Day 22 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Super Bowl Snack
Today's Challenge:Favorite Super Bowl Snack This is an easy one.Hot wings.I know pizza is life but whenever I think of going to a Super Bowl Party I think of how many hot wings I'll be eating.Lot's of people I know are very picky when it comes to which part of the wing they eat, some only eat the "drumette" part while some only eat the "wingette / flat" part.I happily eat both parts, I do prefer the flat parts because they are just easier to eat in my opinion but if they are tasty I'll eat it all.The hot wings in the photo above are homemade, I'll dig up the recipe and post it on the site soon.What's your favorite Super Bowl Snack? Comment below.
Day 21 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Dish At Thanksgiving
Today's Challenge:Favorite Dish At Thanksgiving
Growing up Thanksgiving was one of my favorite holidays for (2) reasons:
1 - It’s a holiday that’s really close to my birthday, and as a child I would still get gifts in addition to cake and food from aunts and grandparents. Who wouldn’t love that!?
2 - It was a holiday where all you did was hang out with your family members and eat. That works for me!
Things are a bit different now that I’m older. I celebrate the days separately, and I no longer get gifts on both days but it’s okay. I’m still down for a feast. I will always enjoy that part.
One dish I love making and I always look forward to eating during this holiday is none other than Cranberry sauce.
I don’t know if this makes me weird but the only time I eat cranberry sauce is during the holidays.
I like it because it’s tangy, sweet, and throws the flavor of everything else on your plate a bit off. It makes everything a little sweet.
Lot’s of people have asked me if I like cranberry sauce from a can or if I prefer cranberry sauce made from scratch.
I’m honestly open to both.
I like the canned cranberry sauce, it’s something that reminds me of my childhood. It was treat as a kid to get this red sweet jelly thing and as an adult I started making my own cranberry sauce and I actually love it and think it’s so delicious. So to wrap that up, if someone gave the option, I’d eat both at the same time.
Let me know what your favorite Thanksgiving dish is below. Leave a comment.
Day 20 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Food Blog
Today's Challenge:Favorite Food BlogMy first response to today's challenge was "my favorite food blog is my blog tameekaeats.com duh but of-course".But I get it, we must discuss where we gather inspiration from, who we look up to, and who encourages us to be better.There are a lot of food blogs around but one in particular spoke to me.The author/creator Danielle is a true inspiration.Her food blog is amazing.The lay out, the content, the fact that she follows up with readers, and is consistent makes as huge difference from other bloggers out there.Her site includes lifestyle content along with obviously food based posts.I love the fact that she's real. She includes her life into the site. I like when there's a real person behind a blog not just the content.So to answer the challenge, my favorite food blog is: Follow My Gut Though the author is based in LA (and not NYC where I am) I can still relate to the content she provides and the stories she tells through her posts.Plus..... I'll just be honest...... her instagram is poppin'.She's truly an inspiration for food bloggers like me, who just got into the food blogging game and I urge all of you to follow her socials and subscribe to her blog.
Day 19 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Lunch: Make It or Buy It
Today's Challenge:Lunch: Make It or Buy It This is a funny one because I would prefer to make my lunches daily but it doesn't always work out that way.It's so much healthier to make your own lunches but with my busy schedule food prepping takes a back burner to it all.The good thing about working in Chelsea (in Manhattan) is that I can make healthy lunch choices.The latest place I've been getting lunch is a take out place called Fields Good Chicken. And I usually get bowl from here, bowls that contain a protein and veggies. Which is basically what I would make at home for lunch so I feel it's a good balance.Which do you prefer? Comment below.
Day 18 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Best Recipe ...
Today's Challenge:Best Recipe You've Found On PinterestFor recipes I do not normally use Pinterest as a go-to. I go to fellow bloggers for recipes.I know... I know... I should because utilize this site as there are many creative cooks on Pinterest plus it's a good resource for any cook looking for new ideas or easy quick and simples meals.I did however browse a few different pins for recommendations on what toadd to my carnitas non crockpot recipe.Let's back track for a second, if you've never heard of the term "carnitas" let me break it down for you.Carnitas is a Mexican dish and the word itself means "little meats". To make carnitas you simmer pork (in my household its the pork butt) in oil until its extremely tender. Once the meat is tender it will fall apart into little bits of meat.I started making carnitas using my crockpot back in 2015. I started making it because of The Whole 30 Program (a paleo diet where you eat proteins without rice, grains, and anything else that bloats you up). I lost weight on the program but it was truly hard sticking to it after the 30 days. I did appreciate that dieters were encouraged to cook at home in order to control what you are putting in your body. So one of the easier recipes in the program cook book was slow cooking carnitas. It was super easy to make and lasted for a week. Ever since then I added carnitas to my every other month cooking routine.I am no longer on The Whole 30 Program so when I make carnitas I usually add some bbq sauce and yummy yum yum it's quite delicious.The last time I made carnitas I did not use my crockpot. This was a first for me and I was a wreck. I was going to use the oven so I was on edge. I didn't know what to do so I immediately went to Pinterest for a few tips (cooking temperature, seasoning, etc) and to my surprise the meat came out just as juicy as when I used my crockpot. I kind of liked this way better because the tips were burnt just like the way I like it.Here's the pin I was inspired by: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/73816881373691330/ Have any pins I should take a look at or follow? Comment below.
Day 17 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Best Hangover Food
Today's Challenge:Best Hangover Food Today's challenge made me giggle.I'm trying to remember the last time I was hungover and what I ate. I giggled to myself because my go-to food usually is bacon but as I've gotten older I've noticed that my now go-to hangover (cure) food is the one and only near and dear to my heart PIZZA.When I lived in Kew Gardens I was in walking distance from one of the best pizzeria's in Queens named Dani's House of Pizza.Dani's pizza is a Queens (NYC) staple. It's been open since 1959 and from what I hear the recipe has not changed. If you go to Dani's you have try the main slices:- Plain slice (it may sound wack but the sauce is phenomenal, it's sweet, tangy and pure perfection)- Pesto slice (It's a green pizza slice. And this may turn some people off. I honestly did not want to try it when I first saw it being prepared. Being born in New York (Brooklyn at that), you eat real pizza growing up so to see a green slice just seemed like a joke. But I got over it, talked to a few locals and holy moly I'm glad I tried it. It's a plus if you are a pesto fan because this slice is out of this world.So for me, my go to hangover food that cures it all is a slice of pizza and a few giant glasses of seltzer water.*Warning: 9 times out of 10 there will be a line to order pizza at Dani's. There is usually a line outside reaching the next store during the summer, these slice are in high demand so it may take some time to get a slice but the wait is usually worth it. Trust me.What's a hangover cure you reach for? Comment below.
Day 16 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Dine In or Take Way
Today's Challenge:Dine In or Take AwayThis is a bit of a tough question because it all depends on so many factors:1 - The time of day2 - The weather 3 - If you are sick or just feeling like bingwatching shows on Netflix 4 - The size of the restaurant 5 - The number of people with youHere in New York we have tons of food options but this does not always result in dining in at a location.Some of my favorite places to grab food from only have 2 or 3 chairs for people to sit.There are lots of Chinese restaurants in New York that have no seats for dining in.I do not often dine at large food chains (Applebee's, Red Lobster, etc) but when I do its always dine-in.But locally, I often take-away food. Sometimes it’s easier to grab food, head home and enjoy some yummy food in your warm apartment in front of your tv.As for lunch, I work in Manhattan so 9 times of out of 10, lunch is brought back to the office.There are exceptions for work lunch meetings, or lunch with my lady friends which we try to get out of the office for sit down lunches once a month.To answer the question, I prefer to dine in (if that option is available) during the summer, but if it’s really cold out and the weather is pretty bad here in NYC, I’d rather take out.Comment below. Which do you prefer?
Day 15 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - What Are You Best At Cooking?
Today’s challenge is:What Are You Best At Cooking?For the last few years I’ve been known to make a mean aka really spicy beef chili.
Chili is the perfect winter dish for me. It’s soupy, it’s warm, and it’s hearty. No slurping allowed.
I’ve been making one chili recipe in particular I put the recipe together myself from a basic chili recipe I fount on-line that was super dry.
You can see the recipe below.
As for the beef, I go for grass-fed.
I try to get all of the other ingredients as organic as possible.
I like to make my own tomato sauce and use tomato paste for thickness.
I always (ALWAYS) serve my chili with a side of white rice. Whenever I try chili without rice I’m always highly disappointed.
I’m all about topics too.
I always top my chili with avocado slices and a dollop of sour cream.
I’ve recently started topping my chili with bacon but if I’m in a rush I do not include it.
So the dish I’m best know for making is chili.
If you follow the below recipe let me know (comment below) how it goes and if you decided to top it with bacon or not :)
Day 14 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Food Program
Today’s challenge is:Favorite Food Program I love food shows. I love reality food shows.I am a big fan of the program Chopped like the rest of the foodie world but my all time favorite food program is :
This reality program is on the Food Network station but I mostly watch episodes through HULU.I like this show so much because the contestants are small restaurant owners or even teams of people who are looking to start restaurants that do not have the money to either start a restaurant or buy a food truck. The contestants are given food trucks at the beginning of the competition with their logos and full stocked kitchens.On each episode they are given a food challenge which includes: getting specific ingredients based on the challenge, a certain amount of money to make said themed dish and they have to drive to specific locations and sell food to locals usually competing directly next to other food truck teams.It's a thrill to watch. I highly recommend watching it if you have the Food Network or HULU.This show gives the contestants great exposure and a online fan following.As we've seen from the success of the Big Gay IceCream Truck here in New York City, building an online following is huge and can make a restaurant flourish.Plus I really like food trucks, I've gone to a few different food truck events in the city and they are a blast. You get to try so many different types of "street food" on the go. I love it.
The photo on the left is from an actual restaurant in Manhattan on 3rd Avenue called Korilla BBQ. I was meeting a friend for lunch after going to an art gallery and figured we should go there and try it out. I'd eaten at the truck the guys serviced around Manhattan but never went into the actual restaurant. I mostly wanted to see if the food was different after the Korilla BBQ guys were contestants on The Great Food Truck Race.The food was the same. The guys have a winning recipe of Korean bbq street food and it works. It was still exciting to see New Yorkers on the show representing for our great state!Here's a list of some of my other favorite food based shows:Man vs Food (Seasons 1 - 4)Cupcake Wars (The Halloween Wars are the best of this show)The Next Iron Chef Bizarre Foods
Day 13 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Restaurant You’re Desperate...
Today’s challenge is:Restaurant You're Desperate To Try A few years ago my mentor introduced me to a restaurant at the top of a Las Vegas hotel called Katsuya.We met a client and dined on some of the most delicious sushi I've ever tasted.He insisted my co-worker and I try an appetizer called "crispy rice".*If you've been following this food blog challenge then you know my favorite type of food is "rice" (read about it here).I'm open to trying new things and I trust my mentor when it comes to great food and wine.I would be fooling you if I say I didn't think about this appetizer often and it's a shame because I live on the East Coast and my beloved crispy rice is on the West Coast.To satisfy my crispy rice craving I researched where I could find it here in NYC and based on reviews there's a restaurant near my work in Chelsea named Momoya that serves it but it's just not same.For those of you who do not know what crispy rice is, it's rice over cooked so that the texture is a bit burnt, shaped sort of in a rectangular way and topped with spicy tuna.The description does not sound appetizing but if you grew up in a household where rice was served often you know exactly what I mean when I say "it's like the bottom of the rice pot, the crispy part."See main photo for the crispy goodness.After eating almost all of the pieces on the table, I let my mentor know that I was in love with crispy rice and there is nothing anyone could do about it.He laughed because he knew I would love it. He began telling me about the first time he tried crispy rice at the original Katsuya in Ventura Boulevard in Los Angeles California and how the original restaurant is in sort of a strip mall.I was shocked!Shocked because we were sitting in such a fancy place and just to think this menu originated in a small place blew my mind.So the restaurant I desperately want to go to is the Original Katsuya.I've already added it to my to-eat list for my next trip to LA.What restaurant do you desperately want to try? Comment below.
Day 12 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Desert
Today’s challenge is:Favorite Desert A few months ago, I created a post for National Desert Day where I revealed what my favorite desert of all time was. You can check it out here: MY ALL TIME FAVORITE DESSERT- #NATIONALDESSERTDAYSince I've already discussed what my favorite desert is, I thought I'd take a little time and discuss what dessert knocked my socks off.Back in June of 2016, I joined a group of close friends to celebrate a bachelorette party in New Orleans, Louisiana.I had a blast and I'm definitely returning because the food there, is one of a kind. Til this day, I still talk about what I ate while I was there and I'll probably still talk about it until I return.Before heading to New Orleans lots of friends recommended places to eat, I took note of all of the places but one place that stood out amongst all of the suggestions was Café Du Monde.Café Du Monde is well known (it seems everyone around the world knows about this place) for it's coffee with chicory and it's beignets.Beignets are little fluffy powdered sugar pieces of heaven.Actually, beignets are breakfast based deep-fried pastries covered with powdered sugar. It sounds so plain but I feel blessed to have tried this in New Orleans.It's really good. Especially warm freshly fried and washed down with an iced coffee.I've tried beignets here in New York City and they do not compare.So I will say, my second favorite dessert (even though people in New Orleans eat these for breakfast) are beignets.Dear Reader, what's your favorite desert of all time? Comment below.
Day 11 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Main Course
Today’s challenge is:Favorite Main Course The main course during any dining situation is always my favorite course.It's the big show! The main event.My favorite time during dining.It obviously depends on the type of restaurant I am at but 9 out of 10 times my go-to main course is a steak.My favorite cuts are: skirt and hanger.At home, I do not cook much red-meat so going out and ordering a steak is usually a treat for me.I recently moved to the Elmhurst / Jackson Heights area in Queens New York.If you are not familiar when this part of New York, just know that it's a big foodie destination. This area has been featured in AM NY, CNN, The Travel Channel, and even Serious Eats.I recently had dinner near my home at a Colombian restaurant named La Pequeña Colombia. It's a cute place. Very authentic (the staff and the food).I went with my go-to and ordered a steak/shrimp entree.Though I was not asked how I wanted my steak prepared I went with the flow and still enjoyed the meal. It was honestly delicious.The portions here are HUGE. I was given a whole separate plate of rice and beans and I couldn't leave without having an avocado salad. Have a look at all the Colombian goodness in the photo above.Oh and the margaritas are good here too :p If you are in Elmhurst be sure to check out the steak entrees at La Pequeña Colombia, you'll enjoy it!What's your go to entree? Is it steak, is it fish? Comment below, let me know!