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 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 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 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 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!

Day 8 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Food That You Dislike...

Today’s challenge is:Food That You Dislike That Most People Do Like I hate okra.I do not like the taste. I do not like the texture. I do not like it's look. I do not like okra.I've made this known amongst my friends and family. It's seems that every time I mention that I hate okra the next thing I hear is: "you just haven't had it _____ this way" or "you just haven't tried it the way I make it. "People have suggested I try it fried, stewed, baked, or grilled.NOPE.I'm not going to try it any other way.I've tried it twice in my life time and I think that's enough.Once my late grandmother Maureen prepared okra as a side dish with tomatoes and peppers (known as Caribbean style) and I was not having it.The second time I tried it at a restaurant and it was fried. Nope. I did not like it that way either.I just do not like it.Also, it's way too slimy for my liking.Okra and I will never be friends.

Day 4 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Chef

My favorite chef is Marcus Samuelsson.If you don't know the name you may know him from popular food competition shows such as Chopped and Top Chef Masters.He's a brilliant chef and I appreciate him because he's heavily involved in preserving and celebrating black culinary history.It seems like every other culture has food that's proudly celebrated but its seems like black food isn't celebrated as much as Italian or even Mexican food. I feel Marcus is doing a great job representing for us and showing the culinary world the importance and sophistication of black food.I've had the pleasure of eating at Red Rooster which is one of Marcus' restaurants here in Harlem - New York City. Harlem is a historically black neighborhood so I can see the significance of why he chose to open the restaurant there. Once you step into Red Rooster it's like a party. The people are friendly, the bar is lively, there's a band playing live music and the smell of delicious food hits you as soon as you walk in.While I was at the restaurant I had a chance to meet Marcus. I completely fangirled and as you can see from my photo I was really excited to meet him. He was extremely humble. He was even open to suggestions about the food. Which I thought was really thoughtful and just plain real. He made sure he went to every table and checked to see if everyone was happy with the menu and the dishes they ordered.A few years back I started reading his James Beard Foundation award winning memoir titled Yes Chef. It's a great read about his life growing up Ethiopian in Sweden, his family and how his passion for food made him who he is today. I highly recommend it if you like good memoirs or foodie related books.To keep up with Marcus I now follow him on Instagram and you should too!

Day 2 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Restaurant

This took some time for me to answer because it's tough being in New York City with so many diverse, michelin star, easily accessible restaurants and simply labeling one restaurant as ones "favorite".But if I have to pick one I will say off of the top of my head: Burger and Lobster.I know some of you out there reading this may be giving me some serious side-eye but hear me out.I really like seafood. To clarify I love lobsters. I love the taste, the consistency does not bother me and it's just so rich!I'm a big fan of simplicity. I like things to be straight forward. It may not seem that way but it's the truth.Burger and Lobster is a restaurant with two main dishes and every single time I've eaten there the food, the drinks, and the staff have been consistently on point. I have not been disappointed by them yet.I've tried all of the different varieties of lobsters (grilled, steamed) as well as the burgers and I've always left satisfied.If you find yourself at Burger and Lobster I recommend getting the mini burger and grilled lobster combo (seen in the above photo). Be sure to ask for at the garlic butter sauce on the side.ProTip: Lobster rolls are great but if you come here get a whole lobster. I promise you it's not hard to eat. It may look intimidating but it's not. The chefs open the lobsters in a way that makes it easy for anyone to eat.Just from seeing the photos of this place one would think it's very pricey but it's actually not. The prices are very reasonable and the environment is not stuffy at all. The Chelsea location just so happens to be walking distance from my day job.It's a win-win for me!

What's your favorite restaurant?! Comment Below.

Black Eyed Peas and New Years Day

 It's 18 degrees here in New York City.When it's that cold in New York no one goes outside unless they have to. This morning I got up and ran my butt outside to the grocery store to buy a bag of black eyed peas. That may sound crazy but in the back of my mind I knew it was something that had to be done.I bared the cold for tradition.Growing up I can remember eating black eyed peas and collard greens around the holidays but most specifically on New Years Day (not eve). No one ever explained why we did this and I didn't question it because who doesn't love black eyed peas with ham and collard greens?! I thought it was just holiday food.It wasn't until I was older and started cooking for myself did I start to question this tradition.After doing a bit of research I've learned that eating black eyed peas is a Southern tradition. This makes sense in my case being that my mothers side of the family is primarily from the south. My aunt (one of my mother's older sisters) is a powerhouse at cooking traditional southern food. My mouth is watering just thinking about her collards.In the south, it is said that black eyed peas was a symbol of emancipation for African Americans who had been previously enslaved and were freed on New Years Day.If it takes cooking and eating something that I love the taste of to celebrate emancipation I'm all for it. I'll walk in the cold a thousand times if I have to.Black eyed peas is also considered a good luck dish. This tradition (well the superstitious part of it) also stems back from the south. The concept is, if you eat black eyed peas on New Years Day you will be prosperous throughout the year.I'm here for this too. I believe in certain superstitions to some extent so I'm going to rock with this one and eat up these peas!I've already cooked and eaten my black eyed peas (seen above) for the day. I did not go with tradition and cook them with pork , I just added a tiny bit of onions and garlic seasoning. I did however throw a little hot sauce on them once they were cooked which is considered traditional.Now that my belly is full and I had a side of good ole' black eyed peas I can rest easy and manifest all of the good things coming my way.Cheers to much success in the new year!Foodies out there, are there any New Year traditions you follow or keep going? If so, share below. Leave a comment. 

Foodie Haul: Teas from Paris & London

I love tea! I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm a tea lady :DI like it hot, I like it cold, I like it in the morning or in the evening. Ok.. ok... I'll stop turning this into a Dr. Seuss rhyme.My dearest (and favorite photographer) friend Camile (check out her work) vacationed in London and Paris recently so she ever so kindly brought me back some tea. I am over the moon with this tea haul. I'm so happy!I waited all day to open up the bag she gave me and lookie look at what I got!I can't wait to try all of these teas! I'm starting out tonight with the above Marco Polo Rouge.I'm so using this Palais Des Thés cotton loose tea filter (something I did not know existed). I've only used metal filters. This should be quite interesting. The Montagne Bleue (below) black tea has rhubarb in it! I'm pumped.  This is also a product from Palais Des Thés. The ingredients in this one is giving me evening tea vibes.Then there's the  Marks & Spencer Rwandan black tea from London. I can just image this with some almond milk right now ?I haven't tried these teas yet but I already have a favorite. The Marco Polo iced tea!!! You guys I'm going to drink French iced tea *I'm screaming on the inside right now*​[video src="http://tameekaeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ae79d532-48cb-4a2b-9aaf-399f5b7355e4.mp4" poster=""][/video]​I was also lucky enough to get some of my favorite things in the world from Paris! Popcorn and nail polish. I don't know what it is about popcorn but I love it and one of these days I'll be brave enough to show the internet how much nail polish bottles I own.I'm super duper lucky to have friends who know and love me! Hashtag Lucky. Hashtag Spoiled.Have you been to Paris? Have you had any of these teas? Comment below. Let me know!