She Ate Dat

Tag: Caribbean Cuisine

  • Coquito: The Most Authentic Coconut Eggnog

    Hey y’all, here we come again with another delicious drink. Coquito can be made during any time of the year, but during the festivity it’s even better. You wanna know why? Because it’s shared with family and friends. Here is an easy and delicious recipe for the most authentic coquito.

    What is coquito?

    Coquito is sort of the Caribbean version of eggnog but, without the eggs and coconut flavor. Coquito is a Puerto Rican alcoholic beverage that is delicious and unique. What makes this drink so unique is the coconut flavor and how creamy it is.

    How to make coquito?

    Ingredients:

    • 2 Cans of Coconut Milk
    • 1 Can of Sweetened Condense Milk
    • 1 Can of Evaporated Milk
    • 1 Cup of White Rum (adjust to taste)
    • 1 Cup of Coconut Rum for extra kick
    • 1 tsp of Vanilla Extract
    • 1 tsp of Ground Cinnamon
    • 1/2 tsp of Ground Nutmeg
    • 1/4 tsp of Ground Cloves

    Preparation:

    • In a blender, mix coconut milk, sweetened condense milk and evaporated milk.
    • Add white rum, coconut rum (optional), vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and ground cloves to blender.
    • Blend until it has a well mixed mixture and all ingredients are combined.
    • Taste coquito and adjust the level of sweetness and or rum.
    • Once satisfied with the flavor, pour coquito into bottle containers with lids.
    • Refrigerate the coquito for a few hours and or overnight to allow the flavors to concentrate.
    • Shake well before serving, and enjoy!

    If you want to buy the Coquito already made show here. However, it won’t taste as authentic as the homemade version.

  • The Best Chocolate Caliente You Will Ever Try!

    Hey y’all, here we come with another one! An easy affordable but definitely delicious recipe that you and the whole family can enjoy during these cold months. The best homemade chocolate caliente (Hot chocolate) you will ever try! This recipe is easy to follow, and it’s a recipe you will be doing very often once you try it. Hope you love this as much as I do, enjoy!

    Ingredients:

    • 4–5 pieces of solid cocoa bars
    • 2 tbsp of Vanilla Extract
    • 1 tsp of Ground Ginger (you can also add fresh ginger)
    • 1 tsp of Whole Cloves
    • 1 tsp of Allspice
    • 2-3 Cinnamon Sticks
    • 1/2 tbs of Nutmeg
    • Ground Cinnamon
    • 1/4 tsp of Salt
    • 1 can of Evaporated Milk
    • 2 cups of Milk (milk of your choice)
    • 3 tbs of Sugar (optional)
    • 1 cup of water

    Preparation:

    • Put a pot on medium heat with 1 cup of water.
    • Then, add all the spices, ground or fresh ginger, 2 cinnamon sticks, 1/2 tbs of nutmeg, 1 tbs of whole cloves and 1 tbs of allspice. Let it boil for 5 mins.
    • Add the cocoa bars and stir it until it dissolves.
    • Pour the 2 cups of milk and the can of evaporated milk into the mix.
    • Add the salt and sugar along with the vanilla extract.
    • Let all the spices, cocoa and milk meld together for 5 more minutes on low heat. And then enjoy your Chocolate caliente!

    To garnish:

    • Pour your Chocolate caliente into a mug and add ground cinnamon to taste and add a stick.

  • One Of The Most Flavorful Seafood Buffets

    Hey y’all, today, we come with another hit. Boca Chica is a restaurant/buffet that specializes in seafood. If you are a seafood lover, then this one is for you. They also provide non-seafood alternatives. So don’t worry if you’re not a seafood lover, they have a bit of everything.

    What they offer:

    Boca Chica has so many varieties that you won’t even know what to choose from. They offer natural juices, empanadas, quipes and desserts. Boca Chica also has a variety of different rice, salmon, shrimps, fried fish, locrios (rice mixed with seafood/meat) and many more things.

    I haven’t tried everything yet, but I’m definitely planning to. So far I have tried the locrio de arenque (Rice and Smoked Herrings), which is one of my favorite dishes from their restaurant it is perfection and if you pair this dish with some green salad and sweet plantains you, my friend will be golden. Something else that I enjoyed were the empanadas, they have so much filling, are freshly done and taste amazing. One of the natural juices I tried was the chinola (passion fruit) juice, it was also delicious. A few days ago I tried the baked salmon, and it didn’t disappoint.

    Rice and Smoked Herrings
    Fried Fish with Veggies

    Something that I have tried from Boca Chica that I wasn’t really a fan of was the fried rice, it wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t what I was expecting. The fried rice had many raw veggies which is the part of the dish I wasn’t a fan of, I usually like my veggies at least a bit cooked. Other than that the taste/ flavor was there, it tasted fantastic and if they were to cook the veggies, I would definitely try it again and probably get to love it.

    My point is, Boca Chica is an excellent place to go and try some Caribbean seafood that taste bomb that com. Don’t miss out, go and try it and let me know how your experience was. Enjoy!

    Location: 584 W 207th St, New York, NY 10034

  • The Most Terrific Pastelon Dish For The Holidays

    Hey y’all! Here we come with another hit for your holiday dishes. This dish right here, you have to make at least once because it is that delicious.

    Pastelon is a traditional dish from the Caribbean. Depending on what part of the Caribbean you are from, the way pastelon is prepared varies. Some people use other types of meats and or veggies. Other mash the sweet plantains, while others simply slice them. This dish is mostly prepared during the holidays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, you name it. And in my culture pastelon is a dish that consists of sweet mashed plantains, ground beef seasoned to taste and cheese. It is easy and affordable to make and very filling, and on top of that it is also delicious. I know, hard to believe, right!? But I assure you, it’s definitely all that and a little more.

    It’s a delicacy of flavor in each layer, similar to a lasagna (or casserole) but the pasta is replaced with sweet plantain. This dish is an all-time favorite of mine, every time I go to family gatherings and I see a pastelon at the table, my heart gets so warm and happy.

    For these upcoming holidays I recommend you to try this dish, it will be a hit at the family gatherings. Your loved ones will be asking for it every time you guys have any festive gatherings. We will provide an easy pastelon recipe that you won’t stop making and will most likely make it part of your family dish tradition as well. This dish can be done more or less under an hour, and it is perfect for any occasion, but it will taste even better if shared with others. Don’t just share the dish but also make sure to share the recipe with friends and family. Enjoy and have fun preparing this delicious delicacy!

    Serving Size: 6

    Ingredients:

    • Olive Oil
    • Red Onion
    • Garlic
    • Green Bell Pepper
    • Fresh Cilantro
    • Tomato sauce
    • Ground Beef
    • Salt
    • Ground Black Pepper
    • Ripe Sweet Plantains
    • Salted butter

    For the filling:

    • 2 tablespoon olive oil (or vegetable oil)
    • 1 red onion, [65g], minced
    • 1 tablespoon of mashed garlic, (3 large garlic cloves)
    • 1 pound ground beef, [454g]
    • 1 cup tomato sauce, [115g]
    • 1 green bell peppers or red, seeded and minced
    • 1 ½ teaspoons of salt (or more, to taste)
    • ½ teaspoons ground black pepper (or more, to taste)
    • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro, (or parsley)

    For some non-traditional fillings (including vegetarian ones), check out this pastelones fillings. You can also use ground turkey, pork, or chicken for a non-traditional filling.

    Preparation:

    • In a ceramic pan, heat oil over medium-low heat. Stir in onion and cook and stir until it turns translucent.
    • Add garlic and cook and stir for a minute.
    • Add minced meat and cook and stir, breaking it into small clumps until it browns.
    • Pour in tomato sauce. Add bell pepper, salt, and pepper. Stir and cover. Simmer for 3 minutes.
    • Uncover and mix in the optional ingredient of your choice, or none at all if you so prefer.
    • Taste and season with salt and pepper to taste if needed. Remove from the heat and put it to the side until needed. 

    To assemble:

    • 6 ripe/yellow sweet plantains
    • 1 teaspoon salt
    • ¼ cup salted butter plus extra to grease pan
    • 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

    Preparation:

    • Peel the plantains and boil adding 1 teaspoon of salt to the water.
    • Once the plantains are fork tender (15 – 20 mins), remove them from the heat.
    • Drain the water right away, and mash them with a fork. 
    • Add the butter and keep mashing until it is very smooth with no lumps. 
    • Grease a 1-inch tall baking pan.
    • Put half of the plantain mixture in the baking pan. 
    • Cover with half of the cheese. Cover the cheese with the meat. Keep layering until the mixture is finished. Cover with the rest of the cheese.
    • Cook in preheated oven to 350 °F [175 °C] until the top is golden brown.

    Now, you are all done. Let the pastelon cool down for at least five minutes after removing it from the oven, so it’s easier to serve. Enjoy!

  • The Best Tres Leches Cake: Perfect Dessert For You

    Hey y’all! Today we have a good one for y’all, get ready to get your hands dirty and fill your belly, because this recipe is just incredibly irresistible. Y’all ready? Please, be ready!

    Tres Leches Cake is one of the tastiest yet juiciest cakes I have ever tried. If you don’t know what I’m talking about please, do yourself a favor and go to the nearest Hispanic bakery around your neighborhood and get one. You won’t regret it, it is absolutely delicious! The Tres Leches Cake is a cake immersed into three different types of milks, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk and cream or milk. This combination of milks is what makes tres leches cake stand out from other cakes out there. This cake is to die for and perfect for any occasion, such as birthday parties, weddings, any festivities and or simply as a dessert just because you want something sweet and delicious.

    Now with the upcoming holidays, that are already around the corner, I want to provide the perfect dessert recipe to make for your loved ones during this time of the year. Whoever gets a piece of this cake will be delighted by the layers of flavors this cake will provide for them. It’s going to be one of those staple desserts at every family event, something the whole family can enjoy during any time of the year. And also something you will be asked to make all the time and or be ask about the recipe.

    Well then, this is where we got you, we will provide the easiest and tastiest tres leches cake recipe for you to make and share with your family and friends. The instructions and ingredients will be short and sweet in order for you to make a delicious dessert time efficiently. Hope you enjoy baking and tasting this tres leches cake as much as we do.

    Serving size: 6 large servings

    Ingredients:

    • Salted Butter
    • Flour
    • All-Purpose Flour
    • Baking Powder
    • Eggs
    • Sugar
    • Powdered Sugar
    • Vanilla Extract
    • Evaporated Milk
    • Milk
    • Condensed Milk
    • Cream Cheese

    To prepare the mold:

    • 1 tablespoon salted butter
    • 1 tablespoon flour

    Preparation:

    With a silicon brush, bush butter and flour on a baking pan.

    Heat the oven to 350°F(175°C).

    To make the dough:

    • 3 eggs, medium with the yolks and whites separated
    • 1 cup sugar, [187 g] divided
    • 1⅓ cup all-purpose flour, [140 g]
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • ¾ stick salted butter, [173 g] at room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Preparation:

    • Using the wire whisk of the mixer, whisk the egg whites until stiff, start at low speed, then increase in a few seconds.
    • Add half the sugar and whisk until firm and glossy. Once this mix is ready, put it to the side until it’s ready to use.
    • Now, mix the flour and baking powder and sift. Put this mix also to the side until it’s ready to use.
    • Using the paddle attachment of the mixer, whisk the butter and yolks for 3 minutes on medium-high speed. 
    • Add the rest of the sugar and whisk until light and fluffy and a very light yellow color (about 5 minutes).
    • Add the vanilla extract, then add the flour in three parts, mixing well before adding more flour. Once it is well mixed, it will have a very thick consistency, somewhere between cookie and cake dough. Don’t worry you’re doing so well!
    • Add ⅓ of the egg whites. With a spatula, fold the egg whites into the dough with a circular motion. Add the rest of the egg whites in two steps, always incorporating with an enveloping motion.

     At this point, it will be a soft dough with a lot of air incorporated. Pour this mix into your baking pan and bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and is golden brown on top (about 30 minutes).

    Once it’s ready, cool to room temperature before removing from the mold. Cut the crust. Place on a rimmed plate that can hold the milk sauce.

    To the presentation

    • 1¼ cup evaporated milk, [296 ml]
    • ½ cup of milk, [237 ml]
    • ¾ cup condensed milk, [177 ml]
    • ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 1 cup whipping cream
    • ½ cup powdered sugar, 100 g]
    • 1 tablespoon cream cheese
    • Strawberries or cherries to decorate, optional

    Preparation:

    • Mix the evaporated, milk and condensed milk. Mix with vanilla extract.
    • Pour the milk mixture over the cake and let it soak. Bathe it regularly until it has absorbed half of the liquid (one or two hours), keeping it in the refrigerator the entire time.

    You can make the topping while it cools.

    If you are going to use meringue icing as a topping, use this recipe (with video).

    However, if you are using whipped cream as a topping, chill the mixer bowl and wire whisk for at least half an hour beforehand (or 20 minutes in the freezer). 

    • Beat the cream on medium-high speed until it begins to form peaks (about 3 minutes). 
    • Add the powdered sugar and cream cheese and whisk until combined and formed firm peaks, but be careful not to overdo it, or the cream will turn into butter.

    Once the icing is ready, it’s time to decorate the tres leches cake.

    • Spread the whipped cream over the cooled cake and decorate with strawberries or cherries.

     Now you’re all done and ready to taste this amazing recipe. Don’t forget to keep refrigerated until ready to serve. It is best to consume it within 24 hours.