food

The Real Deal Story Behind The Cuban Boniato

Norman Van Aken — Sat, 18 May 2013 12:00:00 +0000

Back in the late 1990‘s at the original NORMAN’S restaurant in Coral Gables we had a young man who became our Lunch Chef named Eliecer Garcia. Like many young chefs he was very interested in cuisines from all over and when we talked about what to put on our lunch menu his ideas ranged from France to Hong Kong. I loved that but sometimes I’d say, “Eliecer. I want you to show me flavors your Cuban Grandmother would make and then we can twist them a little. Okay? Why don’t you show me how she would cook with … oh… boniato for instance? And then we’ll go from there.”

Hobo Packs: A Culinary Treat For Old Time's Sake

Norman Van Aken — Sun, 12 May 2013 16:24:55 +0000

We flew up to join the family to celebrate my Mother-in-Law’s 90th (!) Birthday Celebration. When our family gets together we, like many families, get straight to the heart of the matter. What are we cooking?! What are we eating?!

Borderless Latin American Cooking With Maricel Presilla

Trina Sargalski — Thu, 09 May 2013 13:48:11 +0000

When she won a James Beard award for her cookbook, Gran Cocina Latina, Maricel Presilla felt gratified to be acknowledged for the "work of a lifetime," as well as for "the collective work of millions of Latin Americans that live on two continents, in the Caribbean Islands, and also in the U.

Some Health Risks With Eating Giant African Land Snail

Trina Sargalski — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

Editor's note: In the hunt for what to do about the various mix of invasive species found in Florida, we are running a series that not only describes the problems caused by these plants and animals but, well, offers a culinary solution. Tweet us (@WLRN) your ideas and tips or email us a recipe: WLRNMIA@gmail.com.

How To Make Wild Boar Tacos With Tomatillo Salsa

Evan Benn — Thu, 09 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

Eating Invasive Species Comes With A Side Of Caution

Trina Sargalski — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:30:00 +0000

To accompany our Invasive Species Cookbook , we are also posting the potential health risks of eating certain invasive species and how to possibly mitigate those risks.

How To Make Snakehead Fish With Mango-Avocado Salsa

Evan Benn — Wed, 08 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

How To Make Watermelon Gazpacho With Lionfish

Evan Benn — Tue, 07 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

How To Make Stew With Giant African Land Snails

Arianna Prothero and Kaylois Henry — Mon, 06 May 2013 10:00:00 +0000

'Digging' Miami with Bob Carr, Cypress String Quartet, Chef Norman Van Aken & Broward Arts Calendar

Ed Bell and Paul Leary — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:00:00 +0000

Winners Of Our 'That's So Miami' Poetry Contest

Daniel Rivero and Elaine Chen — Wed, 01 May 2013 11:38:07 +0000

Love or hate Miami, the subject inspired so many beautiful, thoughtful and sometimes even funny verses for our "That's So Miami" project. It was impossible for us to pick the best. So we asked you to do it!

Based on your online votes, here are the five category winners and their poems:

Best Ode to Miami Spanglish - Lauren Fernandez, Miami

When Curry Chicken Calls, You Have To Answer

Norman Van Aken — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

I was sitting on the verandah of a hotel overlooking Waikiki beach waiting for a lunch menu. The mighty Pacific Ocean purred like a Lamborghini in the distance. I'd spent hours walking in Chinatown from early morning looking for beautiful and unique dishes I love to use for the thematic ‘Tasting Menus’ at our restaurant. But I had little luck and a keen hunger was rising up in me.

This Weekend, Find Poetic Inspiration At The Bottom Of A Cocktail -- Literally

Trina Sargalski — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 15:35:16 +0000

This weekend, you might notice that the humble coaster beneath your drink has a surprising message. Unlike the fool sitting next to you at the bar, the verses on your coaster are lucid, articulate and wise.

Paul Christiansen, a poet and graduate student at Florida International University, spearheaded the poetry coaster project. It's part of O Miami, a month-long poetry festival with the goal of exposing everyone in Miami-Dade to a poem in April.

Congri, Pastelito, Rum: Vote For The Best 'Ode To Miami Food'

Elaine Chen — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 17:13:49 +0000

What makes Miami's food culture so great? Vote for a poem from our That's So Miami project that best describes a culinary favorite.

UPDATE: POLLS CLOSED AFTERNOON OF 4/25, WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED AT THAT'S SO MIAMI READING AND FINALE

Key West's Banana Bread Man Made The 'Man's Bread' Popular

Norman Van Aken — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0000

There was a real man in Key West who used to sell his homemade banana bread out of his bicycle nightly at the famous sunset celebration on Mallory Docks. I never saw him leave there with any bread leftover. Down in the Caribbean Banana Bread is considered a “man’s bread”. Perhaps the reasons are related to anatomy or maybe it’s the hefty dose of rhum included in the recipe.

Coping With Tough Times: Start With Dinner

Trina Sargalski — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 20:30:00 +0000

"I think feeding the deeper hunger and serving the world starts with what you serve for dinner," says writer Ellen Kanner. She admits "that's asking a lot of dinner." Feeding the deeper hunger is the unifying theme of her new memoir and cookbook, Feeding the Hungry Ghost: Life, Faith and What to Eat for Dinner.

'Taco of Shepherds' Highlights Cooking Trip To El Paso

Norman Van Aken — Fri, 12 Apr 2013 17:00:00 +0000

We were invited to El Paso, Texas to cook at a gathering of ‘Oldways Preservation’, a non-profit organization based in Boston, Massachussetts. ‘Oldways’ is one of the premier educational forums for focusing on healthy, culturally diverse and historically respectful eating. They put on conferences around the world and invite scientists, farmers, professors, chefs and food/wine media to promote positive lifestyles.

Check Out The Miami Bars Planting Gardens To Make You A Better Cocktail

Trina Sargalski — Thu, 11 Apr 2013 15:36:00 +0000

Who's growing cocktails in their gardens? In a manner of speaking, Blackbird Ordinary and Broken Shaker are. The two Miami-Dade bars are growing plants they use to make simple syrups, infusions and garnishes. You can also grow your own "cocktail garden." Amy Stewart, author of The Drunken Botanist, visits Books & Books this Friday, and she'll be giving gardening tips.

Caldo Gallego: White Bean Soup From Spain Is A Taste Of Key West

Norman Van Aken — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 19:43:23 +0000

It may surprise some of you but I used to be quite shy when it came to going into restaurants and trying dishes and ingredients I had not known growing up, (as I had) in a small town in Northern Illinois. Now I am known for being “all in” when it comes to that… but we all have our ‘earlier selves’...don’t we?

Where To Eat In Miami: Restaurants To Add To The New York Times List

Trina Sargalski — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 15:22:00 +0000

In her March 22 article in the New York Times, Liesl Schillinger wrote that she wanted to capture the Miami restaurants and tourist haunts that are "uncool

Supper Club Brings A Slice Of Persia To South Florida

Trina Sargalski — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Last month, Josh's Deli in Surfside was transformed into the Saffron Supper Club. The lights were turned down, and the duck prosciutto and smoked salmon were tucked away. Candles covered the long diner counter, and an infatuating aroma of nutty rice tahdig greeted dinners.

'Vegan Before 6' Creator Mark Bittman On His Diet Philosophy

Trina Sargalski — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 16:51:38 +0000

New York Times columnist and cookbook author Mark Bittman adopted a diet of eating plant-based foods before 6 after his doctor gave him a wakeup call about his poor health. The author still eats the cheeses and meats he can't bear to give up, if he desires, but only after 6, and in moderation.

Unlikely Pairings: Photos from South Beach Wine & Food Festival 2013

Trina Sargalski — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 15:00:00 +0000

The wine-soaked, bacon-infused, foie-gras-stuffed long weekend that was the 2013 South Beach Wine & Food Festival wrapped up yesterday. There were celebrity chef appearances, parties, tastings, chef demos, and wine pairing sessions, among other things.

Save This List: Where Famous Chefs Eat When They Visit The South Beach Wine & Food Festival

Trina Sargalski — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 20:21:47 +0000

Chefs and food personalities flock to Miami this week to take part in the South Beach Wine & Food Festival, which starts this Thursday. We asked some of the out-of-town chefs which Miami restaurants they want to check out while they are here:

Why Miami Food Lovers Should Know Who Gaston Acurio Is

Trina Sargalski — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 15:00:00 +0000

If you don't know who Gaston Acurio is, chances are you will soon.

Vegetarian Dinner at South Beach Wine & Food Festival Reflects Broader Trend

Trina Sargalski — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 15:22:58 +0000

Nobu's Vegetarian Dinner is the first explicitly vegetarian event at South Beach Wine & Food Festival.

South Beach Wine & Food Festival: Then & Now

Trina Sargalski — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:00:00 +0000

Thursday is the first day of the 2013 South Beach Wine & Food Festival. In our interactive timeline (below), we take a look back at the indulgent and now-famous South Beach Wine & Food Festival last year, in 2005 and back in 2001, when it was still known as the "Florida Extravaganza."

Chefs Help You Decide Where to Eat In Miami

Trina Sargalski — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 15:00:00 +0000

A couple of free Smartphone apps give the lowdown on where chefs like to eat, providing an alternative to reviews on Yelp and Google. The Chefs Feed app and the Find. Eat. Drink. app/website give recommendations from chefs for the curious eater who wants to know about the hole-in-the-wall spots favored by chefs Jose Mendin of Pubbelly or Michelle Bernstein of Michy's. The apps are also a good resource for out-of-towners visiting during South Florida's busy tourism season.

Interview: Overtown Music Project’s Amy Rosenberg

Trina Sargalski — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 15:00:00 +0000

In this occasional column, we chat with people in South Florida who don’t work in the food business about what and where they eat.

Amateur Food Photographers Get Bad Rap From Restaurants

Eric Barton — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Every couple of months, I finally plug my phone into the computer. iTunes annoyingly asks if I want to upgrade something or other, and then I download what looks like a year’s full of photos. There are plenty of my dog, friends, the wife, and whatnot. And then reams of food.