Abuelita's Cooking: The Delicious Result of Love and Lots of Spices!

Abuelita's cooking is a true embodiment of wisdom, tradition, and love. From her humble farm, she creates culinary masterpieces that not only nourish our bodies but also warm our souls.

Her recipes are not just about the ingredients; they carry stories and memories passed down through generations. With each dish she prepares, she shares a piece of her heritage and connects us to our roots.

Abuelita's cooking is a labor of love. She pours her heart into every meal, infusing it with flavors that can't be replicated. Her hands work their magic with precision and care as she combines the freshest produce from her farm to create dishes that are simply unforgettable.

In a world where fast food and convenience often take precedence, Abuelita reminds us of the importance of slowing down and savoring each bite. Her cooking teaches us patience, appreciation for quality ingredients, and the joy of sharing a meal with loved ones.

So let us cherish Abuelita's wisdom in the kitchen. Let us honor her traditions by embracing the value of homemade meals made with love. And let us remember that in every spoonful of her food lies not just sustenance but also a taste of history and a reminder of the power of family bonds.

Tips for Affordable Gifts for Mom on Mother's Day

Mother's Day is a time to show our mothers how much we appreciate them. But it can also be a time of sticker shock. Flowers, jewelry, and other traditional gifts can be expensive. But there are plenty of affordable ways to show your mom how much you care.

Here are a few tips for finding affordable gifts for Mom on Mother's Day:

• Think creatively. Don't be afraid to get creative with your gift-giving. A homemade card, a framed photo of the two of you, or a personalized gift can be just as meaningful as a store-bought gift.
• Set a budget. Before you start shopping, decide how much you can afford to spend. This will help you narrow down your options and avoid overspending.
• Shop around. Don't be afraid to compare prices at different stores. You can often find the same gift for a lower price if you shop around.
• Look for sales and discounts. Many stores offer sales and discounts leading up to Mother's Day. This is a fantastic way to save money on your gift.
• Consider making your own gift. If you're crafty, consider making your own gift for Mom. This is a wonderful way to show her how much you care and put your own delicate touch on the gift.

No matter how you choose to celebrate Mother's Day, make sure it is something that she will love and appreciate. She deserves it!

Here are some specific ideas for affordable gifts for Mom on Mother's Day:

• A gift certificate to her favorite store or restaurant. This is a wonderful way to let her choose her own gift.
• A new book by her favorite author. This is a terrific way to help her relax and unwind.
• A framed photo of the two of you. This is a thoughtful and personal gift that she will cherish for years to come.
• A gift basket filled with her favorite snacks and treats. This is a fantastic way to show her how much you care about her taste.
• A homemade card. This is a simple but meaningful gift that she will appreciate.

No matter what you choose, make sure it is something that comes from the heart. Mom will love knowing that you put thought into her gift.

 This happened 10 years ago, I was invited to appear in two shows The Chew and What Not To Wear because I wore a frog mascot costume. 

You can watch it on Amazon S12 E5 https://www.amazon.com/.../B00EHAC8EU/ref=atv_dp_share_cu_r

You can also listen to my podcast interview where I talk about behind the scenes https://spotifyanchor-web.app.link/e/fiS1F3BjTyb

Exploring the History and Origin of Valencia's Famous Paella from Spain

Getting to Know the Traditional Dish of Valencia, Paella

Valencia Paella is a traditional dish from Spain that has become a symbol of Spanish culture and cuisine. It is a rice-based dish prepared with saffron, vegetables and sometimes meat or seafood. The most common ingredients used to prepare this traditional meal are rice, chicken, rabbit, chorizo sausage, green beans, garlic and saffron. This delicious meal can be served as a main course or side dish and it is sure to bring an authentic flavor to any dinner table! Paella is believed to have originated in the mid-19th century as a way to feed the large number of farmhands. 

That Little Holiday Coconut Drink Called Coquito

What is Coquito?

Coquito translated to English means “Little Coconut.” The famous drink originated in Puerto Rico and is mainly desired and created during the holidays! It helps bring the festive spirit into your home and to your taste buds!

Coquito’s History!

This festive alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage taste better than the eggnog however, many people like to call it “Puerto Rican Eggnog.” It is currently unknown who exactly created Coquito or how the original recipe was created, but the best way to get a feel for Coquito is by tasting it! Since 2018 December 21st of every year is National Coquito Day!

Learn how to make Coquito!

Our Coquito making classes are coming back this holiday season! Take a class with family and friends! Classes are for groups of 4 or more.

If you like a private class please contact us.

Book a Class!

New Cooking Classes

Looking for Latin Cooking Classes? Check out our new A Taste of Spain cooking class...

 

Healthy Cooking for Picky Kids with Coqui the Chef

What are the benefits of kissing on New Year's Eve?

Is kissing really that awesome?

  According to medical studies, kissing offers amazing advantages for a long and healthy life.

1. Those who kiss their partner goodbye each morning live five years longer than those who don’t.
2. Kissing is great for self-esteem. It makes you feel appreciated and helps your state of mind.
3. Kissing burns calories, 2-3 calories a minute and can double your metabolic rate. Research claims that three passionate kisses a day (at least lasting 20 seconds each) will cause you to loose an entire extra pound! It's time to start that kissing diet!
4. Kissing is a known stress-reliever. Passionate kissing relieves tension, reduces negative energy and produces a sense of well being, lowering your cortisol ‘stress’ hormone.
5. Kissing uses 30 facial muscles and it helps keep the facial muscles tight, preventing baggy cheeks! The tension in the muscles caused by a passionate kiss helps smooth the skin and increases the circulation.
6. Kissing is good for the heart, as it creates an adrenaline which causes your heart to pump more blood around your body. Frequent kissing has scientifically been proven to stabilize cardiovascular activity, decrease blood pressure and cholesterol.
7. Those who kiss quite frequently are less likely to suffer from stomach, bladder and blood infections.
8. Kissing reduces anxiety and stops the "noise' in your mind. It increases the levels of oxytocin, an extremely calming hormone that produces a feeling of peace.
9. Kissing might even help you lose weight, says Bryant Stamford, PhD, professor and director of the health promotion center at the University of Louisville. "During a really, really passionate kiss, you might burn two calories a minute -- double your metabolic rate," he says. (This compares to 11.2 calories per minute you burn jogging on a treadmill.)
10. A natural source of pain relief.  Kissing provides a natural form of pain relief. Before reaching for an aspirin the next time you've got a headache, grab your honey and lay on a big smooch instead. Dr. Varnado notes that "kissing releases natural chemicals in the body called endorphins, which can be more powerful than morphine to relieve pain" - without the all the negative side effects of using a narcotic, of course.
11. Last but not least, while kissing may feel oh-so-good, it also has health benefits, too. It triggers a whole spectrum of physiological processes that boost your immunity and generally spruce up that body you work so hard to keep attractive.

Now go out there and KISS someone! xxxxx

[source: 1. http://www.bestkisses.com/kisses-for-health.html, 2. http://www.webmd.com/sex-relationships/features/kissing-benefits]

Halloween Recipes

Get into the spirit of Halloween with these food ideas to help your little chef get geared up for a fun holiday.

 

How to make Halloween Slime (for playing, not eating) 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup cornstartch
• food coloring

Directions:
Boil 2 cups water in a medium saucepan.  Add cornstarch while stirring. After that is mixed well, add food coloring and stir.  Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.  Make sure kids play with it on a plastic covered surface

~Healthy Halloween Snack Recipe~ 

Make a Coqui the Chef Apple Frog

Ingredients:

• green apples
• grapes-two for feet and four for arms and hands
• toothpicks hold the arm and eyes
• white marshmallow for eyes
• chocolate chip for the eye 
• lemon juice 
• cocktail umbrella picks

Click here to watch the instructional video. In my recipe, we used two ingredients different from the video; chocolate chip, and white marshmallows.

Check out these DIY Halloween resources

These resources highlight the spirit of the holiday with these themed math and literacy review, and there are also plenty of art, cooking, and decorative ideas to help your little one get geared up for this fun holiday.

Click here!

Halloween Slime

 

 

How to make Halloween Slime (for playing, not eating) 

 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup cornstartch
• food coloring

Directions:
Boil 2 cups water in a medium saucepan.  Add cornstarch while stirring. After that is mixed well, add food coloring and stir.  Remove from heat and cool to room temperature.  Make sure kids play with it on a plastic covered surface.

Spooky Guacamole with Carrot Fingers

Halloween Parties! What costume are you going to wear? We had small Halloween Cooking Party with parents and kids. We all had so much fun. Check out what they made!

Recipe for Spooky Guacamole with Carrot Fingers

Ingredients:

For Guacamole:

• 2 ripe avocados, peeled and pitted
• 6 cherry tomatoes,  halved or 1 ripe tomato diced
•  juice of ¼ of lime
• ¼ cup chopped cilantro
• sea salt and fresh cracked black pepper to taste
• 1 clove of garlic, peeled and minced (optional)
• ¼ cup diced red onion (optional)
• ¼ cup diced jalapeno (optional)
• pinch of ground cumin (optional)

For carrot fingers:

• 5 Carrots, (knobby ones work best)
• a little bit of peanut butter 
• 5 sliced almonds (for finger nails)

Procedure:
Guacamole: Combine all ingredients in pilon (mortar and pestle) or bowl. Mash until desired consistency is achieved.

Carrot fingers: Take 4 long carrots and 1 shorter one (cut off carrot tops), with a sharp paring knife, carve a location for the almond  to sit (finger nail). Using peanut butter as glue, fasten the sliced almond onto the carrot finger. Insert all five fingers into the guacamole like a hand rising out. Serve immediately or chilled if preferred.

Coqui the Chef's Halloween Cooking Party Photos

What do you think Chef Chris Ackerman afro?

What do you think about Tania Lopez cat ears?

Kids mashing the ingredients for the guacamole.

Chef Chris demonstrating how to slice the avocado

Mom helping out her boys cut and slice the ingredients for the guacamole

Family time is always important and fun

Fighting Hunger at the Food Network NYC Wine and Food Festival

From the desk of Tania Lopez (Creator of Coqui the Chef)

I volunteered for Food Network New York City Wine and Food Festival. It ran from October 17-20, 2013. It is the only Festival in New York to bring together both legendary culinary icons from around the globe and America’s most beloved television chefs.

New York City Festival benefits the hunger-relief programs of Food Bank For New York City and Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry® campaign. Having raised over $6 million to date, 100% of the net proceeds from the Festival go directly to these community-based organizations. Eat. Drink. End Hunger.


I had such a great time volunteering on Oct 19 for the Grand Tasting book signing event for celebrity/author chefs. Several volunteers had different jobs, mine was to take photos of the celebrity chefs with their fans.  I loved it!! I was the only one authorized to take the photos so a lot of fans handed me their smart phone and cameras. It was such an amazing experience to be so close to Rachel Ray (she is so lovely), Martha Stewart (has strange personality), Masaharu Marimoto (always said "sushi" with every photo taken), and Rick Bayless (has a great smile).  It was nice to see how these chef celebrities treat their fans. Unfortunately, I was not able to take photos with my smart phone because part of the volunteer rules are that we cannot take photos with celebrities during our shift but I took a memorable one. 

Did you  know?
Volunteering is a great way to make friends, contacts, increases your social and relationship skills, providing you with career experience and valuable job skills.  Most of all it is good for your mental and physical health.  Volunteering increases your self-confidence and helps you stay physically healthy.

What I learned from volunteering?
Two years ago, I suffered from depression.  I refused to take medication because I knew in my heart there was a way out of it.  That is when I started my community work and volunteering.  Through volunteering, I learned that if you just give a little of yourself, you will get a lot in return.  It's simple and worth it!

My most memorable picture

Coqui the Chef is always looking for volunteers to help with the kitchen and with junior chefs. If you are interested and want to make your resume look AWESOME.
Fill out this long yet simple form http://www.coquithechef.org/p/volunteersinterns.html/p/volunteersinterns.html

Coqui the Chef's Junior Chefs Graduate

Coqui the Chef's junior chefs graduated from the nutrition and culinary workshop "Building Healthy Habits" on October 18.  Sadly, it was our last workshop for the year.  We are going to miss them.  It was quite an experience for our junior chefs as they learned how to slice, cut and combine flavors to make an awesome salsa, smoothie and delicious apple donuts made out of slices of real apple with real fruit toppings. Oh! How can we forget! We also taught them about musical instrument like the maracas, bongos and saxophone.  At the end to celebrate their accomplishment, they received a certificate of completion, booklet with fun healthy advice, recipes, chef's hat and apron.

We are working hard to generate funds for more workshops next year therefore we need your help. We are accepting donations, sponsors, angel investors and grants.  Will you help us? Share, post, tell people you know who would love to help Coqui the Chef keep the workshops sustainable for the kids in the South Bronx. Visit our donation page http://coquithechef.com/donate 

Take a look at their smiling faces.  
Remember Children Who Learn How to Cook Are Hungrier for Healthy Food Choices!

Children Who Learn How to Cook Are Hungrier for Healthy Food Choices! - See more at: http://coquithechef.com/donateandwin/#sthash.iCu0Mga2.dpuf

Children Who Learn How to Cook Are Hungrier for Healthy Food Choices! - See more at: http://coquithechef.com/donateandwin/#sthash.iCu0Mga2.dpuf

Coqui the Chef met Murray from Sesame Street at the New York ComicCon

We went to the New York ComicCon 2013 for three days and had a blast! Apparently since I, Tania Lopez, can no longer wear the mascot costume. I thought of a silly but ingenious idea; why not carry Coqui the Chef puppet in a baby carrier so people can meet him? That is exactly what I did.  It was funny to see people's reaction and smiles but what was even more funnier how people made way for me in crowded places because they thought I had a real baby.  

In one of the panel discussions "Comics for Everyone" I met Joseph Mazzarino the voice actor for Murray from Sesame Street.  I took notes of all the advice he gave regarding what can make a character unique and funny. So my friends the future looks bright for Coqui the Chef puppet! YAY!!

NOW OPEN...Coqui the Chef's Smoothie Bar!!

We wanted to teach our junior chefs how a restaurant works so we opened a pretend smoothie bar.  The ten junior chefs all had turns role playing as customers, waiters, and prep cooks. Their energy and willingness to learn was amazing.  The photos say it all...

Try Coqui the Chef's Tropical Sunset Smoothie Recipe...http://coquithechef.com/tropicalsunsetsmoothierecipe.html

Suggested Vegetable Seasonings, Flavorings, and Combinations

Choosing fresh seasonal vegetables is great especially when they are from your local farmer but what seasonings, flavorings or combinations go well with the them?
Well here is a short list of what you can use to make the vegetable taste YUMMY!!!

• Asparagus-- Lemon juice, brown butter, mustard sauce, Parmesan cheese; hard-cooked egg, peas, artichokes, mushrooms 
• Beans, green-- Dill, basil, tarragon, oregano, garlic, brown butter, soy sauce; almonds, sesame seed, onion, tomato, celery, mushrooms, bacon 
• Beans, Lima-- Oregano, sage, thyme, sour cream, cheddar cheese; corn, peas, onions, mushrooms, pimiento, bacon
• Beets-- Lemon, allspice, caraway, cloves, dill, ginger, horseradish, bay leaf, orange, sour cream, onion
• Broccoli-- Lemon, mustard sauce, almonds, buttered and toasted bread crumbs, hard-cooked egg
• Brussels sprouts-- Caraway, dill, Parmesan cheese, cheddar cheese, chestnuts
• Cabbage-- Caraway, celery seed, dill, mustard, nutmeg, garlic; bacon, ham, carrots, onion
• Carrots-- Parsley, dill, fennel, tarragon, ginger, nutmeg, bay leaves, caraway, mint, orange; celery, peas, zucchini
• Cauliflower-- Dill, nutmeg, mustard, curry, cheese, tomato sauce; hard-cooked egg, peas, almonds
• Celery-- Parsley, tarragon, onion, green or red pepper, potatoes
• Corn-- Chili powder, mild cheddar or jack cheese, tomato, bacon, Lima beans
• Cucumber-- Dill, garlic, mint, tarragon; peas 
• Eggplant-- Garlic, marjoram, oregano, parsley, Parmesan cheese; tomato, chopped walnuts
• Mushrooms-- Nutmeg, parsley, lemon, paprika, dill, sherry, Parmesan cheese, cayenne, heavy cream; peas, spinach, artichokes, green beans
• Okra-- Garlic, coriander, sage; tomatoes, corn
• Onions-- Nutmeg, sage, thyme, cheese sauce, sour cream; peas
• Peas-- Mint, basil, dill, sage; mushrooms, pearl onions, turnips, potatoes, carrots, water chestnuts, Jerusalem artichokes
• Spinach-- Nutmeg, garlic, heavy cream; mushrooms, hard-cooked egg, cheese
• Squash, summer-- Cumin, basil, oregano, mustard seed, rosemary, garlic, Parmesan cheese, parsley; tomato, carrots (with zucchini), onion, (including zucchini) almonds, walnuts
• Squash, winter-- Cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, cloves, ginger; apples, bacon, pecans
• Sweet potatoes-- Allspice, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, ginger, brandy, orange; almonds, apples, bananas
• Tomatoes-- Basil, bay leaf, garlic, celery seed, oregano, thyme, rosemary, chili powder; peppers, black olives
• Turnips-- Parsley, chives, nutmeg; mushrooms, potatoes, peas

Recipe: Mucho Bueno Black Bean Avocado Salsa

Recipe: Mucho Bueno Black Bean Avocado Salsa

Ingredients:

• Black beans low sodium (choose either 15 oz can; drained and rinsed or home-cooked beans)
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• 1 red pepper, diced
• 1 yellow pepper, diced
• 2 limes, squeezed juice
• 2 avocados, diced
• 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil
• Cherry tomatoes, cut in halves (amount you desire)
• Cilantro or parsley (optional)
• Salt to taste
• Pepper to taste

Procedure:
Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Cover bowl and refrigerate for 10-15 minutes. Serve cold as an appetizer with tortilla scoops or in a tortilla wrap with lettuce and cheese.

Health benefits: Black beans have a high quantity of both protein and fiber that help to move food through the stomach to the large intestine at a healthier pace. Peppers and limes have vitamin C, which help with the immune system. Avocado and extra virgin olive oil is great for the skin.

Our little chefs love making this recipe!
Visit our website to learn more about our kids cooking class http://coquithechef.com/cookingdemos.html

Save Money! Buy Produce in Season

Autumn is here! The leaves start falling, the breeze is cooler, and the afternoon weather is comforting.  What really makes autumn amazing is the food.  Do you know what type of fruits and vegetables are in the autumn season?  NO! Don't worry, this produce list will help you out. Remember buying in season always saves you money.

Autumn Fruit

• Apples 
• Grapes
• Pears
• Rasperries
• Watermelon
• Pumpkin
• Squash

Autumn Vegetables

• Beets
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Garlic
• Green beans
• Lettuce
• Mushrooms
• Onions
• Peppers
• Radishes
• Sweet potatoes
• Carrots
• Brussels Sprouts
• Chard
• Eggplant
• Cauliflower
• Kale

Herbs

• Parsley
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Sage

Talk with your local farmer or produce manager to help you select the ready to eat produce.

Cooking with Coqui the Chef Show

Watch Coqui the Chef make sofrito with Chef Chris Ackerman.

Get the recipe here http://tinyurl.com/n2mej9v

Learn more about Coqui the Chef visit http://coquithechef.com

"Without the help of Freshmade NYC, Associated Supermarket at 1136 Ogden Ave in the Bronx, Rothwyn Media, Jason Torres, Chef Chris Ackerman, Rs Luciano, my kids and friends the cooking show would of never been possible. Thank you for your support and believing in Coqui the Chef and me."
~Tania Lopez (creator of Coqui the Chef)

Coqui the Chef appears on ABC's "The Chew" and TLC's "What Not to Wear"

(PRESS RELEASE) On Friday, September 6 New Yorkers get another healthy serving of their favorite Latino chef , "Coqui the Chef," when he appears on ABC's "The Chew" at 1pm EST, and TLC's longest running prime time series "What Not to Wear" at 10pm EST. 

"The Chew's" celebrity chefs Mario Batali, Michael Symon, and Carla Hall, lifestyle expert Clinton Kelly and the fresh face of healthy living Daphne Oz serve up everything from cooking and home entertaining to food trends, restaurants, holidays and more. TLC's "What Not to Wear" features fashion experts Stacy London and Clinton Kelly, who face an assortment of fashionably challenged contributors, providing them with fashion advice and life-changing transformations. This season, the show's last, includes some of Stacy and Clinton's biggest challenges to-date, including Coqui the Chef founder Tania Lopez.

Lopez founded Coqui the Chef in 2007 and her personal mission is to empower kids, adults and entrepreneurs to live a healthy life and lead a productive business. She works with organizations and communities in the South Bronx who want to improve overall food quality and promote healthy lifestyles. An alarming number of Latino youth in the Bronx, where nutritious foods are not always readily available, suffer from high levels of obesity.

Tania is a proud mom of two teenagers and a frog.

In the spring of 2012 Lopez launched "Coqui the Chef's Bodega Adventures," a series of cooking demonstrations and nutrition workshops at local bodegas throughout the South Bronx, in an effort to help combat youth obesity in those neighborhoods. Bodega Adventures is designed to help youth and their families create flavorful, healthful, and simple meals with fresh produce and other healthy ingredients from local bodegas. It also aims to encourage bodega owners to stock healthy food items that may not previously have been available, such as whole wheat tortillas, low-fat cheese and yogurt, fruit/veggies smoothies and drinks. 

Recipes are available in the Coqui the Chef Bodega Adventures Cookbook.

From humble beginnings, over the past six years Coqui's fame has continued to grow. Coqui the Chef received The American Heart Association's New York City Community Impact Grant, as part of its ongoing effort to improve the cardiovascular health of the city's youth. Coqui partners with Healthy Neighborhoods City Harvest Program, Citizens Committee of New York City and was the Guest of Honor/Ambassador of Health at the 55th Annual National Puerto Rican Day Parade in 2012. Coqui has also been featured on WPIX Channel 11, in The Daily News, Zagat, City Spoonful's "Dishing it Up" and on Gothamist.com and Boricua.com.

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