Flavors of the Bronx – Mofongo & Alcapurrias: The Cuchifritos Soul

THE GOLDEN GLOW OF THE STREETS. Mofongo & Alcapurrias: The crispy, garlicky heartbeat of the Puerto Rican Bronx. By Dennis Harvell Flavors of the Bronx – Mofongo & Alcapurrias: The Cuchifritos Soul The Origins and Tradition The term Cuchifritos originally referred to fried pig parts, but it has evolved into a vibrant category of Puerto Rican soul food… Continue reading Flavors of the Bronx – Mofongo & Alcapurrias: The Cuchifritos Soul

Flavors of The Bronx – The Sweet Edition: Italian Rainbow Cookies

A Bronx classic layered with history, heritage, and sweetness — Italian Rainbow Cookies tell a story far deeper than dessert. By Dennis Harvell Flavors of the Bronx – The Sweet Edition: Italian Rainbow Cookies The Origins and Tradition While they are called “cookies,” the Italian Rainbow Cookie is technically a tri-color almond sponge cake. Created… Continue reading Flavors of The Bronx – The Sweet Edition: Italian Rainbow Cookies

Flavors of the Bronx – The City Island Feast: Fried Calamari & Lobster

THE BRONX’S SEASIDE ESCAPE. City Island Seafood: A salt-aired, butter-drenched celebration of the borough’s nautical soul. By Dennis Harvell Flavors of the Bronx – The City Island Feast: Fried Calamari & Lobster The Origins and Tradition City Island is a nautical anomaly, a 1.5-mile strip of land that feels more like a New England fishing village… Continue reading Flavors of the Bronx – The City Island Feast: Fried Calamari & Lobster

Flavors of the Bronx – Sancocho: The Communal Heartbeat

The warm, communal heartbeat of Dominican Bronx kitchens. By Dennis Harvell Flavors of the Bronx – Sancocho: The Communal Heartbeat The Origins and Tradition Sancocho is the Dominican Republic’s most sacred communal dish — a slow‑simmered stew that blends Indigenous Taíno roots, African culinary techniques, and Spanish influences into one pot of deep, ancestral flavor.… Continue reading Flavors of the Bronx – Sancocho: The Communal Heartbeat

Flavors of The Bronx: Southern Fried Chicken with Collard Greens

By Dennis Harvell 🍗 Flavors of the Bronx: Southern Fried Chicken with Collard Greens The Origins and Tradition Southern Fried Chicken is a quintessential icon of American comfort food, a dish whose origins are deeply intertwined with the history and ingenuity of African American culinary traditions. Building on techniques brought from West Africa, enslaved cooks… Continue reading Flavors of The Bronx: Southern Fried Chicken with Collard Greens

Flavors of The Bronx: Penne Alla Vodka

By Dennis Harvell 🍝 Flavors of the Bronx: Penne Alla Vodka The Origins and Tradition Penne Alla Vodka is a modern Italian-American classic, a culinary invention born not in Italy, but from the resourceful and vibrant kitchens of 20th-century America. Its tradition is one of luxurious simplicity, combining a creamy, tomato-based sauce with a touch… Continue reading Flavors of The Bronx: Penne Alla Vodka

Flavors of The Bronx: Jollof Rice with Chicken

By Dennis Harvell 🍚 Flavors of the Bronx: Jollof Rice with Chicken (Heart of West Africa) The Origins and Tradition Jollof Rice is arguably the most famous and fiercely debated dish of West African cuisine, central to cultural life across nations like Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Liberia. Its tradition is rooted in the Senegal River… Continue reading Flavors of The Bronx: Jollof Rice with Chicken

Flavors of The Bronx: Cannoli

By Dennis Harvell 🍦 Flavors of the Bronx: The Sweet Edition – The Cannoli The Origins and Tradition The Cannoli (plural cannolo, meaning “little tube”) traces its lineage back to Sicily, where it was originally prepared as a treat during the Carnevale season. Its history is a beautiful map of the Mediterranean, reflecting Arab influences… Continue reading Flavors of The Bronx: Cannoli

Flavors of The Bronx: Sopa de Pollo

By Dennis Harvell 🍜 Flavors of the Bronx: Sopa de Pollo The Origins and Tradition The tradition of Sopa de Pollo (Chicken Soup) is a deeply rooted, universal culinary embrace, celebrated across countless cultures as both sustenance and soul food. Its origins are ancient, with variations existing globally, yet the Latin American and Caribbean versions… Continue reading Flavors of The Bronx: Sopa de Pollo

Flavors of The Bronx – Mangú with Los Tres Golpes

By Dennis Harvell 🍳 Flavors of the Bronx: Mangú with Los Tres Golpes The Origins and Tradition Mangú is the undisputed national breakfast of the Dominican Republic. Its origins are a beautiful blend of history, with the name believed by some to have evolved from the phrase “man, good!” during the mid-20th century. The dish… Continue reading Flavors of The Bronx – Mangú with Los Tres Golpes