On Lewis Avenue in Bedstuy, Brooklyn there is a gem located across the street from the Brooklyn Public Library that is nestled among the busy street of other eateries and establishments. The blue hue of the signage and front entrance is a signature welcome of Brooklyn Beso Restaurant & Bar. Though my recent visit happened in the span of twice in one month, my first experience with the Latin American fare with a Caribbean twist was back in 2016 and ever since then, I have been back for more whenever I am in the neighborhood.
From an early age, I was a huge pizza and pasta fan. I loved anything with mozzarella and cheddar cheese and would still include it in things like pasta dishes and salads. As an adult, I figured out that I am a cheese addict, since I would use cheese in pretty much anything. Early in my adulthood, I used to put so much cheese on my food that my mom would beg me to quit melting cheese on my food. Cheese was the only thing that I could depend on to add flavour to the food, since I wasn't a fond of spices. When I did not like a dish but wanted to give it one more try, I would cover it with cheese and melt it in the microwave to cover up the original taste.
“Not spicy enough,” I thought, making to add another dash of paprika before panicking. “Or is it too spicy?” I had no idea how my guests would like it. I could only imagine the food they were used to might differ pretty tremendously. I took a mental glance down the list of my dinner guests for the evening and decided to add a little more paprika anyway.
It was going to be quite an evening! I had showed my mother the list of guests last week over tea and she had expressed concerns about how they would all get along.
Growing up as an Asian, my Mom had taught me to eat rice 3 times a day; once for breakfast, then lunch and lastly dinner. There would always be rice on our dining table. But most of the time, I found myself enjoying it the most while eating it along with any soup or broth. On the other hand, I have married someone who almost never eats soup. My husband much prefers anything that is potato-based (wedges, chips, waffles or hash browns) and roasted chicken (totally plain with no added seasoning).
Some recipes are more than mere instructions regarding ingredients, quantities and process.
IF I COULD INVITE ANYONE – past or present – to a big dinner party that I designed, I would invite the people who are the focus of the various books that line the black metal bookcase in my living room.
Anyone on the Keto diet knows that it can be strenuous at times. It's hard to count your carbs, check your protein, regulate your fats...
