Published on: 03 November 2018
Last Updated on: 01 August 2024
One of the best parts about travelling is trying out the local cuisine. Not only are you introduced to the city’s culture, but you’re also given a taste of what it feels like to be at home. Hunting for delicacies in Manhattan’s Upper West Side restaurants in NYC is not just about looking for the best, but also finding the right price to match it with. You might take a while looking here and there for the right amount, but it’s well worth the adventure as the items on this list range from your local street snack to a full and hearty meal.
Doubles:
A cheap find for anyone looking for a light snack. Doubles are made up of puffed-out flatbread surrounding chickpea curry. The combination of sweet and spicy sauces makes it a simple morning wake-up meal or an afternoon delight.
Hotdogs:
The beef sausage was historically brought by German immigrants who turned the dogs into a favorite beach food near Coney Island. Topped off with a simple mix of mustard, mayonnaise, and ketchup hotdogs quickly turned into staple snacks for events and small breaks. The delicacy would range from being hot on the bun, on a stick, to becoming more intricate dishes from sliced to grilled. Hotdogs can be found in food carts, train terminals, and even featured as a special in some restaurants.
Bagels:
A great way to welcome your mornings, bagels can be confused as a pure bread creation, but its stuffing can include strawberry jam with a topping of butter. A great companion to early morning coffee, the mix of sugar and caffeine is a winning combination to start your day.
Subs:
Sandwiches and wraps are common finds at stalls and subway stations. A quick bite to eat, subs are often a mix of the familiar and the unfamiliar. The Kasbah Grill’s Cajun Chicken Sub is a creative take which turns the entrée into a pocket meal.
Fried Chicken:
With numerous franchise establishments selling their brand of chicken, you’d be curious to find out where they began. New York fried chicken was initially brought from the South, with a simple coating of seasoned flour deep fried in a skillet.
Pizza:
The Italians’ gift to New York in the 1950s which started an international debate of which is better, Italian or New York style pizza? The developed method in Manhattan changed the formula bit by bit through the generations and earned its place to make its own identity as the greasy cheese-laden pie that we all know and love.
Clam Chowder:
Not all items on this list are heavy meals. White clam chowder has its roots in Native American culture that explains its seasoning of onions and bacon together with potatoes. Red clam chowder has a different history far beyond White Clam chowder’s roots. Brought by the Italian-Americans, the Clam Chowder is an iconic soup dish that’s seasoned with a tomato base and with a stinging taste of clam as its base.
Content Rally wrapped around an online publication where you can publish your own intellectuals. It is a publishing platform designed to make great stories by content creators. This is your era, your place to be online. So come forward share your views, thoughts and ideas via Content Rally.
So you’ve decided on joining the ranks of America’s finest craft brewers and create your very own handcrafted, completely original product from the ground up. Good for you! It’s a big first step to take for any small business or venture, especially when it comes to the intricate and detail-intensive process of brewing alcohol for consumption.
Obviously a lot goes into making beer, but even more goes into making a good one. Think about the last six or seven glasses or cans you’ve drank and really decide if any of them actually hit the spot, quenched your thirst, or tickled your pallet. Probably not. That’s because most commercial alcohol is absolutely garbage compared to even the smallest craft brewery’s offering, these days.
Alcohol has been fermented and drunk for recreational, medicinal, and religious purposes since the literal beginning of recorded time. The early cavemen gathered grain, fruit, vegetables, and other food in large clay jars and let them ferment under the hot sun for days or weeks until delectable nectar was produced from the slurry. Click here if you want to know more about the history of beer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_beer
However, in modern times, the process has gotten a bit more complicated; and for good reason. Health and safety standards take precedence in food and alcohol-making facilities as these areas are prime for bacteria outbreaks like e-coli, swine flu, etc. Because of our advances in science, we’ve never before had facilities as safe and compliant in history as the ones that exist in most large-scale and craft brew houses alike.
But enough about the grandiose stage stuff. We’re here to focus on the approachable, beginner’s stages, and “I’m interested but kind of nervous and scared” level of commitment in the process. Don’t worry, though. This is where absolutely everyone starts, so there’s no shame in being nervous. You want to impress your friends and clients, not gross them out!
Brewing in 5 Steps
The Dream
The Equipment
The Ingredients
The Staff
The Process
1. The Dream
If you’re not starting here then you’re not doing it right. You should be passionate about brewing and you should have the dream always in your heart and at the front of your mind. It’s an intense, life-consuming process and should be respected.
Outside of that, creating alcohol is in essence creating drugs. Not only is alcohol a drug, it’s one of the most dangerous drugs in the world. Follow this link for strategies on how to avoid impaired driving. You can both enjoy your business and also ensure the safety of your clientele, especially if you have a tasting room or area.
Most people give up after this stage once they get to the next step. If that’s true for you then maybe creating your own alcohol was never truly in the cards for you. Everyone has their own destiny and you’ll find yours eventually.
2. The Equipment
Now here’s where things get tricky. Here is where you’ll need to decide on the style and scale of your establishment. Is this a small, homey-style craft brewery with a few barrels at a time? Or is this the kind of place you see expanding into a factory setting with metal tanks, electrical monitoring equipment, and automated machinery?
Depending on what state you live in there are different permitting requirements for creating your own food and alcohol from your home or small business for the purposes of human consumption. Call your local county clerk’s office for more information and make sure to check the federal regulations on the sale of alcohol.
For larger, more industrial projects, you’re going to need a lot more than permits. You’re going to need large scale infrastructure or machinery like what ABS Commercial deals with. Brew masters all over the country have their preferred methods, but everyone needs to be using certified, food-grade surfaces, machinery, and materials for their production.
3. The Ingredients
Here’s where the game gets fun and interesting. This stage should be the whole reason you’re doing this to begin with. Perhaps you’ve had one-too-many glasses of beer that tastes like old dishwater rung out of a used rag into a cold glass, or maybe you’re just craving a profile that doesn’t exist to your knowledge in the general market.
For some easy, small batch stuff, check out these home brew recipes and see if there’s something you’d like to try out. They’re perfect for beginners. Otherwise, all you need to do to start is simply Google a base-profile beer you want to create. Is it a lager, an ale, an IPA, etc.? Once you’ve got the base figured out, you can start playing with things like your own ingredients.
Ideas and recommendations: try cinnamon and apple in a batch for a nice, Christmas-style beer that’s sure to appease the masses. You could also try pumpkin and nutmeg for another holiday-inspired alcoholic beverage that’s sure to delight.
4. The Staff
Once you’ve gotten to this stage, it’s time to decide the scale of the help you’ll need. Is this the sort of process you think you’ll be able to take care of yourself or is it something you’ll need to outsource some help from. Most breweries and alcohol businesses have teams of people working round the clock as most of the machinery is sensitive and dangerous, and thus shouldn't be left unattended.
If you’re planning on hiring and training a small staff, legally you will be required to pay them and establish your business as a corporation. This opens up a whole different can of worms that can only be figured out depending on what the state’s laws that you are in are. Unfortunately the United States differs greatly from state-to-state on these issues, further confusing the matter.
5. The Process
The process can be long and difficult, even for professionals in the industry. Every new type of beverage will be a different and new process for the team, or you, to learn. Remember, yeast is a living thing and can be temperamental. You and your team need to respect it for the life that it creates.
The Brewers Association of America has an up-to-date list of safety tips and guidelines to follow in your taproom or brewpub. These things need to be followed in order to ensure the safety of not only you and your team, but your clients and the public as well.
Craft breweries are springing up everywhere and the market is opening up for new entrepreneurs every day, so don’t miss out on the achievable opportunity of making a name for yourself in the beer world and start today!
Additionals:
Beginners Guide: Capping Explained
7 Modern Day Beer Drinking Etiquettes You Should Know
Mexican food is famous for its spices and flavors.
However, many people are confused about whether they can include Mexican food in a healthy lifestyle or not. Actually, there are plenty of misconceptions about Mexican cuisine.
In fact, healthy Mexican food options are many, and you can easily include certain dishes into your balanced diet.
In this article, you will learn about various healthy Mexican food options to include in your balanced diet. Apart from that, you will also get to know the health benefits of each item.
Moreover, this article will also explain why people commonly misunderstand Mexican food as unhealthy. Hence, to learn more, read on to the end of the article.
A General Overview of Healthy Mexican Cuisine
The Mexican cuisine is famous for its rich flavors, diverse ingredients, and cultural significance. Hence, there are multiple healthy food options available as well.
Actually, a lot of Mexican food has a lot to teach us about nutrition. In fact, apart from the staple food items, there are quite a lot of additional factors to consider.
For example, there are some special healthy Mexican ingredients, including pumpkin, chia seeds, cactus, etc., which are quite popular among health-conscious people.
Apart from that, you will find a lot of vegetables in Mexican food. These include tomatoes, avocados, bell peppers, chili peppers, etc.
Hence, there is never a shortage of vitamins, minerals, and fibers. Additionally, many traditional Mexican food items include lean protein sources, like chicken, beans, and fish. Basically, you can use them as excellent options to maintain a healthy diet.
Why Is Mexican Food Often Misunderstood As Unhealthy?
Generally, the misconceptions about Mexican foods are due to the way many restaurants and food stalls prepare them in the US. For instance, you will frequently find high amounts of cream, cheese, and fried items on top of ingredients.
The following are some of the major reasons why many people misunderstand Mexican food as unhealthy:
Many Mexican restaurants in the US offer dishes that have large portions of sour cream, cheese, and deep-fried items. Hence, this increases your calorie count after consumption.
In many cases, Mexican dishes do not use lard. In fact, there are many healthier cooking options.
Restaurants generally serve large portion sizes of Mexican dishes. So, obviously, they contribute to overeating. Therefore, if you want to eat healthy at a Mexican restaurant, you might face difficulties.
When it comes to healthier food options, there are many dishes you can consider – legumes, grilled meats, vegetables, whole grains, etc. Basically, when you want to have Mexican food, you must make healthy choices.
For example, you must choose lean protein, grilled items, and control cheese and cream portions. This way, you can enjoy Mexican food even when you are maintaining a balanced diet.
15 Healthy Mexican Food Items And Their Health Benefits
The following are some of the best and healthy Mexican food items for you if you are on a balanced diet:
1. Beans
This is a staple source of fiber, protein, and iron for Mexicans. Apart from that, it also helps you to stay full.
Additionally, if you consume it on a regular basis, it will help you lower your cholesterol levels. Moreover, beans also help you to boost your heart health and help to maintain blood sugar levels.
2. Guacamole
The major health benefit of guacamole comes from avocados. Basically, avocadoes are monounsaturated fat and hence help to lower bad cholesterol. Also, since avocados have high fiber, it helps you to maintain your digestive tract.
Additionally, there is also no risk of colon cancer. Moreover, avocados also ensure eye health and skin health and prevent inflammation.
3. Salsa
Salsa is a good addition to your diet. With it, you can add more flavor to your food without adding excess sugar, salt, or additional fat.
Apart from that, it also contains various vitamins and minerals. In addition to that, salsa is also high in fiber and antioxidants. As a result, it will help you to remove harmful toxins from your body.
4. Grilled Chicken
Grilled chicken is a lean and high-quality protein option. Hence, it can help you to build and repair your muscle tissues.
Apart from that, it will help you to maintain a healthy immune system and facilitate muscle growth. In addition to that, lean chicken also improves your bone health and helps you fight infection in your body.
5. Sweet Potato and Black Bean Quesadillas
Basically, sweet potatoes are full of nutritional qualities. For instance, it is rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Apart from that, they also add a little sweetness to the quesadillas.
As a result, it complements the earthy flavor of black beans. On the other hand, black beans come with a good amount of protein.
6. Vegetarian Enchiladas
When you make enchiladas with whole grain tortillas, vegetables, beans, and lean protein, you can control the calories. Basically, enchiladas offer you a balance of fiber, protein, and other essential nutrients.
Moreover, you can also boost your protein and vitamin intake if you want. However, one tortilla of vegetarian enchiladas contains 580 calories (approx.).
7. Brown Rice
Brown rice is primarily a whole grain which will help you reduce the risk of stroke or any other heart diseases. This is because of the presence of magnesium.
Moreover, it also helps in controlling blood sugar since brown rice has a lower glycemic index than white rice. Furthermore, vitamins and minerals also ensure a healthy immune system.
8. Grilled Vegetables
Grilled vegetables are filled with vitamins and minerals. Also, when you grill vegetables, it reduces the amount of fat in vegetables. As a result, it becomes easier to digest. Moreover, with grilling, you can bring out the natural sweetness of vegetables.
9. Cilantro Lime Cauliflower Rice
If you want a low-calorie, grain-free carb, the cilantro lime cauliflower rice is a better option. Moreover, the recipe is vegan and gluten-free.
This can be a great alternative to traditional white rice. Apart from that, due to the presence of vitamins and minerals, it is a healthy Mexican food option.
10. Corn on the Cob
Due to its high fiber content, corn helps in maintaining bowel health and helps in preventing constipation.
Apart from that, corn also contains antioxidants, folate, potassium, and plant sterols. This will help you to lower cholesterol levels. Apart from that, it will also help you to support heart health.
11. Zucchini
Zucchini has high fiber and water content. This helps in the digestion process and reduces the risk of constipation. Additionally, since zucchini is low in carbs, it also helps you to regulate blood sugar levels.
12. Fresh Tomatoes
Generally, tomatoes contain potassium, which helps to regular blood pressure in the body. Moreover, since they release antioxidants, they can also help prevent cancer.
Additionally, if you consume a tomato-rich diet, you can ensure better digestion. Furthermore, you will have an improved immune system.
13. Shrimp Ceviche
Shrimp ceviche is healthy because it is high in protein content. Apart from that, it also comes with a good number of vitamins and minerals.
As a result, it not only helps to build muscles but also ensures bone health, immunity, and nerve function. Moreover, if you are following a low-calorie diet to lose weight, shrimp ceviche is a healthy Mexican food option.
14. Pozole
It is a stew that is rich in protein. Here, for each cup you consume, you get 18 grams of protein. Additionally, it also contains fiber.
However, you can add more fiber to it by adding vegetables like avocado or cabbage. This will help you to digest your food better.
15. Chicken And Vegetable Tacos
Since chicken is a lean source of protein, it provides amino acids for muscle building. Moreover, it is also a good source of vitamin B. On the other hand, vegetables are rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Hence, with a combination of chicken and vegetables, you can have a healthy diet.
Try Your Favorite Healthy Mexican Food Now
Hence, you can see that there are plenty of healthy Mexican food options. However, this is not common in the US because most Mexican restaurants in this country serve Mexican food items with a lot of oil, spices, and cream.
Hence, it looks unhealthy to common people. Therefore, if you want to have a healthy Mexican diet, you have a lot of choices.
Do you have more suggestions on healthy Mexican food items? Please share your ideas and opinions in the comments section below.
Read Also:
Eat Your Heart Out A List Of Restaurants That Are Open On Christmas
7 Benefits Of Eating Protein Rich Snacks
Tips to Lose Weight Naturally
If you're a foodie looking for new tastes and experiences in northern Colorado, visit Lafayette. Chefs use locally sourced food to create tasty dishes delivered by friendly staff. Lafayette is nestled between Boulder and Denver, so when you stay in Colorado, you can visit modern restaurants in these cities as well. Don't miss these local culinary favorites.
The Post Brewing Company:
When you have a hankering for fried chicken, pull up a chair at The Post Brewing Company. This American brewpub offers classic dishes like chicken and waffles alongside gluten-free fried chicken. You'll feel at home in this casual eatery with homemade meals. Give your chicken meal an extra kick with the variety of hot sauces you'll find on each table.
Cool off with a craft beer brewed on-site like an Elkhorn lager or a Big Rosie porter. If you want something other than chicken, try the meatloaf or shrimp and grits. Diners rave about the friendly service, too. You'll find this brewpub on Emma Street just south of State Route 7 in Lafayette.
Community:
If you prefer sustainable, farm-to-table meals, head over to South Public Road and add Community to your list of Lafayette eateries to visit. Sample local comfort food and artisan cocktails. Start with small plates to share including Shaolin-style duck nachos and Curry cauliflower tots. For your entree, choose from favorites like meatloaf, lamb, and pork tenderloin.
Save room for some dessert like key lime pie or an after-dinner drink to top off your meal. Community doesn't take reservations, but if you have a large group, you can call ahead to see if the staff can accommodate you.
Stay local and take a short ride to Boulder or Denver. Reserve a room in Lafayette for easy access to top-rated restaurants in these nearby cities known for their culinary delights.
Oak at Fourteenth:
Image via Flickr by Ken Lund
Don't miss having an upscale meal at Oak at Fourteenth on Pearl Street in downtown Boulder. Try the pan-roasted sablefish paired with an Oak martini. You can also share a family plate of crispy pork shoulder prepared with pineapple fried rice. Menus are updated seasonally and feature locally grown ingredients. Call ahead to reserve a table.
Izakaya Den:
When the foodie in you craves fresh sushi and sashimi, take a short trip to Denver and make yourself at home at Izakaya Den: The Sake House with Tapas. Order specialty rolls created with tuna and salmon served tapas-style that you can share with your table. Mix and match rolls and fresh seafood.
Your catch of the day may be Tasmanian king salmon, bluefin akami, or wild tai snapper. Izakaya Den also offers a Japanese menu featuring Ramen and Udon noodle bowls. You may call the restaurant or reserve a table online to make your reservation.
Your culinary tour of Lafayette will deliver delicious meals at local hot spots with a family atmosphere. You can also travel a short distance to Boulder or Denver and experience a wider variety of modern fare in an upscale setting.
Read Also:
Stay Away From These Foods To Remain Healthy
Meals That Matter: The Best Foods And The Ways They Make You Fit
