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I’m a lover of cross-cultural comfort food and I spend my weekends cooking authentically awesome dishes without having to leave Astoria, Queens, NYC.

-Ben Costantino

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Chicken (6)
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Easy Ideas (20)
Ingredients (19)
Meatless (42)
Recipes (56)

Meatless Monday Ideas!

Collard Green Pesto with Cashews

Vegan Baked Beans with Smoked Tomatoes

How to Make Vegetarian Sandwiches, My Way

Broiled Buffalo Cauliflower

Sriracha Kale Slaw

Burnt Ends Fried Plantains Smothered in Barbecue Sauce

Braised Potatoes in Puerto Rican Sofrito Sauce

Chipotle Vegan Chili with Sweet Potatoes

Check out more Meatless Monday inspired posts!

Visit me on Instagram in between posts!

Weekend is here, and time for me to indulge in som

Weekend is here, and time for me to indulge in some meat eating, cuz I can’t eat vegetarian ALL the time.

Philly cheese steak sandwiches seem like they’re everywhere lately, so I needed to get in on the action with some late night cooking. Something about cooking at night feels really awesome … maybe it’s the rum & ginger ale. White cheese sauce with Gruyere and Fontina cheeses. Or, is this just a version of a #choppedcheese? Call it what you want, it's damn good. Of course gotta have the @franksredhot hot sauce.

#phillycheesesteak #goodeats #heresmyfood #beefandcheese #cheesesteak #hotsandwiches #hotsandwiches #sandwichmaking #skilletcooking #sandwichgram #cookingatnight # #latenightcooking #steaksandwich #steakandcheese #steakandcheesesandwich #sanwichlover #comfortfood #homemadefood #electricskillet #cheesyfood #cheeselovers #cheeseloversunite #cheesesauce #whitecheesesauce

So, about that Jamaican Curry Sweet Potato Dip (on

So, about that Jamaican Curry Sweet Potato Dip (on the blog) … into this #veganbowl it goes, helping me detox after a night of indulging in chicken wings … with quinoa, salad greens, shredded cabbage, cucumber, roasted red pepper, tahini dressing from @epicurious , and baba ganoush and hot sauce from @veggiestopofficial. Yup I’m officially a sauce bandit, will pay extra when I order takeout just to have extra sauce to play with. It’s amazing how so much food we eat is quite similar until you sauce it up.

#mealsinbowls #nourishbowls #quinoabowl #freshveggies #detoxfoods #healthyeating #eatingmyveggies #quinoasalad #plantbasedeating #deliciousbowl #freshfood #micronutrients #healthybuttasty #veganmeal #tryingvegan #veganforaday #freshfoodisgoodfood #delish #vegetablerecipes #vegetablelover #tahinidressing #condimentking #saladpics #saladpics #sweetpotatosalad #curryrecipes #eatmoresalad #cleaneating

To all the lovers of curry, sweet potatoes, plant-

To all the lovers of curry, sweet potatoes, plant-based food, Neo-Soul and Jamaican food … or anyone else simply curious. Finally up on the blog is this hummus-like Sweet Potato Dip with Jamaican Curry and Candied Ginger. I’m calling it a dip because ... can something really be called hummus without chickpeas?

This came about from watching so many episodes of Chopped. I wanted to make hummus one day and didn’t have chickpeas. It was raining out and I didn’t want to go to the store, so I used what I had available … sweet potatoes, tahini, pickled scotch bonnet peppers, lemon juice, garlic, white onion, and of course my homegrown thyme.

Those pickled scotch bonnet peppers I posted about a little while ago went to good use here. All week I’ve been putting this on my sandwiches, in my bowls, or just dipping with veggies or pita for an awesome snack.

#soulfoodies #neosoul #neosoulfood #sweetpotatolover #jamaicancurry #currylovers #blackfoodies #soulfood #vegansoulfood #sweetpotatorecipe #curryrecipes #curryaddict #plantbasedcooking #colorfulfood #veggielife #veggiedip #veganfoodporn #currylover #veggielover #vegetablecurry #wholefoodplantbased #sweetpotato #yellowcurry #sweetpotatomash #rootvegetables #homemadefood #

Another "crustless quiche" frittata morning went d

Another "crustless quiche" frittata morning went down broccoli, goat cheese, slightly caramelized balsamic red onions, garlic, shredded white cheddar and homegrown chives. Oh yeah and jus a little chopped bacon pieces up in there … just 2 pieces.

Side note … if you don't have much outdoor space and you're looking to grow something, grow chives! They're so easy and they grow back … even after a long cold winter.
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#eggdishes #cookingeggs #broccoliandcheese #fritattarecipe #breakfasteggs #easycooking #easymealideas #homecookedfood #skilletmeals #castironrecipes #blackfoodbloggers #homecookingblogger #homecook #homecooksofinstagram #castironskilletcooking #growingherbs #chives #freshherbs #eggsellent #freshoutoftheoven #breakfastisserved #cheesyfood #cheeselovers #cheeseloversunite #comfortcooking #comfortfood #iloveeggs #IGhomecook #goatcheeselover #icookedthis

Cantina salsa from @desertpeppertradingco finally

Cantina salsa from @desertpeppertradingco finally crossed my path like a celebrity sighting at @foodbazaarsupermarket just in time to give me this awesome veggie packed #tacotuesday breakfast. 🌮

Getting my fill of veggies in any way I can … from a jar, freshly diced (red pepper), sautéed (zucchini), flame roasted (poblanos) by way of meatless tostadas with mashed black means over melted white cheddar. Of course, still gotta have my @elyucateco_hotsauce ... this time the Caribbean Chile Habañero orange sauce, an under-utilized gem.
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#tostadatuesday #meatlessmexicanfood #americanmexicanfood #spicymexicanfood #elyucatacotuesday #tostadas #plantnasedfood #plantbasedcooking #addhotsauce #quickmeals #desertpeppertradingco #storeboughtisfine #salsapicante #veggiepower #meatlessmeal #meatlessmexicanfood #nomeatnoproblem #nomeathere #nomeatneeded #veggiepacked #veggiepower #veggiesrule #blackbeans #blackbeantostada #eatingmyveggies #healthyfoodporn #30minutemeals #cleaneating

I missed National Empanada Day with this sweet pot

I missed National Empanada Day with this sweet potato empanada dough I've been working on perfecting. Will post to the blog once I'm fully satisfied ... just like everything else on my long list of food projects in process. Can't decide on cornmeal or flour, hmmm. Ignore the filling for now, I didn't want to waste an awesome filling on a kitchen test. So much to cook, so little time!

I'm that one who constantly orders extra sauce from every restaurant I order from (especially @mamasempanadas4) so I can use it on everything else. Sauce and condiments are ever so important. If I don't have to enough I get REALLY cranky, just ask @brothashakespeare who has to endure my pouting. It's worth paying the extra coins.
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#nationalempanadaday #empanada #sweetpotatorecipes #sweetpotatolovers #fusioncooking #empanadadough #imadethis #saucelover #salsapicante #testcooking #recipetester #doughmaking #sweettater #blackfoodbloggers #soulfoodies #homemadefoodblogger #apertivos #neosoulfood #neosoul #appetizers #fingerfoods #madeathome #plantbasedideas #comidaconsabor #friedfoodporn #friedfoods #shallowfried #fryitup #ilovecooking

Here's me trying really hard to get into yogurt ..

Here's me trying really hard to get into yogurt ... tricking myself into thinking it's better than it really is. It just seems like eating baby food to me. I really think it's gross but Greek yogurt seems to really help blood pressure, and granola helps with cholesterol ... damn, forgot the freakin' granola for the pic! Oh well. Nuts and seeds will have to do for now.

I really really want a ham and cheese sammich with roasted red pepper, runny yolk and hot sauce. 😭

Plus some super ripe pineapple showed up at my local grocery store, so had to rise to the occasion. 🍑 and 🍍 go amazing well together, for the record. And pineapple juice makes this concoction less "yogurty". Any other yogurt tricks I'm missing out on?

#greekyoghurt #greekyogurtbowl #fageyogurt #healthyeating #pumpkinseeds #pepitas #chiaseeds #sliveredalmonds #freshfruits #pineapplelover @fage #bowlmeals #bowlofyogurt #nutsandseeds #nutritiousfoods #nutritiouseats #freshpineapple #yogurtandfruit #foodphotography #bloodpressurecontrol #eatingyogurt #eatinghealthy #healthierchoices

Am I the only one who cooks at home with old episo

Am I the only one who cooks at home with old episodes of Iron Chef America playing in the background? It gives es that delusional feeling as if you belong in kitchen stadium, ha! But really it expands creativity and is truly inspiring. I miss that show, the earlier episodes especially.

Forgot I had this clip of that sweet potato based Vegan West African Peanut Stew #dodoma I made a few weeks ago from @rainbowplantlife ... I'm always looking for new vegan and/or plant based meal ideas, other than my usual sandwiches, salads/bowls, and tacos. I do eat some meat, but plants just make my body feel so good. This recipe was certainly a game changer.

#ironchefamerica #cookingveganfood #africanfood #peanutstew #stewrecipe #plantbasedstew #homecookingatitsbest #stovetopcooking #soupsandstews #cookingclips #scotchbonnetpepper #sweetpotatorecipes #blackfoodlife #healthycooking #spicycooking #tomatobased #peanutbutterrecipes #homecookin #spicyveganfood

Ahhh the satisfaction of chicken falling off the b

Ahhh the satisfaction of chicken falling off the bone with the slightest pull. Low and slow for about 4 1/2 hours … @jamaican_choice jerk seasoning came through once again. It never disappoints.

UPDATE: Just updated my Easy Jerk Chicken post on the blog (link in my bio) which breaks down some tips on what do. Just type "jerk chicken" in the search bar.
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#chickenlover #chickengram #ovenbaked #lowandslow #jerkedchicken #fallingoffthebone #bakedchicken #chickenwangs #jamaicanchicken #chickenhomemade #everyoneloveschicken #chickenchicken #jamaicanchoicejerkseasoning #homemadechicken #foodblogging #nycfoodblog #homecookingblog #chickengram #chickenisdone #freshoutoftheoven #cookingblog #chickendoneright #chickenleg #drumsticks🍗
#wholechicken

When you go into the store looking for tamarind pa

When you go into the store looking for tamarind paste, get inspired, then walk out with everything except tamarind paste. As soon as I walk through the front door, I lose my mind and everything I had planned for goes out the window ... even if I have a list!

This mega international food market just outside of #astoriaqueensnewyork @foodbazaarsupermarket is like taking a trip around the world from aisle to aisle, love it. This is one of my favorite places I go to brainstorm when but I need to unplug from social media ... kinda like a field trip.

#cookinginspiration #internationalfoods #foodlovers
#groceryshoppingisfun #nycfoodblogger #queensnyc🗽 #queensfoodlife #woodsidequeens #queensfoodies #nycfoodie #nycfoodiegram #ingredients #foodmarket #globalfoods #dragonfruit #nychomecooking #groceryhaul #groceries #bloodoranges #groceryshopping #queensnewyork

Anyone have a really good cinnamon roll recipe? On

Anyone have a really good cinnamon roll recipe? One that yields light and fluffy rolls like Cinnabon, not dense and cake-like. Maybe I'll just make some cinnamon toast in the meantime.

Ever since I became aware of the cinnamon debate … Ceylon vs. Cassia ... I've had a new found love for this Ceylon from Mexico. Its warmer, sweeter aroma just makes me so happy, and works much better in baked foods. Those small, perfect-looking McCormick sticks in the spice aisle just don't compare.

I need to nerd out on ingredients every now and then. Am I the only one who gets so excited to see fantastic ingredients in the store that it's almost like a celebrity sighting?

#cinnamonrecipes #ceyloncinnamon #cinnamonbark #freshspices #freshspicesarethebest #groceryshopping #goodingredients #mexicancinnamon #cinnamonlove #treebark #cinnamonstick #canela #canelaentera #canelamexicana #foodnerd #foodshoppingisfun #foodshopping #freshingredients #spices #spicelover

Well, looky what we have here … the chives that

Well, looky what we have here … the chives that died last fall, that I ignored all winter, and now all grown up and ready to be used in baked potatoes, homefries, and omelettes. So glad that buying chives is now a thing of the past because they're always kinda messed up in the grocery store.

I'm guilty of always cooking the same thing over and over. What else are chives good for?
Feel free to drop some chive ideas.

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#gardeninginmarch #growingherbs #balconygarden #growingchives #gardeninginpots #growingseason2021 #igrewthis #herbgardening #herbgardeninginpots #chives #growyourownherbs #freshherbs #gardeninginmarch #gardeninginmarch #chivelover #nature #balconygarden #urbangardening #freshfoodmatters #organicgrowing #gardenlovers #perennials
#springgardening

Taking a moment to reflect on what 500 of somethin

Taking a moment to reflect on what 500 of something looks like, thanks to all my people. As an introverted, humble #homecook , it's quite inspirational to connect with this many food-loving people through what I love to do best … cook!

This is a great time to recap and/or explain to new followers what Homemade in Astoria is.

It is…

• cross-cultural #comfortfood

• spicy

• influenced by American Soul, Italian-American, New England, Jamaican, Mexican, and Puerto Rican cuisines, with occasional attempts at Asian food

• sometimes vegetarian, meatless, plant-based or vegan

• balcony barbecue

• urban gardening in containers

• not boring

• not pretentious or super-gourmet, don't hold your breath waiting for a post about ramps or fiddleheads.

• a little bit of fitness mixed in

• in support of #blacklivesmatter and #stopasianhate

How it All Started...

I arrived in Astoria in 2004 originally from Rhode Island. I loved to cook since I was 8 years old and like many small towns in the 80s, grocery stores and multicultural knowledge were super limited. Many times I remember my sister telling me to just "skip it" if we didn't have an ingredient. She even skipped salt! And on course the recipe never turned out right, so this really made me curious at a really young age.

Upon arriving in #astoriaqueens, I was super excited to see so many international ingredients that I had not been exposed to growing up. I spent tons of time in grocery stores just researching what was available. So, I started the blog in 2015 simply to document what I do in the kitchen. Trial and error still happens but I know more of what I’m doing nowadays.

#500followers #foodbloglife #thankstomyfollowers #thankstomysupporters #nycfoodbloggers #homecooking101 #homecookingadventures #queensfoodies #queensfoodclan #blackfoodbloggers #astoriafoodie #astoriablogger #introvertedlife #spicyfoodaddict #ilovespicyfood #followerappreciation #nycbloggersclub #nycblogger #astoriaqueensnyc #foodbloggersofinstagram #bloggingfromhome #ilovecooking #cookingismypassion #foodmedia

Out of all the ways to cook bacon 🥓, I have fin

Out of all the ways to cook bacon 🥓, I have finally decided this broiler method is the best. You get the close contact to the heating element (flame in my case) and the grease just falls onto the foil-lined sheet pan below the wire rack. No need to actually touch any grease as it all gets bunched into a foil ball ... such easy clean-up.

When I'm in a pinch and don't feel like turning on the oven, I resort to using the microwave at 50% power. Blotting it heavily in between cooking it in increments of 3 or 4 minutes until the desired doneness is achieved assures that it's no swimming in grease. Sure, it requires a ton of paper towels but it works well.

And really, you need to start with excellent bacon. I'm loyal to either Applegate or Smithfield … what other brands are awesome?
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#cookingbacon #baconloversunite #cookingtechniques #ilovebacon🥓
#baconbaconbacon #broiling #broiledbacon #broiler #sheetpancooking #howtocookbacon #everyonelovesbacon #porky #baconlove #brunchvibes #allthingsbacon #betterbacon #baconmakeseverythingbetter #bacongram #instacook #baconpics #baconporn #baconislove #baconday #baconlife #baconaddict #cookingtips #homecooking

Happy Spring, everyone! 🌻The first day of #spri

Happy Spring, everyone! 🌻The first day of #spring2021 was amazing in NYC and after doing my cardio in Astoria Park, this bench was the most comfortable thing in the world for almost an hour. After exactly one year of doing outdoor cardio 3 to 4 times a week, 🏃🏼‍♂️ I'm in the best shape of my adult life, thanks to NYC parks and entering my third year of occasional meatless eating.

Before the pandemic I always told myself I should use this park (only two blocks away) more often, but never actually did it until I had no choice. And I thought no way could I do cardio outdoors in the winter, but it completely happened. Sometimes ya just need to be pushed into doing things.
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#springishhere #dietandexercise #nycparks #fitinmy40s #stayinginshape #astoriaresident #livinginastoria #astoriapark #nycblogger #astoriaqueens #astoriaqueensny #11102 #outdoorexercise #cardioworkouts #dietandexerciseworks #firstdayofspring #healthymindandbody #outdoorfitness #astoria #fitnessandfood #fitnessandfoodies #fitnessandfoodlover #ﬁtnessgoals
#fitnessmatters #mindovermatter
#queensnewyork

Eggplant sandwiches about to go down with this no-

Eggplant sandwiches about to go down with this no-salt grilled eggplant ... @mrsdashrecipes had my back. I was always skeptical of saltless products, but this works really well for grilled veggies. When I first learned how to cook, I went heavy on the salt from watching Anne Burrell add handfuls of salt to her concoctions, then realized she's a little crazy and I'm not cooking restaurant food. I admire her greatly, but NO on the salt.

However, it does help to grind this up a bit finer with a mortar and pestle and add more black pepper.
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#nosalt #nosaltadded #nosaltseasoning #healthycooking #heartfriendlyfood #heartfriendly #eggplantlover #grilledeggplant #cookingwithoutsalt #grilled #brownfood #eggplanet #iloveeggplant #plantfooddiet #grilledaubergines #healthiercooking #healthierchoices #healthyliving #sandwich #plantbasedhealth #veggies #grilledveggies

Day three, and so sad to see the last bowl of vega

Day three, and so sad to see the last bowl of vegan West African Peanut Stew from @rainbowplantlife ... will definitely be making more in the future. I never really loved peanut butter until now.

#veganbowl #veganrecipeshare #tryingveganfood #veganafricanfood #cookingvegan #africanfoods #peanutstew #peanutrecipes #blackfoodies #blackfoodbloggers #plantbasedeats #vegantoday #tryingvegan #africanrecipes #spicyfoodrocks #veganeating #healthycooking #kalebowl #veganbowlsforvegansouls #mealsinbowls #kalestagram #instabowl #foodstagram #sweetpotatolove

What to do when you have to buy a carton of Scotch

What to do when you have to buy a carton of Scotch Bonnet peppers, but only need to use two ... keep them in vinegar. If pickled Jalapeños are a thing, pickled Scotch Bonnets can be as well. Maybe in a sandwich, mixed in with some mac'n cheese, or with hummus, hmmmmmm.

#scotchbonnetpeppers #pickledpeppers #spicyfoodaddict #hotpeppers #scotchbonnet #jamaicanpeppers #peppers #pickling #spicy #somelikeitspicy #homechef #homecooking #yeahmon #jamaicanfoodlover #infusedvinegar #cookingtechniques #vinegar #easycookingathome #simplecooking #peppervinegar #peppasauce

This recipe for vegan West African Peanut Stew #do

This recipe for vegan West African Peanut Stew #domoda from @rainbowplantlife has my tastebuds all kinds of happy. I never thought of peanut butter in this way before. Sweet potatoes and cannelini beans do a great job filling in for the meat. A perfect clean-eating way to step into the first day of spring. 🌻

The only adjustments I made was using scotch bonnet peppers (seeds and ribs cuz I love it spicy 🔥) instead of jalapeños. And instead of adding fresh cilantro at the end I sautéed in some chopped culantro in the beginning.

Didn't have time to style, was just hungry! Oh well.

#veganmeal #veganrecipeshare #tryingveganfood #veganafricanfood #cookingvegan #spicyfoodlover #africanfood #peanutstew #peanutrecipes #blackfoodie #blackfoodbloggers #cleaneating #plantbasedproteins #plantbasedmeals #vegantoday #tryingvegan #africanrecipes #spicyfoodrocks #eatingbetter #healthycooking #kalelovers #basmatirice #sweetpotatorecipes #sweetpotatolove

Another late night recipe test … I'm curious, do

Another late night recipe test … I'm curious, does cauliflower crust ever really work out for anyone at home? I've done this many times and if never becomes crust-like. It's tastes awesome but the end result is always a mushy "something" that I can't rightfully call a pizza. 😭

And if anyone can squeeze the juicy hell out of some cauliflower it would certainly be me. I thought I was on my way to success, but nah. It's a lot of work for dismal results. Someone please fill me in. Ideas anyone? Bueller… Bueller… Bueller…

#cauliflowercrust #foodtrend #glutenfreecooking #cauliflowercooking #cauliflowerrecipes #recipetesting #plantbasedcooking #cookingathomeisfun #pizzacrust #pizzacrusts #glutenfreecrust #pizzaathome #tryingsomethingnew #tryingtocook #cookingfromscratch #cookingfail #pizzamaking

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Shopping at my favorite store in Astoria, Queens on a hot summer day ... Trade Fair on 30th Avenue and 31st Street.

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