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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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Desserts (5)
Easy Ideas (18)
Ingredients (19)
Meatless (38)
Recipes (53)

Meatless Monday Ideas!

Sriracha Kale Slaw

Burnt Ends Fried Plantains Smothered in Barbecue Sauce

Braised Potatoes in Puerto Rican Sofrito Sauce

Chipotle Vegan Chili with Sweet Potatoes

Some Tips on Baked Kale Chips

Buffalo Roasted Chickpeas

Sautéed Cabbage with Jamaican Curry

Jollof Creamed Spinach in Coconut Milk

Check out more Meatless Monday inspired posts!

Visit me on Instagram in between posts!

Crispy, garlicky, and very herby roasted potatoes

Crispy, garlicky, and very herby roasted potatoes are finally up on the blog and providing great comfort as the temps are dropping. The rewarding part of growing my own herbs has come to this moment while I utilize the very last of what is still surviving these cold temps. Potatoes always save the day. 🌱🌱🌱🥔🧄

#roastedpotatoes #herby #freshherbs #cookingwithherbs #heresmyfood #carbsaregood #goodcarbs #classicrecipe #comfortcooking #comfortfood #spuds #sheetpancooking #sheetpanrecipes #plantpowered #plantbasedeating #brunchfood #sidedishes #homegrownherbs #freshoutoftheoven #taters #babypotatoes #garlicineverything #nycbloggers #goodhomecooking #homecooksofinstagram #homecooked #potatorecipes #potatolover #autumncooking #homefries

Tis the season for greens … red beans ‘n #gree

Tis the season for greens … red beans ‘n #greens. Bean recipe is up on the blog. I made the beans #vegan because sometimes I’m feeling like meat, and sometimes I’m not. This time I was … served with #collardgreens the more traditional “with-meat” way. Well, kinda … it’s a leaner version using smoked pork chop, cooked down with lots of onion, garlic and red pepper flakes. Just 5 ingredients (salt doesn’t count). No hamhock or smoked turkey happening here. I guess I’m what ya call #flexitarian seeking healthier interpretations of #soulfood these days. As a proud Rhode Islander I didn’t learn to cook #southernfood until later in life. But Rhode Island food is very similar, so I got this!
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#neosoulfood #southerncookin #southerncooking #collardgreens #greensnbeans #blackfoodblogger #blackmencook #essenceeats #collards #5ingredients #soulbowl #modernsoulfood #recipedeveloper #homechef #homecook #comfortfoodblogger #comfortfoods #comfortfoodseason #holidayfood #holidaycooking #bowlmeals #beanrecipes #flexitariandiet

Andouille Vegan Red Beans recipe, finally up on th

Andouille Vegan Red Beans recipe, finally up on the blog. Basically, it's a plant-based way to experience the amazing flavors of Andouille sausage ... minus the sausage. Meat eaters, hear me out with this. I was seduced by the feed of @redbeansanderic so I decided to take to the kitchen my way. Yup, that's my homegrown thyme still giving me #freshherbs.

#redbeans #andouille #vegancookingrocks #veganbeans #nomeatnoproblem #spicycooking #legumelove #beanrecipe #meatlessrecipes #cookingfromscratch #blackfoodbloggers #beanbowl #redbeans #redbeansandrice #comfortcooking #southernfood #herbsandspices #soulfoodie #soulfoodies #plantbasedpower #neosoulfood #meatlessprotein #foodwithflavour #veganmeal #veganforaday #tryingvegan

Recipe photo revamp happened for my Blackeyed Pea

Recipe photo revamp happened for my Blackeyed Pea Dip with Roasted Garlic, it's on the blog via the search bar. Nice to have some days off from my 9 to 5 to focus on food styling like I used to do, instead of just winging it.
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#blackeyedpeas #neosoulfood #legumelover #garliclover #garlicaddict #soulfoodie #beandip #diprecipes #appetizers #foodphotography #foodstyling #blogginglife #foodbloggers #cookingbloggers #instafood #bloggerlife #beanrecipes #blackeyedpearecipe #garlicineverything #vegandip #freshparsley #foodbloggerslife #ketorecipeideas #healthycooking #plantbased #plantbasedprotein #homefoodie #freshveggie #rawveggies

So, in an effort to cut down on eating so much bre

So, in an effort to cut down on eating so much breading, I chose a keto approach to #chipanddip using sliced cucumbers and celery to pair with my Blackeyed Pea Dip with Roasted Garlic, instead of the typical pita that I was doing before. Cucumbers are a better option because celery is quite thick and over-powering. At least you can slice cucumbers to different thicknesses so it doesn’t over-power the dip. Recipe is on the blog, just get with the search bar.
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#beanrecipes #blackeyedpearecipe #blackeyedpeas #neosoulfood #legumelover #soulfoodie #garlicineverything #beandip #foodprocessor #freshfood #foodwithflavor #blackfoodbloggers #homemadefood #diprecipes #blackeyedpea #blackchefsnetwork #blackhomecooks #ketoideas #appetizerideas #veganappetizer #meatlessrecipes #veggielover #ketolife #fingerfood #modernsoulfood #veggiesoulfood #legumes #cucumberchips

Mexican food the morning after … I have a thing

Mexican food the morning after … I have a thing where I never like to eat my rice and refried beans when I order enchiladas from my favorite Mexican restaurant. I usually can't stand leftovers, but come the next day ... loaded rice and bean tacos happen for breakfast or lunch using whatever veggies I have laying around in the fridge. This time it’s flame roasted yellow peppers, scallions, tomatoes and crunchy romaine that I re-hydrated yesterday. And ya can’t forget the @elyucateco_hotsauce hot sauce. So naturally, #tacotuesday immediately follows #mexicanmonday. 🌮
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#homemadetacos #tacolover #tacotaco #foodiesofinstagram #texmexfood #meatlesstacos #riceandbeans #veggietacos #leftovermakeover #leftoversforlunch #choppedveggies #mexicanfoodlover #tacosforlife #leftoversforbreakfast #makingmexicanfood #tacos #hotsauceoneverything #hotsaucelover #healthyeating #nomeatneeded #nomeatnoproblem #nomeatdiet #vegetarianmexicanfood #softtacos #comfortfood #comfortcooking #comidamexicana #lickyourphone

Gave medjool dates a try thanks to @iambertajay by

Gave medjool dates a try thanks to @iambertajay by chopping them up and incorporating them into this @simplyorganicfoods garam masala quinoa and veggie mixture of diced carrots, onion, garlic, homegrown bell peppers and broccoli … all sauteed in coconut oil and laced with fresh lime juice. Two key takeaways … I can’t take dates in large amounts; and next time I need to make my own garam masala blend with less cardamom and cinnamon, and more coriander and cumin. I had the cardamom/cinnamon flavor on my tongue all day and it ruined everything else I ate. 💚
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#vegansometimes #quinoarecipes #healthycookingeatingwell #plantbasedcooking #plantbasedprotein #nomeatinthis #garammasala #proteinpacked #quinoasaladrecipe #plantbasedcooking #cookinglight #quinoarecipe #mindfulcooking #skilletcooking #spicycooking #superfoods #superfoodideas #cookingwithflavour #grains #protein #medjooldates #freshveggies #sauteedveggies #skilletmeals #veggiesfromthegarden #greenbellpepper #cookingwithspices #meatlesscooking

About those green tomatoes … decided to hang on

About those green tomatoes … decided to hang on for another month and got my final harvest for the year so I could make these fried green tomato bites. So here’s a mental culinary note for next season. If you plant your seeds in April you can have green tomatoes to cook with as early as June. It's all on the blog, link in my bio.
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#greentomatoes #greentomatorecipes #soulfoodie #cherrytomatoes #gardentotable #veggierecipeshare #foodfromthegarden #southerncooking #blackfoodbloggers #friedfood #urbanorganicgardener #homecooksunite #foodandculture #plantbasedcooking #eatwhatyougrow #friedgreentomatoes #tomatolovers #tomatorecipes #friedfoodporn #fried #comfortfood #tastingtable #southernfood #homecooks #shallowfry #snackfood #appetizers #nycfoodie #nycfoodblogger #nycblogger

The celebratory mood in #astoriapark today … gro

The celebratory mood in #astoriapark today … groups of strangers partying alongside one another. Hearing completely different types, genres and cultures of party music on people’s blankets as I run my cardio path throughout the park displays the #diversity I was seeking when I moved to NYC from a small not-so-diverse Rhode Island town. #astoriaqueensnyc #nycparks #queensnewyork #salsadancing #ilovenyc #celebratedemocracy #election2020 #latinmusic #iloveastoria #nycstrong #iloveny #happiness #celebrate #diversitymatters #latindance #gojoe #bidenharris2020 #nycboroughs #lovetrumpshate

What was I doing the moment I saw that Joe Biden w

What was I doing the moment I saw that Joe Biden won? Cooking bacon. Getting ready to make a bacon, red pepper, jalapeno garlic, and cheddar omelette. I'm naming this the Biden omelette. It was the worst one I ever made because I could not control myself, I should of just made an egg scramble. Or maybe just eat all the bacon.

I was overtaken by a feeling of happiness and my eyes got a little misty from @vanjones68 . Finally life can get start to get back to normal. It will take a while but this last 4 years (and especially this past week) has been a valuable lesson in patience, optimism, and most of all … a reality check. 🍳🇺🇸🥓
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#baconlover #baconloversunite #everyonelovesbacon #biden2020 #bidenharris2020 #cookingblogger #nycblogger #myvoiceheard #ridinwithbiden #cookingbacon #omelettemaking #igfoodie #whati8today #cookingeggs #eggs101 #omelettelover #eggstagram #greenbellpepper #veggiegrower #homecook #cookingblogger #homemadefood #comfortfood #cookingbacon #makinbacon

Relying on my go-to monster meatless sandwiches to

Relying on my go-to monster meatless sandwiches to get me through this craziness. Sautéed Jamaican Curry Cabbage (on the blog) fused together with a layer of hummus, blanched kale, tomato, hot sauce red onion, roasted poblano pepper, cheddar and swiss cheese and dijon mustard … on some awesom 7-grain bread.
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#vegetariansandwich #plantbasedmeal #vegetarianfood #jamaicancurry #yellowcurry #plantpower #vegetariantoday #healthyfood #currylover #jamaicancurry #sandwichesrule #sandwichideas #healthyeating #sandwichgram #veggiepacked #7grainbread #vegetarianeats #cleaneating #eatgoodfeelgood #nourishyourbody #sweetpotatolove #veggiesandwich #sandwichtime #healthysandwiches #sandwichmaker #sandwichpics #vegetarian #veggielove #vegetarianfoodporn #lickyourphone

So, I’m completely sold on the "chickpeas as mea

So, I’m completely sold on the "chickpeas as meat" concept. Can’t get enough of it lately. Jerk Barbecue Chickpea Tacos … where Jamaican, Mexican and classic American barbecue flavors all come together … culinary cultural fusion at its best. This easy idea is finally up on the blog.🌮
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#chickpeatacos #plantbasedtacos #chickpeaerecipes #fusionfood #meatlessmexican #meatlesscooking #tacos #goodeats #tacosarelife #bbqchickpeas #chickpealove #ilovetacos #mexicanfoodlover #veganeats #meatlesseats #nomeathere #plantbased #healthyrecipeshare #tacotuesday #healthycooking #cleaneating #meatlessfood #mexicanfoodlover

Ok, so Al Pastor chicken might be blasphemous, but

Ok, so Al Pastor chicken might be blasphemous, but it’s awesome as a cauliflower seasoning. Not applying it to meat seems more successful, seeing now it’s so vastly different from the traditional pork preparation. Cauliflower is a close runner-up for it’s juicy, crunchy texture. It’s great for #cauliflowertacos. If ur going to do meat, just use pork. Lesson learned.
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#alpastor #guajillochile #cauliflowerrecipes #spicycauliflower #meatlesscooking #meatlessideas #healthiercooking #healthyeating #healthierchoices #cauliflowerlover #roastedveggies #sheetpancooking #veggierecipes #veggielover #cauliflowerpower #roastedcauliflower #cauliflowerrules

Actions speak louder than words, especially for an

Actions speak louder than words, especially for an introverted cooking blogger like myself. 🍳🇺🇸
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#biden2020 #bidenharris2020 #cookingblogger #nycblogger #earlyvoting2020 #queensvotes #astoriaqueens #astoriaqueensnyc #blackvotesmatter #voting #votedearly #myvoiceheard #astoriavotes #ridinwithbiden #maskselfie #nycvotes #newyorkvotes #democracynow #nycvoting #votenyc #anyonebuttrump #gojoe #votingforchange

I love love love ❤️❤️❤️ making broiler

I love love love ❤️❤️❤️ making broiler home fries, just sayin'. This time I mixed in some bits of blanched cauliflower and it was fantastic. I think I'll be doing it more often. My standard recipe is on the blog.
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#homefries #comfortfood #brunchfood #breakfastfood #taters #homemadefoodblogger #cauliflowerideas #plantbasedcooking #plantbasedideas #homecookin #diced #brunchfoodporn #brunchlover #lickyourphone #sheetpancooking #outoftheoven #potatorecipes #cookingblogger #blackfoodbloggers #nycfoodblogger #comfortfoodblogger #cooking101 #broiledvegetables #broiled

Wasn't in the mood for pork so tried Al Pastor mar

Wasn't in the mood for pork so tried Al Pastor marinated chicken thighs in the oven, but nah. Not the same. Best to stick with tradition here, but it was an A for effort.

#cookingchicken #alpastor #recipetesting #redfood #colorfulcooking #chickenthighs #homemadefood #darkmeat #spicychicken #sweetandspicy #foodwithflavor #mexicanchicken #marinatedchicken #seasoning #alpastorchicken #chickenloversofinstagram #chickenrecipes🍗🍗 #freshoutoftheoven #chickenisdone #ilovechicken #instacook

I’ve ordered Al Pastor tacos from my favorite Me

I’ve ordered Al Pastor tacos from my favorite Mexican restaurant so much, that it was time to make this awesome marinade at home. Thanks to this recipe from @mexicoinmykitchen . It’s one of my favorite flavor profiles, being that it has that spicy/sweet combination going on … not to mention the bright red color from achiote paste and guajillo peppers that fills me with excitement. ❤️🌶️🌶️🌶️
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#alpastor #guajillochile #achioterecipes #achiote #achiotepaste #meatmarinade #makingmexicanfood #mexicanrecipes #saucemaking #redfood #cookingfromscratch #mexicanfood #mexicanfoodporn #mexicanfoodlover #cookingathome #spicyfoodlover #spicyandsweet #spicysweet #mexicancooking #cocinando #homecookingblogger
#homecook #colorfulfood #comidaconcolor #colorfulcooking #marinaderecipe #cooking101 #spicycooking #homemadefoodblogger #spicysauce

In a green and meatless kinda mood 💚. Sautéed

In a green and meatless kinda mood 💚. Sautéed kale in some garlic, red onion, homemade Tabasco vinegar (on the blog) and smoked paprika instead of cooking bacon on his sunny Saturday morning in Astoria, Queens. 🥬🥬🥬🥬
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#kaleaddict #greenfoodlovers #kaleloversunite #meatlesscooking #meatlessmealprep #healthycookingeatingwell #healthyfoodporn #healthyfoodpost #simplecooking #quickandeasyfood #instakale #kalestagram #eatmoregreens #meatlessmealideas #5ingredientrecipe #queensfoodie #astoriaqueensnewyork #nycblogger #nycfoodblogger #blackfoodbloggers #eatingright #cruciferousveggies #cookinggreens #greenfoodlovers #healthfoodblogger #kale #ilovekale #ilovecooking #sautéing

Just a little #plantbased spread of veggies to get

Just a little #plantbased spread of veggies to get me through the week, this is what lunch looks like while working from home ... well this or ordering delivery. Homegrown roasted cherry tomatoes (still growing 🌱 despite the cooler weather, and finally ripening 🍅), blanched broccoli, julienned carrots, roasted acorn squash, crispy organic lettuce, homemade hummus and my green tomato sofrito (on the blog) brown rice ... all wrapped up in a multi-grain #missiontortilla. And can't forget a little @elyucateco_hotsauce.
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#healthylifestyle #plantbasedfoodprep #veggielover #veggieprep #vegetableobsession #plantbasedmeal #homemadehummus #hummuswrap #hummusandveggies #julienned #veggiepower #eaturveggies #homegrowntomatoes #veggiesmatter #vegetarianspread #vegetarianmealprep #nomeatnoproblem #meatlesstoday #homemadefood #healthyfoodideas #healthyfoodie #roastedveggies #homegrownveggies

A poached egg and Sriracha sauce always hits the s

A poached egg and Sriracha sauce always hits the spot with me, especially as a way to transform this Kobocha pumpkin soup from my local vegan Asian restaurant @jujube.tree on #astoriany. I love love love ❤️ doing my own thing with takeout food. It might be blasphemy to put an egg in a vegan soup, but oh well. When the yolk bursts and mixes with the broth and hot sauce I'm unresponsive to the world for 15 minutes. I even lick the bowl, for real. 🥣

I never liked the classic "American" pumpkin I was familiar with growing up, so I'm happy to get acquainted with Kabocha nowadays.

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#vegetariancooking #queensfoodie #kabochasquash #srirachaoneverything #srirachalovers #fallsoup #meatlesssoup #srirachasauce #vegetarianfoodporn #poachedeggsarethebest #poachedeggperfection #poachedeggsofinstagram #srirachasauce🌶 #srirachaonerrthang #supportrestaurants #supportinglocalbusinesses #supportlocalrestaurants #asianrestaurants #takeoutfood #soupseasonishere #hotsaucelover #pumpkinsoup

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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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