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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)
Cocktails and Beverages (4)
Cooking Tips (6)
Desserts (5)
Easy Ideas (18)
Ingredients (19)
Meatless (39)
Recipes (54)

Meatless Monday Ideas!

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

Some Tips on Baked Kale Chips

Buffalo Roasted Chickpeas

Sautéed Cabbage with Jamaican Curry

Check out more Meatless Monday inspired posts!

Visit me on Instagram in between posts!

Channeling my inner Usain Bolt feeling @usainbolt

Channeling my inner Usain Bolt feeling @usainbolt @usainbolt.fan after a good meatless-fueled cardio while my weight is at an all-time record low in my adult life. Even with a knee injury I found ways to thrive ... instead of really running I'm doing an "old man" type of run-walk maneuver with a knee brace because doing absolutely nothing while it heals is not an option in my book.

#fitness2020 #doingcardio #usainboltfan #outdoorfitness #stayinginshape #fitnessgoals #runlikethewind #astoriapark #queensnewyorkcity #astorianyc #blackfitnessmatters #livinginastoria #astorialife #quarantinefitness #losingweight #fitinmy40s #nycparks #healthyliving #cardioworkout #determination #foodandfitness

Swapping olive oil mayo with honey mustard led to

Swapping olive oil mayo with honey mustard led to this 3 ingredients dressing of this spicy kale slaw with cashews ... Sriracha, honey mustard and rice vinegar. No fat happening here.
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#kaleslaw #kalestagram #3ingredients #nofatfood #srirachalovers #sriracharecipes #spicyfood #spicy #veggiepower #micronutrients #kaleaddict #kalepower #simplerecipe #easycooking #dietfoods #skinnyrecipes #cashews #eatyourveggies #colorfulcooking #freshveggies #eatinghealthy #carrots🥕 #healthy #eatingclean

Nowadays, a whole wheat pita with jammy eggs, blan

Nowadays, a whole wheat pita with jammy eggs, blanched kale, fresh spinach, quinoa, and roasted red peppers tossed in a little ranch dressing with swiss cheese appeals to me more than a bacon egg ‘n cheese breakfast sandwich. This certainly wasn’t always the case. The concept of dieting was so foreign to me because as an athlete all my life I always pretty much ate whatever I wanted until recent years and a slight tummy started emerging that I couldn’t get rid of. Meat was certainly the culprit, combined with having to increase my cardio.
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#meatless #pitasandwich #wholewheat #wholewheatpita #eathinghealthy #dieting #healthylifestyle #eatingbetter #kaleandquinoa #eggsandwich #plantbasedsandwich #pocketpita #vegetarianeats #freshveggiesmatter #eatgoodfeelgood #youarewhatyoueat #dietgoals #lifestylechanges #nutrition #eggsarethebest #eggprotein #vegetariandiet #eggsandveggies #softboiledegg #jammyegg

Time to put my jammy egg skills to the test after

Time to put my jammy egg skills to the test after watching the egg tutorial from @elle_simone_scott at @testkitchen on youtube.
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#jammyeggs #softboiledeggs #cookingeggs #eggaddict #iloveeggs #eggsellent #protein #eggcooking #simplefood #breakfastfood #runnyyolk #yolkporn #homecook #eggs101 #cookingtechniques #howtocook #eggvideo #imadethis #eggslover #homecookingblogger #comfortfood #simplecooking #learningtocook #softboiled #atkgrams

In case ya didn't know ... thyme and sage are toug

In case ya didn't know ... thyme and sage are tough enough to withstand freezing temperatures. I had no idea. Now I'm wondering what other herbs can grow year round ... I'm guessing rosemary? Hopefully tarragon. Will see. I always hate when you buy herbs, use only what you need, and the rest lingers in the fridge for way too long and ya feel bad for wasting such a fantastic product. Not anymore. 🌱

#urbangardener #gardeninginpots #freshherbs #sageplant #thyme #thymeandsage #growingherbs #herbgrower #herbs #igrewthis #herbgardening #thymesfragrances #sagephotos #sagelove #plantphotography #herblover #growyourownherbs🌱 #frommygarden

My meatless journey has led me to yesterday's #tac

My meatless journey has led me to yesterday's #tacotuesday🌮 with quinoa, cotija cheese, blanched broccoli, home-pickled Jalapeños, fried matchstick #julienned green plantains @elyucateco_hotsauce and @herdeztraditions guacamole salsa. The light feeling in your body the day after going meatless is super rewarding. I feel like I could run 10 miles 🏃🏼

#meatlesstacos #tacolovers #cleaneating #vegetariantacos #eatingfresh #vegetarianmexicanfood #tacosrule #homemadetacos #tacosathome #spicyfoodrecipes #pickledjalapeños #friedplantains🍌 #tacofixings #healthyeatinggoals #vegetariancooking #dietgoals #plantbasedmeal #tacolove #tacomaking #eatinglight #nomeattoday

Just a quick shallow fry in canola oil for these t

Just a quick shallow fry in canola oil for these tostones takes the fear out of frying. Get with the search bar on the blog and type in "tostones" for the entire process.

Haven't made these in quite a while ... I was long overdue. I first learned how to cook these from watching @chefdaisymartinez on #pbsfood in 2004. I used her cookbook so much that the pages are falling apart from the spine. They didn't have plantains in the small Rhode Island town where I grew up, and I first learned what a plantain was in college from a Nigerian friend circa 1998. The learning never stops.
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#plátanosfritos #fryingplantains #shallowfry #friedfoodporn #snacks #snacktime #comidaboricua #comidalatina #fryingathome #fryingfood #platanosverdes #tostonesdeplatano #friedfoodheaven #frying #caribbeancooking #puertoricanfood #homecooklife #homecooksofinstagram #homecookedfood #nycfoodblog #nycbloggers

It's official chili season everyone ... holla 🙌

It's official chili season everyone ... holla 🙌🏾🙌🏻🙌🏿🙌🏼 if you like a little homemade chili 🌶️ with your #tostones.

#plantainlove #platanosfritos
#platanos #bowlofchili #friedplantain #chiliwithbeans #greenplantain #caribbeanfood #caribbeancooking #chiliseason #comidalatina #comfortcooking #friedfoods #blackfoodblogger #redchili #homemadechili #plantainpower #wintercooking

Reminiscing and mourning the memory of these Jamai

Reminiscing and mourning the memory of these Jamaican jerk #chickenwings ... all of which only lasted 30 minutes on Saturday night. We quickly devoured these slow cooked beauties after a 24-hour marinade. 🍗
#ifeellikechickentonight
#chickennight #wingsintheoven #foodphotography #chickenwingchickenwing #wingnight #lownslowcooking #ovencooking #sheetpancooking #instachicken #chickengram #drummettes #drummetsofinstagram #chickenwingnight #chickenwingslovers #eatthis #wingaddict #spicyfoodlover #jamaicanchoicejerkseasoning #spicychicken #jamaicanchicken #yum

It's a personal rule that I don't allow collard gr

It's a personal rule that I don't allow collard greens to linger for more than 2 days. After that I just can't deal. Poached eggs with greens and blacked peas is kinda my thing. Hot sauce @crystal.hot.sauce, egg yolk and the hearty broth I simmered up for hours all come together in this soulful bowl.

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#poachedeggperfection #collardgreens #greensnbeans #blackeyedpeas #soulfood #soulinabowl #comfortfood #comfortcooking #bowlmeals #beansandgreens #collards #cozyfood #easyideas #blackhomecooks #blackfoodblogger #newyearsfood #goodluckfood #lickyourphone #egglover #poachingeggs

So, about last night. Um... I think these are done

So, about last night. Um... I think these are done. Devoured these Jerk BBQ wings last night after a full day marinade with @jamaican_choice jerk seasoning. Low 'n slow is the way to go!
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#chickenwings #jerkchicken #jerkchickenwings
#jerkedchicken #foodiesofinstagram #cookingchicken #freshoutoftheoven #chickenaddiction #wings #wingsintheoven #ovenbaked #ovenlovin #chickenwaaangs #chickenlover #winglovers #fallingoffthebone #yummy #chicken #wingnight #cookedtoperfection #lownslow #ilovecooking #homemadefood #everyoneloveschicken

Was given collard green duty by my bf @brothashake

Was given collard green duty by my bf @brothashakespeare because ya can't just have blackeyed peas alone. No ham hock and no smoked turkey happening here. Instead I usually use a smoked pork chop for something I call "lean greens".

Well, there was no smoked pork chops at the store so I made a kick ass stock yesterday with regular pork chops, liquid smoke, and adding tons of onions, garlic and some other key secret ingredients. Complete Lean Greens recipe will be up on the blog soon. Until then ... Happy New Year 🎉🥂🥂🥂🥂🥂🥬🥬🥬🥬🥬
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#collardgreens #collardgreenrecipes #soulfoodie #healthyishcooking #kindahealthy #cookinglight #greens #soulfoodcook #neosoulfood #greenfoodisgoodfood #leafygreens #collards #f52grams #cookingreens #homecookin #foodwithsoul #newyearsfood #eatmoregreens #comfortfood #stovetopcooking

We're getting these blackeyed peas on point so we

We're getting these blackeyed peas on point so we can devour these at midnight. My bf @brothashakespeare doing a vegan version this year and I'm super impressed how much I don't miss the meat. Looking forward to an awesome new year with even less meat in my diet. My goal in 2020 has been to only do meat once a day but I cheat often. No cheating in 2021, hopefully.
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#blackeyedpeas #soulfood #soulfoodcooking #blackfoodies #africanamericanfood #blackeyedpeasforluck #homecooking #africanamericantraditions #beanrecipes #legumelover #vegansoulfood #neosoulfood #blackandproud #meatlesscooking #southerncooking #newyears2021 #hny2021 #comfortcooking #blacklivesmatter✊🏽✊🏾✊🏿 #blackhomecook #beans #cookingbeans #goodluck #optimism

The most simple and satisfying 3-ingredient recipe

The most simple and satisfying 3-ingredient recipe (water and salt don’t count) of my year 2020 cooking adventures has been Tahini Dressing from @epicurious ... condiments and sauces are kinda my thing and if I don’t get enough of them I’m really not happy. Slathering this dressing on a whole wheat pita hummus sandwich will make you forget about eating meat altogether. It’s plays a crucial role in making my occasionally meatless diet such a success.
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#3ingredients #3ingredientrecipe #condiments #tahinidressing #dressingrecipe #hummusandpita #hummussandwich #hummusandveggies #wholewheatpita #roastedredpeppers #veggiesandwich #blanchedkale #grilledeggplant #grilledeggplant #meatlessgoals #meatlesseating #meatlessdiet #meatless #meatlesschallenge #plantbasednutrition #cleaneating #vegetarianmealprep #eatmoreveggies #tahinisauce #tahini #tahinilover #simplerecipes #easyrecipe #nutritous #nutritousanddelicious

I wish I could claim this #friedchicken, but it's

I wish I could claim this #friedchicken, but it's what my boyfriend @brothashakespeare does every year as a Christmas tradition, being a southern man from Jackson, GA. I learn from the best and get it right on one of these days.

#southernfriedchicken #fryingchicken #chickenloversforlife #deepfriedchicken #buttermilkfriedchicken #jacksongeorgia #chickenlovers🍗 #homecookin #friedfood #friedfoodporn #chickenaddict #everyoneloveschicken #chickenchickenchicken #deepfried #blackfoodiesmatter #chickenvideos #homemadefoodblogger #comfortfood #blackfoodbloggersclub #friedfoods

Making enchilada sauce is one of my favorite oh-so

Making enchilada sauce is one of my favorite oh-so-satisfying things to do and usually happens in the late night hours. Full recipe is on the blog. Strained the hell out of this mixture of Ancho, Guajillo, Chipotle, and Arbol chilis 🌶️, and roasted tomatoes, onions and garlic. Next step ... thin it out with some veggie stock and season it with Mexican oregano and cumin then simmer to completion.
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Too many recipes tell you to remove the seeds, but I'm not about it. I want full heat. #spicyrecipe
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It's impossible to find meatless enchiladas to order in Astoria, so time to make my own ... any combo of black bean, veggie and cheese. And enchilada orders comes in threes and for some reason you can't order three different types like you can with tacos. Makes no sense. Now I can finally have one chicken and two meatless as much as I want.
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#enchiladasauce #redsauce #mexicanfoodporn #enchiladalover #salsaroja #comidamexicana #saucemaking #mexicanchiles #guajillochile #anchochiles #redenchiladasauce #comfortcooking #spicysauce #spicyfoodlover🌶 #somelikeitspicy #enchiladalover #cookingfromscratch #freshingredients #mexicansauce #Mexicanflavors #mexicanfoodlover

I swear I had plans to just make a simple BLT, but

I swear I had plans to just make a simple BLT, but these other awesome ingredients were calling from the fridge. So, here we go in order from bottom to the top ...honey mustard, @hellmannsmayonnaise olive oil mayonnaise, @yanceysfancycheese steakhouse onion cheddar, @smithfieldfoods bacon, vine tomatoes, @elyucateco_hotsauce red chili habañero hot sauce, cucumbers, shredded lettuce and @sabra Jalapeño hummus.
🥪🥓🍅🥬🥒🧀🌶️

#sandwichmaker #sandwichtower #sandwich #sandwichpics #sandwichgram #sandwichlovers❤️ #hotsauceoneverything #oliveoilmayo #bltsandwich #baconsandwiches #baconlovers #sandwichs #sandwichoftheday #sandwichclub #sandwichtime #healthysandwich #healthyish #freshingredients #sandwichporn #homemadefood #lunchtime #sandwichmaking #sandwichphotography

Was out of mayo, so I reached for some blue cheese

Was out of mayo, so I reached for some blue cheese dressing for this club sandwich with sweet potato coldcuts (on the blog), roasted red pepper, pickled Jalapeños, turkey, bacon, honey mustard and @elyucateco_hotsauce ... it might be a regular thing now. Blue cheese lover here!
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All the sandwich lovers ... get with the search bar on my blog and type "sandwiches"

#bluecheesedressing #elyucatecohotsauce #sandwichaddict #sandwichesofinstagram #sandwichlover #sandwichloversunite #sandwichartist #sammich #makingasandwich #sandwichoftheday #roastedredpeppers #clubsandwich #sandwichesrule #sandwichporn #lunchfood #lunchtime #cookingathome #quarantinecooking #wishbonedressing #sandwichlife #sandwichmaker #homecooklife #homecook

Winter workouts in full effect in #astoriaqueensny

Winter workouts in full effect in #astoriaqueensny ... Astoria Park has become my second home since March and I'm so thankful to be living two blocks away from this fantastic park. When I'm not cooking, this is what I'm doing. Fun fact ... I was a gymnast from the age 6 to 21 and working out is just something I need to do. And just like cooking, fitness is in my DNA ... my bio-dad was a high school football superstar in the 70s in Rhode Island.

Haven't left Astoria in 9 months and it's all good in the hood. I've found ways to thrive in this pandemic.
💪🏻🤸🏻‍♂️🏃🏼
#nycparks #astoriany
#astoriaqueens #iloveastoria #quarentineworkout #outdoorfitness #outdoorworkout #nycbloggers #winterworkout #queensnewyorkcity #ilovequeens #fitness2020 #astoriapark #cardioworkouts #astoriaqueensnyc #stayinginshape #fitstagram #eatrightfeelright

It's another frittata kind of morning with balsami

It's another frittata kind of morning with balsamic and garlic sautéed zucchini and cherry tomatoes, blanched broccoli, goat cheese, shredded Swiss, homegrown chives and thyme. No meat here.
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#frittatamaking #frittata #castironcooking #skilletmeal #skilletrecipes #eggaddicted #eggrecipes #vegetarianbreakfast #nomeat #meatlesscooking #eggs101 #iloveeggs🍳 #frittatafriday #homefoodie #homecooklife #veggiepower #goatcheese #chevrecheese #thyme #goatcheeselover #homemadefood #nomeathere #meatlessmeal

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