MAPA DA MINA - BLOG da ANA CISSA - Ana Cissa's Blog

6 Health Benefits of Jalapenos     Jalapeño peppers are named after Xalapa in Mexico, where they were originally cultivated. Chili peppers have been cultivated in Mexico and Central America for over seven thousand years and used as a foodstuff and medicine too. In the 15th century that chili peppers were introduced to the rest of the world as a substitute for black pepper, which was very expensive then as it had to be imported from Asia. Ferdinand Magellan is credited with bringing them to Africa and Asia, where they have long since been incorporated into cuisine and medicine. Here are six health benefits of jalapenos. Migraine Relief Studies have shown that jalapeño peppers may provide pain relief for migraine headaches. Capsaicin, the chemical that makes chili peppers hot, is known to inhibit a key neuropeptide, Substance P, that is the key brain pain transmitter. Prevent Sinusitis and Relieve Congestion The heat in a jalapeño pepper stimulates...

My favorite dessert now in a superstore! Introducing Dolce Vizio , a West Village sweetshop shrine that holds within its walls enough espresso-soaked ladyfingers to feed a small army, opening Saturday. Make no mistake: what you’re dealing with here is quite literally the most concentrated collection of tiramisu available anywhere outside of Milan. You see, all this sliver of a storefront does is bake, beat and fill little clear bowls with alternating layers of soft biscuits, mascarpone cheese and sifted cocoa powder. The recipes: straight from the Old Country. The flavors: Nutella, limoncello, orange espresso or anything else they might have lying around the kitchen. Now that you have direct access to the mother lode of made-daily tiramisu, it’s important that you exercise some measure of restraint. Ideally, you’ll want to limit reps at this red, white and wood Italian café to those precious mid-date interludes that require something with a little more panache than frozen...

Today is Sauvignon Blanc Day, a holiday designated by Napa Valley's St. Supery to appreciate Sauvignon Blanc vines. And Asparagus season is just coming to a close, so enjoy this white aspargus soup recipe paired with a tasty glass of Sauvignon Blanc. The Dish: White asparagus soup (served hot or cold) The Wine: Brancott Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand Asparagus often gets a bad rap for smelling or tasting funny (or making other things smell strange). White asparagus, on the other hand, is a delicacy. It tastes slightly sweeter than its green cousin, and it's tender and versatile. Discover a taste for asparagus with this rich, creamy soup offered up by executive chef Marcus Jernmark of New York's Aquavit. This can be a dish best served cold on a summer afternoon, or you can keep it in the back of your mind to warm up a winter night. Ingredients: • 2 Cups white asparagus, peeled and diced • 2 Cups leeks, white part only, diced • 2 Cups potatoes, diced • 4 oz. butter •...

For great food in a chic but not uptight environment: The Lion (http://www. thelion nyc .com/ ) Degustation (http://www.degustationnyc.com/ ) BlueHill ( http://www.bluehillfarm.com/food/blue-hill-new-york ) Mas ( http://www.masfarmhouse.com/ ) Locanda Verde ( http://www.locandaverdenyc.com/ ) Craft (www. craftrestaurant .com ) F or great food and a fun ambiance :   Hudson Clearwater ( http:// hudsonclearwater .com /)   *They now have brunch with great music also!   Ipuddo ( http://www.ippudony.com/) Jacks Luxury Oyster Bar ( 101 Second Ave near 6th Street) Balthazar (always great) ( http://www.balthazarny.com/) Buddakan ( www. buddakan nyc.com) Desnuda Cevicheria (www. desnudany .com ) For good food and loads of fun (cool ambiance and people watching): Waverly Inn for brunch on weekends ( waverley inn .com ) La Esquina ( http://esquinanyc.com/ ) make sure to go downstairs Standard Grill ( http://thestandardgrill.com/ ) Spice Marke...

A French Picnic for Early Summer Perhaps no one understands the concept of le pique-nique better than the French. It can be as simple or elaborate as you like — a crunchy baguette, good cheese, good friends, and a bottle of wine is all you need to watch the afternoon shadows elongate over the banks of the Seine in the summer. But no matter where you are this June, you can capture a bit of Parisian joie de vivre in a basket with our favorite traditional French picnic dishes. Perfect for sharing among four, this seasonal menu can be cooked a day or two in advance, chilled, and easily transported to the nearest or most far-flung patch of early summer grass. Spread out a colorful blanket, pour enough chilled rosé for everyone, and pass the paté! Menu: A loaf of fresh French bread Duck Paté Cornichon picklesDijon mustard, such as Maille A selection of French cheeses Aioli with young vegetables Ratatouille Punitions (French shortbread cookies) Fresh strawberries Wine Pairing: 201...

My new fav at Maní: Clove and Cinnamon caipirinha: absolute+pineapple+basil+clove +cinnamon

Last night I had the pleasure to be invited to a wonderful dinner at a friend's house, where she prepared one of the best pasta dishes I have ever had. What she made for us, according to her, was the official Ragú alla Bolognese. Well, one might argue that there isn’t one authentic recipe for Ragu alla Bolognese, but I must tell you, this one is the closest thing to the original. After doing a little research I found out that on October 17, 1982, the Bolognese chapter of the Accademia Italiana della Cucina, -“after having carried out long and laborious investigations and conducted studies and research”- announced that this particular recipe, the recipe that my friend followed, IS the official one. Here are some notes about the dish: A ragu Bolognese style is a meat- and tomato-based pasta sauce originating in Bologna, Italy. The sauce is typically made by simmering ground meat in tomato base, white wine, and stock for a long time (often up to four hours), so that the meat softens a...

Early on this evening, I was in a special mood...you know when EVERYTHING you do seems to come out absolutely perfect? Despite the rain, I had a really nice and productive day that ended up with an amazing massage (@ Acqua Spa with Tommy - http://www.acquabeautybar.com) After my massage I went shopping for some fish & veggies for dinner (right next door actually @ good'ol'no lines'Garden of Eden - who needs Wholefoods!?) and stopped by USQ Wines (http://www.unionsquarewines.com/) where I grabbed a bottle of 2007 Ca'DiPian - Barbera D'asti. Even though I was having fish I decided to stick to a bold wine. I can't help it...I am a bold wine girl. And my wine drinking choices usually go with what the weather is like and also my state of mind more so than the food I am eating it with. Sue me. Anyway...so the weather was truly awful. As my friend Sofia says, we had monsoonic style rain. That is the kind of weather that when you are out, walking around, all you can...

"L'image que tu m'as envoyée a aiguisé mon goût pour...les fraises" S T R A W B E R R I E S These fruits, rivaled only by the smooth cherry in innate sensuality, come as the harbinger of Summertime. In the wild the mix of tar and sweet red berries dots the landscape, swirling and twirling in a ticket of glory. In the store, they come packed by the carton, shoppers peering carefully through each clear box in hopes of finding the perfect, the red, the ultimate in strawberries. Not a bad choice for an evening of SEDUCTION, the strawberry has a green button top that fits easily between fingers. And more importantly, a berry that fits even more easily between parted lips. Imagine for just one moment, your partner as a strawberry, lightely dusted with confectioners sugar or slowly dipped in warm, creamy chocolate. Or just enjoy your lover as we most do the strawberry - plain at it's essence, beautifully ripe. EASY STRAWBERRY EMPANADAS I N G R E D I E N T S 1/4 cup cre...

Today I am going to talk about Desnuda. Desnuda is a tiny Wine Bar and Cevicheria tucked away in my neighborhood; only visible to the real New Yorkers. I love this hidden gem! I love the ambient, with it's dim lights and the super cool fans on the walls. As you get there they will serve you with a basket with free truffle popcorn as a welcome treat while you check out the simple and yet very special menu of delicious ceviches. Peter, the co-owner, always with a big smile on his face, and the executive chef, Christian, will be glad to suggest a wine from their list of interesting, and rather unusual wines. They serve great wines from Patagonia, Uruguay, Spain and Chile. Armed with a sushi-bar-style cooler of fish, knifes, a cutting board, spices, a blowtorch, and a little burner, the two of them command the "kitchen". Well, there is no kitchen. They prepare everything behind the counter and you get to watch the action. I would try the salmon with aji amarillo chile, red...

Simply the BEST Japanese restaurant in Brazil. No question. http://saopaulo.unlike.net/locations/301022-Jun-Sakamoto

The restaurant Spot opened in 1994, and is located in a square of illuminated fountains. The restaurant itself is surrounded by skyscrapers, not surprising as it‘s only half a block from Avenida Paulista. The menu is creative, and brings influences from many areas. Some dishes, due to popularity, have been on the menu since the restaurant opened. The menu consists mostly of grilled meat, chicken and fish, but also features pasta dishes as well as daily specials. Rua Min. Rocha Azevedo, 72. Avenida Paulista. Tel. 283 0946. http://www.restaurantespot.com.br Open Weekdays 12pm-3pm, 8pm-1am; Weekends 1pm-4:30pm, 8pm-1am source of info: gringoes.com

Yes. Bubby's cappuccino is a work of art. And their extremely delicious and well served brunch dishes are awesome. No wonder people love going there. If you are looking for a great place to have brunch in NY, try Bubby's 120 Hudson Street New York, NY 10013 (212) 219-0666 Subway: Franklin Street - IRT anacissapinto

Last night I tried a delicious sake: Wakatake Onikoroshi Ginjo Sake Light, smooth and rich type. Very clean, round and quite impressive in the mouth. Little hint of watermelon. Wakatake History Established in 1832, from Shizuoko prefecture. Located along the Ohi river, in the center of Japan, flowing to the Pacific Ocean from Japan’s southern Alps; the town of Shimada once prospered as one of the lodging towns of the 53 post stations of the Tokaido. The original Wakatake Onikoroshi sake is historically famous for having comforted many weary travelers crossing the Ohi river. For years, since the brewery’s foundation, they have lived through the rise and fall of history with the people in the town, and have enjoyed their hospitality. Although there were several breweries in the town at that time, due to its good-quality water, Ohmuraya shuzojo brewery is the only one remaining now. They continue doing their best to convey one of the most important traditional industries of Japan to the n...

Brazil's New Glamour Capital | São Paulo | Food & Wine

Again, I went to one of my favorite restaurants in NY, though this time, just to seat at the bar and have a night cap with a friend. BLUE HILL is THE place I want to go. Always. Anytime. I fell like if I had a restaurant it would probably be pretty much like Blue Hill. They are so chic, and understated at the same time. The ambient is very inviting, they play Coltrane Ballads, Bill Evans Blue and Green, and the likes. The small, below ground dining room has the feeling of an exclusive, guest only club, yet Blue Hill may be the best low-profile restaurant in town. Backlit banquettes and warmly illuminated brick walls with a cozy bar at the entrance, Blue Hill invites you in and you just want to stay, until they close! Chef Daniel Barber “wows” his well-heeled clients (including the Obamas) with inspired New American cooking based on extremely fresh seasonal ingredient. The food is, overall, simply prepared and everything tastes like it would in a farm. Blue Hill's menu showcases loc...

Tonight I had dinner at Lure. I ha d been there once before, and even though the decor is very cool ( Lure Fishbar's has a retro yacht-docked-in-Saint-Tropez interior) and the food is also pretty good, I didn't have a major desire to go back to eat there again. But tonight, I wanted to have sushi, and I was looking for a place close to Angelica's Theater where I was going to catch a late movie with some friends. And I remembered Lure. Lure is right in the heart of Soho, on the corner of Mercer and Prince Street, right across the Street from the Mercer Hotel. Super cool location. The restaurant is down some steps, in a sub-sidewalk location. It is very well lit, the glamorous Yacht decor is chic and fun at the same time. My friends and I had some tasty sushi rolls, I enjoyed a delicious glass of cold and crisp Wakatake Onikoroshi "Demon Slayer" Junmai Daiginjo sake, and we all had a great time seating at the sushi bar that is tucked in the back of the very spaciou...

When visiting NY, a lot of tourists end up at the 5th Avenue Apple store, right next to Central Park and across the street from the Plaza Hotel. While this is a lovely area to visit, it lacks good restaurants near by. You would have to walk several blocks until you find a good place for lunch, happy hour or dinner. I would like to suggest a place that I just happen to love, and it's right there, in the area. You would not just run into it. It is not out on the streets. This restaurant is a hidden jewel! I'm talking about a restaurant called Fred's. Fred's is located on the top floor of Barney's NY (if you haven't been to Barneys - it's a great dept store. My favorite actually) I love seating at the bar at Fred's, ordering a delicious Lobster Bisque, or an Insalada Caprese. And if it's a hot summer day, and I have been walking and or shopping a lot, and need a serious brake, I order a nice and cold glass of Sauvignon Blanc to go with it. The ambient ...

Healthy and yummy snack! Did you know that Broccoli packs the most nutritional punch of ANY vegetable? Broccoli's noteworthy nutrients include vitamin C , vitamin A (mostly as beta-carotene), folic acid , calcium , and fiber . And Garbanzo beans (chickpeas) provide an excellent source of molybdenum*. They are a very good source of folic acid, fiber, and manganese. They are also a good source of protein, as well as minerals such as iron, copper, zinc, and magnesium. *molybdenum which is a trace mineral that is needed for the body's mechanism to detoxify sulfite's. Steamed Broccoli with Hummus Recipe -19-ounce can chick-peas, rinsed and drained (about 2 cups) -3 tablespoons well-stirred tahini (sesame seed paste)* -3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice -1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil -1 garlic clove, minced and mashed to a paste with 1 teaspoon salt -3 to 6 tablespoons water -1/4 cup fresh parsley leaves, washed well, spun dry, and minced -1 pound broccoli, tough end...