Any New Places.

I am looking for recommendations in the area. If anyone like to share places they have been that was really good. Please leave me a post.

thank you.

Doubles (Trinidad)

Bara:
2 cups flour
1/2 tsp salt
1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon gheera (cumin)
1/2 tsp ground pepper
1 teaspoon yeast
1/3 cup warm water
1/4 tsp sugar
Oil for frying

Filling (Curried Channa):
1 14 oz channa, tinned
1 tablespoon curry powder
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 onion, sliced
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
2 tsp ground geera (cumin)
1 tsp Pepper sauce
2 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper

1. In a large bowl combine the flour, salt, curry powder and gheera.
2. In a separate small bowl place the warm water, sugar and yeast and set to sponge for 5 minutes.
3. To the flour, add the yeast mixture and enough water to make a slightly firm dough.
4. Mix well, cover with a damp cloth and allow to rise for 1 1/2 hours.
5. For the filling, heat the oil in a heavy skillet, add onion, garlic and 1 heaped tablespoon of curry powder mixed with 1/4 cup water.
6. Sauté for a few minutes.
7. Add the channa, stir to coat well and cook for five minutes.
8. Add 1 cup water, gheera, salt and pepper; cover, lower heat and simmer until the peas are very soft (20-30 minutes).
9. When the channa is finished it should be moist and soft.
10. Add pepper sauce and season to taste with additional salt if desired.
11. For the bara: The dough should be punched down and allowed to sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
12. To shape the bara, take 1 tablespoon of the dough and flatten to a round, 4 or 5 inches in diameter
13. Use oil to moisten palms of your hands so that the dough won’t stick to them
14. Fry the baras in hot oil until puffy (about 15 seconds per side), turn once and drain on kitchen paper
15. When all are cooked, fill with channa by placing a heaping tablespoon of the cooked filling on each bara, covering with another to form a sandwich

                                                                                                      Recipe Courtesy: Trinigourmet.com

My Video Post on youtube if you cannot view it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oivbz-Vt0rA

Video Blog

Gallo Pinto Recipe

• 2 tbsp vegetable oil
• 2 lrg onions – thinly sliced
• 2 cups cooked red beans
• ¼ cup water
• 1 cup cooked white rice

Beans: cook 1 cup of dry red beans with 6 crushed cloves of garlic and water in a pressure cooker for 15 to 20 minutes. Sauté the onion in a pot. Add in the cooked beans and water. Cook for 5 minutes at a low heat whilst stirring. The beans must remain whole. Now add the cooked rice and simmer for a further 10 minutes, still stirring.

                                                                Recipe Courtesy: nicaragua.com/recipe

Red Light Restaurant

I am stearing off course a little bit to this restaurant on Biscayne Blvd on the river bank over looking the river. Its a nice out door style dinning spot because its not very big on the inside.

The menu is not big but mostly consist of seafood items. Everything is prepared fresh everyday makes the food really good for me. Well I had the Oyster Quiche and Ceviche and it was really good. There have been some changes in the menu recently but over all not a bad location to go chill out with friends and have some Seafood.

Audio Welcome Blog

Don Burrito Mexican Restaurant

Took me a while to visit this restaurant but finally did, very spacious and the staff was nice. Had dinner before I went so i ordered only the a chicken soup well I can safely say mexican style. I did not like it that much.

The Salsa and chips were great really enjoyed that and some of my friends burrito with guacamole. It made up for the visit. Had better Mexican food when I was Homestead cannot remember the name will update you when I can locate the information.

La Hormiga De Oro (Nicaraguan Restaurant)

This place holds a special place to me because it was the very first restaurant I went to when I first came to United States and ate because it was different to what I know from Trinidad and Tobago. Its not a fine dining like its counterpath in Main St, Miami Lakes EL Novillo. But I love the food in this restaurant think EL Novillo could back seat for while.

My favorite is Ginto Pinto (rice and red beans) I will always order it with Churrasco Nica style its really delicious. I have had as well the pig's feet cooked like a stew and that was good as well almost reminded me of Trinidad. I saw some similarities in the cooking of some meats and rice.

Sometimes there is a bit of language barrier when communicating the choices but the food is really good for its price. You will get a good meal for under 10 dollars with a drink. One of my best experiences and still love this restaurant to this day.

Podcast

Mr Lee's Chinese Restaurant (take away)

I know Chinese restaurant could be a some what a fast food restaurant. But its fresher and there is alot of variety. I was brought up eating chinese food in my family and find it difficult to eat this food outside my home. I have been disappointed many times in many places I have been.

Miami does not really have much options for chinese food but when I found Mr. Lee's on Miami Gardens Drive Country Club Plaza near to Sedeno's Supermarket. Its not to a sit down restaurant but the food is great I love there General Tsoi chicken, fried rice and wonton soup. 

Just note if you planning to spend less than 10.00 ensure you pay cash they only accept cards for 10 and up. Its very typical  to find chinese restaurants like that.

Captain Crab

This is more of a Take away restaurant even though you can dine outside or some seating on the inside. Its a bit pricey average you may spend 10 dollars. But you spending on Crab and Shrimp so the prices may vary by size. It is located near 47th ave on 183rd St, Miami Gardens Drive.

It took a while for me to get any service from anyone in this restaurant. I waited for a good 10mins and it was empty which was kind of scary for me wasn't sure if the food will be good or not. The drive through seemed to be faster but I came by foot to this place.

I ordered the Garlic Shrimp special and it was good I have to say for the long wait. There customer service needs to improve and did not like that the Chef was outside chatting while my food is cooking.

Michael THAI restaurant.

Well this restaurant no longer exist in Palm Plaza 67th ave, miami lakes. Just want to mention how it was my first Thai restaurant I ever been too and it was a good experience. Not sure if they relocated or went of business. Everything was made fresh and the food was great. It made crave for more Thai food after.

There is another in Main Street, Miami Lakes called Thai Cafe not that far from where this one was located. Have to visit sometime and see what there food taste like and compare the flavors.

Never really thought Peanut sauce would of taste so good in food. Thank you Michael for great food.

Chivas Columbian Restaurant.

This is a popular little restaurant in the area love there food and its like a mini bakery as well. Serving are great for the price Under $15.00. Its located in Palm Plaza on 67th ave Miami Lakes area even though its considered Hialeah. I had the lunch special Chuleta Valluna Breaded pork steak with two sides mine was Cassava and fried plaintains (personal favorite anywhere I go) and i got a Chicharron Con Arepa. Everything was really.

Highly recommend this place but at times it could be really packed with people dinning.

Vietnamese restaurant

The Green Papaya restaurant is not so hard to find on 67th ave just of the palmetto expressway in Palms Plaza. I felt very unconfortable going in at first because I could not see inside. It looked like a fortune teller fortress but when I entered it was packed with people dining  was very surprised.

Food prices wasn't that bad range from $5-20. Didn't have much to spend so I had the Spicy thai seafood soup. Thought it would be good for me because I was getting over the cold so need something to bring out some of the heat and it worked.

Just note this place is very small not much seating at the restaurant and everything is basically freshly made and really good. I am due for a visit soon.

LC Roti Shop another Trinidadian style curry food.

There is another place on the 441 that sells Trinidadian Roti. LC Roti Shop. To be honest not a big fan of the place when I was their and its very dirty and run down. Big turn off for me still tried the roti really good and could see a high volume of west indians going in and out. This place only takes cash so no card swiping allowed. Only difference is that you actually see the roti being made in front of you. Its a very interesting experience if you not a from Trinidad.

Doubles is another favorite of my country and you can find it here that is why I stayed. Its made of the batter type of bread and on top of it you get curried chick peas. Hot sauce, mango chutney, cumuber and tamarind chutney could be added as well to give more favor.

Trinidad Experience at Tropical Feast.

Hey everyone one of my good friends decided to try food from my country. I am always happy to introduce anyone my own culture and food. I took him to Tropical Feast which the owners are Trinidadians. We each had Roti which is a flat bread stuffed with yellow split peas (grinded), roasted on a flat hot surface.

After its roasted you got a choice of one of the following curried/stew (depends on location) chicken, beef, goat, shrimp, conch or duck also curried pototoes sometimes chick peas (depends on the location). Other items that can be added  in the bread pumpkin, mango or spinach. Hot sauce and/or  chutney is added condoments that can be added spice or flavor.

He was really surprised how good the it was and he willing to go again. Also we had was Phlorie and mango chutney. Phlorie is a made from chick peas grind and made into a batter and fried. It was fun also in Trinidad we believe a Roti is not good without a Red Solo (soda drink).

They also cook different types of Trinidad foods other than Curry which I really like about this place.

Hey fellow Bloggers. My name is Ryan Rivas I was born in the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago. All my family reside in the main island Trinidad and my emmediate family live in a small village call Arouca. Currently I am an Undergraduate student and a Business major where my focus is Hospitality and Tourism. I chose to blog on restaurants mainly the small one because of the unique quanitity, variety, flavors and quality they offer than the food chains or fine dining offer. This is inspired as well by my family background which is hispanic, East Indian, Black, Europian decents. These mixtures are just the starting because of the main races and cultural background also came into mix made it even more interesting especially food we cook and eat.

As my country national anthem states "here every creed and race find an equal place" my family day. Christmas time mainly the hispanic traditions comes out in the food we eat and way we celebrate. There days where my mum would of cooked curry food, sometimes chinese food, there are times where creole food is cooked. Then there are times where we go to family homes and there is a feast of middle eastern foods. Now the cultural influences and taste is growing in my country.

When I came to Miami to study I have never as much fast food restaurants congested at most street corners and variety each selling the same food in different ways some in taste as well. It was overwelming for me but anytime I find a small restaurant and I see a consistant flow of people I know the food have to be good. I would prefer to step into these places than a Mac Donald's or Wendy's at any given day. My country is greatly influenced by the america lifestyle for food because fast food chains are doing the same thing but main competitor is KFC.

Personally the small reataurants gives a better quality of food and i got a variety I can choose from each has a unique taste not consistant or fried in the same oil. My summer in New York City as well inspire me to do this blog because same experience of the different types of small restaurants and fusions of flavors. Hope I can give you my viewer my views of some of the restaurants I know in Miami Gardens and the environs.