18 quintessential New York City attractions that should be on your bucket list

Author: Arit Banerjee

Situated at the southern tip of the US state of New York, New York City is the most populous city in the US. The Big Apple is home to 20 million people. A cultural and financial hub which is at the forefront of tourism, technology, fashion and sports. The five boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx and Staten Island constitute the city of New York.

 

The Dutch settled on the Manhattan Island in 1614 and formed a city in 1625 which came to be known as New Amsterdam. 39 years later New Amsterdam was seized by the English from the Dutch and was named in the honor of James, Duke of York.

 

This article looks at quintessential New York but excludes the usual tourist sites of NYC.

Piña Colada Mocktail

Pina Colada Mocktail | How to make Pina Colada

A perfect beach drink made with fresh Pineapple and Coconut milk. A 3- ingredient drink made under minutes. I have used fresh pineapple juice but you can chose to use store brought juice!

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Strawberry Charlotte Cake | French Classic Dessert | Icebox Cake

French Charlotte Cake Recipe | How to make French Charlotte Cake

A classic French dessert that dates back to the eighteenth century. The cake features delicious summer fruit- strawberry, Bavarian cream and lady finger cookies. In this version, I have made a variation wherein I incorporated Raspberry in the mousse and since the Covid-19 lockdown was on, I couldn't find lady finger cookies around. Instead, I used regular butter cookies that are a lil stiffer than most.

Author: Racheal D'Souza

A Charlotte Russe Cake is usually referred to 'icebox cake' which means a layered dessert that includes whipped cream or mousse, sandwiched between layers of crispy cookies or sponge cake. The sponge cake is baked with the most simplest ingredients and the cookies can also be made at home. In this version, I have baked the sponge cake (included in the recipe) but used store-brought cookies. The main part of this dessert cake is to line all the elements patiently in a mould and refrigerate it. Refrigeration is always the hardest part cause when you make something as beautiful as this, it's hard to resist eating it immediately (haha!). However, the longer you refrigerate, the better your cake will be!

This cake may sound very difficult in the beginning, however, if you follow the steps precisely, you'll know how easy it is! To make it simpler, I have divided this recipe into 3 key elements. 

Peach on the Beach | Easy Peach Mocktail | 2-ingredient drink | Summer Peach Drink

Peach on the Beach | How to make Peach Mocktail

A minimalist drink with Peach and Ginger Ale and a dash of basil. Couldnt have asked for something simpler and quicker than this on a hot summer noon!

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Packed with nutrients and antioxidants, Peaches are also very rich in essential vitamins and minerals. Including such fruits in your diet is very important. Along with eating them ripe, I always like to turn my favorite fruits into drinks especially during summer. What is better than having a drink ready in like 2 minutes?

Raw Mango Drink | Aam Panna | Aam Panha

Mango Drink Recipe | How to make Aam Panna

Aam Panna also known as Aam Jhora is an Indian sweet and tangy drink made with Steamed Raw Mangoes during summer and spiced with cardamom and saffron. 

Author: Janhavi Sawant

Summer is one such season that brings a variety of fruits to the market. And to beat the heat, you can turn these same fruits into refreshing drinks. Aam Panna is an Indian drink that’s very commonly known for its heat-resistant properties. Raw mango is sour in taste but the addition of sugar, cardamom and saffron to the cooked pulp beautifully brings out a sweet-tangy flavor.
In India, this drink is also known for its health benefits since mango is a good source of Vitamin C. 

Pork Char Siu | Cantonese- style Pork Roast |

Pork Char Siu Recipe | How to make Pork Char Siu

Pork Char Siu is a Cantonese- style Pork  roast marinated with flavorful sauces from the Asian kitchen and usually roasted slowly on a barbeque. The slow roasting method makes the meat so soft that it falls off the bone and gives the pork its caramelized color. Usually served with the -left-over marinade as sauce or can also be chopped into small pieces and used in Fried-rice, Ramen or any other kind of Sauce-based dishes. 

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Whenever I entered any Asian restaurant in the US, I would always see a very appealing, red, sticky, Bbq'd pork and I would instantly order that. I wouldn't know what it was called back then so I always called it ' Bbq Pork'. Recently while I was looking for Pork recipes to try, I discovered that it was called 'Pork Char Siu' and it can be made relatively easily in a home-based oven. I quickly ran over to my nearest Asian grocery store and gathered all the required ingredients.

This recipe is made with a very simple technique and yet the flavor is something I'm sure you'll love. 

Spanish Tomato Rice | Easy Tomato Rice Recipe

Spanish Tomato Rice | How to make Spanish Tomato Rice

A one pot dish made with tomato, onion, rice and seasoning. The combination of lime and cilantro enhances the flavor and leaves a fresh aroma. 

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Spanish rice is a quick and easy recipe you can make in minutes. If you are a lover of rice, you will definitely adore this recipe. I love rice and I have always looked for ways to turn my regular rice into something different. Here's one such recipe. Hope you love it as much as I do.

Kiwi-Key lime Virgin Mojito

 Kiwi-Key Lime Mojito | How to make Kiwi-Key lime Mojito

Yes you heard it right! Packed with the goodness of Vitamin C, a citrusy Key-lime flavored minty summer refresher. This drink will surely quench your thirst and keep you longing for even more.

Here's a quick and simple recipe!

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Kiwi- a fuzzy fruit so full of vitamin C and packed with refreshing tropical flavor is a great source of nutrition. Uncommonly known to boost your immune system, Kiwi is one fruit you shouldn't miss out this summer. 

Lychee-Mint Summer Cooler

Lychee-Mint Summer Cooler | How to make Lychee-Mint Cooler

Is this summer heat taking you down? Do you need something other than just a regular lemonade? Well, you've landed at the right space!

A refreshing drink made with just Lychee, Mint, Sugar and Water. As simple as it sounds, as soothing as it looks, ready in 2 minutes

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Lychee, a small tropical fruit with a sweet citrusy flavor and hints of rose water. A perfect summer fruit I think everyone should try. The combination of Mint and Lychee is absolutely refreshing.

Malai Tikka | Reshmi Kebab

Malai Tikka Recipe | How to make Reshmi Kebab

Malai Tikka also commonly known as Reshmi Kebab gets its name from the extremely tender chicken pieces as a result of succulent juices in the chicken. The two different marination used for this recipe makes it as soft as silk (Resham in Hindi). These are one of my favorite kinds of Kebabs.

Author: Racheal D'Souza

A beautiful dish that hails from the well-known Mughlai Cuisine. Mughlai cuisine consists of dishes developed in the medieval Indo-Persian cultural centres during the Mughal reign in India. The taste of authentic Mughlai cuisine is quintessentially known to have plenty of ground aromatic spices. This dish is has a very mild and subtle hint of spices but has a creamy texture which will instantly make you fall in love with it!

Egg Hakka Noodles

Hakka Noodles Recipe | How to make Restaurant Style Hakka Noodles

 

 A classic Asian cuisine brought to India by the Chinese. This amalgamation of Indian-chinese dish is one of the easiest and can be cooked under 10 minutes.

Author: Racheal D'souza

Pepper Chicken | Chili chicken

Pepper Chicken Recipe | Chili Chicken Recipe | How to make Pepper Chicken

 

A recipe that demands as little ingredients as possible- Pepper/Chili Chicken. Chili Pepper is one of the world's most important spices and in this dish, it is a Star.  Serve this dish with your choice of tortilla or as a side with daal (lentil soup) and steaming hot rice!

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Pepper Chicken is a super quick and easy recipe to make and packed with flavors. The dish is as versatile as it sounds and can be made with a number of chili pepper varieties for a varied taste every time to use a different pepper. Here's one of the most easiest dish with the least amount of ingredients!. An amazing side with Daal (lentil soup) and steaming hot rice!

Moqueca | Brazilian Fish Stew

Moqueca Recipe  | How to make Brazilian Fish Stew

Fish in any style is my favorite. Moqueca is a one-pot recipe that can be cooked in minutes- a soup-meal you can never deny! Try out the recipe below and let us know your comments. 

Author: Racheal D'Souza

A dish as old as 300 years where the fish is cooked with tomatoes, onions, garlic, parsley, coconut milk and lime. The rare use of plantain to this version of Moqueca (Pronounced as Mow-key-ka) celebrates the coastal flavors in this dish. 

There are many versions to this dish. The one in Northern parts of Brazil has an African influence while the one in South has been influenced by Portuguese and Spanish flavors. In this recipe, I have made an amalgamation of both these versions. 

The stew has been prepared with two of my favorite kinds of seafood- Shrimp and Cod. But please feel free to substitute those for your favorite kind!

Roasted Peanut Chutney

Roasted Peanut Chutney Recipe | How to make roasted peanut chutney

A tempered roasted peanut chutney that can go along very well with South Indian snacks like Dosa, Idli and Vada.

Author: Racheal D'Souza

During college, I had roommates who were from the Southern part of India. Often on Sunday mornings, I'd wake up to this aromatic smell of tempering with red chillies, curry leaves and mustard seeds. Immediately I'd know it's the Roasted Peanut Chutney!

Chicken Cafreal

Chicken Cafreal Recipe | How to make Goan- style Chicken Cafreal

Originating from the Portuguese colonies in the African continent, Cafreal is a very popular spicy preparation of chicken that involves green chillies, onions, garlic, ginger, spices and herbs. You can serve it with milk dinner rolls or bread.

Author: Atul Kotian

A traditional, tangy, spicy green chicken preparation that celebrates the flavors of Goa with every bite. The herb infused flavor along with the spices is a wonderful combination. The recipe tastes amazing with chicken drumsticks and thighs but you are free to use any other chicken parts. 

Mango Mousse

Easy Mango Mousse Recipe | How to make Mango Mousse

When it's summer, there's nothing better than quenching your Mango cravings. Undeniably, Mango is everyone's favorite and I hope you enjoy this amazing easy mousse recipe.

Author: Racheal D'Souza

A creamy Mango Mousse is an absolutely wonderful choice for a dessert after meal or even just a snack anytime of the day. The beauty of this recipe is that it uses Mango puree which can be store-bought off season or even better, made fresh when Mango is in season.

Since the only available mangoes that I could use were Atuaulfo (honey mango)- creamy and extremely sweet. I did not need to add any sugar to this recipe. 

For serving options, I have made 3 versions of the same Mango Mousse
1. Mousse topped with fresh Mango
2. Mousse topped with homemade Mango Jelly
3. Mousse topped with roasted almonds, pistachio and saffron

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Healthy Spinach Rice | Palak Rice

Healthy Spinach Rice Recipe | How to make Spinach Rice | Palak Rice recipe

Do you often have left over rice from your dinner last night and don't know what to do? Well, here's what you can do- Spinach rice. A one pot recipe as easy as it sounds, serve it by itself or with some fresh yoghurt! 

Author: Racheal D'Souza

Spinach (Palak) rice is a healthy one pot meal that you can prepare with left-over rice. A recipe so healthy, I'm sure theres nothing stopping you there!

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mushroom

Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mushroom Recipe | How to make Creamy Garlic Parmesan Mushroom


A simple quick and easy recipe for sautéed garlic mushrooms in a rich, creamy and mouth-watering cheese sauce infused with herb flavors. A dish you can cook in under 30 minutes. Serve it as a side or as base for your pasta.

Author: Racheal D'Souza

The Creamy Garlic Parmesan Recipe is a preparation of sautéed Mushrooms that is infused with the flavors of herbs and garlic cooked with a a creamy cheese based sauce.

Mushrooms are one of my favorites and now it will be your favorite too!

Serve these as a side or alongside some Pasta for a delicious meal