Top 4 Brunch Dishes To Cure Your Hangover

Feeling groggy after a wild night out? Instead of staying home and suffering through the symptoms of hangover, come out to Brooklyn Kitchen - a family-owned cooking store that offers ingredient-driven groceries, quality tools and equipment, and technique-based recreational cooking classes - for a chance to make mouthwatering dishes that are not only delicious, but will also cure your worst hangover!

Don’t worry if you are a novice cook. Brooklyn’s Kitchen’s friendly staff and volunteers will guide you through every step to perfecting these sweet and savory brunch dishes.

1. Chicken and Ginger Spinach Soup

Nothing is more comforting than a bowl of warm chicken soup, which helps to restock sodium and water levels in the body. Chicken also contains cysteine, which gives the liver a much needed boost. Ginger works wonders for nausea relief and contains anti-inflammatory compounds. Finally, spinach is rich with potassium, an important electrolyte that is often depleted during alcohol intake.

2. Bloody Mary Egg Bake with Bacon Crumble

Inspired by everyone’s favorite brunch cocktail, the Bloody Mary Egg Bake with Bacon Crumble offers a kick of spiciness from the hot sauce to wake up your senses. Eggs pack a ton of cysteine, an amino acid that breaks down toxins in your body. Tomatoes help pack simple sugars to get your levels up and running again, and its inflammatory benefits don’t hurt either.

3. Everything Bagel Avocado Toast with Mascarpone and Red Onion Pickle

Avocado is everyone’s favorite new, trendy ingredient for brunch. The nutritional content of avocados can counteract dizziness and weakness that results from heavy drinking. Apple cider vinegar in the pickled onion can help dissolve foreign substances in your body, and also balance pH levels and increase deficient minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium and iron.

4. Lemon Thyme Bread

And after all the savory dishes, who can say “No” to a sweet treat? The Lemon Thyme Bread packs rich scent from fresh thyme and lemon peel. After baking in the oven for 40-50 minutes, the bread is crispy crust and dense yet moist inside that just melts in your mouth. Top it off with a dollop of creamy Greek yogurt and drizzle it with honey, and you’ve got yourself the perfect dish to end the brunch.

Summer Fancy Food Show: These Are a Few of My Favorite Things

Every summer at the biennial Fancy Food Show, the Javits Center in New York City turns into a massive food hall as thousands of specialty food vendors from across the world occupy the space to showcase their finest culinary goods. The quality and the variety of food items displayed at this year's show was no exception - these are just a few of my favorite things! SAVORY Fusion Jerky Step aside, boring ole' beef jerky, because a new type of jerky is in town and it is absolutely delicious! Fusion Jerky combines the tenderness and bold flavors of Asian style jerky with fun, fruity American flavors. Don't limit yourself to the traditional beef jerky - instead, try other proteins like pork, turkey, and chicken jerky. One of the many unique flavors is the Basil Citrus Artisan Chicken Jerky, which is made with succulent chicken breasts marinated with fresh herbs and citrus peel. Pasta Chips Pasta Chips are low in calories, fat, sodium, and cholesterol without sacrificing the delicious taste that snack lovers crave. These chips are the brainchild of CEO Jerry Bello, who was inspired to recreate the popular Italian dish of baked fresh pasta dough topped with olive oil and sea salt during a trip to the Tuscan Countryside of Italy. The result? Mouthwatering Pasta Chips that include classic Italian flavors like Marinara, Alfredo, and Garlic Olive Oil. Also try the new Veggie Pasta Chips, which are infused with actual vegetables like spinach, broccoli and kale. Ozery Bakery Started as a small, family-owned bakery 19 years ago, Ozery Bakery produces delicious packaged breads that are great for breakfast and lunch. Its iconic fruit and grain buns called Morning Rounds are fiber-rich and heart-healthy. Try the Date & Chia, which is filled with Chia seeds, sweet dates, and sunflower seeds and is free of artificial preservatives. Also try the newly launched Soft Ciabatta Thins - they will make you rethink those boring buns for your sandwiches! Victoria Find Foods As the leading slow kettle-cooked pasta sauce manufacturer in the U.S., Victoria Fine Foods - a Brooklyn-based company founded in 1929 - uses fresh ingredients for its specialty Italian sauces and condiments. Using traditional cooking methods, Victoria sauces are slow kettle-cooked in small batches to ensure rich flavor and a homemade taste. Try its traditional Marinara sauces, as well as the vegan sauces that include Alfredo and Vodka sauces. SeaSnax As the original vegan, gluten-free, and non-GMO Project Verified seaweed snack, SeaSnax lives up to its reputation by producing delicious and healthy snacks for children and adults alike. Lightly roasted using organic seaweed, these snacks are rubbed with 100% organic extra virgin olive oil and just a pinch of sea salt. SeaSnax contains no artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Try its new flavors - Barbecue and Jalapeno + Lime - and you will immediately dump those unhealthy potato chips. Munk Pack Rethink your typical oatmeal with Munk Pack, a satisfying mix of whole grain rolled oats, flax, and delicious fruits that provides an excellent source of fiber and energy to sustain you throughout the day. The best part of Munk Pack is that each serving is packed into a pouch that you can eat on-the-road. Try interesting flavors like Raspberry Coconut - a blend of ripe red raspberries, oats, and coconut shreds - to experience a muesli-like texture along with the smoothness of a puree. Munk Pack is a truly eclectic twist on oatmeal. Lola Granola Bar Powered by simple yet nutritious local ingredients, Lola Granola Bars are the perfect way to satisfy your hunger while providing key nutrients. The core ingredients in these gluten free bars are sourced locally, such as Massachusetts cranberries, New Jersey blueberries, and New York honey and gluten free oats. Each bar is named after the founder's children and nephew, like the delectable Lola that teems with vibrant cranberries and almonds, as well as the decadent Nathan that brims with blueberries and almonds. SWEETS Chuao Chocolatier Specializing in ethically sourced chocolates, Chuao Chocolatier launched its latest addition - breakfast-inspired chocolate bars - to the collection of culinary driven sweets. Both the flavors and the texture in Cinnamon Cereal Smooch and Strawberry Waffle Wild add a unique, interesting surprise to the smooth and rich milk chocolate. Lenny & Larry's Who said vegan treats that are packed with protein can't be delicious? Lenny & Larry's makes delicious vegan cookies and brownies that are rich in protein and fiber. Among the variety of cookie flavors that ranged from the old-fashioned snickerdoodle to classic chocolate chips, I would recommend the pumpkin spice. Each bite of the dense yet moist cookie packsa kick of rich pumpkin flavor. The protein brownies could serve as the perfect snack after a workout (each brownie has 20 grams of protein!) or after a savory meal. Perhaps you can even top it with vegan ice cream! Brownie Brittle Sheila G.'s crunchy brownie snacks are a great way to satisfy your sweet tooth without the guilt. Imagine these thin brownie squares - made with Sheila's family recipe for fudge brownies - as rich, dense, and perfectly sweet brownies with loads of crispy and crunchy edges. Each bite of the wafer-thin Mint Chocolate Chip Brownie Brittle, packed with minty morsels of chocolate chips, is enough to turn anyone into a brownie piece addict. Brownie Points These square-shaped brownies from Brownie Points bring back memories of childhood when your mother hands you a piece of fresh-out-of-the-oven brownies with warm, gooey center. In addition to the gourmet brownies made with freshest ingredients with no preservatives, Brownie Points also specializes chocolate-covered treats, such as crunchy popcorn with chocolate and caramel drizzles and hand-dipped pretzel rods and twists. Lucy's Gluten free? Allergic to nuts? Vegan? No problem! Lucy's specializes in allergy-friendly sweets made without wheat, dairy, butter, eggs, or peanuts. Its newest treat, Triple Chocolate Brownie Crisp, features a delectable mix of dark chocolate chunks, chocolate chips, cocoa, and organic Madagasca vanilla to create a symphony of deep, rich flavor. Also try Lucy's collection of vegan cookies, like the Ginger Snaps made with real ginger, lemon, and a tad of chipotle spice. Belgian Boys A manufacturer of delicious Belgian snacks and sweets, Belgian Boys has made a namesake by selling its goodies across the US, Asia, and Europe. Among its indulgent products are the brand new Cone Bite, a tasty mini waffle cone filled with real Belgian Callebaut dark chocolate and an intensely flavored creamy milk chocolate fudge that will melt in your mouth. Try all three flavors, including Candy, Caramel, and Hazelnut. You can taste the small chunks of colorful candy pieces, creamy caramel, or crunchy roasted hazelnut that bring the smooth play on textures in this heavenly cone. DRINKS Califia Farms The variety of products by Califia Farms - the fastest-growing natural beverage company - ranges from almond milk to cold brew coffee to fruit juices. Its best-selling almond milk, made with raw, California almonds, pairs perfectly with cereal or just by itself because of its remarkably creamy and subtly sweet flavor. Don't miss Califia Farms' seasonal drinks, such as Pumpkin Spice Latte with almond milk or dreamy Cinnamon Horchata, when they are in season. Mocktails Brand A first of its kind line of natural, ready-to-drink non-alcoholic cocktails, Mocktails Brand are made for non-drinkers, drinkers, and health conscious consumers alike. You can drink these delicious mocktails straight from the re-usable glass shaker bottle, or pour over alcohol for a quick and easy cocktail. Flavors include Karma Sucra Cosmopolitan, Vida Loca Margarita, Sevilla Red Sangria, and Scottish Lemonade Whiskey Sour. KeVita KeVita's unique line of bubbly probiotic drinks are made for healthy, active consumers. At the heart of each drink is its proprietary culture with four strains of live probiotic. The drinks are also low in calories with no added sugar. Try the Hibiscus Berry, which has a refreshing flavor from a blend of flowers, berries, and probiotics. Another favorite is the Lemon Cayenne which has a kick of spicy added to the drink. Chai Diaries Inspired by the founder's desire to create a sustainable business that upholds the values of "self-realization through daily activities," Chai Diaries was created to showcase a chic brand of premium teas made with whole, organic ingredients. Chai Diaries specialty teas are available in whole, loose, or 100 percent biodegradable pyramid tea bags. Cheribundi Cherries, particularly tart cherries, are often praised as the "Super Fruit" because they are packed with antioxidants that help with weight loss, healthy heart, and peaceful sleep. Cheribundi, which produces tart cherry juice, is one of the best and only source of pure tart cherry. Each serving of the beverage contains up to 50 tart cherries. Takeya Join the flash chill movement with Takeya this summer. Flash Chill is the latest innovative way to brew tea, chilling freshly brewed tea in seconds, locking in freshness, flavor, and nutrients at its peak, and delivering the perfect glass of iced tea. Takeya manufactures home beverage making systems and drink ware that are designed to save consumers time and money, as well as to promote a healthy lifestyle.

Spicy Chicken Sandwich and Bland Avocado Sandwich from Andala in Cambridge

Harvard students have the tendency to think that anywhere outside of Harvard Square is simply too far. This notion restricts many students to the "Harvard Bubble," preventing them from venturing into other parts of Cambridge/Boston. While spending a part of summer in Cambridge, I visited a couple of restaurants and cafes in Kendall Square and Central Square, including Andala Cafe. According to its website, Andala opened to serve as "a warm place where people can socialize in an environment that fosters intimate conversations."

In addition to coffee and tea, Andala offers Middle Eastern food. My friend and I decided to get a vegetarian dish and a meat dish and share them. The Chicken Khalili Sandwich ($8.95) is grilled chicken with jalapeno peppers in Jerusalem salad sauce, served in toasted Arabic bread. The dish came with hummus and some vegetable sticks on the side.

The Arabic bread looked like pita, but it was thinner with crunchier exterior. I wasn't sure whether to pick up the food and eat it like a sandwich or use utensils because the bread was too thin and everything inside sort of fell apart.

Inside the two thin slices of Arabic bread were grilled chicken, lots of jalapeno peppers, yogurt-like dressing, and basils.

The sandwich would have been...edible if there weren't jalapeno peppers because these were extremely spicy! I literally took a bite and couldn't eat it anymore. The spiciness from the peppers was definitely way too overpowering.

The Avocado Press Sandwich ($7.95) didn't have any description in the menu, so I had no idea what to expect except that there will be avocado inside. Like the chicken sandwich, it was served in Arabic bread, but it had potato salad on the side instead of hummus. The sandwich was sprinkled with basil on top.

Inside the sandwich were huge chunks of avocado, tomatoes, romaine lettuce, some sort of black bean puree sauce, and...lots of mozzarella cheese. I wish I had asked what was in there because the sandwich would have been perfect sans cheese.

The Avocado sandwich was a sharp contrast to the chicken sandwich because it tasted rather bland. Rotating a bite of the chicken sandwich and a bite of the avocado sandwich, therefore, was very complementary :)

Bansuk, or Half-Baked, Castera

I have been dying to try the Bansuk Castera at the Lotte Department Store since last summer when I first saw its plastic model in the case on display. This half-baked castera is made with rice powder instead of flour, and has rich custard-like fillings in the center made with egg yolk and milk.

The castera came in a small box with its brand logo. These days, everything is about branding...

The castera was about the size of two fists. It had a wrapping on the side.

Once I peeled the wrapping, the custard filling oozed from the side. I could smell the strong aroma of the egg yolk.

I used a spoon to poke at the center. Like half-frozen ice of a lake, the top shell broke really easily and the spoon dunked into a pool of soft cream.

So bubbly!

The castera was sort of messy to eat. I just used the spoon to scoop up the bread and the creamy fillings.

The castera was extremely moist and chewy, probably from the rice powder. It also wasn’t overly sweet.

The custard inside added moistness to the already soft, moist cake.

Baking at Home: Sweet Potato "Bread"

I love to eat, to take pictures, and to write about food. However, I don't have much experience cooking. The last time I tried baking at home, the cookies turned into biscuits because I didn't add butter (I substituted it with apple sauce). Hey, at least they were healthy.

I tried my luck again at healthy cooking today. I was surfing on the web when I stumbled upon a recipe for sweet potato bread. Because Mom had asked me a few minutes earlier whether I wanted to eat sweet potato, I knew we had the most important ingredient already at home. The recipe only required sweet potato, milk, honey, and egg, so I thought, "Why not bake?"

First, grab the sweet potato and washed them in cold water. I thought my hands were going to freeze! I made sure to scrub the skin to get rid of any dirt.

Next, cut each end of the sweet potato.

I sliced them into pieces so that they would cook faster.

Put the washed & cut sweet potato in a pot and boil them until cooked. It's best to poke it with a toothpick or a fork to check whether they are cooked all throughout.

While you wait for the sweet potato to cook, get one egg and separate the yolk.

Whip the white egg until it becomes bubbly. The more you whip, the softer the bread becomes at the end.

Once the sweet potato is cooked, take it out of the boiling pot and peel the skin. Make sure to peel them when they are hot (but not extremely hot that you burn your hands!) so that the skin comes off more easily.

Mash the sweet potato ruthlessly.

Add the egg yolk and 100ml of nonfat milk. I had to improvise the recipe because we didn't have milk. Instead I added soy milk.

Whip and mash the mixture until it becomes smooth.

Add the egg whites into the mixture and gently whip toss and fold them together.

Put the finalized mixture into a microwavable plate/dish.

Spread evenly so the sweet potato cooks throughout.

Pop it in the microwave for 7 to 8 minutes. Oh, the convenience of not having to use the oven!

Tada!

Decorate it with whatever "toppings" you want (fruits, nuts, and/or whipped cream right before consumption).

The sweet potato "bread" did not have any bread-like texture or flavor. It tasted just like mashed sweet potato, just a bit harder, more dense, and in a distinct, rectangular shape.

Because the sweet potato already had a sweet taste, I didn't add any sweetner, honey, or sugar. The rich flavor of the sweet potato permeated throughout the whole product. The outside was slightly dry, but the moistness remained inside.

Cheers to a healthy dessert/snack!