Baby You're a Firework! - The Gay Gourmet!™

Sandwiches are probably one of my most favorite things to eat! I LOOOOVE ME A GOOD SANDWICH! I mean let's not get things twisted here I wont accept just any sandwich.

I come from the land of sandwiches and pizza, Brooklyn, NYC accent and all! Okay maybe the accent only comes out when I drink too much, which is like every day...so I really mean..who are you to judge me?!?! I mean...We take these things VERY seriously. Just the right amount of meat and condiment and extras or it's all wrong!

There is an art to the sandwich and I am a firm believer that if you have someone else make you a sandwich it is always better than making one for yourself! Hence why I bring you one of my most favorite sandwiches ever...Ms. Sandy Firewich! (You really need to start trying to give all your food drag names...so hard but so amusing!!) aka Pulled Buffalo Chicken Sandwich!


You'll need the simplest of items...chicken thighs, FRANKS RED HOT®, celery, blue cheese & a touch of mayo!




boil & pull the chicken...piece it together....




& Baby you're a FIREWORK! - insert inspirational music here!




For the How To Video look here!






The List

* 6 bone in/skin on chicken thighs
* 3 Celery Stalks Cubed
* 1/2 cup Franks Red Hot Sauce
* 1 TBS Mayonnaise
* 1/4 to 1/2 cup Blue Cheese
* 4 to 5 Grated/crushed garlic
* Salt & Pepper
* Favorite Buns!


The How

1. Season Chicken with salt, pepper and garlic. In a a heavy bottomed pot place chicken and cover with enough water so they are fully submersed and boil over medium/high heat till tender...about 40 mins to an hour. (reserve liquid to use as stock for soups, pasta, etc)

2. Remove chicken and let cool.

3. Remove skins and then with two forks start pulling meat off bone.

4. Combine all ingredients with pulled chicken

5. Place on bun and enjoy!Feel free to serve it alongside a salad, your favorite chip or maybe even The Gay Gourmet's!™ Sweet Potato Fries!






Deliciosly Living,

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet!™

©2011 Michael Muñoz

Chocolate Contest!!! Enter NOW!

Spread the Chocri Love Contest!

1. Contest begins today Monday March 28th & ends Friday April 8th at 12pm.

2. What do you win?!? A 20 dollar gift cert. provided by yours truely!

3. How do I enter?!?! well here's what you gotta do..

a. Click this link CHOCOLATE and check out Chocri. Have fun creating chocolate bar ideas! CLICK THE CHOCOLATE

b. Then come back here and leave a comment about what you think would be a good Gay Gourmet!™ inspired chocri bar! It can be anything! The more creative and fun the more chance you will have to win!

Ways to double, triple or quadruple your chances?


a. Goto my Facebook page, like me and leave a comment (if you already like me there just leave a comment) Appropriate comments can be "Put It In me" "I heart Chocolate" "Attention Whore!" "Silly Gay Gourmet!™" etc.

b. Tweet this post and tag me in it! @thegaygourmet

c. Share this post on Facebook and tag me in it!


4. Winner will be selected at random on Friday April 8th.

5. The most eager, creative, fun and delicious sounding will win!

You're time begins......now!! Good luck & God Speed!!



Deliciously Living,

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet!™

©2011 Michael Muñoz

Put It In Me!!! - Vol. 2 An Ode To Chocolate - The Gay Gourmet!™

Oh chocolate
how I love thee
the decadent the better
it fills me with glee

I love all your incarnations
from dark to white
just like I like my men
tasty and full of delight

Oh chocolate
how I do indeed love thee
you'll always be in my heart
especially when you come from a place called
CHOCRI

-Michael "the poet" Muñoz

So I'm a little bit of a douche because a while ago I won a 20 dollar gift certificate from Snack Girl to a wonderful design your own chocolate bar site and I completely forgot to blog about how amazing my experience was.





First off a shout out and a huge thank you goes out to my hot sister blogger Snack Girl! Without you I would have not started my obsession with Chocri! Maybe I should be cursing your name instead?? hahhaha.. Visit her here.. SNACKALICIOUS!

So you may be askin' yourself what is this Chocri you speak of? Well it's the world's first design your own chocolate bar company and boy do they know what they are doin! You can read more about how they started by just clicking About

In my order I created 2 bars, both dark, one with Bourbon Vanilla and sour cherries and the other I call Ms. Coco-berry Rita! aka Coco-strawberry Margarita Bar. It had strawberries and coconut of course, lime drops, and fluer du sel! It was a taste of summer in the dead of winter that was for sure! SO FREAKIN' GOOD! The Vanilla Cherry one was slightly reminiscent of a Raisinete in the best/fanciest way possible as Chorci chocolate is worlds beyond better than Nestle. It definitely brought me back to the days of sitting on my stoop in Brooklyn with my friends. Yes that doesn't only happen in the commercials/movies.





My experience from start to finish with Chocri was exceptional! They even wrote me an email to check up on how my bars arrived! What?!?! Who does that? They do. May they prosper forever cause I certainly can't wait till I get my hands on another bar!

Seeming how much I love this product I figured it was time for another contest so I can spread the love! Here are the deets...

Spread the Chocri Love Contest!

1. Contest begins today Monday March 28th & ends Friday April 8th at 12pm.

2. What do you win?!? A 20 dollar gift cert. provided by yours truely!

3. How do I enter?!?! well here's what you gotta do..

a. Click this link CHOCOLATE and check out Chocri. Have fun creating chocolate bar ideas! CLICK THE CHOCOLATE

b. Then come back here and leave a comment about what you think would be a good Gay Gourmet!™ inspired chocri bar! It can be anything! The more creative and fun the more chance you will have to win!

Ways to double, triple or quadruple your chances?


a. Goto my Facebook page, like me and leave a comment (if you already like me there just leave a comment) Appropriate comments can be "Put It In me" "I heart Chocolate" "Attention Whore!" "Silly Gay Gourmet!™" etc.

b. Tweet this post and tag me in it! @thegaygourmet

c. Share this post on Facebook and tag me in it!


4. Winner will be selected at random on Friday April 8th.

5. The most eager, creative, fun and delicious sounding will win!

You're time begins......now!! Good luck & God Speed!!


Deliciously Living,

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet!™

©2011 Michael Muñoz

Where are the Simple Joys Of Gaydenhood? - The Gay Gourmet!™

As we all know, your trusty Gay Gourmet!™ is one to be unconventional, fearless, fun, silly and thensome! So why not live your life and have your food be the same way! Ms. Julie Andrews professes in Camelot..

"St. Genevieve...St. Genevieve shan't I be young before I'm old?!?!"

Okay get to the point...I know..I know!! There is nothing I like more than jazzing up the simplest of things! It really is the Simple Joys of Mai(or Gay)denhood that are the most exciting! (If you keep missing the reference click here DUH It's not Julie but she does well!)

Really though, there is nothing easier or more fun to jazz up/add some spice to than whipped cream! I mean who doesn't love them some good whipped cream? Whether it's part of an icebox cake, on top of your favorite pie or even on your spouse, whipped cream has brought joy to the mouths of many for centuries!

So with all that said I give you my...

Chamboard Whipped Cream aka Ms. Licker Cream! (It really is so much fun to give your recipes drag names!)


I start with a few essentials...liquor, cream & sugar...




Beat the hell out of it....some may even call me a Master Beater!






and voila! Sooooo easy!





If you need further assistance this How To Video is one of my fav's!





The List..

* 1/2 pint Heavy Whipping Cream
* 1.5 shots (2.25oz) of Chambord or any sweet Liquer
* 1 TBS Confectioners Sugar

The How to...

1. In a metal bowl that has been cooled in the fridge place all ingredients.

2. Beat by hand or machine (The is always more satisfaction/gratification by hand..Don't You get any ideas!) till stiff peaks are held!

3. Serve it up on your favorite dessert or person!


Deliciously Living,

Michael Muñoz

The Gay Gourmet!™


©2011 Michael Muñoz

Momma G's Corned Beef! -The Gay Gourmet!™

Yes, I know St. Patrick's Day was last week. Yes, I know I probably should blog about these things before they happen. Yes, I know I'm late and YES I know I'm Puerto Rican so what am I doing even celebrating St. Patty's day?

Actually, my family has been celebrating St. Pat's for as long as I can remember. My Grandmother who was Momma G's mom would make Corned beef, cabbage and boiled potatoes like none other. Green carnations were strewn across the house & the luck o' the Irish filled our spirits!

Well tradition was passed down to Momma G and this year it was about time I learned. Plus a little piece of me believes Momma Gladys wants a piece of this blog action. SO she walked me through it step by step, took some photos & wrote a recipe just for you!

So without further adieu...

Momma Gladys' St. Patty's Day Corned Beef & Cabbage with Boiled Potatoes!

For this you will need

* 1 corned beef (preferably the one that comes with the seasoning packet & that is thin cut)
* 1 medium cabbage
* About 1lb to 1.5 lbs of small red potatoes
1 Irish Soda bread (Amy's Bread makes a fabulous one!)

Spices -
* 2 tbs black pepper
* 1/4 cup chopped parsley
* 1/4 cup fresh chopped oregano
* 1 medium yellow onion
* 1 medium red onion
* 2 Heineken beers (12oz bottles)





1. In a large pot (filled 3/4 of the way with water) add pepper, chopped parsley & oregano & the seasoning packet that came with the corned beef. Put that on high flame until it boils.




2. Cut the yellow & red onion into 4 pieces each. Wash the corned beef. When the water boils, introduce the corned beef (fat side up) and put in the onions. (you will cook it for 1hr per pound-- ex: if the meat weighs 4lbs-- you have to cook it for 4 hrs.) (Check it occasionally)





3. When the water evaporates to a little less than 1/2, pour in the beers and add a little more water, if needed to cover the meat.





4. Next about 1/2hr to 45 mins before the meat is done, wash the potatoes & the cabbage (discarding the big green leaves.) Place potatoes in water with salt & the cabbage you will cut in 4 pieces (make sure you cut the heart out & discard) & place in another pot with water & salt. Bring water to boil and Cook till fork tender.





5. When done drain the potatoes & cabbage. When the corned beef if cooked, remove from pot and put on cutting board and cut amount needed into thin slices. (put remainder back into pot)





6. Serve the meat with a little spicy mustard (either on side or on top) with the red potatoes cut in half. The cabbage (with a little olive oil & bit of vinegar) on top.





7. Put a slice of the Irish soda bread on the side & serve your meal with nice cold beer!




ENJOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hug's & Kisses

Momma Gladys



Well there it is folks. An Irish meal done by a feisty Hispanic lady! Let me know how it goes if you decide to keep your St. Patty's day party goin'! I guess I'm gonna have to think of leftover creations now? I'll get right on that!

Deliciously Living,

Michael Muñoz

The Gay Gourmet!™

©2011 Michael Muñoz

Red Velvet Pancakes with Vanilla Marscapone ala The Gay Gourmet!™

While reading all these other food blogs I noticed at some point that it was national pancake week. So sue me that I'm a little late here but all of this food stuff is a lot to keep up with when you're a career girl like I am!




SO many people had so many great ideas from cinnamon swirl to yellow cake to the lightest fluffiest buttermilk pancakes I've ever tasted! I knew I had to come up with something fabulous to even be in the mix (pun intended) with all these faboo foodies!





So I thought pancakes....hmmm... paaancaakes...paancakes...and I had nothing. Well whats my favorite cake? CHOCOLATE! but chocolate is a little over done and definitely not fabulous enough to go up against these other pancakes I was seeing. But then I thought RED VELVET! Who doesn't love them some Red Velvet Cake? You get something interesting with some chocolate too!!!







I remember discovering Red Velvet when I was a youngin' and I couldn't get enough. Then I found Magnolia Bakery and I though it couldn't get any better till LuLu Cake Boutique made me want to do dirty dirty things with their Red Velvet Twinkies/Red Velvet Anything! They know how to do Red Velvet better than anyone I know! I digress...






So here I am wanting Red Velvet Pancakes now and thinking what is the best, yet easiest, way to go about making these pancakes? I scoured Red Velvet recipes and then it got complicated! Finally, I figured it out and here it is just for you in many forms! I hope you enjoy! Please let me know what you think!!!!





The How To Video!!





The List

* 1 1/2 cups of All Purpose Flour

* 2/3 cup Red Velvet Cake Mix (I used Duncan Hines)

* 1 tablespoon sugar

* 3/4 teaspoon baking powder

* A pinch of salt

* 2 large eggs beaten

* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

* 1.5 to 2 cups milk

Vanilla Marscapone

* 2 tablespoons Marscapone

* 1 Tablespoon Vanilla


The How To!

In a medium bowl mix/whisk your flour, cake mix, sugar, baking powder & salt till combined. In another bowl or large measuring cup combine your beaten eggs, vanilla and milk. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and beat whisk till combined!

Preheat a nonstick pan set over medium heat and melt a pat of butter! You can also spray it lightly with nonstick cooking spray but we are making Red Velvet Pancakes so suck it up and use you some butter! Use a small ladle full to pour the batter into the pan. Cook the pancakes on the first side until bubbles form on the top, about 3-4 minutes. Use a spatula to flip the pancakes and cook on the second side fr about 30 to 40 seconds till cooked through. Repeat with the remaining batter.

Keep the pancakes warm in the oven set on warm or just a low temp until you've cooked all of them, if desired.

While your pancakes are cookin' take the marscapone and mix it with the vanilla.

When you serve your pancakes garnish with some real maple syrup and a teaspoon dollop of the vanilla marscapone. ENJOY MY LITTLE DUCKIES!!





Deliciously Living,

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet!™


©2011 Michael Muñoz

In the still of the night... - The Gay Gourmet!

Apologies all around that your fearless Gay Gourmet!™ has been missing in action over the past week! When I found out Uncle Sam wants to suck the lint out of my already empty pockets I had to bump up the work/prostitution hours to pay him on time!

Note: If you're thinking about becoming an NYC Artist or have a kid that wants to come to NY to do theatre, save all your pennies and then some for tax season or convince them to go to med school!!

Anywho, as I've been working like a mad man I've been pondering and thinking about this blog a lot...and you're gonna see a lot of changes, hopefully, over the next month so bear with me and feel free to let me know what you like and don't!!

ONWARD AND UPWARD!!

So over the past week of being overly busy with every last aspect of my working life I had very little time to cook and truth be told the last thing I wanted to do was come home to cook. BUT WHAT'S A BOY (who has to keep up appearances since he is single & taking applications) TO DO IF HE WANTS TO STAY SKINNY & HOT?!?! cook! Cook!! COOK HONEY!!!

One of my healthy & easy go to meals is Turkey Burgers with Baked Sweet Potato Fries! Watch and learn!

And awaaaaay we gooo!!





Grab two nice sized Sweet potatoes & preheat oven to 375





Julienne them into fry like shapes!





on an aluminum lined baking sheet lay them flat in one layer. Drizzle and toss lightly with olive oil.




Salt & Pepper (for added kick try cinnamon or red pepper flakes too!)
Throw in the oven for about 35 to 40 mins till crispy!

Told you it was easy...NEXT!!!



Grab about a pound and a half of ground turkey (99% lean is what I like)





grab and chop a nice handful of cilantro (I'm a little bewildered by the fact that some don't like cilantro & if this is you, you can substitute parsley and/or rosemary & sage)





Next throw in a nice heaping tablespoon of pureed garlic (it can also be grated or chopped, 5 or 6 cloves will do)





Salt & pepper





Knead, massage and hand mix (Get Down & dirty folks!! Don't you get any ideas...gross)





Grab about a small palm-full and form into patty..







heat grill pan over medium heat& lightly grease using some nonstick spray (Smart Balance now makes one! Get your Omega 3's in a spray can!) or a tsp of EVOO!

drop patty or patties in pan for about 6 to 8 mins and then flip!






top with some sharp cheddar tomato & my Pineapple Guac and you are ready to go!!

Deliciously Living,

Michael Muñoz
The Gay Gourmet!™

©2011 Michael Muñoz

Baked Sweet Potato Fries

* 2 Medium/large Sweet Potatoes
* 1 TBS Olive Oil
* Salt & Pepper (Cinnamon or Red Pepper Flakes if you choose!)

1. Preheat oven to 375
2. Wash & Julienne Sweet potatoes
3. On a baking sheet lay fries in a single layer and lightly toss in Olive Oil
4. Salt & pepper (Feel Free to throw on a little cinnamon or red pepper flakes for some extra spice)
5. Bake for 35 to 40 mins till crisp!


Sassy & Simple Turkey Burgers

* 1.5 lbs 99% lean Ground Turkey
* 1/2 cup chopped Cilantro (or parsley, or rosemary & sage)
* 1 TBS Chopped garlic
* Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese (optional)
* Pineapple Guac(optional)
* Salt & Pepper

1. Combine cilantro, garlic & salt & pepper with ground turkey.
2. Incorporate with hands and form patties
3. Heat grill pan or skillet over medium heat& lightly grease using some nonstick spray (Smart Balance now makes one! Get your Omega 3's in a spray can!) or a tsp of EVOO!
4. cook for 6 to 8 mins each side
5. top with cheese, guac and serve with fries!