Coqui The Chef's Page

The original meaning for the word smoothy or smoothie dates back to the early 1900's meaning a smooth-tongued person. The word smoothie evolved in the 1960's when there was a resurgence in the United States in macrobiotic vegetarianism. Health restaurants adorned the idea with popular fruit juice smoothie in their menus.

The word smoothie didn't really become generic until Smoothie King of Kenner, Louisiana made the word a household name. Although he didn't invent the word smoothie he refers it… Continue

The best pizzas are made in Little Italy, New York.
The perfect place to go find out: What does the word "pizza" mean?
I visited every Pizzeria in the town and asked:

Amici Miei, what does the word "pizza" mean?

Their answer:

Food (really!)
Pinch (ouch!)
Pluck (ouch again!)
To pound or crush (brutal!)
Mouthful (where do they get these meanings?)
Tomato-based pie (yummy!)
Well I got my answers and summed it up. The word "pizza" means tomato-based pie food you can pinch, pluck, pound and crush… Continue

On my trip to Spain, I visited a famous Flamenco restaurant. I was awed to see such wonderful Flamenco dancers. I became curious of their style of dance, their intricate hand movement and footwork.
"Where do they get all this energy?" I asked myself.
Just as I was about to ask them they handed me a bowl of cold soup. The smell was intriguing, the taste fabulous. I savoured every vegetable ingredient.
After I finished eating I felt a desire to move my feet and hands. It was like a Flamenco dance… Continue