For years – many more years than I’d care to admit to – I would call my mom with cooking questions.
I remember my first attempt at Arroz con Pollo. “Do I have to use the pressure cooker?” (I got over my fear of pressure cooking pretty quickly, but that’s not important right now.) “Canned asparagus. Really?” and “Is the beer at the end really important?” (FYI – it totally is!)
It turns out that when it came to cooking Cuban food Luza was always right. She had been cooking for our family since forever and knew her way around the kitchen pretty well. And, of course, I learned to cook at her side, so it was natural for me to call asking for advice.
And now, it’s my turn. I’m on the receiving end of those calls. It’s the circle of life, isn’t it?
My friends over at We are MiTú did a web cooking show series where young people call their moms to ask how to make a favorite dish. My friend, Stephanie Lorenzo is the genius producer behind this web series.
Here is my youngest son, Jon calling me to ask How to Make Cuban Picadillo.
I’m so pleased that they captured this exchange. For one thing, now Jon is pretty confident when he makes Cuban Picadillo. So there’s a win right there. Also, we are pretty natural here, even though we did this with cameras rolling.
You can find my Cuban Picadillo recipe right here. It was handed down to me by my mom, who was taught how to make it by her mom, and I, in turn have taught my kids how to make it using the same family recipe.
And so our culture lives on…
It’s kind of beautiful, isn’t it?
We’ve come full circle. And that’s as it should be.
Buen Provecho!
Faustino Rodriguez says
Aw Marta that is a nice story. For years I also called my mom to ask her how to make different dishes.
Like you, I feared the pressure cooker until I got used to it and now I can’t live without it. My mom got me an electric pressure cooker for my birthday last year and I LOVE IT!! Much faster than the stove top models.
Picadillo QUE RICO!! Take care!
Marta Darby says
Thanks, Faustino!
That’s probably the biggest thing I miss: calling to ask her how to make something. But that’s “life in session,” isn’t it?
I have a Breville Fast/Slow Cooker that I love more than my children! (Shh! don’t tell them. LOL)
xo,
Marta
J. Scott Barnard says
I’ve been using your picadillo recipe since it was published on Babalublog and it still wins hearts, minds and stomachs today. Thank you!
Marta Darby says
Hi!!
It’s the same recipe that I posted on Babalu all those years ago! You’re so very welcome.
Thanks for letting me know. You made me smile.
xo,
Marta
Nanci Hernandez says
Luv it but no raisins please.
Marta Darby says
LOL! That’s so hilarious!!
xo,
Marta
Sylvia Sevante(Valle) says
I am a Cuban gringa( born in U.S.) and I love love our Cuban food. My six children and grandchildren come running when I cook Piccadillo. My mom was a terrific cook .She would add a little of this and a little of that until she got the right “gusto “.Many of your recipes remind me of her cooking. I always consult your menus whenever I try something new.😘
Sylvia Sevante(Valle) says
Oh…. and of course raisins in the Piccadilly!!!