Pulpeta (Not Meatloaf) I have a confession to make. I’m really kind of embarrassed about this, but here goes. . . I spent years being disappointed by good old-fashioned American-style meatloaf. There. I said it. Growing up in a Cuban household here in the U.S.A. brings with it lots of cultural confusion. Meatloaf is my own personal hot button. ...
Lechon in the Crockpot Recipe
Lechón Asado Recipe - In the Crockpot! From the archives - for your holiday pleasure.... I love to tell stories. This is part of my Cuban legacy. As Val (from Babalú Blog) and I discussed before I started doing this feature, I will probably have a story to tell each time I post a recipe. Today's story has an interesting twist. My mom (the 93 ...
Oven-Baked Spanish Tortilla Recipe
When is a Tortilla NOT a Tortilla? from Marta’s Cuban American Kitchen Every now and then I get a craving for something that appears unusual to my kids but was just part of a regularly scheduled menu item in my Cuban American household when I was growing up. And I realize just a beat too late that they haven’t had the same upbringing that I have, ...
Cuban Black Bean Soup/Chili Recipe
Cookoff from Marta’s Cuban American Kitchen I have to feed about a dozen football fans on Superbowl Sunday. I would prefer to make one big pot of something rather than a bunch of little snacks. My husband suggests chili. One pot. Hearty. Will feed an army. “It’s a Superbowl Classic,” he argues. Okay, I might have to agree there, but . . ...
El Flan de La Reina Recipe
Cuban Flan Recipe de La Reina My mom calls herself La Reina del Flan (which would make me the Reigning Princess of Egg Custard, but that’s not important right now). On Christmas Eve, we sometimes have other desserts along with it, but in my big, fat, Cuban family, my mom’s flan is a given. I have a ritual I go through every Christmas with her. ...
Frituras de Harina de Maiz Recipe
Too Many Cooks from Marta’s Cuban American Kitchen My mom’s little sister is here visiting from Cuba. My (very opinionated) mom is 93. Her (very opinionated) little sister is 91. (Umm. . . duh, they’re opinionated – they’re Cuban!) They were both in my kitchen when I made the mistake of asking my aunt if there was anything she felt like eating ...
Elena Ruz Sandwich Recipe With a Twist
A Legend in My Own Mind from Marta’s Cuban American Kitchen I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Our family certainly did. And boy did we have leftover turkey! The re-heated turkey meal started to get old really fast. So I suggested sandwiches. Me: “Hey let’s make Elena Ruz’s.” My kids: “Mom, use your words.” (smart alecks!) “What ...
Frijoles Negros a la Latina Recipe
Spilling the Beans from Marta’s Cuban American KitchenWARNING: This is a bonafide blog-post hijacking. Mami (that’s Marta, La Cocinera to you) has been sick and you don’t want a sick person doing your cooking, so I (Kikita, hija de Marta) have taken over Marta’s Cuban American Kitchen this week. I promise to keep it simple. Out of all the ...
Frita Cubana Recipe
Frita Cubana Recipe Time Traveling I close my eyes and take one bite and suddenly I am unstuck in time … I’m in the heart of the city, which means I get to enjoy something amazing from one of the street vendors. By “the city,” I mean Havana, 1960. By “something amazing,” I mean a Cuban Frita. Small. Sweet, yet spicy. With that crunchy crown ...
Flan Cake Recipe
A Match Made in Heaven. Flan + Cake = Flan Cake Recipe I’m always on the look out for fabulous new recipes. The ideal recipe, whether for a main dish or a dessert, is something that is simple to make but looks complicated and is a little breathtaking. It should at the very least inspire ooohs and aaahs. This flan cake recipe is simple, delicious, ...
