I was in Burbank with my girls recently. Our intention was to get a quick bite (and some provisions to bring home) from Portos. Portos is a divine Cuban Bakery that's not too close to where we live, but very drivable in a pinch. And we had business in Burbank so we weren't even cheating. Of course we were deluding ourselves. A trip to ...
Cuban food
It’s Not Easy Being Green – Avocados from Mexico
Growing up Cuban meant we didn't eat many salads. And by "many," I mean, "none." For the most part, the only time green things appeared on our plates were the tiny, diced pieces of bell pepper in our sofrito. (For the uninformed, sofrito is at the beginning of most Cuban dishes. Sauteed onion, garlic, and green bell pepper ...
Ponzu Roasted Pork
When I'm cooking Cuban food, I have my familiar go-to items. I can make a good sofrito (sauté onion, garlic, bell pepper) in my sleep. And usually my marinade of choice is Bitter Orange (Naranja Agria). That is, until I found Ponzu. *cue angelic chorus* I am crazy-in-love with the citrusy goodness that is Ponzu. It's a lot like my beloved ...
Homemade Pastelitos de Guayaba – in 3 Acts.
I don't give it much thought anymore. One of my kids will say they are craving Cuban guava pastries (Pastelitos de Guayaba). This inevitably makes me smile because I remember having this same craving growing up. Sadly, it was only when we were on a random trip to L.A. that there was even a remote chance that my pastelito craving could be ...
Orange(!) is the new black. (A Giveaway)
I am waiting (a little impatiently) for my fabulous new kitchen appliances to be delivered. I think we're still about a week out from that. You would think I'd be totally content now since I'm getting all new appliances, but you know how it is, suddenly everything starts looking like it needs upgrading or replacing. *sigh* There is, ...
The Best of MBFCF in 2011
It's that time of year when I look back and see what has transpired in my life this past year. And it's moments like this when I realize how grateful I am that I started blogging. Here's a time capsule look back at 2011 - MBFCF style. I also did this for 2010 and 2009 and I'm so glad I did. It's quite a compilation of ...
For the Love of Rice. (A Cuban Christmas Giveaway)
As we're nearing the holiday countdown and making all the preparations, I'm all about making lists. I have a book with the following lists:My Christmas List My Crema de Vie Recipient List My Menu List My Grocery Shopping List My Stocking Stuffer List My Christmas Card List My Decorating List My Christmas Tag List (The to/from kind) My ...
Cuban Cold Remedy: Homemade Cuban Chicken Soup (and VapoRub on your feet?)
I'm sick. And so's Eric. *cough, sniff* We've got feverish-coughing-sneezing-and-hacking colds. *hack, sniff, achoo!* A good, old-fashioned snotty-stuffy-headed cold. And there are certain things one does when one is Cuban (or happens to live with a Cuban) and has a cold. Right now I'm trying to build up my Cuban Immunity Arsenal* (*or ...
Marta’s Cuban Christmas Shopping Guide: La Cantina
I am not the type to start decorating in November for Christmas. I know many of you do. I choose not to. I am patient when it comes to the festive home decor. I wait until about a week before Christmas to start. It's my own personal preference. I think it's just that much more magical, but that's not important right now. But I have ...
The “Sanweech Plancha” Winner
You know what I love about my readers? That you come in all shapes and sizes and have extraordinary taste in sandwiches. I confess that I'm surprised that a lot of you don't have your own sandwich "plancha." How do you grill, not just a Classic Cuban Sandwich, but what about a pan con lechón? Or a pan con bistec? (I may ...
