We've been having a crazy heat wave here in So Cal. Full disclosure - cooking has been the last thing on my mind. (I know. Shut up.) Still, I was kind of excited to participate in this month's Melissa's Produce Challenge: A Fall Side Dish. Although I'm not quite ready to throw on a scarf and boots - WAIT. Who am I kidding? This is California. ...
Melissa's Produce
Peach and Apricot Grunt Recipe
It's the first day of summer and because of recent events, we are ready to get outside and start our summer in earnest. Well, we have filled the little 10 ft. pool in the backyard and hung the outdoor lights and are ready to do some movie nights and do some outdoor dinners and eat some delicious summer foods. And by summer foods, I mean fruit. Do ...
Lemon Poppyseed Muffins
I'm not a big breakfast eater, but I sure do love my cafecito... and a little something sweet. Sometimes I grab a big mug of black coffee in the morning... and a little something sweet. When I was growing up breakfast was usually a café con leche... and a little something sweet. Because Cuban. Obviously the constant in my Breakfast Life is... a ...
It’s Rhubarb Season
I have a confession to make. (Warning: if you're waiting for a big, juicy "chisme," you'll most likely be disappointed, but that's not important right now.) The confession: Up until last week, I had no idea what rhubarb tasted like or what you could even do with it. (I know. Shut up.) I think I had heard somewhere that rhubarb pie was a thing, but ...
“Love My Berries” Trifle Recipe
February means Valentine's Day is almost here. *bats eyelashes in an attempt to look seductive* And while I usually create a chocolate recipe on Valentine's Day for personal reasons which can be found here and here, I am busting out of my chocolate mold - so to speak - to make a tasty fruit dessert for my berry-loving husband of British ...
Creamy Caramelized Onion Potato Soup
My latest Melissa's Produce Challenge Box arrived the other day and I was so excited. (Yay.) Let me invite you into my decision-making process when I open that box. Besides the oooh-ing and aaah-ing, I also have a moment where I assess everything that's in it and I make some notes about what food I could make in my attempt to use ALL the ...
Honey Balsamic Chicken and Veggie One Pan Meal
I've been up to my eyeballs in holiday planning. Wait. Did I hear one of you say, "Too soon?" I know. But if I don't start now, the magic doesn't quite happen like I want it to, so here we are. And because, holiday magic isn't going to make itself, I have to start making plans ASAP. So, I am particularly excited to share today's Challenge from ...
3 Times the Fun with Melissa’s Produce
Oye, people! I'm so enjoying the month of October. Because My Big Fat Cuban Family is 13 years old now which means all kinds of giveaways. I'm especially enjoying promoting all of my cyber-friends this month and I particularly love that they are sharing the love by sponsoring this super fun month of giveaways. I'm excited today to tell you all ...
Freaky Fruits and Spooky Sauces
Put down your pumpkin spice lattes, kids! I've got something you're going to like so much better. Does everyone know that it’s Freaky Fruit season? I know NOW. I did NOT know this tasty tidbit until my friends over at Melissa’s Produce (who know this kind of stuff; see this article) sent over a box of this season’s freakies (<--is that a word?) ...
Homemade Cherry Pop Tarts Recipe
I don't know how I've gotten this far in life without making Homemade Pop Tarts. I didn't even know it was A Thing. Did you know it was A Thing? I guess it's because my old-school Cuban generation was more in love with pastelitos de guayaba. FOR A MILLION GUAVALICIOUS REASONS, but that's not important right now. So, my friends over at Melissa's ...
Taking Movie Night Snacks To The Next Level
Summer has taken its sweet time arriving here in Southern California. And with summer comes my beloved Outdoor Movie Nights. (If you follow me on Instagram, be sure to look for the hashtag: #DarbySummerMovies) If you've been following my blog for any length of time, you know that I delight in not just choosing a movie to show, but in choosing ...
Roasted Artichokes with Dipping Sauces
I am all about Family Dinners right now. The reason, of course, is that my kids are all back in my area code and they're all loving the idea of having regular big family meals together. (Full disclosure: I have been selling them on what a fabulous idea family dinners are for years, but that's not important right now.) While I love cooking Cuban, ...
Impress the Guests Crispy Leaf Potatoes Recipe
Carnivores. That's what my people are. Serious carnivores. Every night at my table you'll find a beautiful top sirloin steak or glazed chicken or some fabulous pork dish, because Cuban. And when we're not serving rice and beans, we're singing the praises of potatoes. Sounds pretty dull, right? You'd be wrong there. My sides are never boring. ...
