Eat your way around the world
Makes 1 drink The bold flavor of mint, lime juice, and sugar come together in this classic Cuban drink. If you have time, a simple syrup made of water and sugar cooked together is another possibility for sweetening the drink. Ingredients: 1/8 cup superfine sugar a handful of fresh mint 1/2 lime, juiced 1 shot rum crushed ice Method: Gather your ingredients... Drop a healthy handful of fresh mint leaves into a glass. Add the sugar and mash it together with the … [Read more...]
If you're here in the USA, looking for another idea for a Cuban Thanksgiving dish (or if you're simply curious about Cuban food), I've dug up a fascinating sandwich recipe. Made on Cuban bread or white bread, the infamous "Elena Ruz," includes cream cheese, strawberry jam, and sliced turkey breast. Weird, right? Yet... somehow, that sweet jam reminds me of cranberry sauce and ... well ... it is just crazy enough - it might work! Here's Wikepedia's notes on the Elena Ruz: Another sandwich … [Read more...]
Makes one 10" bundt pan Cubans love flan in any shape, size, or flavor. This week we're cooking a pumpkin flan in honor of American Thanksgiving. This is the creamiest, sweetest, most luxurious pumpkin dessert ever. There are several tips for making excellent flan use high quality ingredients strain the flan mixture to get rid of all the little eggy bits and other yuckies that get in the way of perfect smoothness cool completely to allow the flan to set up firmly (it helps to … [Read more...]
Try as I might, I could not let the Cuban sandwich pass me by. Which means, of course, that Homemade Cuban bread is also required (Oh, happy day!). Sure... it isn't very Thanksgiving oriented (unless you throw some leftover roast Turkey in your Cuban Sandwich), but I'll make up for it with the best Pumpkin Flan ever. And if that won't do, dear friend, just have a Mojito. The Cuban Sandwich (Hot Pressed Pork Sandwich) [Recipe] A hot, pressed sandwich layered with mustard, ham, roast pork, … [Read more...]
Beam me up, Scotty. I'm ready for incredible stews, rich soups, and mind-blowing sandwiches. I'm ready for Cuba. Heck - it isn't even all that spicy. Just flavorful goodness. Count me in. Most of my Cuban research kept linking me back to Florida. There's one big reason - the size of Cuba (it is the largest country in the Caribbean)- and one simple reason - how close it is to Florida. Still authentic Cuban food has a distinct identity, whether it is enjoyed on the island or in the United … [Read more...]
I gave the wine bottle opener a final twist of the wrist, dropped the bunny ears, and smiled at the satisfying "pop" as the cork released the wine to the air. I brought my nose closer and gave the bottle a cautious sniff. I wanted it to be bad. Terrible. One step shy of vinegar would be okay. But I knew. I knew that, having paid an exorbitant fee of $5 for the wine, I was probably destined for a perfectly mediocre bottle. Darn. I took a sip and, as feared, the bottle was not terrible. … [Read more...]
Makes 1 serving Bambus is a creative way to help make poor wine pass. Simply sweeten with equal parts cola and wine. This clever technique is popular in Croatia, as well as many neighboring countries. Ingredients: 1 part cola 1 part "cheap" wine Method: Get a bottle of "cheap" wine. I was looking for Two Buck Chuck, but the liquor store I went to apparently doesn't sell booze that "cheap," so I was stuck paying $5 for this Cabernet Sauvignon. The cola was a bit easier to find … [Read more...]
Serves 6 This warm salad benefits from the resourcefulness of Croatians who still enjoy preserved fish with salt. Mixed with creamy red potatoes, a bit of bacon, and green onion - this salad makes a great side dish for any eastern European meal. Ingredients: 1 pound boned, salted codfish 2 lbs red potatoes 3 green onions, sliced thinly fried bacon - 2-4 slices, crumbled olive oil Method: The day before serving: First, gather the salt cod. Salt cod is literally fish packed … [Read more...]
