Global Table Adventure

Monday Meal Review: Cuba

November 22, 2010 By Sasha Martin 10 Comments

I prepared our Cuban Global Table secure in the thought that noone was coming over. I didn't vacuum. I didn't deodorize (the house or myself). Approximately 19 million landmines were in place. (I think some people call them "toys.") By the time the cooking was done, crusty dishes were teeter-tottering over my head - including the remnants of three botched caramel sauces. The house was an extra deluxe mess. I rarely behave this way, but I was feeling like a rebel. Must have been a … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cuba, Monday Meal Review, North America

Recipe: Cuban (Hot Pressed Pork Sandwich)

November 21, 2010 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

Serves 2 Ooey, gooey and sizzling hot, The Cuban sandwich will rock your world. The key to a great Cuban Sandwich is to obtain the best possible ingredients, especially when it comes to the bread and pork. Ingredients: 18" long Cuban bread (can substitute Italian or French bread) yellow mustard (to taste) 4 slices of ham 4 slices of roast pork 4 slices of Swiss cheese thinly sliced pickles (to taste) Method: First of all, roast yourself a pork and use the leftovers in this … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Cuba, International Recipes, Meat, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, North America, Sandwiches/Wraps/Packets, Sasha's Favorite Recipes

Recipe: Cuban Bread (Pan Cubano)

November 21, 2010 By Sasha Martin 1 Comment

Makes 2-3 loaves The quickest way to a person's heart is with homemade bread. The incredible flavor of this soft, doughy bread is unreal. I've been making bread for a long time (even wrote a hundred page thesis about Artisan bread baking in France), so that's saying a lot. Great recipe - just make sure you start it a day ahead of when you need it! Special thanks to Kitchen Warfare for a detailed post on how to make this wonderful Cuban bread. Without their help, I would have been lost in … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Breads, Cuba, International Recipes, Mr. Picky's Favorite Recipes, North America, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes

Recipe: Mojito

November 21, 2010 By Sasha Martin 1 Comment

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...]

Filed Under: Alcohol, Cold, Cuba, Drinks, International Recipes, North America, Vegan, Vegetarian

Fun Fact Friday: Cuba

November 19, 2010 By Sasha Martin 3 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Cuba, Fun Friday, North America

Recipe: Pumpkin Flan

November 18, 2010 By Sasha Martin 19 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Cuba, Gluten Free Adaptable, International Recipes, North America, Potluck Friendly, Sasha's Favorite Recipes, Sweets, Technique Thursday, Vegetarian

Menu: Cuba

November 17, 2010 By Sasha Martin 1 Comment

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...]

Filed Under: Cuba, Menu Wednesday, North America

About the Food of Cuba

November 16, 2010 By Sasha Martin 4 Comments

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...]

Filed Under: Cuba, North America, Travel Tuesday