All posts tagged: Cuban Food

Transformed Thanksgiving Leftovers – Turkey Croquettes, Turkey & Gravy Papa Rellenas, and Cilantro Garlic Cream Sauce (3 Recipes)

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I’m one of those people who loves Thanksgiving leftovers. This year I prepared an 18 pound turkey for four people. I know that sounds crazy, but I had a plan. On Black Friday, I firmly placed myself back in the kitchen and created Turkey Croquettes along with Turkey and Gravy Papa Rellenas. I’m not going to say these were easy or quick. They weren’t. They piled up a more than a few more dirty dishes in my sink. They were, however, delicious, hearty, and fun to make! Turkey Croquettes Ingredients (makes 12 croquettes): 2 cups turkey (shredded in a food processor) 3 tablespoons butter 1/2 cup finely diced onion 1/4 cup flour 1 cup milk 1 tablespoon sherry 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1 tablespooon cilantro or parsley Salt 3 eggs 2 cups of breadcrumbs Directions: Melt butter in a pot at medium heat Add in the onion and cook until soft Stir in the flour and cook for two minutes Slowly add in the milk. The sauce should be thick. If it seems thinner, add in …

The Food of My (Husband’s) People – Part Dos: Black Beans

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I’ll admit it, I never really “got” black beans.  I remember when they started regularly appearing on menus.  They were the envogue new healthy alternative protein.  I would hear people order black beans like they were something special.  Sure, I liked them, but I just didn’t understand what was so exciting about them. Enter my husband… I mentioned the time we went to the Cuban restaurant, Versailles in Part I.  He talked about the black beans that night.  I ate them.  I enjoyed them.  However, I still didn’t really understand just how delightful they could be. It wasn’t until my husband took me one Christmas to meet his family.  We arrived on Noche Buena, and the festivities were in full swing.  A family friend, Miguel had prepared the beans.  He took me under his wing and told me all about his grandmother’s recipe and the memories that came with the food. We talked and talked, and then I tasted.  These were different.  They were creamy and flavorful.  Just the aroma from them was intoxicating.  I …

The Food of My (Husband’s) People: Lechon Asado

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Part I – Lechon Asado On our third date, my husband promised to introduce me to “the food of his people.”  He took me to Versailles, a Cuban restaurant I had been to many times before, but he didn’t know that.  When we got there, he ordered croquettes and started to explain some items on the menu to me.  I thought I knew Cuban food, but this was a whole new way of seeing, understanding, and ultimately tasting it. Lechon asado, a roasted pork marinated with tangy bitter orange and garlic, has been my long-time “go to” for Cuban food, but I started really exploring other things that night.  I began to understand the intricacies and art of Cuban black beans along with the satisfaction of a good cordadito (espresso shot cut with a splash of milk) after a meal. A few months later, he took me to Miami, where he really immersed me in some Cuban culture.  We drank cortadidos and ate a pastel every afternoon.  I somehow kept up with the rapid Cuban …