Cuban guys can COOK

My friend, Val (from Babalú blog) sent me the following story:

"Henry was at my house on Sunday for the Dolphins game and mentioned that he’s on a list serv for his graduating class at Belen. Basically, it’s a net  service where men from that class post links and communicate with each other.  Someone had mentioned on the list serv about Cuban food and missing pastelitos de guayaba as he lives up north somewhere where there’s no Cuban food and Henry posted your pastelito recipe to the list serv.
 
He says that a bunch of those guys – mind you, Cuban, professional men that have no idea what a kitchen is actually for – actually made the pastelitos and not only loved them, but found themselves talking about and trading “pastelito baking tips” on the list serv.

It's all your fault they're all acting kinda gay."

Then, Henry (also from Babalú blog) sent me the actual thread:

From: Henry Louis Gomez
Subject: Re: [belen87] Pastelito Recipe

Here's your quick and easy pastelito recipe courtesy of Marta Darby of Babalu Blog:
http://www.babalublog.com/archives/008056.html

From: RD
Subject: Re: [belen87] Pastelito Recipe

Thanks for the recipe - it looks totally do-able ( and I can get the Ancel Guayaba here...)  It is clearly a Cuban cook, with the manicure and the bracelets while she cooks.....
R

From: Henry Louis Gomez
Subject: Re: [belen87] Pastelito Recipe

Marta Darby is one of the sweetest people in the world.  She lives in California and thus she's had to become an expert in Cuban cooking just to be able to eat.

From: Jorge C.
Subject: Re: [belen87] Pastelito Recipe

Awesome recipe (I had to try it out).


From: RD
Subject: Re: [belen87] Pastelito Recipe

Boy, the tone of this list has taken a post-election turn.  
Now we're exchanging recipes....  
R

OMG!  Isn't that AWESOME???  I just about wept because I was laughing so hard picturing the Cuban men exchanging "pastelito baking tips."  And I especially LOVE that one of them included pictures of his final product!

(BTW, my pastelito recipe can be found here.)

But there's more... from Amy Arnaz upon receiving my cookbook:

"Desi saw it just now and loves it! Tomorrow I'll take the picture and send it to you.  There are a few recipes in there that his Dad always made and we never really knew how to make them."

(NOTE: emphasis mine. BTW, Mrs. Arnaz, who is a lovely ballerina, has a blog called Insights from the Magic Tutu. Go visit her and tell her Marta from MBFCF sent you.)

To me, those were the very BEST compliments I could receive.  I often say that I'm not a "foodie" or anything, I'm just Cuban and I cook.  My goal is to make easy, delicious, Cuban-tasting food.

If I can get people (that is, Cuban professional men!) to connect to their Cuban roots by way of their stomach I feel like I've done a good job.  That Desi Arnaz, Jr. is able to connect with memories of his Dad in this way "puts the lid on the jar" for me.

Which is why I'm framing this picture and putting it in my kitchen:

Desi Arnaz Jr. (*sigh*) enjoys MBFCF Cookbook.

Well, okay, that... and because he's still so dang ADORABLE!    (Hi Desi! Besitos!!)

I'm making baby-back ribs today using the pimentón I just received.
Get yourselves over to Babalú blog for some Costillitas de Martica.

And be sure to tell any Cuban guys you know that I have a cookbook. ;-)

My Big, Fat, C...

A celebration of Cu...

By Marta M. Darby

Book Preview

Now.... can anyone tell me how to get a hold of Andy Garcia??? (hint, hint)  =D

Comments

[Ody from Miami Lakes]

Marti,

Since my mom has the guts to go up to Andy Garcia at a funeral and ask him for his autograph on a funeral remembrance card (postalita), I'll tell her to keep her eyes open the next time she goes to a famous person's funeral here in Miami and see's Andy. LOL!! She cracks me up....you just got to love her. I'll give her your cookbook to give to him and have him check your blog out. ;-)

[Ody from Miami Lakes]

Was part of his face not showing on purpose?!!! Do you think you can e-mail Amy and tell her to take the picture again, but this time, have Desi's face show? I mean really, how hard is it to actually get the man reading your book?!!!!! I think you deserve better!!!! LOL!! ;-)

[Kikita]

OMG, the Cuban men cooking pastelitos cracks me up!

[Marta]

Ody,
I love that your mom is stalkery that way. And yes, if she runs into Andy again, tell her to point him in my direction!

According to Miss Amy he hadn't shaved. I'm just happy she took the picture! =D

[mario]

You are sooooo ROCKSTAR!!

[George]

Re: Andy Garcia ... My younger daughter (age 11) is a big fan of George Lopez, watches his sitcom often. I managed to track where he lives as well as where Andy Garcia lives, in Toluca Lake. So, on Halloween night, I took both my daughters (the big one is ~14) trick-or-treating up there ... and met both George Lopez (on the street walking with his Cuban wife) and Andy Garcia (at the front yard of his house, with a typical Cuban hat and smoking un Cubano!)

(I have pictures, and will share them soon). So, if you want to know where he lives, I'll email you.

BTW, Cuban professional men can cook?!....I'm going to have to buy your book soon, and test the theory out!

George

[Kikita]

George!
DO IT!
What are you waiting for!?!?! SEND THAT EMAIL! ;-)

[Marta]

George,

SHUT. UP.
(Why didn't I think of that??)

[Amanda]

George,
I must had it to you, you have put my stalker abilities to shame...and believe me, I'm good! I bow down to you, sir! Now...about those pictures....

[Amanda]

Oops...I meant "hand", not "had". Sorry!

[Carrie_in_TN]

My PR-loving heart is beating very fast and full for you!

So classy and fabulous of Desi Arnaz Jr. to send that great picture. He is Cuban royalty!

Good luck with Garcia. Mandale un beso de mi!

[Claudia]

OMG, how lucky are you!

I have had a mad crush on Desi ever since he was on the Brady Bunch. Lucky Marcia!