My beautiful friend, Ana Quincoces, has authored an equally beautiful Cuban cookbook. (I say equally, only because the pages are filled with fabulous photos of both her and her food, and I can't think of which is more gorgeous, but that's not important right now.)
Just recently, Ana was voted Miami's Hottest Chef over on Eater Miami.
I know what you're thinking. And yes, she is even more lovely in person. She also happens to be an amazing woman and a good friend. So when this Hottest Chef contest began and Ana asked me, I was eager to help.
So I quickly jumped on Facebook and asked a thousand of my closest friends (=D) to please vote for her.
Ana easily won the competition in Miami and came in second in the Nationals. Felicidades, mi vida!
I'd like to think it was the "embullo" of all the voting MBFCF readers that secured her win. Either way, true to her word, she sent me some of her autographed cookbooks as a Thank You to give away here. I know! Generous, right?
Of course, for those of you that don't know, Our relationship goes back to the day she found My Big, Fat, Cuban Torrejas recipe and asked if she could include it in this very same cookbook. ("Claro que sí!")
Very cool, right?
For those of you who don't know torrejas, they are a Cuban version of stuffed French Toast. (I have a sudden craving for Guava and Creme Cheese....)
So, I have, not one, but two cookbooks to give away today. (Thanks, Ana!)
In order to enter the drawing for a chance to win this gorgeous Cuban cookbook, please leave a comment on this post answering the question below:
- If I was a chef, I would be famous for my _____________. (Fill in the blank.) Your answer can be a fantasy or an actuality, but please remember this is a family blog.
Leave a comment on this post and I'll choose a winner on Thursday, March 3rd at 11:00 am Pacific Time.
Can you guess what my answer would be? =D
Also, if you're not already a fan of My Big, Fat, Cuban Family on Facebook, please click this link or the one up at the top right of this site and LIKE it. That way, you won't miss any of the relajo!
If I was a chef I would be famous for my Cuban Chicken Soup!
Posted by: connie modriskey | February 28, 2011 at 12:00 PM
If I was a chef, I would be famous for my picadillo, complete with fried potatoes on top!
Posted by: Annie | February 28, 2011 at 12:03 PM
If I was a chef, I would be famous for my Palomia Steaks with saute onions, arroz y plantanitos!
Posted by: Vivian | February 28, 2011 at 12:12 PM
If I was a chef, I would be famous for my pernil and frijoles negros!
Posted by: Maria Amelia | February 28, 2011 at 12:24 PM
If I was a chef, I would be famous for my Everything But the Kitchen Sink-PAELLA baby!
And maybe your favorite might be anything with dulce de leche. ;-)
Posted by: Ileana | February 28, 2011 at 12:48 PM
If I was a chef, I would be famous for my Jalapeño Sake Bo-Tai Pasta or my Salmon with Caribbean Fruit Salsa...but that pretty much sums up what i know how to cook, so i could really use the CookBook! :)
Posted by: Michele CAridad | February 28, 2011 at 01:10 PM
If I was a chef, I would be famous for my lechon asado.
Posted by: Marc R. Masferrer | February 28, 2011 at 01:11 PM
If I was a chef, i'd be famous for my guava cupcakes with citrus cream cheese frosting AND my amazing arroz con leche!!!
Posted by: Cari Martinez | February 28, 2011 at 01:14 PM
If I was a chef I'd be famous for my flan...or my yuca with mojo...or...oh forget it, it's a trick question;)
Posted by: Kiki Bacaro | February 28, 2011 at 01:30 PM
If I was a chef, I'd be famous for my Cuban Aporreado de Tasajo, Frijoles Negros (black beans) and my Flan de Queso!
Posted by: Adriana | February 28, 2011 at 01:31 PM
If I was a chef, I'd be famous for my bakery. I love to bake, even if things don't look pretty in the end they sure taste fantastic!
Posted by: jackie | February 28, 2011 at 01:50 PM
If I was a chef I would be famous for my empanadas de carne!!!
Posted by: Sophie | February 28, 2011 at 02:06 PM
If I was a chef, I'd be famous for my chocolate dulce de leche brownies! Great giveaway, thank you-Marta & Ana!
{{{Hugs}}}
Posted by: Maria Soto Robbins | February 28, 2011 at 02:12 PM
If I was a chef, I'd be famous for my veggie and cheese stuff figs and wine reduction sauce.
Posted by: c-valcarcel@hotmail.com | February 28, 2011 at 02:28 PM
If I was a chef, I would be famous for my roasted pork with guava glaze, guava cheesecake for beginners and guava & cream cheese cupcakes. Oh, and for my 3pm cafecito in the office! :)
Posted by: Mailyn | February 28, 2011 at 02:48 PM
I would be famous for hosting my Weekly Sunday Dinners with my extended family...wait a minute, I already am famous for that!
Posted by: Angela Garcia | February 28, 2011 at 03:01 PM
If I was a chef, I would be famous for my flan and for my ajiaco.
Posted by: Grace | February 28, 2011 at 03:45 PM
If I was a chef I would be famous for my "Caldo Gallego" or even my "Chilindron de Carnero" or my delicious Costillas de Puerco al Mojo de Ajo or my grandma's Arroz Con Leche on steroids oooh hard to choose! Hope I win hehe :)
Posted by: Nathan | February 28, 2011 at 07:27 PM
I guess if I were a chef I'd be known for my amazing Pamagranate Jelly. I'm told it's pretty good! ;-D Dont believe me? http://www.mybigfatcubanfamily.com/my_big_fat_cuban_family/2010/12/the-pamagranate.html
I wonder how I could make it Cuban? I'd love to win the book!
Posted by: BFF | February 28, 2011 at 07:38 PM
If I were a chef, I would be famous for never using enough salt because I am so paranoid about oversalting.
Posted by: The gold digger | March 01, 2011 at 05:12 AM
My specialty? Lasagna con platanos maduros of course! Or maybe my jamon in mango sauce? Great contest and glad to see you're feeling better!!!
Posted by: sonia | March 01, 2011 at 06:10 AM
IIf I were a chef, I would be most famous for using dulce de leche, cheeses, coffee and bananas in all my recipes. A banana con cafe cake with dulce de leche frosting would be my piece de resistance.
Posted by: ALINA | March 01, 2011 at 06:36 AM
IIf I were a chef, I would be most famous for using dulce de leche, cheeses, coffee and bananas in all my recipes. A banana con cafe cake with dulce de leche frosting would be my piece de resistance.
Posted by: ALINA | March 01, 2011 at 06:36 AM
If I were a chef I think I'd be famous for my herb roasted lamb, baba ganoosh, and home-made flat bread. But if you ask my brother, he'd say my vaca frita.
Posted by: Rox | March 01, 2011 at 06:38 AM
If I was a chef I would be famous for my Flan de Chocolate! Que ricoooo!
Posted by: Angie | March 01, 2011 at 10:43 AM
if I were a chef I would be famous for my picadillo, my arroz con leche and flan or my coffee.
Posted by: Yudian | March 01, 2011 at 11:19 AM
If I was a chef I'd be famous for my TURKEY picadillo, looks and tastes the same as meat picadillo, but healthier!
LAURA F. M.
Posted by: Laura F. M. | March 02, 2011 at 08:16 AM
if i was a chef i would be famous for my grilling creations where i mix mexican and asian foods and marinades. i make some mind blowing vietnamese style carne asada tacos! by the way marta congrats on having your mom turn 97! now thats mind blowing.
Posted by: jose s. | March 02, 2011 at 09:59 AM
If I was a chef I would be famous for my black beans!!!
Posted by: Alberto Aran | March 02, 2011 at 12:04 PM
If I was a chef, I would be famous for my friend Marta's flan cake recipe!
Maria
Posted by: ORGULLOSADESERCUBANA | March 02, 2011 at 12:12 PM
If I was a chef, I would be famous for my cheater pastelitos de guayaba y queso de mi madrina, Marta :). Just kidding. If I was a chef, I would be famous for my Rabo variations (which I haven't made yet, so I won't share what that means completely, but I've been inspired).
Posted by: Christina GP | March 02, 2011 at 12:19 PM
If I was a chef, I would be famous for my lasagna. I know it isn't Cuban, but Oh Boy! People just Looove my lasagna, I put Italian sausage together with ground meat, extra sauce. I do not boil the pasta because it is so much easier to leave it uncooked, the extra sauce cooks the pasta in the oven, AND sliced mozzarela cheese, together with parmesan and also ricotta in between layers.
On the Cuban food side, my arroz con pollo and flan are to die for!
;))
Posted by: Esther | March 02, 2011 at 12:45 PM
If I were a chef, I would be most famous for my Christmas cookies, dozens and dozens.
Posted by: Andrea | March 02, 2011 at 01:11 PM
If I were a chef, I would be famous for my cooking with love that is reminiscent of mi abuela y mi madre dedication to family, that leaves your taste buds satisfied while creating memories.
Posted by: Lazara | March 02, 2011 at 02:27 PM
If I were a chef, I would be famous for my fufu con chicharones :)
Posted by: Andria | March 02, 2011 at 02:31 PM
If I were a chef, I would be famous for my VEGETARIAN cuban food, all the classics! Yes, I know it sounds crazy, but it is possible to make veg. cuban food that's still mouth wateringly delicious.
Posted by: Nickie | March 02, 2011 at 02:37 PM
If I were a chef, I would be famous for my Arroz Imperial! So very goood!
Posted by: Keila B. | March 02, 2011 at 07:50 PM
If I were a chef, I would be the most famous Spaniard for my "Cuban Frijoles Negros" I learned from my Armenian/Asirian/Turkish raised in Cuba mother-in-law and my Yuca con Mojo that "real Cubans" say it's the best they have "ever" eaten. I am not ususally this engreida.
Posted by: Margarita Lopez-Amaro | March 03, 2011 at 07:04 AM