It's the Little Things (A Giveaway from IMUSA)

 Growing up Cuban has always meant turning normal size things into the diminutive form.

When there were Everest-sized mountains of sandwiches, they were called "bocaditos." Or "just a mouthful." Lies. It took more than "just a bite" to consume these particular delicacies.

We don't just drink café, we have a "cafecito." (A little coffee.) Or an espresso topped with steamed milk is called a "cortadito," no matter what size it is. "Cortadito" translates to "little cut." (Don't ask me why this makes any sense.)

We don't eat just eat papas fritas (French fries), we enjoy "papitas fritas." Can you see just how much cuter and much more appetizing they are when you add the "-ita"?

Your adorable Cuban grandmother is not just your abuela, she is your "abuelita."

Everything seems much more adorable and cuter with the addition of the diminutive suffix.

Add an "-ito" or "-ita" to something and it becomes small and precious. In Cuban circles, I'm not just Marta, I'm "Martita," Or "Martica."  See how much cuter I am when I'm called Mini Marta.?  ;-)

I have Cuban diminutives on the brain because my friends at IMUSA USA have released a line of Mini Cookware. Yes, I said, MINI. I know. Shut up.

WARNING: Cuteness overload coming up...

Cazuelitas! Sarténcitas! GUAT? How fabulously cute are these?

The mini line is perfect for making scaled down or "-ito" versions of your favorite recipes. Ideal for singles, empty nesters and college-bound cooks. (Miss Lucy has taken to making herself two perfect, little pancakes each day on that perfect, little mini griddle. Yes, pancakes-itos!) I could weep from the cuteness of it all.

It comes in some deliciously rich Spice Line colors (think Fiesta) including: Chili Pepper Red, Cilantro Green, Sazon Orange, Saffron Yellow and Tropical Blue.

The IMUSA USA Mini Cookware product line includes the following:

• 1/2 qt. mini casserole 
• 1/2 qt. covered saucepan
• 6" grill pan,
• 2 pc. cookware sets of 6.5" griddle & 6" fry pan

Can it get any better than this?? Yes! How about if we do a comment giveaway for a set of these? (I knew you'd like that.)

1) To enter this drawing, please leave a comment on this post and answer one or all of the following questions:

• What can you see yourself making in any or all of these beautiful mini cookware pieces?
• What color Mini Cookware would you choose? 
• What's your favorite word to add an "-ito" to?

2) For an extra entry, please go "like" IMUSA USA on Facebook and come back and leave me another comment telling me:  

• "I like IMUSA USA!"

So that's not one, but two entries apiece. You're welcome.

Remember that if you want to enter the drawing for this adorable IMUSA Mini Cookware set (and trust me, you do), you must leave a comment (plus the 2nd comment if you do the Facebook liking thing) on this post and I'll choose a winner on Sunday, March 4th 2011 at 8 PST.

I just got home from my trip to Nashville, which I'll tell you all about next week when I'm all recovered. In the meantime, I'm thinking that for breakfast tomorrow, I'm going to be making a delicious English-muffin-egg-and-ham sandwich-ito for myself using all this mini cuteness.

And for the record, I'm still totally into the Orange (!).

 Hasta lueguito!  ;-)

Comments

[Kiki Bacaro]

Since I am on a diet that my family refuses to participate in;), I can see myself making myself all sorts of things in these "itos". Breakfast especially comes to mind...one huevito, one gluten free panqueicito, one nitrate free baconcito:)

I like all of the colors but would probably choose the Sazon Orange:)

I LOVE calling my friend Anne Marie, Angmaricita:)

[Kiki Bacaro]

and, I've "liked" IMUSA USA since the first time you had one of their giveaways!

[Amy]

I just looove these "itos" and I would choose the cilantro green. I can see these being very useful in our home. My husband, Jorge aka Jorgito, would love to make me breakfast with this beautiful and vibrant cookware-ito :)

[Elizabeth]

From pasta de bocadito to los cuentos de Pepito.. I love the cilantro green mini Imusa cookware.. It adds a splash of color to any kitchen.. Ya me veo making un arrocito amarillo, una sopita de pollo, un bistecito, or simply un huevito frito...

[bohemian babushka]

Cilantro Green please and I'll try to keep it away from my Princesita granddaughter who'll think it's for her muñecas; yes, they're that cute! Thanks for the chance Marta.

[BBabushka]

"I like IMUSA USA!" Oh si I do! Especially since their location is Miami, Florida. Miami in the house!!! BB2U

[BBabushka]

"I like IMUSA USA!" Oh si I do! Especially since their location is Miami, Florida. Miami in the casa!!!! BB2U

[Zulay Lopez-Fernandez]

Those are perfect for making my girls breakfast in the morning! The perfect portion size for them! I would totally! I would Love to have them in the Sazon Orange!!!! My favorite ito is cafecito even though my cafecito's are a hug mug that fits like two servings of regular coffee!! Bustelo of course!!!!

[Zulay Lopez-Fernandez]

I like IMUSA USA on facebook!

[Dyana B.]

What can you see yourself making in any or all of these beautiful mini cookware pieces? Ay Dios! The possibilities are endless! Some huevitos fritos para el desayuno!

What color Mini Cookware would you choose? I'd go for the Blue

What's your favorite word to add an "-ito" to? I call my husband Mi Gringito! <3

[Dyana B.]

I like IMUSA USA!

[Candice Gonzales]

I can see myself making un bocadito de arroz y frijoles con chicharron bien frito o una torta de papa, jamon y queso! The combination of colors are so pretty and add something to any kitchen.

I add -ito and -ita to just about anything and don't get me started if it's really cute... CHIQUITICA!

[Mercedes Zamora]

Hi Marta! I love your blog!! It always makes me smile and I share it with my Mom and ny hubby... anyway... I have to say my favorite is when Cubans take English words and add "ito" to it like "Vamos a tener un "parisito" para el cumpleanos de la Nina" (parisito for party) I love it!!!
I would choose the Pepper Red and make huevitos in it for my chiquiticos!!!:)

[Candice Gonzales]

I like IMUSA USA!!!!

[Mercedes Zamora]

I like IMUSA USA! Thanks!

[Grace]

I love the Tropical Blue cookware. I would make a grilled quesito sandwich in that sartencito. I also have a darling Princesita granddaughter who would try to play with these.

[Grace]

I LIKE IMUSA USA!

[vickie]

i love the red ones!!! i would call my flan cake that i tried on your site a flanico cake. its was really yummy and it got rave reviews

[Elizabeth]

I LIKE IMUSA USA!!!

[Jennifer Bergerman]

I would make a huevito in my cazuelita azulita. My favorite "ito" is un flancito:)

[Jennifer Bergerman]

I am also in a "liking" relationship with IMUSA USA since your last giveaway:)

[Michelle Bacaro]

My mom would cook me some arroz con leche in a blue cazuela from IMUSA. My favorite ito is un "flancito".

[Ody from Miami Lakes! :-)]

I would so make my huevitos fritos!!! LOL!!
Our favoirte "ita" is when we call grama "Ita Mima" cause my girls couldn't say Abuelita, so they kept suffix part and added the Mima.
I would love the Orange color as well. :-)

[Michelle Bacaro]

and I already like IMUSA on facebook.

[Rose C.]

I just found your blog through IMUSA - great stuff since there's so few blogs this Mexican-American can identify with. I would make a quesadilla, some arroz for one and fry up a little bit of frijoles on the side; I love the orange too!

[Rose C.]

I like IMUSA USA!

[Veronica Blanco-Ortiz]

Si gano este guegito de calderitos IMUSA, me veo cocinando unos frijolitos negros, un cafecito con leche, prepar un sanwichito para el almuerzo y tambien haciendo un poquito de arroz con pollito. Me encantaria el color saffron naranjadita para mi cocinita Cubana.

[Daisy Alvarez]

Martica, i want them
puh-lease.
besos

[Christy Rodriguez]

What can you see yourself making in any or all of these beautiful mini cookware pieces?
Cuban Sandwiches in the flat one.
Warming up milk for cafe con leche in the little one.
Caramelo for flan in the one with the spout.
White rice in the other pot.

What color Mini Cookware would you choose? Yellow

What's your favorite word to add an "-ito" to?
"un cachito" (a little bit)

[Christy Rodriguez]

"I like IMUSA USA!"

[Catherine]

Oh boy, these are so cute! I think I might start teaching my son (10 years old) how to cook; it would be easier with smaller pans. I don't know if I could choose just one color, I'd like one of each! If I had to narrow it down, I love the Cilantro Green and Sazon Orange!

[Catherine]

I like IMUSA USA!!!

[Margaret (Margarita) Carlson]

Oh Martica me la opusistes en Chino! How can I choose a colorsito if they are all requete bellos. I love rojito oh azulito. What would I use them for? Para cocinarle todos los antojitos que mi Mamita de 90 anos quiera. Una tortillita de papitas y huevos a la Espanola,y no me puedo olvidar de las cebollitas bien picaditas,y un poquitico de "petipua", el arrocito blanco, pero vien desgrandito,si no me lo hecha en cara. Y bueno que no se olvide el platanito fritos bien madurito =D.

[Nathan]

I would want the chili pepper red, cuz I'm hot like that ha ha. I would cook platanito frito, or huevo frito in the little pans, or a small tortilla de patata :D

[nancy castillo]

I LIKE IMUSA USA!!!!!!!!!!!

[nancy castillo]

Me gustaria cocinar bacalaoitos con yuca. Que Rico!Y por seguro un poco de arrozito blanco. Ya tengo hambre voy a concinar. Gracias.
Me gusta el color verde.
I like to cook cod fish with cassaba. Delisious! With white rice on the side. I am hungry and I am going to cook now. Thank you.
Cilantro green of course the color of nature.

[Suyin]

I could definitely see myself making "un arrozito con salchichitas"... in my favorite color cazuelita - Sazon Orange. In my house we can add "ito or ita" to almost anything we say, lol. It brings back memories when I add ita to my name - Suyincita - it reminds me of my abuelita, who I adored... Thanks for sharing.

[Andriacm]

I'd make mini banana pancakes. I'd choose the orange. My favourite word to add an "-ito" is "amorcito".

On a side note, mi suegra called me "manzanita" because my cheeks would always get burned and she said I look like a "manzanita" :)

[Andriacm]

I already "like" IMUSA USA" on facebook. (Yasmel-Andria C-M)

[Amanda]

Wwelcome back! I saw the sartencito at the store the other day, and squealed because of how adorable it is. I'd definitely make personal-sized omelets for the boys, of follow Lucy's lead make mini-pancakes. Any color would work for me, they are all so sassy! And my favorite word to add "-ito" to? Pulga, as in, I have una pulgita named Matthew! =)

[Amanda]

I've liked IMUSA USA since the last fabulous giveaway!

[Ivis Suarez]

What can you see yourself making in any or all of these beautiful mini cookware pieces?
I am always cooking for just me when my husband is at work. I'd make a fried egg or a small portion of rice or reheat food or just melt butter

What color Mini Cookware would you choose? 
Cilantro green

What's your favorite word to add an "-ito" to?
This school year, my PreK students and I are mildly obsessed with adding -ito and -ita to all our names. Even the non Spanish speakers do it. Our favorite -Ito is Giancarlito, who gets very annoyed

[Ivis Suarez]

I also liked IMUSA on FB!

[Carmela C]

First thing that comes to mind is making breakfast with this set. Definitely pancakes and french toast.
I love the cilantro green and the sazon orange- both speak to me.
My favorite ito word has to be "cafecito".

[Carmela C]

"I like IMUSA USA!"

[Annie]

So cute!! I think I'd make little sausage links in it. Or maybe a single single of heated of picadillo. I love it!

[Annie]

I'm a fan of IMUSA!

[Michon Rinehart]

I call my kids my ninitos, mostly ninitas since I have 3 girls and 1 boy. But, since my 2 oldest are taller than me now only the 2 youngest get called that anymore. Probably red, we'd use them to cook with the younger girls here at home! They love making pancakes and wouldn't have to use the ginormous griddle to cook them. :)

[Michon Rinehart]

Now I like IMUSA USA on fb.

[Martha]

I would definitely make some platanitos and some yuquita con arrocito. The orange and red are my favorite because I always favored those colors. And my favorite "ito" word is amorcito, but corazoncito comes in a close second!