Last year I had the good fortune to participate in the Cuban Cultural Center of New York's (Centro Cultural Cubano de Nueva York) 12th Annual Congress. You can read about that right here.
It was there that I met another one of the chefs involved in the event. Ana Sofia Peláez is the author of the very delicious food blog, hungry sofia. We shared a kitchen and chatted a bit as we made our own creations. That day she made Cucuruchos de Coco y Almendras for all of us (which were to die for!) and told the stories of how she had been traveling on a Cuban Food Adventure with the amazing food/travel photographer Ellen Silverman.
Together, Ana Sofia and Ellen went to Cuba and Miami (of course) and New York where they visited both Cuban home cooks and accomplished chefs who eagerly shared their stories and recipes and secrets to their own versions of favorite Cuban dishes.
The culmination of all this traveling and eating and story-telling is the gorgeous cookbook: The Cuban Table - A Celebration of Food, Flavors, and History by Ana Sofia Peláez and Ellen Silverman.
I received a few copies of this beauty earlier last week and have been delectably enjoying each story and every recipe. Rich with Cuban history and full of evocative photos of all the food that I desperately love, I have been slowly and carefully turning each page and taking notes and drinking it all in.
Part text book, part history book, part story book - believe me when I tell you that this is the quintessential must-have Cuban cookbook.
The photography and stories are so gorgeous and compelling that I'm conflicted about whether to keep it on my coffee table or to take it into my kitchen. Right now it's still sitting on my coffee table where I pick it up and commence reading where I left off yesterday. It's a beautiful thing.
I was delighted that she even included the recipe for make-your-own pastelitos de guayaba. Like my own recipe, but a thousand times more detailed and beautiful. Well-played, Ana Sofia.
I have an extra copy of this fabulous cookbook, The Cuban Table to give away.
To enter this comment drawing, answer one or both of the following questions:
- Who is the best cook in your family?
- What's your very favorite Cuban dish in the whole-wide-world?
Leave one comment only, please!
Remember that if you want to enter the drawing for this cookbook, you must leave a comment on this post and I'll choose ONE winner on Thursday, October 30th at 8 pm PST.
Gracias and Buen Provecho!
Mi Abuela Tata - she makes the best Sopa de falda :) yummy
Posted by: Karene Raymer | October 27, 2014 at 05:44 PM
!Siempre deliciosa!
Posted by: woodymurph@aol.com | October 27, 2014 at 05:45 PM
My 98 year old mom is the best. She makes the best black beans rice and picadillo ever! I'm doing my best to learn!
Posted by: Ana Simard | October 27, 2014 at 05:54 PM
The best cook in my family is my Godmother (Ana Vazquez) & my favorite Cuban dish in the wide world is Ropa Vieja!
Posted by: Dulce Maria Medina | October 27, 2014 at 05:55 PM
The best cook in my family would be my husband. He has the imagination to create great dishes. My favorite dish is Arroz con Pollo A la Chorrera. Yum!
Posted by: ivette Fasco | October 27, 2014 at 05:56 PM
The best cook in my family was my mother, she used to make the best rabo. In the world. I haven't had that dish in over 20 years. However my son is right behind her, he is natural cook.
Posted by: Elena Ruiz | October 27, 2014 at 05:57 PM
Hi! I am the cook in my very large family and my absolute favorite Cuban dish is Pulpeta w/Moros as the side dish and crunchy tostones of course!
Posted by: Reybetty3@gmail.con | October 27, 2014 at 05:58 PM
Hands down my grandmother was the best cook in our family. My favorite Cuban dish is arroz con pollo. I also love tostones.
Posted by: Carmela C | October 27, 2014 at 05:59 PM
Mima mi suegra is the best cook in the family...favorite Cuban dish is Tamal en Casuela.
Posted by: rosacornelio@aol.com | October 27, 2014 at 06:18 PM
Ropa Vieja!!😍
Posted by: Monica Escalante | October 27, 2014 at 06:19 PM
In out house, I'd have to say my Cuban husband is the best cook. My favourite dish is ropa vieja with congris and platano maduros
Posted by: Andriacm | October 27, 2014 at 06:28 PM
Awesome book! my favorite Cuban food is arroz con picadillo y maduros! and the best cook in the world was my mother! they are in heaven and she is cooking some mean tasajo y boniatos frito!
Posted by: Gardenia | October 27, 2014 at 06:35 PM
My mother was the best Cuban food cook in the whole world. She became americanized and decided to cook without salt, plus steam vegetables, broiled chicken or fish. Good bye Cuban food. Sad sad sad. :) Now my mission: To cook the best congri, with yuca con mojito, bistec con cebollita & platanitos maduros. That's my favorite dish! :)
Posted by: lazara Arriola | October 27, 2014 at 06:36 PM
My mom who made the best black beans I've ever had. Love me a bowl with a banana cut up in it!!👍😍
Posted by: gilda Hernandez | October 27, 2014 at 06:38 PM
My favorite food in the whole wide world is Vaca Frita! I have always looked forward to making and serving this dish, with lots of lemon, hmmmm. When my son was little, he called it "stick meat" and would ask me when we could have it again and again.
Posted by: Nerisavoy@yahoo.com | October 27, 2014 at 06:47 PM
My mom, my favorite cook. Now I cook for her.
Posted by: Nina Rodriguez | October 27, 2014 at 06:49 PM
Mi Abuela, Herada from Oriente. I am torn between Guava and Cheese pastel or Bistec Empanizado. I LOVE your recipes and I am ALWAYS looking for new Cuban cookbook!
Posted by: Cristina R | October 27, 2014 at 06:51 PM
"Amarillo con Puerco"., yuca frita y un tocino de cielo - eso es lo mejor del mundo! Espero tener este libro en mi cocina pronto!
Posted by: Marissa Cipriano | October 27, 2014 at 06:54 PM
My grandmother, Guadalupe was the best cook I have ever known. Her food was the best of Cuban cooking she learned from her mother and family on her father's finca in Pinar del Rio.
My favorite has to be her frijoles negros, arroz blanco y picadillo con maduros. Simple joy.
Posted by: Marta KH | October 27, 2014 at 06:58 PM
My mom
Platanitos fritos
Posted by: Laura | October 27, 2014 at 07:12 PM
Arroz con pollo! Actually i love it all.
Posted by: Vicki Richardson | October 27, 2014 at 07:13 PM
My mother was the best cook in my family and she made an amazing fricase de pollo.
Posted by: Madelaine | October 27, 2014 at 07:20 PM
Oh I would love this. I have tried to always watch my mom and make all those yummy dishes.
Posted by: odalys quintana | October 27, 2014 at 07:21 PM
My Dad is the best cook in the family and dis Picadillo is amazing! Any wonder why it's my favorite dish?
Posted by: Linda Hernandez | October 27, 2014 at 07:33 PM
In my family, it was both of my Abuelas and my great-aunt, Mamasita who were the best cooks. They all cooked wonderful, delicious, comfort food. Some of my favorites Caldo Gallego, Picadillo, Arroz con Pollo, Yuca, Platano Maduro y Verdes! Flan and Natilla, Arroz con leche. I would love this cookbook, I aspire to keep my Cuban traditions alive for my family and would love some of the traditional, as well as new inspirations to those old favorites. I sure miss my Abuelas and my Mamasita.
Posted by: Isabelle | October 27, 2014 at 07:46 PM
My mami is the best cook in the family, and she taught me everything I know about cooking. My most favorite dish is ropa vieja which she of course taught me how to make. Every time I make it, I think of how much she loved us whenever she cooked.
Posted by: Yolanda | October 27, 2014 at 07:53 PM
Best cook--My Tata (my nanny) who passed away the day after my 14th wedding anniversary. She was the very best.
My favorite--Arroz con pollo which I am still trying to perfect until it tastes as close to Tata's as possible. Croquetas come in a close second and it is my 3 grown children's favorite Cuban food (If only it didn't take so long to make them!) Even my yellow Lab loves them. Once I had spent about an hour rolling them and placing them on the cookie sheet to refrigerate when someone came to the door. When I got back in the kitchen, I found him licking his lips and looking guilty. He had scooped up about a dozen off the pan on the counter before I could get back in the kitchen.
Posted by: Marta Menendez Crawford | October 27, 2014 at 08:00 PM
Me encanta la vaca frita, el lechón asado, la palomilla, tostones....
My sister is the best cook, but I am a close second, and I love Cuban food more than her!
Posted by: Maria C | October 27, 2014 at 08:05 PM
My mom, better known as nana to her grandchildren is famous among family and friends for her three secret Cuban recipes. Boliche, flan, and empanadas are her trademark dishes. All my kids American friends beg that she make these for our family gatherings. When my parents fled Cuba in 1969 they arrived here in Houston and they were employed at a newly opened Cuban restaurant. Here is how she perfected these recipes. When people ask her for her recipe she says "that's a family secret" ha! Her empanadas de carne are sweet and delicious!
Posted by: Mcurras@comcast.net | October 27, 2014 at 08:08 PM
Bistec empanizado con arroz blanco y frijoles negros y maduros!!!
Posted by: Alida Chan | October 27, 2014 at 08:34 PM
So many to choose from...I would say carne asada con congri y tostones. The love of my life is the best cook. He spends hours in the kitchen by choice. He's learning to cook Cuban dishes so this book would be perfect for him.
Posted by: Yamile Fernandez | October 27, 2014 at 08:41 PM
I am a german Women and in the U.S. since 1987, the best cook in my Family was my Grandmother,and my favorite Cuban Food is Cuban Chickensoup,its the Best in the World
Posted by: Angela Maria | October 27, 2014 at 08:43 PM
Oh my goodness, this book looks wonderful! Overall, my abuela and tia are the best cooks in the family--they make even the simplest dishes amazing. But my dad makes some killer picadillo--my favorite!
Posted by: Lina | October 27, 2014 at 08:50 PM
My Tìa Teresa is the best cook in my family. She holds the key to all of my grandmother and great grandmother's recipes!
My favorite Cuban dish - trozos de cerdo frito, arroz con frijoles negros y una ensaladita de aguacate!
Posted by: Lola Wiarco Dweck | October 27, 2014 at 08:57 PM
My mamí, of course.
Posted by: Isel Sanchez-Whiteley | October 27, 2014 at 09:11 PM
Bacalao con frijoles colorados..un arrozito blanco con Yuca con mojo !!
Mi mama y la Cocina eran una! Me dejo todas sus recetas!
Posted by: BARBARA WEBER | October 27, 2014 at 09:42 PM
I am the best cook in my family. I learned how to cook Cuban food from watching my mom. We spent so much time in the kitchen. Every dish was accompanied by a story, which is mainly how I learned about our beautiful island and the family that stayed behind. Now my mom has Alzheimers and I've become the keeper of the recipes and stories. I love to cook for my family. My Cuban dishes have become their comfort foods and an intricate part of my children's childhood memories. I'd love to win the book to add to my repertoire!
Posted by: Ivette Cruz Munoz | October 27, 2014 at 09:43 PM
My mom is the best cook & my favorite dish is Fricase de pollo con arroz blanco yummy
Posted by: Marlene Gomez | October 27, 2014 at 10:09 PM
The best cook in my family was my grandpa. His love of cooking was passed down to my sister & I.
My favorite Cuban dish is Ropa Vieja...or Carne con Papas...or maybe Lechon Asado...Pasteles...why do I have to choose??? I just love eating it!
Posted by: Catherine Haury | October 27, 2014 at 10:21 PM
The best cook in my family is my mom. She shares her recipes with me, but for some reason when I make them they are never quite right. When she cooks she's got an uncanny way of redecorating the kitchen with a little sauce here and a little rice there (all the while using every single utensil and pot available), but no matter; her croquetas and her lechon are unparalleled. Those are just a couple of my favorite Cuban foods. A few more? A media noche, a good ol' bistec empanizado con maduros, pastelitos. Que va. Too many to name them all...: )
Posted by: LIsa Falagan Rubio | October 27, 2014 at 11:04 PM
Best cook in my family: my mother-in-law. Her cooking always has such depth of flavor! Simple, delicious mediteranian food that is always wonderful. My favorite Cuban food: guava pastries with cream cheese. Hands down.
Posted by: Haylee Shalaby | October 27, 2014 at 11:32 PM
The best Cocinera EVER is my Mom! Like my Dad says at every meal time, "esto está muy rico...CLARO..... como TODO lo que tu haces!" And he should know after 51 years of marriage!
Because she cooks everything so unbelievably delicious, it is very difficult to have a favorite food. But if I had to chose, I would say Salpicon. And I also really like harina with eggs, harina con aguacate (aka: rubia con ojos verdes), harina con picadillo, harina con leche, and as a desert, atól!!! Oh, and she also makes a delicious carne de puerco en salsa which is, as my Tia Estrella says, "pa' la vida!!!!"
Posted by: Maite | October 27, 2014 at 11:54 PM
En mi familia nadie sabe cocinar por eso es que necesito este libro.Arroz Blanco, frijoles negros, platanitos maduros, bisteck con cebollitas y dulce de leche de postre. Gracias Marta
Posted by: Aymee Valdes | October 28, 2014 at 04:46 AM
Best cook ? Hands down it was my mom---there was nothing this woman could not make & make well :)
Unfortunately, her alzheimers has robbed her of this & so many of her other gifts. I did not inherit her gift but her recipes live on through my oldest brother, my sister-in-laws, & my hubby.
Favorite Cuban food--that's a tough one. Ropa vieja is always a good one :)
Posted by: MERCY COPE | October 28, 2014 at 05:24 AM
Hi Marta! I proudly say that I am the best cook- my grandmother who I learned alit from passed away and I have made it a point to continue learning and making as many different Cuban dishes as possible and I'm pretty good at it! :) I LAN on passing recipes on to both my son and daughter for them to treasure as much as I do! My favorite all time Cuban dish has to be ropa vieja! Loved the way my grandmother made it and now I make yummy as well! My kids devour it!! Love ur blog!
Posted by: Mercedes Zamora | October 28, 2014 at 05:29 AM
I am the best cook in my family-- learned the art of Cuban cooking from mi abuelita que en paz descanse. Pernil is my best and fav dish! Everyone loves it on Noche buena, but I like to make it all the time -- hard to find the pig leg though in San Diego.
Posted by: Rebeca Montalvan Toth | October 28, 2014 at 05:41 AM
My mom is the best cook but unfortunately at 90 years old she doesn't cook for us anymore. I hope one day I will be as good as she was. My favorite dish to make is Flan.( My mom's recipe of course)
Posted by: Sue | October 28, 2014 at 05:47 AM
I am a Miami gringo living in North Georgia. My favorite cookbook is Norman Van Aken's "Feast of Sunlight ". This weekend I have persuaded my friends to let my cook a whole pig Cuban style for their annual party. Lots of garlic and sour oranges in my mojo. We will also have yucca and boniato chips, black beans and rice, plantains and many other Cuban favorites along with some salsa music.
I went to my first Cuban pig cookout 55 years ago at the home of Carlos B. Fernandez, the first Cuban/American judge in Miami. His daughter is now the state attorney. I have loved Cuban food ever since.
Can't wait,
Jack Tanksley
Posted by: Jack Tanksley | October 28, 2014 at 05:55 AM
When it comes to Cuban food, I am the best cook in our home, but everything else, it would have to be my wife. After all, I was born in Cuban and learned from the best, my mom. I married a beautiful Irish girl. My favorite dish is pollo asado.
Posted by: Vincent Araujo | October 28, 2014 at 05:57 AM
My husband is "El Cocinero Cubanaso" in our house and his carne con papas are delicious!!!!
Posted by: Mirta | October 28, 2014 at 05:57 AM