I can't, in good conscience, end Hispanic Heritage Month without talking about my love of Cuban food and sharing a wonderful new Cuban cookbook.
Obviously I'm a lover of all-things-Cuban. Particularly the food that so defines our culture. Platanos, black beans, tostones, lechón asado, picadillo, and of course, pastelitos de guayaba. Food just doesn't get any better than this.
I'm happy to report that the wait is over for this wonderful cookbook. My friend and Real Housewife of Miami Alum, Ana Quincoces has partnered with the Versailles family, specifically Nicole Valls to bring you a collection of all of your favorite Cuban recipes from the iconic Versailles Restaurant in Miami, with the forward by ...wait for it...(drum roll, please)... Andy Garcia. (Pinch me!)
Part history and lore of the Versailles Restaurant, part detailed cookbook, with a good dose of Cuban idioms makes the Versailles Restaurant Cookbook a must-have in the kitchen of any self-respecting Cuban cook.
Ana had originally contacted me a few years ago, asking for a quote about Versailles to include in the book, which I gave her. Read that story here: Happy 40th Birthday, Versailles! My quote didn't make the book (sigh), but it's still a beautiful Cuban cookbook, with every single recipe you want in there. Ham croquetas, anyone?
Ana has generously given me an autographed copy of the Versailles Restaurant Cookbook to give away today.
To enter this comment drawing, answer one or both of the following questions:
- When you celebrate a special occasion, what's on the menu?
- What's your favorite thing to order when you go to Versailles in Miami?
Remember that if you want to enter the drawing for the cookbook, you must leave a comment on this post and I'll choose a winner on Friday, October 17th at 8 pm PST.
Gracias and Buen Provecho!
Happy 40th Versialles! Feliciades, Versialles. Welcome to the 40's club : )
A staple in our Cuban/American gatherings...PERNIL, Congri, Yucca and pastellitos de carne & guava.
Versialles is always on the must see & must eat list when visiting Miami....on the menu Masitas de Puerco, arroz morro, platanitos maduros. Para el postre...Flan & cafe espresso. Yum!!! Like no other place in the world!
Good luck to all... especially me :)
Posted by: Keyla Jardines Vazquez | October 16, 2014 at 01:21 PM
Thank you for the opportunity of winning this cook book and Sharing your favorite recetas ! I enjoy cooking food that has a lot of sabor and sharing with My friends and family ! The holidays are upon us and I am looking forward to friends, family & fabuloso food !!! 😀
Posted by: Sue Beaudoin | October 16, 2014 at 01:45 PM
I would love to win this book!! I have an obsession with cookbooks and all things Cuban, especially the food and I love, love, LOVE going to Versailles when I visit Miami....pick me, pick me, pick me!!! xo
Posted by: Christine S. | October 16, 2014 at 03:03 PM
Living in Northern California now and having all of mi gente back in Miami, Versailles is a definite stop every time we go down to visit. I usually order the usual.. palomilla, arroz blanco y frijoles negros, marterva to drink Y por supuesto mariquitas con mojo pa' la mesa... and ooooh el pan bien tostadito, with waayy too much butter (perfect really). My boys like to order croquetas, frijoles negros, malta....se me ace la boca agua, really!
I know, I wrote in complete Spanglish here, sorry, but you can take the girl out of Miami, but you can't take the Miami out of a girl.
xoxo.
Posted by: Alina | October 16, 2014 at 03:10 PM
Special occasions are usually celebrated at a restaurant. I only make a few good dishes, so I need this cookbook. LOL.....I have never been to Miami, but my first stop is Versailles.
Posted by: Carmela C | October 16, 2014 at 03:13 PM
Lechon is always on the menu. Please pick this Cubano, echo en America con semilla Cubana!
Posted by: William muniz | October 16, 2014 at 03:14 PM
I share the love of my Cuban culture and food with many in my community by donating a Cuban fiesta to our school. This fiesta is auctioned and the money goes to making the school better for our kids! It is a VERY popular auction item and many people have become big fans of Cuban food bc they attended my fiesta. I go all out!! Lechon asado, camarones enchilados, yuca, frijoles negros, flan, arroz con leche, mojitos... The list goes on. I would be so happy to have such a great cookbook! I know it would help me so much with future Fiestas! Thank you!
Posted by: Eva | October 16, 2014 at 03:38 PM
We are Cubanos born and loved. Are children were all born in Hialeah. Since my husband and I are Cuban we told are children that what runs in their veins is 100% Cuban blood. They are American by geography. They love Cuban food. For celebrations we have leechon with all the works. Having 3boys and the only one married is to a a beautiful gringa. I gave her her Cuban cookbook. I would love to have this one for the collection. Arroz con pollo is a great dish from Versailes. Can't wait to receive it.
Posted by: Rms7981@yahoo.com | October 16, 2014 at 05:16 PM
En nuestras fiestas nunca puede faltar el lechon, congris, yuca, el mojito, pan cubano y de postre los pastelitos de guayaba o cascos de guayaba con queso blanco. El cafesito cubano en Versailles!!
Posted by: isa | October 16, 2014 at 05:52 PM
Definitely vaca frita!
Posted by: Melinda | October 17, 2014 at 12:44 PM