Frijoles Negros Cubanos

I regret to inform you that there are no short cuts or fast-track techniques to ease the process of making authentic and delicious Frijoles Negros Cubanos (Cuban Style Stewed Black Beans).  However, rest assured, once you taste the outcome of this recipe, you will never again want to buy the canned black beans found in…

Apple-Almond Tart

Although I live on an island, its hard to find a beachfront restaurant (outside of a hotel) in San Juan due to urbanization as well as construction restrictions.  I adore and respect everything about the ocean and can’t imagine a nicer way to celebrate a special occasion than with lunch or dinner on the beach…

Arroz con Gandules

The Holidays are here and in Puerto Rico this means having a weekly overdose of Arroz con Gandules, pasteles (ground plantain patties filled with stewed pork or chicken), lechón (bbq whole pork), Tembleque (coconut custard) and Coquito (Puertorrican eggnog spiced with rum) in every celebration.  Here, we make any excuse to have a party, so…

Thanksgiving Leftovers

Thanksgiving Leftovers Recipe Ideas Here are some ideas of dishes you can make with your Thanksgiving leftovers: Turkey Tacos–  Make delicious turkey tacos by shredding leftover turkey meat.  Add chopped lettuce, cheese and sour cream and of course your favorite hot sauce! Sweet Potato Flan– Add 1 cup of your leftover Sweet Potato Casserole (no…

Ropa Vieja

Ropa Vieja, which means “old clothes” in Spanish, is one of the recipes people ask me for the most.  Years ago, I used to have at hand index cards printed out with my recipes for Risotto Milanese, Mascarpone Cream Sauce, Marinara Sauce and Ropa Vieja, so I didn’t have to write the recipes over and…

My Bouquet Garni

This is my 100th post!!!!!!  I am so happy that I started this journey and even though it takes me a lot of time and effort to share my recipes in this blog every week, it is greatly satisfying and fulfilling (like my Blueberry Pound Cake). Ja, Ja!  For this I am grateful and thank…

Rice Pilaf

Rice Pilaf is rice boiled or steamed in a broth of seasoned vegetables and spices.  The word pilaf has its origins in some mediterranean, oriental and middle eastern languages like turkish (pilav), indian (pulao), greek (pilafi) and persian (pilaw) and farsi (polo).  Sometimes, I find a mixture of basmati and wild rice in the supermarket,…

Titi Magüi’s Bread Pudding

Titi Magüi was my “tia-abuela”, my grandma’s sister.  She never had children of her own, but she was always a constant in our lives, like a third grandmother.  As a little girl, she would babysit me so that my parents could go to the movies (I was an only child for 7 years).  Also, I…

Witch Fingers Cookies

Halloween is coming up and we like to go all out getting dressed up every year.  I don’t know who enjoys it more, the kids or the parents, but a group of families always get together and head a “pilgrimage” to a house in our neighborhood where every year the owner dresses up as a…

Greek Yogurt Chicken Salad

Yogurt is one of my favorite ingredients. Specifically, I’m a big fan of greek yogurt. It’s thick and sour and gives a wonderful consistency and savour to this salad without having to add any mayonnaise.  The poached chicken breasts are infused with flavor during the cooking process with the onion, green pepper and bay leaf…