CUBAN SPICY JALAPENO MEATBALLS
Makes about 30

2 jalapenos, chopped
1 pound ground beef {or ground turkey}
1 egg
1/2 cup breadcrumbs
1/4 cup milk
1/4 cup Monterey Jack cheese, grated
1 small onion, chopped
Salt to taste
Pepper to taste
16oz jar of Salsa of choice

Form meatballs out of everything but the salsa. Cook uncovered in 400F oven, 15-20 minutes. ( Read more... )

CUBAN RICE
Arroz a la Cubana

Here's your basic rice without a lot of outside enhancement. The fresh garlic, tomato sauce, and stock are enough to make it a very satisfying side dish or main vegetable choice.

Serves 4

1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 medium onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cups long-grain white rice
1 cup tomato sauce
1 bay leaf, crushed
1 ( Read more... )

CUBAN SNOW PEAS IN OLIVE OIL SAUCE
Vainitas Chinas en Salsa de Aceite de Oliva

Snow peas, not typically Cuban, are enjoyed today in many Cuban-American homes. Mint leaves, still widely used in Cuba today, add the crowning touch to this simple saute prepared in olive oil.

Serves 4

1/4 cup olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, peeled ( Read more... )

CUBAN SHRIMP-BUTTERED TEA SANDWICHES
Bocaditos de Mantequilla de Camarones

A bocadito is a miniature sandwich or canape. These tea-style sandwiches, so popular in the United States in the 50's, made their way to the Caribbean island and were prepared with just about every filling imaginable. The bocadito consists of a thin filling between two slices ( Read more... )

CUBAN CILANTRO MAYONNAISE

Cilantro mayonnaise differs considerably from other mayonnaise preperations because it uses milk as the emulsion agent to bind together the ingredients. This sauce enlivens fish or egg dishes and is a hands-down winner when served as a dressing for deep-fried yuca.

1 cup light mayonnaise
1 garlic clove, peeled and crushed
1 ( Read more... )

CUBAN GARLIC-TOMATO SOUP
Sopa de Ajo al Tomate

This is the simplest version of all garlic soup recipes and can be prepeared at the spur of the moment for a quick lunch dish. The fresh plum tomatoes add a delicious touch.

Serves 6

2 tablespoons olive oil
8 garlic cloves, peeled
2 cups peeled, chopped ripe plum tomatoes
1 bay leaf
6 cups chicken stock {1.5 ( Read more... )

CUBAN PORK TENDERLOIN IN WINE SAUCE
Filetillos de Cerdo en Salsa de Vino

These lightly sauteed tenderloins are baked in a savory sauce of Chardonnay and chicken stock, creating a mouth-watering robust entree.

Serves 4-6

2 {2-pound} pork tenderloins
1/2 cup cracker meal/saltines
Salt, to taste
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 tablespoons olive oil
5 garlic cloves ( Read more... )

CUBAN ALMOND DRINK
Cubana Horchata

Here's a refreshing drink that's perfect for a hot summer's day.

Serves 4

1/4 cup blanched almonds
4 cups whole milk
1 cup granulated sugar
2 drops almond extract
1 vanilla bean, split
Crushed ice

With a mortar and pestle, pound nuts into a paste, or use prepared almond paste. Put in a medium-size heavy saucepan and add ( Read more... )

CUBAN GRILLED CORN ON THE COB 
with GARLIC BUTTER, FRESH LIME & COTIJA CHEESE

8 ears corn
4 fresh limes, quartered
Garlic butter, recipe follows
1/2 cup grated Cotija cheese
2 tablespoons chopped chives, for garnish

Preheat grill to medium. Peel back the husks of the corn without removing them. Remove silks and recover corn with husk. Soak in a large ( Read more... )

Recipes using shrimps exist in many cultures, including Jambalaya in the Southern USA, Okonomiyaki in Japan, Poon Choi in China, Bagoong in the Philippines, and Scampi in Italy. Shrimps are an excellent source of selenium and unusually low-fat, low-calorie protein -- a 4oz serving supplies 23g of protein {47% of the daily value} for a mere 112 ( Read more... )