Cuba!

Cuba! explores the magic of this vibrant country through more than 75 recipes that will set taste buds on fire and stories that will delight even the most well-seasoned traveler. 
 
Brazen, bold, and colorful, Cuba is a country that pulses with life. Fascinated by its people and their endlessly delicious home-cooked cuisine, friends Dan Goldberg and Andrea Kuhn have been visiting this magnetic country, capturing its passion and vibrancy, for the past five years. Dan, an award-winning photographer and Andrea, an acclaimed prop stylist and art director, along with renowned food writer Jody Eddy, bring the best of Cuban food to home kitchens with more than 75 meticulously tested recipes. From Cuban-Style Fried Chicken and Tostones Stuffed with Lobster and Conch, to Squid-ink Empanadas and Mojito Cake with Rum-Infused Whipped Cream, this book offers a unique opportunity to bring a little slice of Cuba into your home and onto your plate.

Dan Goldberg is an award-winning commercial photographer specializing in food photography. His work has been recognized by the London International Advertising Awards and he’s been listed as Archive’s Best 200 Advertising Photographers. When not taking photographs, you can find him seeking out the best food and drink in town, fly-fishing, and traveling the world with his wife, Casey and daughter, Dylan.
 
Prop stylist and art director, Andrea Kuhn’s work has appeared in national magazines and ad campaigns, as well as numerous cookbooks, including The Girl in the Kitchen, the James Beard-nominated Spiaggia, Cookie Love and Fat Rice. When not on set, you can find Andrea perusing flea markets (near and far) looking for that perfect prop, enjoying a good cup of coffee, and hanging at the dog park with her doodle, Finley. She lives in Chicago, Illinois. 
 
Jody Eddy is a food writer and the author of Come In, We're Closed and the IACP Award-winning North: The New Nordic Cuisine of Iceland. She is also the former editor of Art Culinaire. A graduate of the Institute of Culinary Education in Manhattan, Jody has cooked at Jean Georges, Tabla, and The Fat Duck. She lives in Chicago where she enjoys running, gardening, and planning tomorrow’s next culinary adventure.

introduction     1

1. basic training
Rice and Beans 12
yellow Rice 14
white Rice 14
Chicken Stock 16
Fish Stock 20
Sofrito 21
Fried Plantains 24
Yuca Fries 27
fried Green Plantains (Tostones) 28
Mojo 30

2. snack & chat
Fried Plantain chips (mariqutas) with Mojo 39
Crispy Pork with Mango Salsa 42
Mango Salsa 43
Papas Rellenas 44
Picadillo 47
Tortilla Española with 48
Chorizo and Potatoes
Codfish Fritters 52
Hot Sauce 53
Tostones Stuffed with Lobster and Conch 54
Fresh Corn Tamales with Poblano Sauce 57
Poblano Sauce 58

3. pressed & starched
The Cubano 64
Hamburger with Crispy Shoestring Potatoes 67
Ropa Vieja Sliders 70
Pickled Onions 71
Jibarito with Braised Chicken 76
and Green Olive aioli
Green Olive aioli 77
Caribbean Black Bean Burger 78
Pineapple Avocado Salsa 79
Squid Ink Empanadas with Charred Red Pepper Sauce 82
Charred Red Pepper Sauce 83
Vedado Lobster Roll 84

4. along the malecón
Shrimp and Scallop Seviche with Shredded Plantain Chips 92
Shredded Plantain Chips 93
Chile and Garlic Langostinos 94
Grilled Shrimp with Sugarcane 97
Grilled Octopus with Jicama Slaw and Yuca Fries 99
Jicama Slaw 99
Fish with Mojo 101
Paella 102

5. three amigos 
Shredded Beef with Fried Eggs, Mojo, and Crispy Yuca 112
Crispy Yuca 113
Roasted Pork (Lechon Asado) 115
Ribs with Guava BBQ Sauce 117
Guava BBQ Sauce 118
Braised Garlic Chicken with Yellow Rice 119
Pork Chops with Warm Grapefruit Vinaigrette 122

6. pots & pans
Chicken Stew with Corn 129
Pureed Plantain Soup with Crispy Shallots 131
Crispy Shallots 131
Sopa de Pollo with Plantain Dumplings 133
Spicy Black Bean Soup with Lime Crema 136
Lime Crema 137
Cream of Malanga Soup with Pistachio Pistou 140
Pistachio Pistou 141
Fisherman’s Stew 143

7. dim sum & a little rum
Crab Dumplings with Cilantro Dipping Sauce 148
Cilantro Dipping Sauce 148
Cuchillo Street Egg Rolls 152
Cuban Fried Rice 155
Steamed Cuban Beef Buns 158
Havanese Pork Loin 160
Sweet-and-Sour Lobster 162

8. all aboard!
Fried Whole Snapper with Salsa Verde 174
Salsa Verde 175
Savory Goat Stew 177
Island-Style Chicharrónes 180
Cuban Fried Chicken 182
Frituras de Maiz (Fried Cornmeal) 185
Crispy Twice-Cooked Lamb 187
Guava Hand Pies 191

9. azucar (sugar)
Churros 199
Pumpkin Flan 201
Coconut Tres Leches Cake 202
Rice Pudding with Toasted Coconut 206
Caramelized Grilled Pineapple with Toasted Coconut Ice Cream 209
Toasted Coconut Ice Cream 209
Cuban Coffee Flan 210
Mojito Cake with Rum-Infused Whipped Cream and Lime Zest 212
Chiviricos 215

10. with a twist
Bitter Cuban 225
Café Cubano 226
Café Cubano batido 229
Oatmeal Mango Batido 230
Iced Tea with Mango-Lime Puree 233
Guarapo (Sort of . . .) 233
Passion Fruit Martini 236
Strawberry Mango Daiquiri 236
Cuba Libre 237
Spiced Rum Pimm’s Cup 238
Mojito 240

the cuban pantry     243