A Taste of Cuba: Recipes from the Cuban-American Community

Rating:
Summary: Best English Language Cuban Cookbook
Review: As a Cuban born American, I know real Cuban cooking when I taste it, and this book has brought my family and friends countless kitchen joys. Simple, direct and easy to follow --- with little embellishment that serves to improve the recipes themselves --- "A Taste Of Cuba" allows us to experience the true essence of Cuban cookery. Unlike the "chic Cuban" styles of Asia de Cuba, Patria, chino-latino, Green makes no daring attempts to improve on the real thing, and that's the best way to enjoy this colorful delicious food over and over again! From standards like "Arroz Con Pollo" and "Lechon Asado" to "Camarones enchilados" and "ropa vieja" Green's passion for the condiments shines through. INstead of embellishing the dishes she realizes they're best left to the natural scents and zeitgeist that the best Cuban cooks - our abuelas and mami's - know is at the heart of the matter. Only "Cocina Criolla" - Nydia Villapol's(sp?) 60's classic is better or tastier or truer to the food's indigenous roots (alas, that's only available in SPanish, but every Cubano should proudly display a copy in their homw!) Linnette Green has done a fine job of mixing together the magical qualities of a legendary cuisine - fresh ingredients, attention bordering on love, colorful presentation, and a passion for the dishes themselves. Here, her characters are malangas and mangoes, frijoles and arroz, but "Like Water for Chocolate" her memories and passion stir the senses making your tastebuds soar! A WINNER!

Rating:
Summary: Best English Language Cuban Cookbook
Review: As a Cuban born American, I know real Cuban cooking when I taste it, and this book has brought my family and friends countless kitchen joys. Simple, direct and easy to follow --- with little embellishment that serves to improve the recipes themselves --- "A Taste Of Cuba" allows us to experience the true essence of Cuban cookery. Unlike the "chic Cuban" styles of Asia de Cuba, Patria, chino-latino, Green makes no daring attempts to improve on the real thing, and that's the best way to enjoy this colorful delicious food over and over again! From standards like "Arroz Con Pollo" and "Lechon Asado" to "Camarones enchilados" and "ropa vieja" Green's passion for the condiments shines through. INstead of embellishing the dishes she realizes they're best left to the natural scents and zeitgeist that the best Cuban cooks - our abuelas and mami's - know is at the heart of the matter. Only "Cocina Criolla" - Nydia Villapol's(sp?) 60's classic is better or tastier or truer to the food's indigenous roots (alas, that's only available in SPanish, but every Cubano should proudly display a copy in their homw!) Linnette Green has done a fine job of mixing together the magical qualities of a legendary cuisine - fresh ingredients, attention bordering on love, colorful presentation, and a passion for the dishes themselves. Here, her characters are malangas and mangoes, frijoles and arroz, but "Like Water for Chocolate" her memories and passion stir the senses making your tastebuds soar! A WINNER!

Rating:
Summary: A Taste of Heaven!!!
Review: Every single recipe in this book has been a proven hit with my in-laws who are Cuban. It is authentic and the recipes are easy to follow. The ingredients are not expensive but the flavors just burst with every recipe. I have used this book for over a year and continue to get ideas out of it. I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes to cook.

Rating:
Summary: A Taste of Heaven!!!
Review: Every single recipe in this book has been a proven hit with my in-laws who are Cuban. It is authentic and the recipes are easy to follow. The ingredients are not expensive but the flavors just burst with every recipe. I have used this book for over a year and continue to get ideas out of it. I definitely recommend it to anyone who likes to cook.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Buy it
Review: I purchased this book many years ago, and for many years it has sat in my buffet (where I put all cookbooks whose recipes I don't like). I am Cuban, as over 400 years of my ancestors were, and I found nothing in this book that reminded me of anything I grew up eating. Instead, I strongly suggest you buy "Memories of a Cuban Kitchen" by Mary Urrutia Randelmann. This book provides true Cuban food.

Rating:
Summary: Don't Buy it
Review: I purchased this book many years ago, and for many years it has sat in my buffet (where I put all cookbooks whose recipes I don't like). I am Cuban, as over 400 years of my ancestors were, and I found nothing in this book that reminded me of anything I grew up eating. Instead, I strongly suggest you buy "Memories of a Cuban Kitchen" by Mary Urrutia Randelmann. This book provides true Cuban food.