Have You Ever Tried Cuban Cooking?

Only 90 miles from Florida (but at times unreachable), Cuba has a diverse social history from where has arisen cooking traditions that are as full of life and diversified as the range of cultures who have added spice to the growth of this unique and tasty dishes. Not only is there the ancient influence of the native peoples of Cuba, the occupying Spaniards imported their own culinary styles and flavors. These unique foods were rooted in history by those of the Moors who held huge parts of Spain for centuries. The slaves that were brought from Africa made significant culinary and cultural contributions, with other culinary traditions being brought to the island with the French colonists fleeing uprisings in Haiti.
Because these numerous impacts came collectively, a specific, distinct Cuban flavor and design evolved. This Cuban style is a reminder of national peasant styles of cooking food, passed down by oral tradition and stories, rather than counting on particular specifications and written recipes.

Recipes With A Cuban Flavor

Cuban inspired recipes are likely to lean to the simple and hearty, and that can be remaining by themselves to simmer and bring out deep flavors. Time consuming, heavy sauces are rare and deep-frying is simply not a favored cooking method. The kitchen may have an electric griddle but not a deep fryer.

As an island nation, Cuba and its cooks use a great deal of fresh seafood in their cuisine. Using local foods helps to encourage the use of simple cooking styles and the use of spices that are meant to enhance, not cloak, natural flavors. Four of the most frequently used spices in Cuban dishes are cumin, bay, garlic cloves and oregano or laurel leaves. Sofrito is also popular, and used in a wide range of dishes, from those of beans to those of meats to those that are made from a base of tomato sauce. A typical sofrito is made of green pepper, onion, garlic, oregano and black pepper fried in olive oil until the pepper, onion and garlic are soft and translucent and the flavors blend to perfection.

A Healthy Diet Style

The protein rich, nutritious, energy packed vegetables commonly used trace back to the African and native peoples and their’ influences on the cuisine of Cuba. Yuca, malanga, boniato, and plantano are common among this type of cooking, and are often simmered together with complementary vegetables. They also may be served simply, drizzled with olive oil and sprinkled with a chopped fresh onion. This make for – a satisfying, strengthening and simple dish with a peasant influence in the making. Meat are often prepared using isle flavored marinades of this use lime juice or the liquid of a sour variety of the orange being a foundation. Then, the meats are roasted or simmered very slowly with spices for hours. Beans and rice are an essential part of most meals, with black beans being well known as a Cuban specialty. The invention of the Instant Pot has meant more options for slow cooking tough cuts of meat will simmering in spiced liquids. Cuban recipes can also be notable for the prepared products, that include a number of turnovers. Some are filled with spiced meats and other types feature a particularly Cuban blend of cream cheese and guava paste. Flan is among Cuba’s most beloved dessert items. In Cuban food, the understated tastes of well balanced meals are enhanced by cooking and spicing strategies made to bring out the very best in each part of a meal. The culinary traditions of Cuba are a delight to the tongue, naturally, but they also offer a fascinating glimpse into a culture that has brought together many varied elements to create a cohesive whole.