Pasteles are a Puerto Rican institution. Without fail, every Christmas, Puerto Rican kitchens the world over are packed with Abuelas and their acolytes, all with one mission: prepare, assemble, and package enough pasteles to divvy up amongst the family. Bundles of meat-filled, ground green banana patties are packed away into plastic bags. The family members disperse to their…
Cuisine
Achiote Oil: Sense & Edibility’s Culinary Class
Planning to make a bunch of Hispanic or Caribbean recipes? Well, Friend, Achiote Oil is your weekend project. Many dishes in the Hispanic culture include achiote in some shape or form. Its oil is easy to make and even easier to use. The only warning I offer: don’t get it on anything you care about! What is Achiote Oil? Achiote…
Vegan Pastelón (Puerto Rican Plantain “Lasagna”)
This Vegan Pastelón – a meatless version of the Puerto Rican “lasagna”- is sure to please everyone, even the staunchest carnivore. Made with fried slices of sweet plantain and a plant-based picadillo, this baked casserole is a spin on the comfort food many Puerto Ricans know and love. With quality ingredients and a step-by step guide,…
Farro Con Gandules (Farro with Pigeon Peas)
When I get bored, one of two things are bound to happen: either I chop off my hair, or I create a riff on a classic recipe. Since I shaved my hair off at the beginning of the year, I decided a new spin on arroz con gandules was more appropriate. So, my friend, I…
Healthier Pastelón (Puerto Rican Plantain “Lasagna”)
Puerto Rican and African dishes are full of flavor and variety. The plethora of fruits and vegetables available in their subtropical regions makes for a wild time in the kitchen. Pastelón bridges the gap- if there ever was one- between my two cultures in a delicious way. In the traditional dish, slices of very ripe, fried…
Chuletas Fritas (Puerto Rican Pan-Fried Pork Chops)
Let me introduce you to my go-to protein: chuletas fritas (CHOO-leh-tahs free-tahs). I marinate center cut, bone-in pork chops in a flavorful spice blend popular in Puerto Rican cuisine. After a nice rest in the marinade, I pan-fry the chops in a small amount of oil or lard until juicy and crisp. If you are…
Flan (Puerto Rican Baked Egg Custard)
People’s affinity for flan is probably because of how easy it is to prepare. A custard of eggs, canned milk and sometimes sugar are thrown into a blender together, then baked in a water bath over an amber crust of caramelized sugar. The thrill of the dessert comes in the serving of it. A flourishing…
Arroz con Gandules (Rice with Pigeon Peas)
Arroz con gandules is a very popular Puerto Rican rice dish. Rendered pork fat and spices flavor the rice before the pigeon peas are added and the whole lot is steamed until fluffy and soft. You’ve probably seen, if not tasted, Arroz con Gandules if you’ve ever had the honor of being invited to a Puerto…
7up Pound Cake with Citrus Glaze
I may not be a southern girl, but you wouldn’t know it by my desserts. 7up Pound Cake is a clear southern dessert table favorite with its easy prep and low-maintenance decoration. This pound cake can sit on picnic tables with no problem, but it also graces even the poshest buffet lines. Though it’s a…
Mofongo Burgers (Burgers on Mashed Plantain Buns)
Hey, friend! Grilling season seems to be drawing to a close- at least for me- so I want to hit you with my best burger recipe. Mofongo is a dish that’s super popular in Puerto Rico. Burgers are a classic staple recipe in the US of A. So, what does my half-Black, half-Puerto Rican soul…
