Sancocho is a meat and vegetable stew that’s common in Latin America. Each country has its own variation of the comforting recipe, but this one is a compilation of the lot of them. A beef stock base adds more flavor to this sancocho than using water alone. And a combination of meats and veggies assures…
pork
Jerk Pernil (Roast Pork Shoulder)
This Jerk Pernil is going to open your eyes and taste buds to a world of possibilities. Not only does this succulent roast taste like you’ve taken a trip to Boston, Jamaica, but it is also so straightforward you can make it for this weekend’s family dinner. I’ll walk you through the ins and outs…
Pasteles Puertorriqueños (Puerto Rican Pasteles)
Pasteles are a traditional Puerto Rican recipe served during the holidays. Every holiday season, 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. The family divvies up the pasteles into plastic bags. Then disperse to…
Citrus Herb Dry Brine for Meats, Poultry, and Veggies
This versatile Citrus-Herb Dry Brine is about to be your new best friend. Fresh citrus peels and an herb blend combine with salt to create this powerhouse. There’s no shortage of flavor in it, but the beauty of this spice blend is how versatile it is. A dry brine can infuse your poultry, red meats,…
Ham with Spiced Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze
This Ham with Spiced Brown Sugar Pineapple Glaze will steer you away from cloyingly sweet and overly clove-y ham this year. The easy-to-make, slightly spicy glaze is a tasty alternative to the syrupy coating you might be used to. By using a fully cooked ham, your entree is on the table in less time too….
Tripletas (Steak, Pernil, and Ham Sandwiches)
Tripletas (three-pleh-tahs) are a bakery staple in many Hispanic Caribbean ‘hoods. The “working person’s sandwich,” as I like to call it, is a meal-on-a-roll. In fact, since it has three different cuts of meat, a boatload of toppings, and a generous amount of condiments, it’s more like two meals-in-one. Though I know that many of you fine…
Gumbo with Andouille Sausage, Chicken, and Seafood
This flavorful stovetop meal is packed with juicy proteins- sausage, chicken, and two types of seafood- swimming in a thick broth that I can drink on its own. A portion of rice or potato salad, yes, potato salad, is the only accompaniment you need here. Do crackers and tabasco also work? Yes. But that’s a personal preference….
Slow Cooker Cinnamon Applesauce
Let’s whip up a quick side dish to serve at breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or dessert. With minimal effort and the kitchen workhorse known as the slow cooker, this warmly-spiced Cinnamon Applesauce can be the side dish of your dreams. When it comes to figuring out how to round out a meal, you can’t beat…
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…
Pernil (Puerto Rican Roast Pork Shoulder)
Puerto Rican Pernil (Roasted Pork Shoulder) is a garlicky, succulent entree that is a must at celebrations, holiday dinners, and- for me- supper whenever I crave it. The most beloved part of the pernil, besides the aromatic, tender meat is the chicharrón or cuero. You might know it as pork rind or crackling. We could…
