Hey! I wrote a cookbook!

Today on the Tiki Tiki I share my very favorite Latin cookbooks.

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As I was finishing the post, Adam came in with an ingredient question from one of my own recipes. At which point I remembered that hey! I wrote a cookbook, too! Yes, with my Cuban recipes. (Shut up. I know.)  ;-)

Perhaps the badge in my sidebar isn't quite as obvious as I originally thought. Hmm....

So, in case you missed it....

Hey! I wrote a Cuban cookbook! =D

It's the one that has the photos of all my family on it. And it's called My Big, Fat, Cuban Family Cookbook. (How's that for originality?)

MBFCF

Do you have a favorite cookbook? Tell me.

Como Su Ritmo No Hay Dos or What Cuban Music Heaven Looks Like

We live about an hour south of Los Angeles. (That's how you calculate distances here in Southern California; by how long it takes you in traffic to get from one place to another.)

This is a wonderful thing because that means that we can go see shows in L.A. but not have to live there. See what I mean? Win-win. ;-)

And when summer begins the first thing we do is look to see who is in concert, because if there's anything we love, it's summer concerts. (Okay, we love any kind of a live show anytime of the year, but that's not important right now.)

Imagine my surprise and delight when Amy invited me to go see Andy Garcia and the CineSon All-Stars at the Conga Room in L.A. (Okay, let's just have a moment of silence in reverence. Thank you.)

Andy.
Andy Garcia.
Who has his own category on my blog because, well, he's Cuban and he's so cool. *Ay Dios mio!*

Here's Andy on cowbell.
Andy on cowbell
And yes, I took this picture.

Notice how it's close-up.

How there are no heads in front of him obscuring the shot.

How it looks like it was taken from (where we were sitting) FIVE. FEET. AWAY.

Amy invited me to go because:
1) She enjoyed his music so much the last time she saw him and
2) I'm kind of a big fan. (I know. Total understatement. Shut up.)

So we got to the Conga Room early thinking we'd have to line up and maybe push some people around to get a good seat. Okay, not really, well, I may or may not have done that, but that's not important right now, either. =D
Conga room

Anyway, relieved that we didn't have to manhandle anyone and because I lead a charmed life, we were able to get two seats IN THE FRONT ROW DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF ANDY and where he would be bongo-ing and cowbell-ing and piano-ing for the next two and a half hours. (Shut up. I KNOW!)

Andy's footlocker

The show was fabulous. If you have not heard the CineSon All-Stars do yourself a favor and get their music or better yet, go see them live.

I was seriously in Cuban Music Heaven.
Apparently, so was Andy. *sigh*
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Of course we danced! When a Cuban conga starts, who can stay in their seat? Seriously!
And being in the first row gave us lots of room. =D

"Abre que voy!"
Amy dancing

He played some of the hauntingly beautiful music from The Lost City.
Andy on piano

And of course, a tribute to the Master, Cachao.

Andy on bongos

We had the BEST time.

We sang-along. We laughed. We danced. We clapped. We started the conga. (=D) We cheered for a Free Cuba.

Much to my everlasting delight, he winked at us and smiled at us and at one point even stuck his tongue out at us. (I know. Shut up. I'm guessing it was a purely defensive move: "I should be nice to those two noisy Cuban women in the front row directly in front of me, lest they get a little crazy.") =D

But do you know what kept going through my mind during the entire show?

Besides, "More cowbell, por favor!"...

Cowbell

This Cuban man should sooo have a copy of my cookbook!  ;-)

A celebration of Cu...
By Marta M. Darby

Cuban guys can COOK - part 2

My very first post, which I wrote on October 1st, 2006 was titled Life on the Hyphen

That also happens to be the title of a wonderful book by one of my very favorite authors: Gustavo Pérez Firmat. In fact, if you look over to the right you'll find a couple of his books under Smart Cuban Authors.  Seriously. He's just brilliant.

So imagine my surprise and delight to find that he and his lovely American wife, Mary Anne often come over here to visit My Big, Fat, Cuban Family and are cooking Cuban food using......wait for it.....

My Big, Fat, Cuban Family Cookbook(I know. Shut up.)

Gustavo perez-firmat
Gustavo and Mary Anne Pérez Firmat enjoy pastelitos made from my recipe. (shut up!)

Hi Marta,
Thank you  for your wonderful cookbook.  I've been cooking my way
through it.....I really like using the crockpot.  It saves so much
trouble and makes ropa vieja like a dream!....
Our best to you and all of your wonderful family for the holidays. 
You are an inspiration to me.

Mary Anne Perez Firmat

(emphasis mine - I thought it was ironic because he's an inspiration to me, but that's not important right now.)

Thanks, Gustavo and Mary Anne! As always, make yourselves at home here at MBFCF. My blog casa is your blog casa.

Can someone please get me some sandpaper?  (Pa' darme lija!)   ;-)

Cuban guys can COOK

My friend, Val (from Babalú blog) sent me the following story:

"Henry was at my house on Sunday for the Dolphins game and mentioned that he’s on a list serv for his graduating class at Belen. Basically, it’s a net  service where men from that class post links and communicate with each other.  Someone had mentioned on the list serv about Cuban food and missing pastelitos de guayaba as he lives up north somewhere where there’s no Cuban food and Henry posted your pastelito recipe to the list serv.
 
He says that a bunch of those guys – mind you, Cuban, professional men that have no idea what a kitchen is actually for – actually made the pastelitos and not only loved them, but found themselves talking about and trading “pastelito baking tips” on the list serv.

It's all your fault they're all acting kinda gay."

Then, Henry (also from Babalú blog) sent me the actual thread:

From: Henry Louis Gomez
Subject: Re: [belen87] Pastelito Recipe

Here's your quick and easy pastelito recipe courtesy of Marta Darby of Babalu Blog:
http://www.babalublog.com/archives/008056.html

From: RD
Subject: Re: [belen87] Pastelito Recipe

Thanks for the recipe - it looks totally do-able ( and I can get the Ancel Guayaba here...)  It is clearly a Cuban cook, with the manicure and the bracelets while she cooks.....
R

From: Henry Louis Gomez
Subject: Re: [belen87] Pastelito Recipe

Marta Darby is one of the sweetest people in the world.  She lives in California and thus she's had to become an expert in Cuban cooking just to be able to eat.

From: Jorge C.
Subject: Re: [belen87] Pastelito Recipe

Awesome recipe (I had to try it out).
011

From: RD
Subject: Re: [belen87] Pastelito Recipe

Boy, the tone of this list has taken a post-election turn.  
Now we're exchanging recipes....  
R

OMG!  Isn't that AWESOME???  I just about wept because I was laughing so hard picturing the Cuban men exchanging "pastelito baking tips."  And I especially LOVE that one of them included pictures of his final product!

(BTW, my pastelito recipe can be found here.)

But there's more... from Amy Arnaz upon receiving my cookbook:

"Desi saw it just now and loves it! Tomorrow I'll take the picture and send it to you.  There are a few recipes in there that his Dad always made and we never really knew how to make them."

(NOTE: emphasis mine. BTW, Mrs. Arnaz, who is a lovely ballerina, has a blog called Insights from the Magic Tutu. Go visit her and tell her Marta from MBFCF sent you.)

To me, those were the very BEST compliments I could receive.  I often say that I'm not a "foodie" or anything, I'm just Cuban and I cook.  My goal is to make easy, delicious, Cuban-tasting food.

If I can get people (that is, Cuban professional men!) to connect to their Cuban roots by way of their stomach I feel like I've done a good job.  That Desi Arnaz, Jr. is able to connect with memories of his Dad in this way "puts the lid on the jar" for me.

Which is why I'm framing this picture and putting it in my kitchen:

Desi Arnaz & MBFCF
Desi Arnaz Jr. (*sigh*) enjoys MBFCF Cookbook.

Well, okay, that... and because he's still so dang ADORABLE!    (Hi Desi! Besitos!!)

Martas kitchen logo 1 copy-1
I'm making baby-back ribs today using the pimentón I just received.
Get yourselves over to Babalú blog for some Costillitas de Martica.

And be sure to tell any Cuban guys you know that I have a cookbook. ;-)

A celebration of Cu...
By Marta M. Darby

Now.... can anyone tell me how to get a hold of Andy Garcia??? (hint, hint)  =D

People are talking...

You know I sent out a few of my cookbooks earlier this month - to the MBFCF 2-Year Blogiversary Winners and of course, to my darling Desi Arnaz, Jr. (sigh). 

This is what the recipients had to say about My Big, Fat, Cuban Family Cookbook:

MBFCF

Hi Marta,
 
The cookbook arrived this morning! I am so excited! It is gorgeous. I love all the photos and the family stories. You have such a lovely family. I can't wait to try some of the recipes.

Abrazos,
Annette

************************************************************************

Wow! Great job on the book Marta! It is AMAZING, I'm not kidding you. The stories that segue into the recipes...the recipes themselves...some oldies but goodies and some I never woulda thought of like the guayaba and cream cheese torrejas??? What kind of genius came up with THAT one?? By the way, the day I received the book, I was boiling a can of condensed milk to make dulce de leche and I fell asleep and about an hour an a half later...BOOM! Racka, racka, racka, hissssss, hissssss.....(Mind you I thought my daughter had gotten home in a bad mood and kept sleeping) and then the horrific smell of smoke and burnt dulce de leche...ayayay...anyway, a few hours of cleaning later I sit down to read your book and there is another genius idea of CROCKPOTTING your condensed milk...nope, not me, I go the "blow up the house" route instead. Anyway, thank you so much for taking me down memory, early exilio lane and for picking me to win your book. Believe it or not, I was hoping for the apron, but this is SO much better...thanks Marta, your da bomb!

By the way, any ideas on how to get dulce de leche off of my popcorn ceiling:/ ?

A celebration of Cu...
By Marta M. Darby

Speaking of Cuban heart-throbs...

Before there was Andy.... (insert heart flutter here)
Andy-Garcia_040

There was Desi... (sigh)

Desidrumcolor1

That's right.  Desi Arnaz Jr.  (be still my foolish heart...)

Proud and handsome descendant of Cuban Royalty, Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball (let's have a moment of reverent silence here - thank you). 

MY Desi. (heavy sigh) My First True Love. (in my 12 year-old mind, we were MFEO. "made for each other." =D)

THE Desi of my elaborate he's-Cuban-and-I'm-Cuban adolescent daydreams.  The would-be recipient of my Dear Desi letters (that I wrote only in the absolute privacy of my very personal pink-with-a-lock-on-it-we-all-had-one Diary, but that's not important right now).

Ah, Desi.... (heavy sigh.)

So imagine my surprise and delight when I received the following comment on one of my posts...

...............................................................................................................................................

Love, love, love your Big Fat Cuban Family blog. Found it by accident and can't wait to show it to Desi.
Muchas gracias!

Amy Arnaz

Posted by: Amy Arnaz (Mrs Desi Arnaz Jr)

..............................................................................................................................................

WHO??  And did she really say, "...can't wait to show it to Desi." ???

THE Desi?
MY Desi???

Feeling emboldened, I decided to send him a token of my unfailing love and devotion...

MBFCF cookbook for Desi Arnaz Jr. 

Sorry, Andy.  It had to be done. 

"The course of true love never did run smooth." 

~ Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream

DISCLAIMER:  Just to let you know that I'm not as stalkery as all this sounds, I've exchanged emails with the lovely Mrs. Arnaz and she responded with the following:

"Yes, Marta, please blog me and also send the cookbook!  And autograph it
with kisses to Desi.
  He'll love that!  He has taught me how to make alot of
Cuban dishes that he remembers from his father."

Emphasis is mine. And I am nothing if not obedient. ;-)

SHUT. UP!   =D

***ADDENDUM 10/7/08:

For the record, the Little Ricky seen on I Love Lucy is not the same person as Desi Arnaz Jr., although he is an incredible drummer in his own right - There is however, an amazing corrolation in their lives. Read that unbelievable story here.

The envelope please...

First, I want to thank all of you who left (such nice!!) comments and participated in The My Big, Fat, Cuban Family Two Year Blogiversary Giveaway of '08 (I think that name gives this silly contest more gravitas, but that's not important right now).  You are the reason I do what I do and I'm grateful for your feedback. Gracias!

Here's how I chose the winners:
1) I went to Random.org and copied all of your names into a list.
2) I then had it randomize the list 6 times - once for each drawing.
3) I copied and pasted the comments of the winners below.
4) I felt a little guilty that not everyone could win and had a moment of sadness. =(

Congratulations to the winners!  I will be needing your snail mail information to send out the goodies, so please email me ASAP. Send me an email with HEY, MARTA, I JUST WON STUFF ON YOUR BLOG! in the subject line (so I won't accidentally send you into the junk box =D). I promise to keep all your information confidential.

And the winners are.....
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My Big, Fat, Cuban Family Mugs go to:

Hi Marta,

CONGRATULATIONS!!! I love your blog and have faithfully kept up with it for the entire time....certaninly hope to do so for many, many more years!!! You and Kikita are the best!!!
I wish you all the best ALWAYS!!! You have a beautiful family and you're beautiful outside and in!!!

Happy 2nd Anniversary!!! :0)

I can't remember if I've ever left a comment before ! Oh well, I still read your blog pretty much every day. Your are so blessed with such a wonderful family, and the traditions you maintain. I don't care if I win anything (it would be nice, but that is not why I am commenting). I wish you only the best, and I hope you continue to blog for many years to come.

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Cuban Spice Aprons from Cuba To GO! will be going to:

I read your blog EVERY day. Thank you for being a part of my extended Cuban family.

Congratulations!!! Happy Birthday!!! Feliz cumpleanos!!

Love your blog. Love your product line--especially those four kids! ;-)

I'm getting in touch with my inner Latin soul after two weeks in Italy. I know, it's not Cuba, it's not even Spain. But it's still....Latin.

Me, me, ooh, ooh, me!!!! I am enjoying your blog (and your family) so much...and I've got MY own Big Fat Cuban Family!

OK, I'm shameless. My outlaws think I'm a golddigger (wrong) but they also think I'm cheap (right), so I can't bring myself to spend money on luxuries when our budget is tight (oh, that the ex-wife would remarry -- St Ann, St Ann, send Imelda a man). So count me in!

I'd like to send stuff out next week, so please email me as soon as you can.

Again, thanks to all of you who come over each day and so graciously allow me (and Kikita) to share my family and my adventures with you each week.  And now that you've come out of lurking, I expect you to comment often! 
Even if it's just to tell me, "Marta, honey, you're obviously tired. Go take a nap."  =D

BESOS!
Marta

In my dreams...

In my dreams, I never thought I'd be...

a) Blogging. (seriously, who blogs? =D)
b) Still going strong after 2 years. (2 whole years!!)

To date I've written over 600 posts and you've responded with over 2300 comments.  And I love that you follow me over to Babalú every other Thursday to try my latest recipes.

We are SOOO celebrating this week!

Blogiando-mag-cover-for-web

"How will we be celebrating?"  you ask.
(or maybe you're asking "why are we celebrating, again?" but that's not important right now. =D)

I'm giving stuff away.

Seriously.
And you know I'm no slouch in the gift giving department.

So, this week I'm giving away the following:

a) TWO My Big, Fat, Cuban Family Coffee Mugs.

Mugjitcrunch  

b) TWO Cuban Spice Aprons from Cuba To Go!

Cubanspicejitcrunch

c) TWO My Big, Fat, Cuban Family Cookbooks.

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To enter the drawing, please leave a comment on this post and I'll do a random drawing on Friday, October 3rd at 10 AM Pacific Time. 

This is my way of thanking you all for being such fun and faithful readers.  I am honored and humbled by your presence here.

Mi blog-casa es su blog-casa. 

Besos,

Marta

(POR SI ACASO: No, that's not a real magazine cover. And yes, I know I stink at Photoshop. Just having some celebratory 2-year blogoversary fun.  =D)

Smooth.

Martas kitchen logo 1 copy-1

Picture this:
It's a super hot summer day and you're craving something sweet and icy cold, that is both filling and refreshing.
And you're getting a little nostalgic for the nearly perfect summer days of your island youth.
And you're 3,000 miles from the nearest Palacio De Los Jugos.
There's only one answer for this little dilemma:

Un Batido de Mamey
(a sort of Cuban smoothie made with the pulp of the mamey fruit which is not typically found in the U.S.except for in Hispanic markets - in the frozen food section - and is hard to explain, but just trust me when I tell you that it's a truly fabulous taste treat.)

Batido de Mamey 2

 

You can find my recipe today at Babalu Blog. While you're at it you can find My Big, Fat, Cuban Family Cookbook here.
I know that was a shameless plug, but it was pretty smooth too, don't you agree? ;-)

A celebration of Cu...
By Marta M. Darby

Lookout Rachael Ray!

Kikita here.

I've got exciting news!

After weeks and weeks (and weeks) of pressure, Mami finally cracked!  She gave in and started working day and night on organizing a cookbook.  Yes, you read that correctly, MY BIG, FAT, CUBAN FAMILY COOKBOOK is now a reality.
(Lookout Rachael Ray!)

Surprised_cookbook

It's full color and just gorgeous.  No, it's not every single recipe she's posted at Babalú Blog, but it's 25 of the best and brightest and it's full of the colorful love and life that makes her recipes so special.

We will be bringing a few (soft cover) copies to sell at Cuba Nostalgia (and I'm sure we can peer pressure her into signing them too!) so you can get your copy there OR you can click on the link below and order yours TODAY!

A celebration of Cu...
By Marta M. Darby