Lelita’s Cuban kitchen

  Picadillo  Ingredients  • 1 lb ground beef or turkey   • 2 tablespoons of olive oil  • 1 medium onion, diced  • 5 garlic cloves, finely chopped  • ½ bell pepper, diced  • 1/2 red pepper diced   • 1 tablespoon ground cumin  • 2 small potatoes, peeled and cut in small pieces  • Raisins (optional)  • 1/2  cup dry red or white  wine  • ½ cup whole green olives, stuffed w/ pimentos  • 16 ounces of tomato sauce (2 8 oz cans)  • Salt and pepper to taste Instructions  1. In a medium-size frying pan, brown the ground beef with a dash of cumin and pepper, drain off any excess grease, and set aside.  2. In a large frying pan, heat 2 tbs of olive oil over med-low heat and cook the diced onion until soft  3. Add the chopped garlic and cook until almost golden.  4. Mix in the bell pepper, cumin, pepper and a little salt – not too much as the olives and capers are salty.  5. Add th...

  Garbanzos fritos is a traditional Cuban stew made from Chick peas. Chorizo sausage and ham are added to give the dish a delicious flavor.  Soak beans for 2 hours or more. Cook beans for 45 minutes in Pressure cooker. Make Sofrito from peppers, onions, garlic, tomato sauce. Add Chorizo in Sofrito. Pour into cooked beans. Add Ñame or potatoes to beans & cook 15 minutes more. Add wine in the end.  1 cup of chickpeas 1 chorizo sausage 1/4 Ñame or 2 potatoes 1 chicken cube 4 oz tomato sauce A splash white wine (optional) 1/2 Green pepper 1 onion 1 Bayleaf 1/2 tsp cumin 1 Tbsp Oregano 1 -2 Tbsp Sazon completa  1 chicken bouillon cube 3 cup of water 1 tsp sugar 🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿🌿 1 taza garbanzos  1 chorizo  1/4 ñame o 2 papas 1 cubito de pollo 4 onzas    salsa de tomate  Un chorrito de vino seco (opcional) 1/2 aji verde   1 cebolla  1 hoja de laurel   1 crta comino  1    Cda Orégano  1 -2 Cda Sazón compl...

Croquetas are fried cigar shaped Fritters made with mince meat. Pork Croquetas are the most popular. But they can be made with any meat from chicken to fish. Croquetas are economical and easy to make.  Ingredients: • 2 Tbsp butter • 1  Tbsp olive oil • 1/2 onion diced • 1 garlic Minced (optional)  • 3/4 cup minced ham • Parsley • 1 cup flour • 1 cups milk • 1 cup bread crumbs  • 1 -2 eggs  • Salt & pepper 1. Melt butter & oil in the pan  2. Add onions 3. Add flour 4. Pour milk little by little and constantly stir to form a creatm 5. After 25 minutes pour masa into plate and let cool for 1 hour 6. Take a spoon and scoop masa & form cigar shaped croqueta 7. Dip into egg and breadcrumbs & fry til golden brown 8. Drain on paper towels  9. Drizzle lime juice over top & Enjoy with crackers  Buen provecho!

 Pudín de pan is a traditional Cuban bread pudding. Bread pudding is made throughout Latin America and sometimes called Budin. My version is made almost similar to the famous Tres leche cake because I use 3 different types of milk in mine.  This delicious dessert is very economical to make because you can use ingredients already in your kitchen. Bread pudding is a dessert enjoyed all around the world and the main ingredients are bread, milk, sugar &’raisins. Some make it with it without raisins. There are recipes where Brandy is added to it. You can top it with whipped cream, Icecream or eat it alone.  📌 (RECETA EN ESPAÑOL ESTA BAJO) Ingredients:  * 2 cups or 500 grams bread * 2 cups milk * 1 can Condensed milk * 1 can Evaporated milk * 4 eggs * 1 tsp vanilla  * 2 Tbsp melted butter * 1 tsp cinnamon powder  * 1/2 cup raisins  * 1 cup sugar  1. Bread break into pieces. Pour all of the milk in the bowl with the bread & add the rest of the i...

The Cuban Cortadito is a traditional Cuban coffee sort of like a mini Cafe con leche. It’s very popular next to the Cuban Espresso. A Cortadito is made from half Cuban Coffee & half whipped steamed milk. Cortaditos are made in 1-2 oz Espresso cups. It’s like a miniature size Cafe con leche (coffee with milk).  Ingredients: 1 Cafetera or Moka pot 5 tsp Spanish Espresso  1 cup of water 5 teaspoons of espresso      3 teaspoons of sugar   2 oz Evaporated milk  VIDEO ON YOUTUBE  1. With a Cafetera or Moka coffee pot, add water to bottom basin. Add coffee to your filter & completely fill it. Press or pat down the coffee with a spoon lightly. Screw in the top part of the Cafetera on. Put Cafetera on the stove to brew coffee. When you see the first drops of coffee come out of the spout remove it from the stove & add it to the sugar.  2. Once you add the few drops of coffee to the sugar in a tin creamer or a glass measuring cup t...

 VIDEO ON YOUTUBE     Recipe / Receta ⬇️  Cremitas de leche (Cream of milk) are traditional Cuban caramel candy. These delicious candies are homemade. It’s a laborious process to make them but so well worth it in the end. Ingredients: • 2 cups regular milk  • 1 cup sugar • 1 tsp vanilla  • 1 pinch of salt  1. Pour all the ingredients in a deep pot, the milk, the sugar, the pinch of salt and the vanilla. Stir so they mix well. 2. Keep stirring for the next 30 or 35 minutes so the mixture doesn’t stick while it cooks. You’ll notice its consistency and color will change quickly. 3. Keep an eye on this! Don’t walk away!  4. Take the pot off the heat & let sit for 5-10 minutes then whip mixture very fast with a whisk or electric hand mixer for 10 minutes 5. When the mixture gets too thick to stir it’s ready. 6. The next step is use a small spoon to scoop small amounts on wax paper or aluminum foil on a w...

 👩🏾‍🍳 🇨🇺 Enchilados de camarones Cubano / Cuban Shrimp Creole 😋🤤is popular Cuban dish with shrimps in mild spicy salsa. (Video below)  * 2 pounds large shrimp , tails off, peeled and deveined * 4 tablespoons olive oil * 1 small onion , chopped * 4 cloves garlic , minced * 1 large chili pepper , chopped * 1/2 cup pimentos , chopped * 1 bay leaf * 1 teaspoon parsley chopped * 1 can tomato sauce , 12 oz * 1/2 cup dry white cooking wine (you can sub with vegetable stock) * 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar * Salt and pepper to taste  • 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar  • Salt and pepper to taste  1. In a large pan, add oil and sauté shrimp for 2 minutes. Add onions, garlic, and chili pepper. Cook for 4-5 minutes. Do not overcook the shrimp!   2. Add pimentos, bay leaf, parsley, tomato sauce, wine (or stock), vinegar, salt and pepper. Stir and allow to come to a boil. Cover and reduce heat to low.  3. Simmer for no more than 20 minutes. Remove from...

  (Receta en Español abajo) Arroz con leche “rice pudding” is a traditional dessert  in Cuba. Adding coconut takes it to a higher level. This dessert is very popular throughout Latin America, the Carribean and throughout the world. There are a million ways to make this dessert. It’s really quick & easy to make.  VIDEO ON YOUTUBE  Ingredients:  • 1 & 1/2 cup cooked rice • 7 oz Cream of Coconut • 1 can evaporated milk • 1/2 cup grated coconut flakes • 1 cinnamon stick • 1 tsp vanilla • 1 tsp Cinnamon powder • few lime peels • some raisins (optional)  •  1/2 can of condensed milk 1. Used left over rice or you can make rice as per the instructions on the package. 2. To the cooked rice add all of the milk,  cinnamon stick, lime peel, grated coconut, raisins (optional). Add a pinch of salt. Cook on medium low flame. Constantly stir it to prevent burning it.  3. Once thickens lower the flame to low. Add vanilla. Continue stirring. After 40-4...

Potaje de Garbanzos is a traditional Cuban bean stew made from Chick peas. Potaje is a thick stew with meat and starch vegetables. Everyone has there own version. This is one of my comfort foods. Who doesn’t love a hearty stew? This stew can be made with any type pork, ham, smoked ham hock or Neck bones. I love to make it with any type of smoked pork to give it flavor.  **** Video on YouTube **** Ingredients :  1 cup of chickpeas 1 chorizo sausage 1/4 Ñame or 2 potatoes 1 chicken bouillon cube 4 oz tomato sauce A splash white wine (optional) 1/2 Green pepper 1 onion 1 Bayleaf 1/2 tsp cumin 1 Tbsp Oregano 1 -2 Tbsp Sazon completa  3 cup of water Soak beans for 2 hours or more. Cook beans for 45 minutes in Pressure cooker. Make Sofrito from peppers, onions, garlic, tomato sauce. Add Chorizo in Sofrito, spices.  Pour into cooked beans. Add condiments. Add Ñame to beans & cook 15 minutes more. You can use potato or any other starch vegetables in place of Ñame.  ...

Pastelitos de carne are traditional Cuban meat patties. If you’ve even been to a Cuban party you’ve probably seen them. They tasty little meat patties filled with Picadillo (beef hash), or some type of minced meat. Cuban bakeries sell them as well. If you don’t have access to a bakery that sells them you can make your own. They are very easy to make. I make them for parties. They are definitely a crowd pleaser. The main 2 ingredients that you’ll need are Puff pastry dough & ground beef. I use Pepperidge Farms Puff pastry dough. You can find them in the frozen food section with the pastries. As for the ground beef if you don’t eat beef you can use any type of ground meat. Chicken is also great. I fill the Puff pastries with Picadillo. Picadillo is a traditional Cuban beef hash. This will be your filler. This dish is also popular in other Latino countries such as Puerto Rico and countries such as the Philippines.  ***Video on YouTube *** Ingredients :   • Puff pastry s...

Guisado de res / Beef stew is a Latino dish made with Chick beef, potatoes and carrots. But I like to amp mine up a little and add more vegetables. My family loves my fully loaded version. Beef stew is made all around the world. This stew will definitely satisfy any meat lover.  Ingredients:  1 lb Chuck beef 1 Red onion 8 Garlic cloves 1/2 Red pepper  1/2 Green pepper  2 Tomatoes  1 Chayote  1 Potato 1/2 Calabaza 2 Corns  2 Plantains  1 -8 oz can Tomato sauce Cilantro or Parsley  1 Cup White wine 1 Cup water  2 Bay leaves 1 Tbsp Oregano  1 tsp Cumin 1 Tbsp Sazon 1 Tbsp Onion powder  Salt & pepper to taste 1. Clean meat by removing any fat and running under cold water. I like to make a vinegar wash by add 1/4 cup of vinegar to my water.  2. Make Sofrito by sautéing the onions, peppers & garlic together until soft. Add tomato sauce, then tomatoes.  3. Add the beef, dry ingredients, wine & water. (You can dre...

. Ingredients:  8 Chicken legs  2 cups white rice  1/2 cup    beer 1 medium onion 1/2 Green peppers  1/2 Red peppers  3-4 Garlic cloves  1-2 bayleaves  10-15 olives  2 Tbsp sofrito  1 pk Sazon 1 Tbsp Sazon completa  1 tsp cumin garlic  1 Tbsp Oregano 1 pk Chicken broth powder 1/4 cup Sweet peas / petit pois  Piementos (roasted peppers)  1. Add oil in a pan to brown the chicken  2. After chicken is brown remove from pan then add the sofrito, bayleaf, peppers, onions, garlic cook until translucent. Then add tomato sauce & olives. Mix well.  3. Add the chicken back in. Add 1 cup chicken broth, 1/2 cup wine or beer to the pot. You don’t want the rice to absorb all of the liquid. This is supposed to be a little soupy.  4. You can add the rice in at this point  5. Add 1 pk chicken broth, 1 pk Sazon or 1/2 tsp bijol. Cook for 30 minutes.  6. Once done add some peas & sprinkle white wine,...

 I made Frituras de yuca / Yuca fritters today. Malanga Frituras are more common in Cuba. But Frituras can  be found  throughout Latin America & the Carribean. They are inexpensive to make and only require a few ingredients. Frituras can be made plain or filled with fruit, vegetables, meat or cheese. Other popular ones    are Frituras de Maiz (corn), Frituras de Calabaza.  3/4 Lbs yuca     1/4 onion  3 garlic cloves  bunch of parsley  Complete seasoning to taste  S&P to taste 1. For this recipe I used frozen Yuca. It saves a lot  of time.  2. Rinse the Yuca off. Add them to a pot of water. Add a pinch of salt to flavor the water. Boil the yuca for 30 minutes or until soft. 3. Drain and remove the vein or cord that runs down the middle. 4. Mash the yuca and allow to cool. Once cool add all of the other ingredients.  5. Mix well and taste to see if it’s to your liking. 6. Heat your oil. Add spoon spoon...

Cuban chicken  soup is traditionally made of chicken, vegetables and Fideos (noodles). Cubans make soup with whatever they have available. Soup is something that we all can relate to our childhoods. It’s something that always makes me think of my abuela. Today I made soup with what was in my kitchen because my family is sick with the Flu. As they say in Cuba this soup revive los muertos “it raises the dead”. It has everything in it “con todo los hierros”.   Ingredients: 4 Chicken thighs halves  Noodles to taste  1 Chayote  4 Carrots  3 Corn  1 cup Broccoli rabe 3 Potato 2 Calabacín -squash 1 Onions 6 Garlic 1/2 green & red Peppers 1 Bayleaf  Lime juice 2 Tbsp Sazón completa  2 cubitos 1 tsp Oregano  S & P to taste Add 4 cups water to a pot add chicken thighs cut in halves, corn, broccoli rabe, bayleaf, onions, garlic, peppers. Add 2 chicken bouillon cubes, Sazon completa, oregano, salt & pepper  Boil chicken for 2 h...

Frutabomba is the name for Papaya in Cuba. It’s a traditional dessert enjoyed by many. There are different types of Papaya.This dessert is also enjoyed in other Latin American countries such Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic etc. In Cuba it’s accompanied with Cream cheese or a white cheese. I prefer it with Cream cheese. 1 cup Frutabomba,  lime peel,  1/2 cup sugar cinnamon sticks  2 Star anise  Ingredients:    * 2 pounds.  fruit bomb    * 1 lemon peel    * 1 cinnamon stick    * 1 pound of me    * 2 cups of water 1. Wash the papaya well, peel it and cut it into squares. 2.Put it in the pot with all the other ingredients.  Cook 20 minutes covered over low heat.  Check the point of the syrup if it is to your liking. 3. If you want it to thicken more, leave the pan uncovered and keep the heat low. 4. To serve, I recommend you remove the pieces of cinnamon stick and lemon peel, because they are unpleasan...

  Pan de Gloria are traditional Cuban sweet rolls that you can be enjoyed alone or with something to warm to drink. I love to have coffee with it. They are easy to make. I make my own because where I live there aren’t any Cuban bakeries. Below I have left you a step by step recipe & video for your reference. 2 & 1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup warm water 1/2 can Evaporated milk 1 tsp Yeast 1 egg 1/4 cup oil 1 tsp sugar  1/4 cup sugar 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp vanilla Pinch of salt  1 Tbsp butter to brush on top before baking  Add yeast to warm water and 1 tsp sugar mix well. This will allow the yeast to bloom or proof. Let rest until you see it grow in volume. If it doesn’t grow your dough won’t be as rise enough. (Note: When yeast is alive it will rise and form lots of bubbles). To a bowl add flour, salt, cinnamon, beaten egg, oil, vanilla, milk & yeast. Mix well until you get a wet dough. Knead dough for a few minutes in the bowl or pour dough out on cutting board....

Empanadas originated in Spain and the name stems from the Spanish word Empanar to coat with bread. These traditional Meat patties are made in Cuba, throughout Latin America & the Caribbean.  Empanadas can be savory or sweet. In Cuba the sweet ones are filled with Guava. The savory ones are filled with ground beef Picadillo. Other fillings are pork, chicken, fish, coconut, mango and other tropical fruits. They’re fried in oil. However you can also bake them or Airfry them to make them healthier. Ingredients: 2 cups all purpose flour 1 stick unsalted butter 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 cup cold water  2 Tbsp water for sealing discs 1 egg Mix all Ingredients together until your dough until dough is lumpy. Pour It out on a table and knead for 5 -6 minutes. Once the ingredients are incorporated well together & forms a large ball put it in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Cover it with Serán wrap or a plastic bag. Remove it after 1 hour & divide in half and continue cutting it into e...

  Cuban Carne con papa translated to meat & potatoes is a traditional Cuban beef stew. It’s also popular throughout Latin America. I love to put corn in mine. There’s nothing better than your abuela’s (grandma’s) stews. I can still taste my grandmother’s stews. It seemed like she put everything in there. I have a video on YouTube below. 2 lbs beef stew in chunks 6 potatoes quartered 2 Corn on the cob 1 onion diced 4 cloves minced garlic 1/2 chopped green pepper 2 tomatoes diced Olives (optional) 1 bay leaf 1 cup tomato sauce 1 glass red wine 2 tomatoes chopped 1 Tbsp homemade Sazon 2 tsp oregano 1 tsp cumin 1 pk Beef broth powder Salt and white pepper Brown beef in olive oil. Next make Sofrito in a separate pan. Sauté peppers, onion, garlic, diced tomato in olive oil. Add tomato sauce, spices. Add sofrito to beef. Add wine, 2 cups water. Pressure cook for 40 minutes

  Buñuelos is a tradicional dessert eaten during the Christmas holiday. You’ll find various recipes for this dessert. Root vegetables such as Yuca, Malanga & Boniato are used to make this dessert. There are many variations to this recipe. Some call for yuca only. In my recipe I’m using both Yuca & white boniato. Yellow Boniato also can be used in place of the white boniato and makes a sweet addition to this dessert. Step by step video on my YouTube channel

  Cuban bread is a traditional loaf bread originating in Cuba hundreds of years ago. It was brought from Cuba by a soldier, Juan More who fought the Spanish war in Cuba. He loved the taste of the bread so much that when opened up a bakery in Tampa Florida he started making it there. It become very popular in the Florida. The thing that differentiates Cuban bread from other breads is the process of making it. Unlike other breads Lard is used. The most common complaint about Cuban bread is that the bread is nice and soft the day of baking but the next day it’s hard as a rock. There’s also a notable line that runs down the middle of the bread made by placing a Palm leaf on top during baking. The famous Cuban sandwich is made using Cuban bread. It was brought to Miami, Florida and became very popular. Tampa also makes a Cuban sandwich but it’s quite different than Miami’s. In Miami the Cuban sandwich is made of pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles & mustard. In Tampa it’s made almost t...