Pernil (per neel) is a typical Puerto Rican dish consisting of a pork roast/shoulder that has been marinated overnight and slow roasted at 300 F. The result is a flavorful, and tender meat that will fill your house with a delicious aroma, and your belly with a whole lot of “piggy goodness.” This recipe I…
Puerto Rican
Tostones with Avocado Cream Sauce
If you happen to be Latino(a) chances are you are eating tostones a few times per week. Tostones are fried plantains. A food so nice they fry it twice! Plantains are the nutritional staple of most of Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. It’s a subsistence crop that grows all year round. They can be…
Arroz con Gandules
Arroz con Gandules is a Puerto Rican favorite and the accompaniment to many meals. However, it is also popular in other Latin American countries. As an added plus, arroz con gandules goes amazingly well with bistec encebollado. Gandules or Guandu depending on where you are from, are a small roundish bean that grows in a…
Coquito – Puerto Rican Coconut Egg-Free Nog
Coquito is a creamy coconut milk beverage native to Puerto Rico. Literally translated it means “little coconut,” however there is nothing little about this drink. Its taste is rich, creamy and accented with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon. Coquito is traditionally served at Christmas time, but in my opinion it should be enjoyed at…
Pastelitos de Guava
Pastelitos de Guava are a typical Latin American/Caribbean dessert made with cream cheese and guava paste encased in puff pastry and baked to golden perfection. In the US they are extremely popular in Southern Florida and other areas with large Hispanic populations. These sweet pastelitos de guava are a close cousin to the savory pastelitos…
Bistec Encebollado
Bistec Encebollado is simply steak and onions. But there is nothing simple about this favorite Puerto Rican dish which is not only outstanding in flavor but also incredibly easy to make. Although I had already decided on using flank steak, I emailed a couple of Latin American friends to see what cut of meat they…
