Just Like Mima's: The Heart Behind the Cuban Recipes We All Love

by Marilyn Marrero

Overview

Just Like Mima's is the heartwarming story of Cruz María Herrera (Mima) - from hopeful memories of a difficult childhood in Cuba, to remarkable strength when faced with the unknown - and the beautiful connection she has with each of her descendants.

The oldest of 10 children, born in the rural province of Holguín, Cuba, Mima had big dreams of a better life for herself and her family. Despite the lack of stable education, healthcare, and nutrition in her community, her boldness and work ethic provided opportunities to experience a different lifestyle in the capital city of Havana, where she eventually met her husband.

A few years after the beginning of the Cuban Revolution, he was held as a political prisoner under Fidel Castro's regime, and they ultimately emigrated with their four children to the United States during the Mariel Boatlift of 1980. 40 years later, Mima has a large, loving, close-knit family - including 10 adult grandkids and more than 10 great-grandkids - all of whom can see the impressions of her love, courage, faith, and wisdom on their hearts.

It is also a compilation of 50 authentic Cuban recipes from Mima's kitchen. Enjoy classics like Pan con Bistec (Steak Sandwich), Arroz con Pollo (Chicken and Yellow Rice), Croquetas (Croquettes), Frijoles (Black Beans) and Platanitos (Fried Sweet Plantains)... comforting dishes like Sopa de Pollo (Chicken Soup), Carne con Papas (Stewed Beef with Potatoes) and Harina Dulce de Maíz (Sweet Cornmeal Pudding)... and a few fun additions like Chicharritas (Green Plantain Chips), Torrejas con Almíbar (French Toast with Homemade Syrup), Boniato Frito (White Sweet Potato Fries) and Mermelada de Mango (Mango Jam).

Join us as we celebrate all that we've learned from Mima and seek to carry on her legacy through our hearts, traditions and kitchens.

¡Buen Provecho! (Enjoy!)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780578781488
Publisher:	Marilyn Marrero
Publication date:	12/01/2020
Pages:	80
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 10.00(h) x 0.38(d)

About the Author

Marilyn Marrero is the author of Just Like Mima's: The Heart Behind the Cuban Recipes We All Love. Just Like Mima's recounts eight decades of her maternal grandmother's journey through life's joys and hardships, and also includes a collection of 50 authentic Cuban recipes. Marilyn was born in Miami, Florida, just one year after the Mariel Boatlift of 1980. Her life has been greatly influenced by her large, affectionate, good-food-loving "Familión." Marilyn graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication. She is married to her high school sweetheart, Jonathan. They currently live in Cary, North Carolina and are the proud parents of sororal twin girls.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION: Y Llegaron 6... (And They Were Once Just 6...)

The Heart

The Recipes

PART ONE: MIMA'S STORY - No Me Puedo Quejar (I Can't Complain)

Chapter 1: Hope-Filled Dreams

Captivating Eyes

Chapter 2: Admirable Work Ethic

Gift of Leadership

Chapter 3: Confident Humility

Close-Knit Family

Chapter 4: Joys and Hardships

Enduring Faith

Chapter 5: Courageous Spirit

Prudent Stewardship

Chapter 6: Nurturing Heart

Words of Wisdom

PART TWO: MIMA'S RECIPES - ¡Buen Provecho! (Enjoy!)

Familión Favorites

Café con Leche (Cuban Coffee with Milk)

Torrejas con Almíbar (French Toast with Homemade Syrup)

"Pina y Yeli" (PB&J)

Arroz Blanco (White Rice)

Huevos Fritos (Fried Eggs)

Arroz con Huevos Fritos (White Rice with Fried Eggs)

Fufú de Plátano (Mashed Plantains)

Fufú con Huevos Fritos (Mashed Plantains with Fried Eggs)

Platanitos (Fried Sweet Plantains)

Tortilla de Plátanos (Sweet Plantain Omelet)

Tortilla de Papas (Potato Omelet)

Tortilla de Papas y Chorizo (Potato and Spanish Sausage Omelet)

Bistec (Pan-Fried Steak)

Pan con Bistec (Steak Sandwich)

Chuletas (Pan-Fried Pork Chops)

Sopa de Pollo (Chicken Soup)

Fricasé de Pollo (Stewed Chicken with Potatoes)

Carne con Papas (Stewed Beef with Potatoes)

Arroz con Pollo (Chicken and Yellow Rice)

Arroz Imperial (Imperial Chicken and Yellow Rice)

Arroz con Salchichas (Rice and Vienna Sausages)

Arroz con Chorizo y Garbanzos (Rice with Spanish-Style Sausage and Chickpeas)

Croquetas (Croquettes)

Frijoles Negros (Black Beans)

Congrí (Rice and Black Beans)

Are You Still Hungry?

Tostones (Twice-Fried Green Plantains)

Chicharritas (Green Plantain Chips)

Sopa de Plátano (Creamy Plantain Soup)

Boniato Acaramelado (Caramelized White Sweet Potato)

Boniato Frito (White Sweet Potato Fries)

Yuca con Mojo (Cassava with Citrus-Garlic Sauce)

Yuca Frita (Cassava Fries)

Frijoles Colorados (Red Kidney Beans)

Bistec Salteado (Stir-Fried Steak)

Pollo Salteado (Stir-Fried Chicken)

Picadillo (Sautéed Ground Beef)

Ropa Vieja (Sautéed Shredded Beef)

Pollo Asado (Oven-Roasted Chicken)

Boliche / Carne Asada (Beef Pot Roast)

Paleta de Puerco Asada (Oven-Roasted Pork Shoulder)

Pan con Lechón (Cuban Pulled Pork Sandwich)

Pechuga de Pavo Asada (Roasted Turkey Breast)

Harina de Maíz (Savory Cornmeal)

Harina Dulce de Maíz (Sweet Cornmeal Pudding)

Arroz con Leche (Rice Pudding)

Mermelada de Mango (Mango Jam)

Jugo de Mango (Mango Juice)

Batido de Mango (Mango Shake)

Batido de Mamey (Mamey Shake)

Batido de Trigo (Wheat Shake)