| Cuban cuisine comes from a rich combination of | | | | filled with spicy meats or fruit and cream cheese are |
| native foods, Spanish and Moorish influences, and | | | | popular. Puff pastries with fillings are often eaten as |
| African contributions. All these influences have | | | | finger foods. Custard desserts are often served. |
| created a very distinctive flavor that enhances | | | | Sandwiches are very popular in Cuban cuisine. The |
| hearty, simple dishes. A typical Cuban meal would | | | | popular "Cuban sandwich" found in Miami is made of |
| consist of rice, beans, a main meat dish, root | | | | ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and roast pork. |
| vegetables, and a salad. Deep frying is rarely done in | | | | Recipe for Chicken in a Black Bean Sauce |
| Cuba. Most of the food is cooked in a quick saute or | | | | This dish is a great way to give chicken a new taste. |
| slow cooked over low heat. | | | | For even more flavor, marinate the chicken overnight |
| Spices | | | | in the sauce. |
| The most commonly used spices in Cuban cuisine are | | | | What You Need |
| garlic, cumin, bay leaf, and oregano. They also use a | | | | - 4 chicken thighs |
| combination known as sofrito. This is made by | | | | - 4 chicken legs |
| sauteing onions, green peppers, garlic, black pepper, | | | | - 1 large can of black beans |
| and oregano in olive oil until the flavors are blended. | | | | - 1/2 cup of sofrito (saute bell pepper, garlic, cilantro, |
| Sofrito is used as a base for rice, stew, beans, and | | | | and onion together until translucent) |
| many other recipes. | | | | - Salt and pepper to taste |
| Vegetables | | | | - 1/2 teaspoon of cumin |
| Cuba uses lots of root vegetables like plantano, yuca, | | | | - 1 Tablespoon of oregano |
| boniato, and malanga. Vegetables are often simmered | | | | - 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar |
| together and served with a simple dressing of olive | | | | - 1/2 can of tomato sauce |
| oil and chopped onion. Black beans are a large part of | | | | - 1 cup chicken broth How to Make It |
| the daily meal. They are often served with rice during | | | | Wash the chicken and pat it dry. Season the pieces |
| the main meals of the day. Fruit is also a big part of | | | | with salt and pepper. Set the chicken aside. |
| the daily menu. Plums, pineapples, guavas and more | | | | Heat olive oil in a cast iron skillet and saute the |
| are available to choose from. | | | | sofrito mixture. Add the oregano, cumin and tomato |
| Meats | | | | sauce, stirring well. |
| Seafood, pork, and beef are often used in Cuban | | | | Add beans and broth, mixing well. Let the mixture |
| cuisine. Chickens also play an important role. Meats | | | | cook for ten minutes. Add apple cider vinegar, stir, |
| may be marinated and simmered slowly to make | | | | and let simmer another 3 or 4 minutes. Place chicken |
| tender, mouthwatering dishes. Seafood is cooked | | | | pieces in the pan, covering them completely with the |
| simply, allowing the flavor of the fish to come | | | | sauce. Cook the chicken for 35 to 40 minutes. |
| through. | | | | Let the chicken rest for a few minutes before |
| Baked Goods | | | | serving over a bed of white rice. |
| Cuba's breads and pastries are well known. Turnovers | | | | |