The Yuca Diaries

My blog has moved...

2010-12-26T19:11:00.001-06:00

Please visit my new blog at www.theyucadiaries.com

El Palacio de los Jugos- A Miami Landmark

2010-11-17T05:40:00.001-06:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, Brandon and I had to travel home to Miami for a family emergency- all is well now though. It was a very short trip, but one of the days, we decided to hit up a famous Miami landmark called "El Palacio de los Jugos" which means "The Juice Palace". This place isn't fancy or anything, but they have the nicest tropical produce, milkshakes and Cuban treats. The

Exciting Times for The Yuca Diaries

2010-11-16T12:27:00.001-06:00

I have been meaning to write this post for some time now, but for several reasons I have been pushing it off. I finally had some down time because I caught a horrible flu and have been laying in bed. I am all bundled up with my laptop, a box of tissues and some ginger tea. First off let me start by saying that right after I got back from our trip to Kentucky, I was contacted by a producer

Cod in a Light Coconut Lime Curry Sauce

2010-11-04T05:58:00.000-05:00

I was in the mood for a hot comforting meal since it’s been really hectic at work and the temperatures dropped way down today. These flavors are always so comforting to me, the warming ginger, the mellow coconut milk, this mild but firm fish and the balance of acidity from the lime juice fit together perfectly. Ingredients:4 cod fillets1 small onion2 tbsp. fresh green pepper2 tbsp. fresh

Croquetas...

2010-10-30T23:41:00.001-05:00

Croquetas originated from Spain and are often served as part of a tapas menu. Although I never knew that, I always just assumed they were Cuban. Partially because they're available at every Cuban bakery in Miami. They're the quintessential snack food that seemed to always be present at parties, get-togethers, and Sunday breakfasts. My brother inspired this post. He said it best with his

Chicken Parmesan- you'll never know it wasn't fried!

2010-10-28T05:17:00.007-05:00

I'd like to start by saying that I love Chicken Parmesan. But I hate frying food. I also hate feeling guilty after I eat a meal. I modified the traditional recipe by baking the chicken instead of frying. Also, instead of covering the chicken with a ton of cheese, I simply put a small slice of buffalo mozzarella over each piece. Lastly, I made the sauce too instead of buying the bottled

Caprese Salad

2010-10-26T05:52:00.000-05:00

This salad is delicious and so straightforward. Just a few basic ingredients and you have the most stunning dish! Ingredients:2 ripe tomatoes8 slices fresh buffalo mozzarela 8 large basil leaves (fresh)2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil1 tbsp. balsamic vinegarsalt and pepper to taste First you slice your tomatoes in slices about 1/4 inch. One tomato should yield 4 nice slices. Arrange 8 slices

Last night's dinner... my attempt at slowing down

2010-10-25T05:43:00.002-05:00

It's been kind of a crazy two weeks, and I realized, I need to slow down and just enjoy the moment. Things at work are crazy since our department is hosting it's huge annual event and I've been trying to hire someone to do some work on my blog design- to no avail. Suffice it to say that I've been such a spaz, that I left my purse in the child seat of a grocery cart went I went to the Asian

Pulpeta- the Cuban Meatloaf...

2010-10-21T05:34:00.002-05:00

Growing up, this dish was not made too frequently because my brother Ozzy was a really picky eater. Unfortunately, this meant my mom would not make dishes that he didn't like too often. This was one of those dishes. Now, he's grown up and his palette has changed thankfully. One day I was making this for dinner and he showed up. He raised the lid of the pot and said "Oh you're making Brain

How to Make Perfectly Cooked White Rice

2010-10-18T06:27:00.002-05:00

I know this post might sound boring. But several people have asked me what the secret to perfectly cooked white rice is. Many people have told me that when they follow the directions on the package, the rice comes out sticky or too wet. I am going to tell you exactly how to make perfectly cooked white rice in a step-by-step instructional post. Say goodbye to sticky and goopy and say hello to

Pumpkin Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

2010-10-16T22:37:00.002-05:00

As I mentioned in my previous post, I love pumpkin. Pumpkin lattes, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin pie... you get the idea. I also love this roasted pumpkin cake and I think you will too! I knew it was going to be a winner too because I tasted the batter and even that was great. I think the dark brown sugar and cinnamon combined with the pumpkin really blend well. It was super easy to make too.

Stuffed Butternut Squash with Chicken Meatballs, Barley and Sage

2010-10-14T09:42:00.006-05:00

Let me just start this post by saying that I'm ready for fall. I've been ready since August when it was 115 degrees all day, everyday. It was miserable. I'm ready for sweaters, I'm ready for golden leaves, I'm ready for cooler weather, but more than anything, you know what I'm most ready for??? Pumpkin and squash season. Have I ever mentioned how much I love these vegetables? Their

Grilled Rueben Sandwiches

2010-10-10T21:06:00.004-05:00

Ingredients:2 Slices rye bread1/4 lb. sliced organic corned beef1 1/2 slice Swiss cheese1/3 cup sauerkraut (drained well of liquid)2 tbsp. 1000 island dressing 1 tbsp butter (to spread on the outer pieces of bread) Assemble the sandwich by laying down the cheese, then the sauerkraut, then the sauce, and then the cheese. Spread softened butter on either side of the outer sides of the bread and

Back from the gorgeous countryside of Kentucky...

2010-10-07T22:36:00.003-05:00

Every fall we celebrate a series of Holy Days called "The Feast of Tabernacles". We refer to it as simply "The Feast" for short. Every year we travel somewhere for the Feast and this year was no different. The site was held in a little town in about 2 hours south of Lexington and it was absolutely gorgeous. I had no idea Kentucky was so beautiful. The place we stayed at was surrounded by

Tres Leches

2010-09-02T21:24:00.004-05:00

Tres Leches is a traditional Latin dessert that consists of a light spongy cake that is soaked in a mixture of three milks and topped with whipped cream. I know it's super fattening, but I am hormonal today... don't judge me! This will yield about 10 servings.... so make it when you know you'll have company, otherwise you'll be visiting the fridge at all ungodly hours of the night! For the

Tostones

2010-09-01T06:12:00.002-05:00

As you may have seen in my previous post, there were other things on the plate besides black beans. One of the sides is called "Tostones". They're made with green (un-ripe) plantains. There's another kind of plantain which is sweet and sticky and delicious too- and that's made with the same plantain, just when it's really ripe. Tostones are crunchy, slightly salty and the perfect accompaniment

Authetic Cuban Black Beans

2010-08-31T06:00:00.004-05:00

I have posted a shortcut version to Cuban black beans here before, but I thought I'd also post the real way my mom and grandma have made black beans for years. Let me just state that black beans are one of, if not the most important or common dishes in Cuban cuisine. We serve them over rice, eat them alone, cook them into the rice to make "moros"- another typical Cuban side dish. Black beans

These are a few of my favorite... blogs

2010-08-18T06:14:00.009-05:00

I was recently going through my blog roll list and realized that there are few blogs out there that are really really amazing... just thought I'd share some of my favorite sites as well as give a shot out to these awesome people. Food Related: The Pioneer Woman Of course at the top of my list- The Pioneer Woman. For those of you who aren't familiar with her, she is hilarious. She definitely

Vietnamese style spring rolls with spicy peanut-ginger dipping sauce

2010-08-11T05:54:00.004-05:00

My mom asked me to make the lettuce wraps I recently posted, so I decided to make an Asian inspired meal. In addition to the lettuce wraps, I made jasmine fried rice, Veggie egg rolls, and these lighter and healthier Vietnamese style spring rolls. Like a doofus, I forgot to take a picture of the dipping sauce, but I included the recipe below as well. Enjoy! For the spring rolls:1 cup

Butter Chicken

2010-08-09T06:00:00.002-05:00

My mom was in town last week and every time she comes over, there are certain things she eats which she doesn't eat too often back home. Curry is one of those dishes. She had already had some Thai curry, but thought I'd make something a little closer to Indian curry this time. This dish is simple to make, and great for folks who haven't been exposed to the wonderful world of curry. Butter

Chop Chop

2010-08-02T06:15:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite fast food restaurants in Miami is Chicken Kitchen. It's really not fast food, more along the lines of a Chipotle of sorts, but with a different menu. For those of you who've never had it, it' Caribbean marinated chicken that's grilled. Then the skin is removed and this guy with two cleavers chops it up into little pieces. Then it's served on top of a bed of yellow rice.

Meatless Monday... truly a vegan feast...

2010-07-27T05:15:00.004-05:00

I guess I could have titled this " Vegan: Cuban Style" too. I am not vegan, although we did try that a few years ago and did it for about 6 months. Every now and then its nice to eat a meal with no meat, or cheese or animal products. Last night's menu consisted of grilled eggplant, grilled zucchini, grilled onions, Cuban black beans, white rice, and garlic lime Mojo sauce. I am a fan of

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

2010-07-23T19:11:00.007-05:00

I made this soup the last time I was sick. Did you know that drinking chicken soup when your sick actually does help? It's not a myth. I did a little research before making the soup because I didn't want to go through the hassle of making it, if it wasn't going to help, but it actually did. And it tasted really good too. A little trick I use is to roast the veggies and chicken instead of

Cajun Red Beans and Rice

2010-07-09T08:34:00.006-05:00

I was feeling like eating beans, but not just beans, I wanted something with a little substance to them. I also didn't feel like making anything too elaborate. This dish fit the criteria perfectly, it was meaty, easy and full of flavor. Hope you like it! Ingredients:1 beef kielbasa 1 tbsp. olive oil 1 white Onion1 small red pepper1 small green pepper4 cloves garlic1 cup chicken stock2 bay

Summer in Miami...

2010-07-08T11:09:00.003-05:00

Last week I was in Miami... why is it that time always goes so fast when you're having fun? Here are a few pics from my trip.

Grilled Salmon, Brown Butter Caper Sauce, and Grilled Mushrooms and Spinach

2010-06-17T11:11:00.002-05:00

The thing I really like about this dish is how light it feels. You won't feel like you ate a ton of bricks after eating this. Mainly because there are not a lot of carbs to this meal, but really you won't miss them. I promise. The sauce adds a luxurious touch without overpowering the dish. All in all, it was pretty satisfying. Salmon:4 Salmon steaks1 tsp. butterSalt and pepper to taste Make

Grilled Asian Skirt Steak

2010-06-02T11:12:00.007-05:00

This dish is perfect if you're entertaining because it looks a lot more difficult than it really is. It was super easy to make and packed with the fresh flavors of garlic, ginger and lime. How can you go wrong with that? Ingredients: 1 (2-lb) skirt steak1 tablespoon hoisin sauce1 tsp. dark brown sugar¼ cup soy sauce1 cup orange segments2 clove garlic, minced or grated1 tsp ginger minced or

The Cooking Channel launched this weekend: A brief review by yours truly

2010-06-01T06:50:00.003-05:00

So this weekend the cooking channel launched (replacing the Fine Living Channel and part of the Food Network parent company). I was eagerly awaiting this debut and here is my review. The good: To start with, a lot of the programming is new. Not only new, but so far of the 3 new shows I've seen, all are really good. I like that they've expanded their repertoire of internationally themed shows

Sloppy Joes ... Slop Sloppy Joes... Chris Farley would be proud...

2010-05-27T06:45:00.008-05:00

Every time I see the word sloppy joes... i think back to the SNL skit by Chris Farley and sing... sloppy joes slop sloppy joes... c'mon you know what I'm talking about. In fact, I sang that after eating these and my husband just looked at me and nodded. I always LOVED sloppy joes as a kid, and honestly, I haven't had one since I was about 8. So here is my first attempt at making sloppy joes.

Cod with leeks and cherry tomatoes

2010-05-26T06:48:00.003-05:00

This meal was easy to make and delicious. It's perfect for the hotter longer days of summer or late spring. The tomatoes were exquisitely sweet and paired with the tartness of the lemon, plus the tang of the leeks made for a perfect combo. Did I mention it was super easy to make? Adapted from Martha Stewart's recipe 4 Pieces cod (about 6 oz. each)1 leek (light green and white part only)1

Breakfast Skillet... eggs, ham, potatoes, and a few other things

2010-05-16T10:01:00.003-05:00

I used turkey ham which tastes pretty much like same thing except it's not pork. Whenever I list a recipe that calls for bacon or ham, I'm using turkey. Although, I just found this website that makes duck prosciutto which sounds quite interesting. Any who,now that I've gotten that out of the way, I'll proceed with the recipe. This is a perfect thing to make when you're trying to use up

Giada's Chicken Burger and My Apple and Cabbage slaw- dont' let the bad pictures fool you-it was delish.

2010-05-10T06:24:00.003-05:00

I've had a bunch of cooking shows on my DVR queue that I've been meaning to watch. Yesterday was a perfect rainy Sunday to watch them. One of the episodes of Giada at Home I saw sounded really good to me. She made these chicken burgers that were probably the best I've ever had. Let me just say that this was by far the hardest dish I've ever had to photograph. The pictures really don't

Grilled Chicken Breasts with Citrus Salsa

2010-05-08T21:27:00.004-05:00

This salsa works really well with fish too- i'd probably use halibut, or snapper if using fish, but any mild white fish would probably work. This salsa is light and refreshing and perfect for spring and summer. All I did for the chicken was butterfly each breast and pat them dry. Sprinkle each side with a little salt and grill in a saute pan or cast iron skillet on med-high heat until each

Lentil Meatballs

2010-05-06T13:52:00.002-05:00

I know what you're thinking... lentil meatballs??! I know it was my same reaction too, but I stumbled across this recipe from "In Jennie's Kitchen" and thought I had to try it. For one, lentils are packed with Fiber and Iron, and really really cheap. The meatballs looked exactly like a real meatball would. They tasted really good too. I adapted the recipe a tiny little bit, but really

Cherry Crumble

2010-05-05T09:00:00.002-05:00

Brandon and I have gotten into the habit of having a sweet bite after dinner... it doesn't have to been anything fancy, but just something to end the meal on a sweet note. Unfortunately, the last time I did groceries, I failed to buy ANYTHING sweet. For the past week and a half we're always wanting a sweet fix, so much that Brandon has had a spoonfull of peanut butter and jelly-lol. I felt

Tenderloin Kebabs, Pickled Red Cabbage, Herbed Rice, Yogurt Sauce, and Watercress & Tomato Salad

2010-05-04T09:54:00.004-05:00

We went to this great little restaurant in our hood called Istanbul Grille on Friday. It was absolutely delicious. Everything was super fresh and chef had a really good hand at balancing flavors. I had the lamb kebabs which were outstanding... I would dare say the best lamb I've ever had... and I've had a LOT of lamb in my lifetime. Anywho, I tried replicating the dish, but I used beef

Simple Summer Sandwich

2010-05-03T13:00:00.002-05:00

Sometimes the most delicious meals consist of only a few ingredients and not very much time to prepare. I remember sitting in my grandparents kitchen eating this with my best friend, grandma and grandpa. "Pan con tomate" (bread with tomatoes) is still one of my favorite things to eat. I jazzed this version up by adding sliced avocado, but it's just as good with just tomatoes- in fact, that's

Mediterranean Chicken Wings, Green Beans and Mashed White beans with herbs

2010-04-29T06:55:00.007-05:00

A super simple meal to make that is healthy and colorful. I love Mediterranean food particularly because it's so fresh and full of flavor. This meal was perfect for the warmer weather... For the chicken wings: 2.5 lbs chicken wings 8 cloves garlic grated2 lemons (juice and zest)1 tbsp fresh rosemary1 tbsp herbs de Provence1/3 cup paprika4 tbsp. olive oil Sea salt to taste First rinse the

Coconut Flan: My mom's recipe

2010-04-25T10:00:00.005-05:00

One of the reasons I had a mini posting hiatus was because in April my mom came to visit. When she was here, she made the yummiest flan ever. Let me just say that this thing was massive. She made a double recipe because there were lots of people eating. I will just post the single recipe though. This was sooooo delicious. The caramel was rich and very plentiful which to me, is a huge part

French Toast Casserole with Maple Glaze

2010-04-23T10:35:00.006-05:00

This is the lazy person's way to make french toast. It really is a lot quicker and much much easier, especially if you're making it for a large crowd, as opposed to soaking and cooking the individual toast one by one. It tasted just like french toast too! Add the glaze over the top and you're set. 1/2 loaf of french bread (cubed- about 5 cups)6 eggs1 cup half and half1 tsp ground cinnamon (

Merlin on the BBC

2010-04-22T10:33:00.006-05:00