Cuban Party Ideas

[MAKmom]

I'm having a Cuban dinner party this Sat & need some easy Cuban recipes.

I would love crock pot ideas too so I can have most of the food ready before everyone arrives.

I am having Mojito & hope to find Red Strip Beer.

Ready made items that I can buy would be good too!

 

[java]

Tostones- fried plantains mmmm

When I am in the mood for cuban (I usually make a cuban sandwich - which really isn't cuban I don't think?)
But I go to this website for recipe ideas
http://icuban.com/food/

 

[NotUrsula]

Well, the classic Cuban crockpot recipe is Ropa Vieja; shredded beef.
Here's one version for the slow cooker method: http://bearlyedible.com/?p=297

 

[AKL_Megs]

Cigar bar. They don't have to be fancy.

You do realize that Mojitos are typically Puerto Rican and that Red Stripe is Jamaican, right?

I don't think it matters, it works with the theme.

 

[MAKmom]

Tostones- fried plantains mmmm

When I am in the mood for cuban (I usually make a cuban sandwich - which really isn't cuban I don't think?)
But I go to this website for recipe ideas
http://icuban.com/food/

LOL I just found that site. I found 2 easy appetizers. I can put out olives & a hamspread.

Well, the classic Cuban crockpot recipe is Ropa Vieja; shredded beef.
Here's one version for the slow cooker method: http://bearlyedible.com/?p=297

Thanks

 

[MAKmom]

Cigar bar. They don't have to be fancy.

You do realize that Mojitos are typically Puerto Rican and that Red Stripe is Jamaican, right?

I don't think it matters, it works with the theme.

But they are popular drinks for Cubans . I can't get beer from Cuba

 

[Ms Marigny]

Here's what my father used to make, and he was off of the boat from Cuba!
He made this in the oven, but you easily do this in a crockpot:
Slice enough potatoes and onions to cover the bottom of the crockpot. Put a pork roast on top and cover with Mojo Criollo marinade- about half of the bottle. Cook on low until pork roast is done and potatoes are tender (~6 hours, depending on your crockpot). Super easy! You can stuff the pork roast with garlic by cutting slits and stuffing the garlic toes inside if you want it super garlicky- you can also marinate the pork roast for a few hours beforehand for extra flavor. Garnish with mango slices on top. Serve with black beans & rice on the side- yummy!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Cuban black beans and rice (We do yellow rice.)
Palomilla - breaded steak that was marinated with a lot of lime and garlic.
Cuban Picadillo
guava turnovers
cuban coffee
Bollos (fried black eyed peas and garlic)

Another crockpot recipe for Ropa Vieja:
http://www.tastebook.com/recipes/358953-Ropa-Vieja

My DH is Cuban so we make a lot of cuban food. If you need better descriptions let me know. I use the recipes that my MIL gave to me that has been passed down to each generation. Black beans is really easy and you can make up ahead and just heat up in the crockpot. What we do is boil the beans until soft, then add apple cider vinegar and keep the beans boiling for an hour. After the hour is up I sautee olive oil, bay leaves, garlic, and oregano in a fry pan together, then add that to the vinegar/black bean mix and continue to cook down for a few more hours.

My DH's family makes a cuban potato salad but it isn't the original cuban potato salad. What they do is boil the potatoes. When they are ready they thinly slice potatoes, hard boiled eggs, and onions and layer them. In between layers they squirt some olive oil and red wine vinegar. Let set overnight in the frigde and then take out 30 minutes before serving.

 

[njcarita]

my parents are from Cuba so here are my suggestions:

empandas as appetizer

ropa veija( made in crockpot) over rice and black beans with fried banannas

and flan as desert

for drink Cuba Libres (Pour lime juice into a highball glass over ice cubes. Add rum, fill with cola, stir, and serve.)

 

[MAKmom]

Here's what my father used to make, and he was off of the boat from Cuba!
He made this in the oven, but you easily do this in a crockpot:
Slice enough potatoes and onions to cover the bottom of the crockpot. Put a pork roast on top and cover with Mojo Criollo marinade- about half of the bottle. Cook on low until pork roast is done and potatoes are tender (~6 hours, depending on your crockpot). Super easy! You can stuff the pork roast with garlic by cutting slits and stuffing the garlic toes inside if you want it super garlicky- you can also marinate the pork roast for a few hours beforehand for extra flavor. Garnish with mango slices on top. Serve with black beans & rice on the side- yummy!

Where can I buy Mojo Crillo Marinade...do supermarkets carry it?

 

[MAKmom]

Opps

 

[MAKmom]

Cuban black beans and rice (We do yellow rice.)
Palomilla - breaded steak that was marinated with a lot of lime and garlic.
Cuban Picadillo
guava turnovers
cuban coffee
Bollos (fried black eyed peas and garlic)

Another crockpot recipe for Ropa Vieja:
http://www.tastebook.com/recipes/358953-Ropa-Vieja

My DH is Cuban so we make a lot of cuban food. If you need better descriptions let me know. I use the recipes that my MIL gave to me that has been passed down to each generation. Black beans is really easy and you can make up ahead and just heat up in the crockpot. What we do is boil the beans until soft, then add apple cider vinegar and keep the beans boiling for an hour. After the hour is up I sautee olive oil, bay leaves, garlic, and oregano in a fry pan together, then add that to the vinegar/black bean mix and continue to cook down for a few more hours.

My DH's family makes a cuban potato salad but it isn't the original cuban potato salad. What they do is boil the potatoes. When they are ready they thinly slice potatoes, hard boiled eggs, and onions and layer them. In between layers they squirt some olive oil and red wine vinegar. Let set overnight in the frigde and then take out 30 minutes before serving.

Can I buy Cuban Coffee?

 

[Kae]

Picadillo is the best. what about Cuban Sandwiches? And gotta have Flan.

Kae

 

[AKL_Megs]

Cuba Libres (Pour lime juice into a highball glass over ice cubes. Add rum, fill with cola, stir, and serve.)

Y. U. M. I am making these THIS weekend!

How much lime juice are we talking here? 1/2 a lime?

 

[Ms Marigny]

Where can I buy Mojo Crillo Marinade...do supermarkets carry it?

Most supermarkets should- it would be in the international/ethnic section. It is the Goya brand.

 

[DVC~OKW~96]

Hatuey's is Cuban beer and is available in the US.

Mojo Crillioio is available in grocery stores in Florida. Not sure about other states. Seek out an ethnic grocer, if not in the usual shops.

 

[MAKmom]

Hatuey's is Cuban beer and is available in the US.

Mojo Crillioio is available in grocery stores in Florida. Not sure about other states. Seek out an ethnic grocer, if not in the usual shops.

I had no idea! How come we can not get cigars?

 

[wildernesslodgelover]

I am enjoying this thread! My DH is cuban and I love cuban food...and I must say, for a gringa, I am *quite* a cuban chef!

If you are having a party and want simple items that can be made ahead, here are some ideas...

MADUROS AL HORNO (Baked Ripe Plantains)

I take two VERY ripe (pretty much almost black...you may have to buy them in advance and let them ripen at home) and peel them (kind of a PITA...cut the ends off, cut them in half and then slit them down the side) and cut the halves into halves (so, quarter them.)

Place in a small baking dish with about 1/2 cup rum. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup brown sugar over. Sprinkle with about 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Dot with about 1/3 stick of butter.

Bake at 375 tightly covered for 30 minutes. Remove cover, turn pieces over, and bake amother 15 min or so, til they get all glazy and the liquid has evaporated. QUE RICO!

I do love me some Ropa Vieja...but I like to make picadillo ahead (in a pan, it needs to brown and then simmer) and then transfer to a crockpot on low to keep warm.

Also...Arroz Imperial. Delicioso! Similar to arroz con pollo but layered (yellow rice with shredded chicken) and then topped with MAYO (yes you heard right) and then cheese. It is a good make ahead recipe.

Dessert? Tres Leches! Basically a sponge cake (I think you could cheat and make a yellow sheet cake) and then you poke holes all over it and drizzle on a mix of evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and cream. YUM!

Ok, can you tell I am VERY HUNGRY??? Now I don't think my lean cuisine is going to satisfy me.

Hmmm...I always thought mojitos were Cuban? Off to google.....

 

[PearlySwan]

Hmmm...I always thought mojitos were Cuban? Off to google.....

^^^ They are! www.tasteofcuba.com/mojito.html

OP, I'll dig up my translated into English Cuban recipe for black bean soup. It's super easy and everyone loves it. To answer your question the reason you can't find Cuban cigars in the USA boils down to two words: "US EMBARGO." I'll be posting that recipe tonight after the kiddos are in bed.

 

[MAKmom]

I am enjoying this thread! My DH is cuban and I love cuban food...and I must say, for a gringa, I am *quite* a cuban chef!

If you are having a party and want simple items that can be made ahead, here are some ideas...

MADUROS AL HORNO (Baked Ripe Plantains)

I take two VERY ripe (pretty much almost black...you may have to buy them in advance and let them ripen at home) and peel them (kind of a PITA...cut the ends off, cut them in half and then slit them down the side) and cut the halves into halves (so, quarter them.)

Place in a small baking dish with about 1/2 cup rum. Sprinkle about 1/4 cup brown sugar over. Sprinkle with about 1/2 tsp cinnamon. Dot with about 1/3 stick of butter.

Bake at 375 tightly covered for 30 minutes. Remove cover, turn pieces over, and bake amother 15 min or so, til they get all glazy and the liquid has evaporated. QUE RICO!

I do love me some Ropa Vieja...but I like to make picadillo ahead (in a pan, it needs to brown and then simmer) and then transfer to a crockpot on low to keep warm.

Also...Arroz Imperial. Delicioso! Similar to arroz con pollo but layered (yellow rice with shredded chicken) and then topped with MAYO (yes you heard right) and then cheese. It is a good make ahead recipe.

Dessert? Tres Leches! Basically a sponge cake (I think you could cheat and make a yellow sheet cake) and then you poke holes all over it and drizzle on a mix of evaporated milk, sweetened condensed milk and cream. YUM!

Ok, can you tell I am VERY HUNGRY??? Now I don't think my lean cuisine is going to satisfy me.

Hmmm...I always thought mojitos were Cuban? Off to google.....

OMG I can't wait to do this. I just lost 7 lbs on the biggest loser diet