The Cuban Table: A Celebration of Food, Flavors and History

From Pelaez, the woman behind the popular blog Hungry Sofia, comes this heartfelt tribute to Cuban cuisine. Ushering readers into the homes and restaurants of some of the country’s best cooks, Pelaez clearly and concisely demonstrates the depth and breadth of Cuban cuisine with flavor-packed recipes such as a creole fried chicken, a show-stopping riff on a classic centered around chicken steeped in a sour orange marinade; potaje de garbanzos, a rich chickpea stew; and classics like escabeche, ropa vieja, and the Cuban sandwich. Silverman’s crisp photos highlight the dishes themselves as well as the people who make them, giving readers an even deeper appreciation of Cuban cuisine and culture. A patient and detailed tutor, Pelaez thoughtfully guides cooks through the sometimes lengthy process of creating their own sausages and the perfect pork rinds (the key is removing the top layer of fat) in addition to discussing how to make the best toothsome desserts like cappuccino cake, coconut and almond candy cones, and rum-laced Cuban ice creams before closing with recipes for cocktails like daiquiris and mojitos. Cooks will want to add this immersive and inspirational book to their collection. (Nov.)