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Memories Of A Cuban Kitchen: A Traditional Cuban Cookbook with 200+ Authentic Recipes from Pre-Castro Cuba
Memories of a Cuban features more than 200 traditional recipes for Cuban dishes, a cuisine that lusciously combines Spanish, Indian, African, Chinese, and Portuguese influences. Filled with reminiscences and evocative photos from Mary Urrutia Randelman's childhood in pre-Castro Cuba, this beautiful cookbook, cowritten with Joan Schwartz, presents more than 200 Cuban dishes, from appetizers like Green Plantain Chips, to such entrees such as Roast Pork Creole, to tropical rum-based drinks and desserts.
352 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1992
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 8, 2025
This is a cookbook, so no I haven’t read cover to cover. BUT, it gets 5 stars bc the recipes have been approved by multiple culinary Cubans in my life !!
August 1, 2023
These are basic recipes I already knew how to make so it wasn’t really for me. But for a novice cook or young adult, this book is great.
February 16, 2024
This is a really good book... and you don't have to be cuban to enjoy it
I found this book on a list of recommendations and i'm so so glad I picked it up and read through it. First published in 1992 then again in 1996 this book is about how rich, upper class cubans ate (and lived) in pre-1959, pre-revolution 1950s Cuba. An this is the basis for most of the recipes contained within since the recipes are more old fashioned, hearty and rich. You would hear from time to time some annoying tourists complaining about the food (without going to the countryside) in modern day Cuba even going as far as saying cuban food in the US tastes better. Well THIS book shoves all that aside as it shows why food in pre-revolution Cuba had such a great reputation with the droves of tourist who visted. Their are dishes mentioned here that are not served in most cuban restaurants these days. A great aspect of this book is the authors memories and stories she wrote into the book, it is just so cool to read about how life was like in 1950s cuba as a child like about the birthday parties, the yacht clubs and even Havana itself, described in detail. One may question why she didn't mention batista & his corruption, the overwhelming american influence over cuba (although she talks about the US cultural influence in cuba at the time) and the revolution (yet her and her family fled in 1958 when things were all ready getting hot) because its not the focus....as her old way of life in cuba just as swiftly went away. This is from her POV, as this book is about food, her memories, her family, culture and the way they used to live. In the early parts of this book she herself recognizes/admits she lived a privileged lifestyle while in cuba as child and that it was lost right around when the revolution came, a lifestyle she was told that won't come back. This book is meant to tell what food and life was like in those days. As for the foods this book covers different types of hearty, rich cuisine of the era from the more european inspired dishes of the well off to the creole food of the countryside to party foods, seafoods to even basque dishes there is also a section dedicated to cocktails (with recipes) that were served in Havana bars and clubs during that era all of that is here in this fantastic book. On the recipes themselves they range from doable to a bit more elaborate mostly on the meaty dishes and some ingredients may require a trip to the hispanic markets.
Regardless this book is a culinary love letter to a bygone era in Cuba's history
I found this book on a list of recommendations and i'm so so glad I picked it up and read through it. First published in 1992 then again in 1996 this book is about how rich, upper class cubans ate (and lived) in pre-1959, pre-revolution 1950s Cuba. An this is the basis for most of the recipes contained within since the recipes are more old fashioned, hearty and rich. You would hear from time to time some annoying tourists complaining about the food (without going to the countryside) in modern day Cuba even going as far as saying cuban food in the US tastes better. Well THIS book shoves all that aside as it shows why food in pre-revolution Cuba had such a great reputation with the droves of tourist who visted. Their are dishes mentioned here that are not served in most cuban restaurants these days. A great aspect of this book is the authors memories and stories she wrote into the book, it is just so cool to read about how life was like in 1950s cuba as a child like about the birthday parties, the yacht clubs and even Havana itself, described in detail. One may question why she didn't mention batista & his corruption, the overwhelming american influence over cuba (although she talks about the US cultural influence in cuba at the time) and the revolution (yet her and her family fled in 1958 when things were all ready getting hot) because its not the focus....as her old way of life in cuba just as swiftly went away. This is from her POV, as this book is about food, her memories, her family, culture and the way they used to live. In the early parts of this book she herself recognizes/admits she lived a privileged lifestyle while in cuba as child and that it was lost right around when the revolution came, a lifestyle she was told that won't come back. This book is meant to tell what food and life was like in those days. As for the foods this book covers different types of hearty, rich cuisine of the era from the more european inspired dishes of the well off to the creole food of the countryside to party foods, seafoods to even basque dishes there is also a section dedicated to cocktails (with recipes) that were served in Havana bars and clubs during that era all of that is here in this fantastic book. On the recipes themselves they range from doable to a bit more elaborate mostly on the meaty dishes and some ingredients may require a trip to the hispanic markets.
Regardless this book is a culinary love letter to a bygone era in Cuba's history
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July 28, 2020Hola 😄😄
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 23, 2021
I Love this cookbook, now my go to cookbook.
May 15, 2025
A great cookbook with some incredible recipes.
September 1, 2007
I'm half Cuban, and upon my moving out into the world on my own, I asked my mom for a decent Cuban cookbook, in addition to whatever family recipes we might have. The one she used all my life was out of print, and difficult to find, and she wasn't giving it up just yet, so she substituted with this one. She liked it so much, she bought one for herself.
The recipes are plentiful and easy to follow. The traditional Cuban staples and standards are in there, and so many more dishes I'd never even heard of, or I didn't think existed in what I knew of Cuban cuisine (like salads, for instance ; ) ). Each chapter is begun with memories, reminiscences and photos of her family's kitchen (and even from hotels and resorts). A chapter on cocktails and mixed drinks is included. Cuban cuisine is not very vegetarian friendly, by the way, but I have managed to substitute tofu for chicken or other meat, and it's turned out great (or so say all my vegetarian friends).
It gets four stars, because the only Cuban cookbook I would think of giving five stars to would be one written by my own mother, of course!
The recipes are plentiful and easy to follow. The traditional Cuban staples and standards are in there, and so many more dishes I'd never even heard of, or I didn't think existed in what I knew of Cuban cuisine (like salads, for instance ; ) ). Each chapter is begun with memories, reminiscences and photos of her family's kitchen (and even from hotels and resorts). A chapter on cocktails and mixed drinks is included. Cuban cuisine is not very vegetarian friendly, by the way, but I have managed to substitute tofu for chicken or other meat, and it's turned out great (or so say all my vegetarian friends).
It gets four stars, because the only Cuban cookbook I would think of giving five stars to would be one written by my own mother, of course!
September 19, 2013
Well-written with recipes I cannot wait to try. The tales of Cuba's pre-revolution glory days are wonderful to read as well--poignant, particularly the story of the author's doctor grandfather-and sad, but fine reading nevertheless. This human connection aspect, the way we are introduced to old Cuba & her people, makes this more than just a cookbook. A standout.
September 19, 2010
LOVE THIS!!! I have found a love for cooking that I always knew was deep down inside but never brought it out. I made a number of these dishes and it reminds me of being at my grandparents house or going to Little Havana with my granpa.
March 10, 2012
I love cuban food and only get the really good stuff when I go to South Florida to visit relatives. This book lets you make it at home. I love the stories with the recipes!!
The cuban chicken recipe is our favorite and the instructions for cooking white rice are awesome.
The cuban chicken recipe is our favorite and the instructions for cooking white rice are awesome.
August 20, 2012
This is literally the one cookbook I go back to time and time again. There is a variety of quick-and-easy recipes as well as some that take longer but are SO worth it!
The carne con papa is a favorite at my house!
The carne con papa is a favorite at my house!
February 6, 2008
Many of these dishes are exactly like the ones my grandparents brought with them from Cuba. Five stars for authenticity.
May 19, 2009
Great recipes and they're all in English! If you want to learn how to make Cuban food this is the book you need.
July 29, 2011
Lots to read here about Cuban and Caribbean cuisine--I first made morros y christianos from here--a comfort food of childhood for my children, especially when paired with ropa vieja
December 31, 2012
Great book to read. Want my own copy now that I have read this library one. The copy I have is worn and stained...showing its value and was recommended by a Cuban cook.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews