Cook, Eat, Cha Cha Cha: Festive New World Recipes

by Philip Bellber, Ian Reeves (Photographer)

New World cooking is hot, hot, hot -- and very cool. At San Francisco's famous Cha Cha Cha restaurant, located in the heart of Haight-Ashbury, the big flavors of Cuba and Puerto Rico come together and dance in vibrant dishes served against a backdrop of laughter, a loud Latin beat, and fabulous altars to the voodoo saint-gods of Santeria. As colorful as the restaurant itself, this unique, festive cookbook offers sixty terrific recipes for Cha Cha Cha's signature tapas and entrees (perfect for entertaining!), all accompanied by the stories, icons, and relics of Santeria, as well as full-color photographs of the dishes themselves. Savvy cooks are discovering that the spices and ingredients of the Caribbean are as fun to cook with as they are to eat. Cook! Eat! Cha cha cha!

Genres: Cookbooks

144 pages, Paperback

First published February 1, 1997

Reviews

[Charlene Mason Gallego · Rating 5 out of 5]

It has been many years since I moved far from the restaurant that serves these delicious recipes. On the occasions that I am hosting a party this is the book I reach for. The Skillet Cajun Shrimp and Jerk Chicken are big crowd pleasers. Their sangria recipe has made me extremely popular. Learning their way of making sofrito continues to show up in my home cooking.

With cookbooks you never know if the recipes will have staying power, if they actually get tested out with the home cook. This little cookbook reminds me of all the good times had at the restaurant. It reminds me of the Haight, of the love I feel for San Francisco. So when you sit at my table and I serve you one of these dishes you will know you are about to have a really good time.

[Juliette Morris Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book. Love the restaurant that led me to this book. Love it, live it. Seriously good food. Beware of potential outbursts of laughter and feelings of joy!

[Richard]

Katie, some day I want this back!