This month I am continuing my series of posts about Cuba, focussing on Trinidad. Trinidad in the central province of Sancti Spiritus, is a colourful town full of picture perfect cobbled streets. Historically, people here were involved in the sugar industry, meaning sugar and rum products are part of the local heritage. The money which came in was spent building the beautiful mansions with their distinctive front grilles. It shouldn't surprise you that Trinidad is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, given protected status in 1988.
The Cubans make utterly wonderful rum cocktails, which is no surprise given how many different rums are made here. One of Cuba's most celebrated cocktails, the Canchanchara, was invented here in Trinidad, using local brand Santera. You can visit La Canchanchara and sample the iconic cocktail, always served in a little terracotta tumbler. They're generous with the honey, so don't forget to give your drink a thorough stir. Enjoy the live music whilst you imbibe.
If you are after a night of live music there are two places which will delight you, Casa Del Trova and Casa de la Musica. Cuban jazz is much loved, and you might find a few tracks from the Buena Vista Social Club artists like Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer and Amaro Portuondo thrown into the set list. If you want to do dance, go ahead. The venues even provide dancers to join in if you don't have someone to dance with.
Trinidad's cobbled streets are worth wandering around and you will find lots of great Paladares to eat at. Paladares are privately run restaurants, which I would recommend over some of the government run establishments, which often have ingredient shortages and slow service. Comida Criolla is to be found on the menus. Mixing the ingredients and cooking techniques of Caribbean, African and Spanish food, it is comforting and flavourful. Some people are uncomplimentary about Cuban food, which is most unfair. Perhaps others reporting back on their Cuban adventures didn't really try to explore this cuisine, ordering within a comfort zone of plain grilled and fried foods?
Bistro Trinidad is one of my recommendations.It is a beautiful old house, packed with antique furniture, making it full of atmosphere. We were very well looked after. And the seafood here is excellent (the coast is close by, meaning extra fresh produce). The lobster and prawns are the dishes to go for here. If you decide to eat upstairs al fresco, you will find a huge mango tree.
Trinidad is a popular town for tourists, so there is a growing number of trendy and contemporary bars, restaurants and cafes. La Radaccion is a converted newpaper office, an a great place to cool down and have either a cocktail or light bite.
I hope you will enjoy this month's Favourites List.
If you want to explore my other Cuban adventures, I wrote about Vinales here: https://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2019/05/may-2019-favourites-list.html
My overview of my trip is here: http://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2019/04/april-2019-favourites-list.html
Food writing:
The Cubans make utterly wonderful rum cocktails, which is no surprise given how many different rums are made here. One of Cuba's most celebrated cocktails, the Canchanchara, was invented here in Trinidad, using local brand Santera. You can visit La Canchanchara and sample the iconic cocktail, always served in a little terracotta tumbler. They're generous with the honey, so don't forget to give your drink a thorough stir. Enjoy the live music whilst you imbibe.
 |
| Live music, La Canchanchara |
If you are after a night of live music there are two places which will delight you, Casa Del Trova and Casa de la Musica. Cuban jazz is much loved, and you might find a few tracks from the Buena Vista Social Club artists like Compay Segundo, Ibrahim Ferrer and Amaro Portuondo thrown into the set list. If you want to do dance, go ahead. The venues even provide dancers to join in if you don't have someone to dance with.
 |
| Casa de Trova |
Trinidad's cobbled streets are worth wandering around and you will find lots of great Paladares to eat at. Paladares are privately run restaurants, which I would recommend over some of the government run establishments, which often have ingredient shortages and slow service. Comida Criolla is to be found on the menus. Mixing the ingredients and cooking techniques of Caribbean, African and Spanish food, it is comforting and flavourful. Some people are uncomplimentary about Cuban food, which is most unfair. Perhaps others reporting back on their Cuban adventures didn't really try to explore this cuisine, ordering within a comfort zone of plain grilled and fried foods?
 |
| Bistro Trinidad |
Bistro Trinidad is one of my recommendations.It is a beautiful old house, packed with antique furniture, making it full of atmosphere. We were very well looked after. And the seafood here is excellent (the coast is close by, meaning extra fresh produce). The lobster and prawns are the dishes to go for here. If you decide to eat upstairs al fresco, you will find a huge mango tree.
 |
| Comida Criolla at Bistro Trinidad |
Trinidad is a popular town for tourists, so there is a growing number of trendy and contemporary bars, restaurants and cafes. La Radaccion is a converted newpaper office, an a great place to cool down and have either a cocktail or light bite.
I hope you will enjoy this month's Favourites List.
If you want to explore my other Cuban adventures, I wrote about Vinales here: https://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2019/05/may-2019-favourites-list.html
My overview of my trip is here: http://snigskitchen.blogspot.com/2019/04/april-2019-favourites-list.html
Food writing:
Coffee lovers can breathe a sigh of relief - coffee doesn't
appear to harden the arteries: https://www.theguardian.com/food/2019/jun/02/up-to-25-cups-of-coffee-a-day-safe-for-heart-health-study-finds
Summer is finally here, so if you're planning a picnic or BBQ, here are some award winning products you might want to get in: https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/summer-taste-awards
Back to basics: how to make great stock: https://www.salon.com/2011/01/22/how_to_make_stock/
Recipes:
MiMi Aye has just had her second cook book
"Mandalay" published. It is going to be one of the hottest cookbooks
of 2019, bringing Burmese food to British kitchens. Here is her recipe for Ngar
kyaw chet - fried fish curry:
Jacqueline Bellefontaine has this great salsa recipe for the upcoming Summer days.
https://www.recipesmadeeasy.co.uk/avocado-and-sweetcorn-salsa/
Just found this Miso Tofu Ramen soup as a potential diet day recipe. Him Indoors can have it, as it has 550 calories. I could reduce the amount of noodles and/or have half an egg to bring it within 500 calories. https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/
Just found this Miso Tofu Ramen soup as a potential diet day recipe. Him Indoors can have it, as it has 550 calories. I could reduce the amount of noodles and/or have half an egg to bring it within 500 calories. https://www.bbc.co.uk/food/
Whether you are cooking for children or just
yourself, these chicken recipes are full of flavour and colour! Claire
Thomson's Chicken tinga and black bean tacos, Three-cup chicken, Chicken with almonds and
garlic, Lemongrass chicken with green mango salad:
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2019/may/25/four-favourites-claire-thomson-cooking-with-children-chicken-dinners-tacos-thai-garlic-lemongrass-mango
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2019/may/25/four-favourites-claire-thomson-cooking-with-children-chicken-dinners-tacos-thai-garlic-lemongrass-mango
Cookwitch food blog has this amazing Cypriot inspired bread pudding recipe, the perfect way of using up surplus bread. Avoiding food waste is one small way we can save money on food and do our bit for the environment.
Black pepper and strawberries is one of those flavour
combinations which you would have thought doesn't work, but is a classic.
Here's a black pepper, strawberry, goat's cheese and walnut salad to make:
We recently had National Fish and Chips Day! Here's how
to make traditional beer battered cod with chips. Don't forget the Tartare
sauce and mushy peas on the side, with a wedge of lemon!
Jersey Royals are in season. I love them boiled and tossed
in butter for a side dish. But here, May at Eat Cook Explore blog, has turned
them into salad perfect for weekend lunch: https://www.eatcookexplore.com/ad-jersey-royals-new-potatoes-and-asparagus-salad/
TV:
Mum (Season 3)
Bowie at the BBC
Nigel Slater's Middle East
Nigel Slater's Middle East
Film:
Denial
Music:
Kate Bush - The Hounds of Love
Stephen Duffy - I Love My Friends (2019 reissue)
Kikagaku Moyo - Masana Temples
Please note: as with every monthly Favourites List, all of
these items have been selected by me simply because I love them. I do not
receive any money, benefits in kind or other incentive for posting these links
or recommendations.