Thursday, September 6, 2012
3:28 PM
My sister Isis and I attended Catholic school in Cuba for a short time, because Fidel expelled all the nuns and most of the priest early in his tyranny. Mamina then taught us at home, to avoid exposing us to the intense Communist indoctrination that was carried out in the schools.
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| Ready for School |
As the regime became more repressive, we were forced to attend public school. Isis was 7 and I was 8. For the next five years we were taught well, especially about the evils of Capitalism and the advantages of Communism.
By the time our little sister Nina was old enough for school, we had been trying to leave Cuba for about 6 years, and there was no way of knowing when or if we would finally be allowed to leave. Somehow my mother arranged for her to begin with first grade rather than kindergarten, “this way she will learn to read before we leave Cuba”, she hopefully told my father.
It was early in the school year, the teachers had begun teaching the little children about the “fallacies of religion”, the “Opium of the masses”, and how ridiculous it was to believe in God. The children were taught that the only thing that one could depend on to take care of us in life, was "el govierno", the State.
The little kids didn't understand a whole lot of what was being said to them. But the teachers/government representatives had a very effective way to teach this lesson. First they asked the children, “Do you like ice cream?” Of course they did. They were told, “Why don't you bow your heads and pray to God to give you some ice cream”. All the little children did as they were bidden. They bowed their heads and prayed for ice cream. When they raised their heads the teachers pointed out that there was no ice cream anywhere to be had.
Next they were told, “Why don't you try it again. This time when you bow your heads, pray that Fidel will send you ice cream”.
The children obediently bowed their heads once again, and prayed to the "Maximum Leader of the Grand Communist State" for ice cream. When they raised their heads there was a small cardboard container of ice cream on each of their desks.
I still don’t like ice cream in small cardboard containers, and I am so grateful that we were able to escape Communism and that we get to live in a country where freedom and religion are still valued.
Here is a simple recipe that reminds me of the sweetness of life.
HELADO DE CARAMELO- Caramel ice cream
Makes about 1 ½ quarts
1 cup sugar
1 Tablespoon of water
5 cups warm milk, half and half, or cream. Depending on how
creamy you want it.
Dash of salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
Put the sugar and water in a pan and melt it very slowly, (on low) so as not to burn it.
As soon as the sugar is liquid and golden colored, add the milk and salt, mix well. Warm milk will mix better with the melted sugar caramel. If you use cold milk, the caramel will harden, and you will have to heat the hardened sugar and milk on the stove on medium, and stir and stir until it dissolves.
Once it is mixed well, add vanilla. Pour the mixture into a 2 quart ice cream maker and process according to your ice cream maker's directions.
If you don't have an ice cream maker, you can do what Mamina did, pour the mixture into ice cube trays . It made delicious, rectangular pieces of crunchy ice cream. Kind of hard, but so refreshing!
Thursday, June 14, 2012
4:39 PM
BEANS,
CUBA,
CUBAN FOOD,
DRY BEANS,
FRIJOLES BLANCOS,
GLUTEN FREE,
LEGUMES,
ONIONS,
PAPILLO,
PEPPERS,
PRESSURE COOKER,
SOFRITO,
SOUPS,
TUINUCU,
WHITE BEAN SOUP
As I have mentioned before, my father loved soup more than any other food. To him a meal was not complete if it didn't include soup. So my mother made wonderful soups nearly every day of their life together. This one is a favorite of my son, Aaron, and nephew, Dano, who requested I post it.
This week I'll tell you a little about my father. He was known by his family and friends as Aldito, charming, cheerful, creative, a great dancer and life of every party (and as a young man he never missed a party!), the man who could figure out how to fix anything, the friend who would help you when ever you needed assistance. As I thought about this, I realized with joy that my sons are like him in many ways!
Aldito grew up in the small town of Tuinucú, which is located in the belly region of the crocodile shaped island of Cuba. He was very bright and loved to learn, however, in contrast to Mamina (story here), the young Aldito did not like school. He was a headstrong child, who did not like rules or structure. He told us that because of this, he was often physically punished, mostly by his teachers. He would hide to keep from having to go to school, sometimes in a tree. Being found brought on another beating. "It was just the way things were done in those days", he explained. I hope humankind has evolved beyond this, I know my father did.
He wanted to protect his daughters from that kind of maltreatment, so he made a rule for himself that he would never spank us, and never did! He would often remind us, "no man should ever lay a hand on you, except in a kind and loving way".
Almost as amazing is what my sister, Nina, remembers. Our very loud and boisterous father would become unusually calm and soft spoken when he needed to address any serious misbehaving on her part. She knew immediately this meant he was serious about something she should recognize as unacceptable.
Above all he was my Papillo. A wonderful father who was always there for me and who not only supported me in all my dreams, but was even willing to explore them with me.
My father is no longer on this Earth, I can't see his "1000 watt smile" (as my friend Rosa Hernandez described it), but I can still feel it!
Gracias Papillo!
FRIJOLES BLANCOS-White bean soup
1 lb bag (2 cups) dry white beans (also called Navy beans)
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
3 carrots
A soup bone, or a piece of ham
1 Tablespoon salt
Sofrito:
2-3 Tablespoons of olive oil
1/2 green bell pepper
1 medium onion
4-5 garlic cloves
chorizo (this is a Spanish sausage, not spicy)
1 8 oz can tomato sauce
Rinse beans and then cover with water and soak overnight. Next day pour out soaking water and add fresh water so it is about 2-3 inches above the beans, add potatoes, carrots and meat. If using a pressure cooker, cook 20-25 minutes after pressure is reached. Otherwise use a heavy pan, set it at the back of the stove, covered, and cook on medium heat for about 2 hours. Add more water as needed. You can also cook them on high in a slow cooker for 7-8 hours. Add the tablespoon of salt after the beans are soft.
Sofrito:
Chop up pepper, onion, garlic. Sauté in olive oil. When onions are getting translucent, add chorizo and tomato sauce and cook a few minutes longer, then add sofrito to beans. Stir and cook, covered, on low, for about 15 more minutes. It will thicken a bit and all the flavors will blend. Adjust salt if necessary.
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| A very hearty and comforting soup! |
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
8:41 PM
CUBA,
LEMONADE,
LEMONS,
LIMES,
LIMONADA,
Mayor Bloomberg,
MISC,
New York Plans to Ban Sale of Big Sizes of Sugary Drinks,
NYC mayor bans large drinks,
Readers Digest,
TUINUCU
A few days ago Mayor Bloomberg of NYC proposed banning the sale of large sodas and other sugary drinks. See New York Plans to Ban Sale of Big Sizes of Sugary Drinks
I’ve enjoyed observing the reaction to this. Some people agree that it is a good way to bring awareness and help in the fight against obesity. Others are laughing about the ridiculousness of it.
It reminds me of a story from my childhood in Cuba......
I have always loved to read. I devoured every book in my parents’ bookcase, that they felt was appropriate for children. Among their books was a collection of old Reader’s Digest magazines, from BC (before Castro). I read every one of those delightful magazines many times. I especially liked the jokes, funny stories, and a particularly lovely recurring feature called MI PERSONAJE MAS INOLVIDABLE (My Most Unforgettable Character) that is no longer in the magazine (or perhaps was only in the Spanish version?). I also loved the advertisements; they were so amazing to a little girl growing up in a Communist country with nothing available in stores. There were so many things advertised on those pages that I really had trouble accepting that it was not fiction. I had been brain washed in the Communist schools for several years and even though our parents tried to tell us that there was another world out there, I couldn’t conceive of private individuals or companies selling their products, or even the existence of so many items to fulfill every dream.
One day, as I perused the ads again I noticed an advertisement for a 32 oz coke. “Aha!” I said to myself, “I knew this was all fake!” I went to my father and shoved the magazine page with the preposterous advertisement in front of his face.
“I knew this wasn’t real, why would they ALLOW such a large soda to be sold, nobody can drink that much”, I challenged with all my brainwashed Communist 10 year old superiority. He patiently explained how in the US and the rest of the Free World people could buy anything they wanted to, as long as they had the money for it, even if they couldn’t drink it or it wasn’t good for them. He added that the government of the US did not issue ration cards like we had in Cuba, or tell people what they could buy.
I had a very difficult time believing him. I just couldn’t imagine being allowed to buy anything I wanted.
I still love Readers Digest, though I rarely look at the advertisements now. These days I choose not to drink soda and I avoid most sugary drinks, because I want to. However I think I will go now and make some lemonade, the way my father made it, and drink as much I want.
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Here are the ingredients
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LIMONADA- Lemonade
My parents referred to both limes and lemons as limones (lemons). They distinquished them by the color, limones verdes (green) and limones amarillos (yellow). They preferred limones verdes or what we would call limes.
For this recipe I used some of each, since I just happened to have both on hand. Also, I use raw sugar like my father did. He grew sugar cane for the refinery in their small town of Tuinucú, and he considered raw sugar the "real" sugar.
About 8 limes or lemons to yield about 1 cup of juice
3 cups cold water
2 cups of cubed ice
1 cup of raw sugar*
Wash the limes and lemons, cut them in half and get all the juice out.
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| One way to do it |
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| The easier way |
Combine with water and sugar and stir until the sugar is disolved. Add lots of ice and enjoy a most refreshing drink.
* Instead of the raw sugar you can use 1/2 cup of honey. For less calories try a teaspoon of stevia and 2 Tablespoons of honey. You could even use regular sugar, as much as you want or none at all. It is totally up to you.....for now.
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
9:29 PM
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| The baby is Isis, I the grumpy toddler |
I had a goal of posting a recipe every week, but sometimes goals need to be modified, because life is to be lived and enjoyed as it happens. The last couple of weeks I have been spending time helping my daughter with her new baby. I have made many meals (making extra to freeze for the days to come when she will be too busy to think of cooking), played all kinds of games with the 3 year-old big brother, and got to hold and rock the baby! I find rocking a baby to be a very grounding experience. When rocking, singing, and caring for a little child, all other cares seem to fade into the background, and I am reminded of the things that really matter in life. I am so grateful to be able to enjoy this sacred time with my new grandchild.
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| Mamina & Nina |
So instead of a food recipe, this week I'm posting a recipe for putting babies to sleep! This is a lullaby my mother sang to my sisters and me. I can actually remember being in my mother's arms, as she rocked and sang to me. I don't know if this means I have a great memory, or if she continued to rock me until I was much more than a baby! I put my children to sleep with this same song and now my grandchildren also hear it sung by me and by their parents.
My children were surprised to hear that there were so many verses; they only remembered the first few. I guess they fell asleep and missed the rest! Several family members have asked for the words, here they are in Spanish, and then the translation (thank you Isis!). I'm afraid this will not be interesting unless you speak Spanish, it doesn't rhyme at all in English.
Any Cubans out there (or anyone of Spanish descent) remember this song from their childhood? Did it originate in Spain? Are there any other verses?
I don't know much about music, but a friend wrote up the notes for me.
Duermete Mi Niña (or Niño)
CORO entre cada verso: Duermete mi niña, duermete mi amor,
duermete pedazo de mi corazón.
Tu mamá te quiere, tu papá también,
todos en la casa te queremos bién.
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| Mamina with one of my sons. |
Esta niña linda que nació de dia
quiere que la lleven a la dulcería.
Esta niña linda que nació de noche
quiere que la lleven a pasear en coche.
Esta niña linda se quiere dormir y el picaro sueño no quiere venir.
Si el sueño no quiere venir por acá a ver ratoncito, a ver donde está.
Señora mi ama, yo lo vi bailando, con dos damas rubias en la casa real.
Que venga enseguida y le daré yo un collar de plata y un limón de olor.
La loba, la loba le compró al lobito un calzón de seda y un gorro bonito.
La loba la loba salió de paseo, con su traje lindo y su niño feo.
La luna, la luna se quiere casar con un pajarito de plata y coral.
Duermete mi niña tu iras a la boda peinada de moños y en traje de cola.
Duermete mi niño para que la luna, se ponga contenta y te de aceituna.
Duermete mi niño, para que el lucero te haga una almuadita de albahaca y romero.
Se enojó la luna, se enojó el lucero porque mi niñito riñó con el sueño.
Duermete mi niño que tengo que hacer, lavar los pañales, sentarme a coser
Señora mi ama, por que llora el niño, por una manzana que se le ha perdido.
Yo le daré una, yo le daré dós, una para el niño y otra para vós.
Por la calle arriba vienen 3 luceros, San José, la virgen y el niño hechisero.
El niñito tiene los risos de luz, duermete mi niña sueña con Jesus.
Por los campos verdes de Jerusalem va un niñito rubio camino a Belén.
Le dán los pastores tortas de maíz, leche de sus cabras y pán con anís.
La virgen lavaba, San José tendia, el niño lloraba, San Juan lo mecía.
Señor jardinero, deme usted a mí, una rosa blanca y otra carmecí.
Las pondre en la almuada, donde mi niñita unde sus mejillas rosadita y blancas.
Y al dia siguiente, tendrá usted así, dos rositas blancas y dos carmecí
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| Me & my new little grandson! |
TRANSLATION for Duermete mi niña
Chorus (sung between each verse):
Sleep my girl (boy), sleep my love
Sleep piece of my heart.
Your Mother loves you, your Father too, everyone in the household loves you well.
This pretty girl (boy) who was born during the day wants to go to the pastry shop.
This pretty girl (boy) who was born at night wants to go for a carriage ride.
This pretty girl (boy) wants to go to sleep, and mischievous Sleep doesn’t want to come.
If Sleep doesn’t want to come here, go little mouse to see where he is.
Mistress, I saw him dancing in the royal house with two blonde ladies.
Tell him to come immediately and I will give him a silver necklace and a fragrant lemon.
The she-wolf bought silk pants and a pretty cap for the baby-wolf.
The she-wolf went for a walk in her pretty suit with her ugly child.
The moon, the moon, wants to marry a little silver and red bird.
Sleep my girl you will go to the wedding with your hair done up and a dress with a train.
Sleep my girl (boy) so that the moon will be happy and give you olives.
Sleep my girl (boy) so the brightest star will give you a pillow of basil and rosemary.
The moon was angered; the brightest star was angered because my little girl (boy) argued with Sleep.
Sleep my girl (boy) I have much to do, wash your diapers, sit and sew.
Mistress, why is the baby crying? Because he has lost an apple.
I will give him one, I will give him two, one for the baby and one for you.
Down the street come three bright stars, St. Joseph, the Virgin and the enchanting Child.
The little Boy has curls of light, sleep my girl (boy), dream of Jesus.
Through the green fields of Jerusalem goes a little blond Boy towards Bethlehem.
The shepherds give him corn muffins, milk from their goats and aniseed bread.
The Virgin washed the laundry, St. Joseph hung it on the line, the Baby cried and St. John rocked Him.
Mr. Gardener give me a white rose and a crimson one.
I will put them on the pillow where my little girl rests her cheeks pink and white.
And the next day you shall have two white roses and two crimson ones.
Wednesday, May 16, 2012
8:40 PM
On Mother's Day I got to be present for the birth of my new grandson! Few things equal the joy of being able to welcome a baby into the world.
So this is celebration time and Bocaditos are Cuban party food!
In Cuba BC (before Communism) and later in the US, my mother made bocaditos for birthday parties, trips to the beach, any celebration. When my parents came to live with us, she made them for my children. The children would ask Mamina for Bocaditos anytime a car trip was being planned, (especially to Lake Powell) and my mother was happy to oblige. We'd put them in a cooler and when hungry reached for a small bite.....or several!
One time I told her not to worry about making them, I was beginning to be concerned about imposing on her as she got older. Plus I was busy packing everything else and didn't want to take the time to go buy the rolls. She was quite offended, and it's a good thing the children and their friends didn't know about it, or I would have had a mutiny on my hands! I repented and never again denied her the joy of making anything for her beloved grandchildren.
My mother would approve of this post. She loved children and joyfully helped me and my sister Nina raise our respective children with lots of loving and good food. I think it is also a cultural Cuban thing; children are treasured and spoiled (in good ways) by their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles!
Here is Mamina with my sister Isis.
A Bocadito is a small mouthful. They are small sandwiches made with soft rolls. They are always a hit and super easy to make. When I take them to a pot-luck, everyone wants the recipe.
BOCADITOS
1 small can Deviled ham (4.25 oz)
1 package of cream cheese (8 oz)
1 bottle chopped pimentos (2 oz)
2 dozen soft dinner rolls, or potato rolls.
If you are making them for a large group, go ahead and double the recipe. Use the larger can of Deviled ham and 4 oz bottle of pimentos, you will be glad you did!
Mix the first 3 ingredients well till you have a smooth paste. Cut the rolls in half and spread with the paste to make the little sandwiches. Enjoy!
1 lb bag (2 cups) dry white beans (also called Navy beans)
My mother would approve of this post. She loved children and joyfully helped me and my sister Nina raise our respective children with lots of loving and good food. I think it is also a cultural Cuban thing; children are treasured and spoiled (in good ways) by their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles!
