Saturday, August 2, 2008

Puerto Rican Cuisine

Today is a busy day. I am preparing the house for a visit from Nathan's grandparents. It's their first time coming over and I want everything to be in tip-top shape. That also means redecorating! Besides that, I am cooking a Puerto Rican meal for them-- or at least trying to. Evidentally, there are no PR's in Arizona because it is so hard to find the proper ingredients! So I'm having to make do and make a lot of things, such as the seasonings, from scratch-- a very time consuming process. Oh well, it will be worth it if it turns out good. If it doesn't, I'll be cryin'!

Our Menu:

Arroz con Frijoles {Traditional yellow rice with pinto beans-- b/c I can't find gandules, capers, olives, peppers, sofrito}
Roast Chicken, Seasoned with some typical PR seasonings
Tostones {twice-fried plantains}
Boiled Plantains, Potatoes, and Sweet Potatoes served with EVOO
Guacamole and Chips

Desert:
Chocolate mini-cups filled with pudding, whipped cream, and strawberries and blackberries
Decaf Coffee

The meal is really heavy, but this is my favorite traditional PR food so I wanted to make it for them despite the heat. My mom knows how to make all kinds of wonderful PR fish dishes but I don't know how, and besides, I don't eat seafood. How can anyone eat something that SMELLS dead! Hopefully the light dessert will make the meal a little less overwhelming.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Although I have cousins who are part PR, I have never had any PR food. I would love to try it sometime.

We really should have done more together when we were both here especially before the kids).

You are always redecorating. Will it ever end? ha ha ha

New Mom said...

hmmm.... redecorating is kinda like buying new clothes, it's an ongoing battle!

New Mom said...

Saretta, you should drive to CA but make a stop in AZ.

Anonymous said...

Sounds delicious to me! Get your mom to show you some dishes while she's visiting! There's nothing like homecooking.

I love your $10 dress! Those are the best kind.

Thanks for stopping by my giveaway. Come visit anytime!

Davene said...

Sounds yummy!

My parents lived in PR for 2 years...I've probably told you that before. Anyway, I remember my mother occasionally making tostones for us as we were growing up. I loved them! Wish I had some right now... :)

I hope the visit went really well!

New Mom said...

Davene, you never told me that. Aren't they so good! Unfortunately, I need more practice making them really crisp.