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CUBAN STYLE ARROZ CON POLLO

Ingredients

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• 1 lb chicken thighs, bone in, skin on
• Pinch of salt, pepper, cumin for chicken thighs
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 1/2 cup red bell pepper, chopped
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 3 cups uncooked long grain white rice, rinsed (you can use Valencia rice too)
• 3 cups low-sodium chicken stock
• 8 ounces tomato sauce
• 1/2 teaspoon annatto powder, (or turmeric) to color the rice
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 teaspoons dried oregano
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• Salt + pepper to taste
• 1/2 cup frozen peas

Instructions

1. Season chicken thighs with salt, pepper, and cumin. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Over medium-high heat, place chicken thighs in the pan and brown on both sides. Transfer to a plate.
2. In the same pan, add remaining olive oil and sauté onion, garlic and red pepper, stirring frequently, until the onion is translucent and the garlic is fragrant.
3. Add rice, chicken stock, tomato sauce, annatto powder, bay leaf, oregano, cumin, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil. Add chicken. Cover and reduce heat to medium-low.
4. Simmer until liquid is absorbed and rice is tender, about 45-60 min. Add frozen peas, stirring until warm. Fluff rice with fork, serve, and enjoy!

Nutrition Facts

Classic Cuban-Style Arroz Con Pollo

Amount Per Serving (1 serving)

Calories 422Calories from Fat 193

% Daily Value*

Fat 21.4g33%

Saturated Fat 4.6g23%

Cholesterol 90mg30%

Sodium 492mg21%

Potassium 533mg15%

Carbohydrates 36.3g12%

Fiber 2.5g10%

Sugar 4.1g5%

Protein 24g48%

Calcium 40mg4%

Iron 9.7mg54%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

A New Restaurant I Want to Share with All Coming to La Habana

Hola.

If you are looking for a place that truly reflects the new young Cuba, I have a suggestion for you.

Café Galeria Mamaine. (ma ma ee nay)

Created by a local artist and decked out with his works, the café is decorated with the leftovers of Cuban’s past in a way that creates a very special cozy spot in La Habana loca. The name comes from a traditional Cuban song which in part talks about how we Cubans love our coffee. And the menu has some excellent selections and variations on this most Cuban of beverages. The menu is compact with a good breakfast and more than adequate light lunch and snacks. Besides the coffee they offer a full selection of beverages which like the food are reasonably priced.

With prices that reflect what Cubans can afford, Mamaine is the place to meet for coffee and conversation for young medical students and working people of all ages. The service is super friendly and never presses you to move on; stay – eat – drink – talk – the real Cuba. Please keep an eye out for the zunzun – the hummingbird – that frequents the place.

If you are staying near 23^rd Street ( La Rampa) it is right there. Hotels nearby include: Hotel Nacional, Capri, Victoria, and Habana Libre among others.

Open Monday to Thursday and Sunday from 8am to 12 am; Friday and

Saturday from 8 am to 3 am

Calle L No. 206 between 15 and 17 Streets in Vedado

Disfruta

With love from Ana de Havana

The problem of anti-Semitism, literally disappeared during W.W.II. After the war, there was a large influx of immigrants from Europe and by the 1950s, when Batista (the last American-supported dictator) ruled; a vibrant community of fifteen thousand Jews existed. Ashkenazim accounted for some three-quarters of the community with 75% lived in Havana and the rest in the rural provinces. However, after the Castro led revolution in 1959 and until 1961, over 90% of these Jews fled the country and, along with many of their non-Jewish countrymen, moved to the United States, mainly Miami, Florida, parts of New Jersey and New York. Others went to various Latin American countries or Europe. Some Jews moved to Israel. The Reform movement, an American led group, was present during most of the 20th century. It came to an end when the last Reform rabbi left for the United States after the Castro revolution. By 1989, Cuba’s practicing Jewish population was depleted to a low of 800 people or less.

Although the Castro led revolution was not directed against Jews, it destroyed the economic stability of Cuban Jewry, which was primarily middle class private business oriented. The reason for the flight was not anti-Semitism, but the economic shift from capitalism to communism. The majority of those who remained were either firm believers in the communist system that frowned on religious practice, were intermarried with strong non-Jewish family attachments, or were too poor to leave. Either way, they were concerned for their economic welfare if they would be labeled “Believers.” Thus most Jews let go of their religious practices and those born after 1955 were too young to have ever experienced any form of Judaism.

After the Soviet Union disintegrated and withdrew their economic partnership with Cuba in 1989, the economy took a severe turn downward and common everyday items necessary for basic survival were in short supply. In desperation for spiritual support, people began turning to the various religious institutions for comfort and hope. The government, recognizing the needs of the people, changed the law that forbade “Believers” in any religious persuasion to be members of the party. This change allowed people to practice religion while keeping top echelon jobs. The previous law also kept children of “Believers from attending the best schools and made it difficult for these people to gain admission to the University, thereby limiting job opportunities and economic advancement. The old law did, however, protect against national, religious or racial hate and that has not changed. The new law gave Jews, along with all Cubans, freedom to worship, and the opportunity to receive ritual items and kosher holiday food from abroad. In addition, the distribution of kosher beef that had been in effect since the Revolution for registered members of the various synagogue communities continued as the government recognized that these people needed beef rather than the pork available in the ration stores.

Communist Cuba maintained normal relations with Israel until the 1967 War when its foreign policy became firmly anti-Zionist. It joined the Third World, in 1973, in severing diplomatic ties but Aliyah which began at the time of the creation of the state of Israel and continued after the Communist Revolution did not end when the political relationship changed. In fact, there has been an increase in Aliyah since the renewal of religious life after 1991.

Please revisit soon for Part 3!