Field Trippin': I cried for Argentina

I've got a Cuban friend from back home who's coming over for dinner tomorrow night, he happens to be a Producer from MTV & wants the 411 on the show. Granted there are a couple spots you can buy great Cuban food in LA, El Cochinito in Silverlake is the BEST! 3508 W Sunset Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90026 (323) 668-0737, but nothing beats home cooking. I knew I wanted to make a Palomilla Steak & possibly some Empanadas. 

My favorite Cuban grocery store El Cubano suffered the cruel, cruel back hand of the recession & shut down I called my Cuban brother from another mother Carlos to find another option. He hipped me to this Argentinian Market called Catalina's Market. 

I know you're thinking I just stocked up on latin spices in Koreatown last month, but when it comes to meat especially the cut I think Latin butchers at a Latin market do it the best & HELLO what's better than Argentine BBQ? Que Rico! 

Once again the ipod & I cruised up & down the aisles, actually tangoed, & I loved seeing all of the relics from my childhood & my travels. I did stock up on all things Guava & so excited to see what else I can come up with & I bought Oxtails for $5.31... unreal!!! 

I loved the empanada dough in the freezer section, usually when I make empanadas I use wonton skins, ready made chimichurri and salt cod... I can't wait to cook ♥

If ever in LA check this place out, once again I was greeted by employees wanting to show off all their goodies, the butcher was fab & even the owner escorted me around... it was FAB, that was a first. I will definitely go back, what a great experience. 

Check them out for yourself http://www.miseta.com/catalinas.htm

Baked: Guava & Cheese Cupcakes

I wanted to keep with the theme & basically use up the remaining eggs I had left & the rest of the guava & make cupcakes. I took a huge risk by adding Guava Nectar into the mix but hoped the fact I used whole wheat flour would manage it & boy did it. These are the first cupcakes I ever made that I could fill to the top & not worry about it spilling over in the oven, I think the juice made it do that. ♥

I also added mashed Guava Chunks, seriously softest cupcakes EVER! I do wish I got better paste though, like the one Goya makes. This one had MASSIVE seeds in it, how annoying removing them one by one, but at the end worth it, I made GUAVA CUPCAKES!!! Next time I will use egg replacement or just whites & rice or almond milk to make them a little more guilt free. 

If you want the recipe check it out on my bakespace http://www.bakespace.com/recipes/detail/Guava%20&%20Cheese%20Cupcakes/34845/# I think La Reyna Celia Cruz would be proud... AZUCAR! (even though I used agave nectar instead of Azucar... *snort*)

Between My Headphones, Worth Repeating Celia Cruz "La Vida Es Un Carnaval" read the translated lyrics, so amazing! Whoever made this did a GREAT job... ♥ ♥ ♥ long live the Queen! ♥ ♥ ♥


The Star Studded Cast: Guava & Cheese Cupcakes

Guayaba y Queso



SO fun!





Only I would find a way to cut myself making Cupcakes & there's no knife involved in the proces... terrible!

Brekkie: Guava & Cheese French Toast

Maine has Lobster, New England has Clam Chowder, Philly has it's Cheesteak & Miami's most famous & beloved dish is Guayaba con Queso Pastelitos (Guava & Cream Cheese pastries). Craving my favorite treat & realizing I have 6 eggs left & tomorrow's the expiration date I should pass on my morning oatmeal routine & make something special. I came up with these years ago when I moved to LA before I found out about Porto's bakery in Glendale, this is the first time I've had it on a day other than a Sunday... must tack on an extra 20 minutes on the treadmill, but they are SO worth it! 'NYO!♥

The Star Studded Cast

Guava... Cheese, pretty self explanatory

Before

After

Bake in the oven to melt Guava paste