Cocina Criolla [Paperback]

Nitza Villapol (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: 2001

Este libro tan amado por tantos años por todos los amantes de la cocina y de Cuba. Platos deliciosos y auténticos.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Cocina Criolla is the bible of Cuban cooking.

Product Details

• Paperback: 319 pages
• Publisher: Zocalo (2001)
• Language: Spanish
• ISBN-10: 0681265558
• ISBN-13: 978-0681265554
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,357,605 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A 5 Star celebrity before there were such....., June 6, 2005

By 

Sonia Martinez "foodiesleuth" (Big Island of Hawaii) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cocina Criolla (Paperback)

Nitza Villapol is considered the Cuban Julia Child. She was the first to write a book used by "the masses" and the first one to have a TV cooking show in Cuba way back in the 50's.

"Through the years Cocina Criolla has turned into the classic cookbook for the Cuisine of Yesterday's Cuba. The young ladies of that era learned to cook from this book and the grandmothers of today are recommending it to their granddaughters. It includes more than five hundred recipes, explained in simple, easy to follow directions to help with the creation of many wonderful dishes in a short time. An indispensable book for lovers of Cuban Cuisine"

The above is the endorsement on the back cover of this book. I can attest to the fact as I was one of those "young ladies of that era" who learned to cook following the instructions in this cookbook.

I remember what first fascinated me about this book was not the recipes, the equivalent charts, the nutrition information, the section on how to measure ingredients or the 2-week menus that she included, but the lists that she had printed on how to equip your kitchen. Even way back then, I always would go ga-ga over kitchen gadgets and equipment, and my dream kitchen would have had one of everything she listed and then some. She included 3 lists; the very basic that everyone should have and then goes on to other items to make your cooking efforts easier and then the specialty items.

Of course, this book was first published a long time ago, back in the mid-40's, so there is a big change in what was basic or special then and what we consider basic now. Remember, this was way before the Cuisinart was even dreamed of!

Picture Cuba....the year was 1953! Even though the family had household help, a young lady was in her mom's kitchen, trying to not make a big mess.......! If the "young lady of the house" wanted to play in the kitchen, it was encouraged as part of rounding off her education, but not necessary. If you did it, it was because you loved it, not because you had to help. (I hope this doesn't come across the wrong way, because even though my father had a very good job, we were not rich by any means)

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Cuban Staple!, January 15, 2002

By 

JudithB "msdeelite" (Chicago, IL) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cocina Criolla (Paperback)

This book is a traditional gift in my family to any newlywed Cuban-American woman or when moving out of the home (which usually doesn't happen unless married LOL) The recipes are in Spanish, so if you don't speak the language...it's time to get out your Spanish/English dictionary. The recipes are great and recommended by anyone who cooks Cuban Cuisine. All the well known recipes like Tostones, papa rellena, con gris and lechon are all in there and more.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential for Cooking Authentic Cuban Food, December 11, 2000

By 

A. Fernandez - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cocina Criolla (Paperback)

This cookbook is considered a traditional gift for newly-married Cuban American women. Additionally, it is essential for anyone who wants to cook authentic traditional Cuban food. It is written in Spanish and the book provides basic recipes and daily menu suggestions, as well as more elaborate dishes. As a Cuban American woman, I can say that this book contains a great array of staple dishes, and it is a must-have for cooking real Cuban food. I wish an English version were available.