Miami | 20something cupcakes

{miami scene} the palms hotel + spa.

July 4, 2012 — 5 Comments

I’m realizing that I live in a place where some of you may like to vacation.

the palms hotel + spa in miami

{click here for more photos}

I’m not saying this to rub it in like a jerk, but rather – I’m saying I should probably be spreading the word about places you might want to see or visit while you’re here. Plus, I know after writing about my favorite restaurant in Fort Lauderdale that at least a few of you live in this general vicinity and might take pleasure in a little weekend getaway on occasion.

Because really, this is one of my favorite things about living where we live. Miami (and its world-famous South Beach) is just 30 minutes away, which I love because even though I love Miami, I prefer to live on the quieter side of town that is Fort Lauderdale. It’s a more relaxed, low-key way of life – yet just a quick drive away from many of the best hotels, restaurants, and nightlife in the country.

In The World Is Not Flat hotel reviews, miami, nightlife, restaurants, SLS hotel, stay-cation, the palms hotel + spa, yardbird

tostones: twice-fried {green} plantains.

October 3, 2011 — Leave a comment

Now that we have our Anytime Mojitos in check, how about whipping up a little Cuban feast?

Tostones, black beans and rice, and Cuban sandwiches. Let’s even throw in a simple romaine salad with avocado and red onion. I promise… It’ll be super-easy.

After living in Miami for 5 years, you can’t help but develop a taste for Cuban food. First, there’s the coffee. Oh, how I miss Cuban coffee. There’s just nothing like it… For those who are unfamiliar, it’s really a super-strong, super-sweet espresso. Called a “colada,” it’s served it in a small styrofoam cup with a stack of little shot cups (they look like those disposable half-n-half containers). It’s meant to be shared, so it’s kind of like a Cuban tradition. This stuff will wake you up when all else fails. Trust me when I say, everyone in Miami is familiar with this.

There’s a lot more about Cuban food I love (hello, empanadas!) but because I could go on about this all day, I’ll move on.

I’m okay with moving on because I’m talking about tostones now, which are probably my all-time favorite Cuban food. If you’ve had plantains, chances are you’ve had the sweet, brown, and gloppy version typically served as a side dish. When these are nice and firm, I like them, but they often get soggy – so in that case, I’m not a fan. Green plantains are the same fruit, just not ripened yet, and that’s what tostones are made from. Green plantains that are fried…and fried again…then coated in salt. Could this be bad? I think not.

In On the Side, Starters cuban, fried, miami, plantains, salty

Miami may have its share of vices, but food is not one of them.

{The initial inspiration for this came from the Superbowl earlier this year. The game was in Miami, so to play up on this, I decided a Cuban/Latin theme was in order.}

This would be the perfect theme to spice up a dinner party or any other fun occasion. Particularly if you’re not near Miami – even better in that case – because then it’s truly something different than what you’re used to. Not to mention the fact that it’s finally starting to warm up in most of the country – I’m thinking this would be a fabulous way to celebrate incoming bikini season, no?

*Miami Vice* Theme Menu:

Mojitos + Assorted Latin American Beers

Empanadas

Mini Cuban Sandwiches

Croquetas

Fried Tostones

Tres Leches Cupcakes

What to do:

Mojitos are totally easy and so refreshingly delicious. They are a staple down here in South Florida, and definitely one of my favorite go-to specialty cocktails. I’ve had SO many fab varieties: coconut and blackberry versions definitely top the list. Here is a good recipe to get you started, and I promise that I will soon dedicate a day to perfecting my very own recipe (I know, sounds terrible, right?) so that I can share it with you.

You can check out the delicious empanadas I made a few weeks ago here.

Cuban sandwiches are a key component of this menu. And because I think everything is better as a mini, that’s the way I like these. A traditional Cuban sandwich consists of thinly sliced ham and roast pork, Swiss cheese, yellow mustard, and sliced dill pickles, all on buttered Cuban bread. Just head into your local deli, grab these ingredients, cut them into miniature portions and go to town. Yum.

Croquetas (also known as croquettes) are breaded little bits of fried heaven. They are usually filled with some type of meat, fish, or veggie, but my favorites are probably the ham or cheese varieties. To make your life easier, I recommend just buying these at your local grocery store; they can usually be found in the ethnic section of the freezer. But, just in case you’re sick in the head like me and actually like making your life more difficult sometimes, this recipe looks delish.

Oh, how I love fried tostones. There are no words. Probably the Cuban food I miss most – and if you’ve never had them, you simply must try. You’ve likely had plantains, but these are the green ones, not the sweet ones – and they’re basically just sliced, crushed, fried, and salted. Here is a recipe with instructions if you dare.

And to finish it all off, the only logical route seems to be these Tres Leches Cupcakes.

Bienvenido a Miami.