my FIRST Cuban dinner!

Brian digging in to the salad

Kendra trying some beans & rice

So a few months ago our little group of friends decided that we wanted to start actually "cooking". So every few weeks, whoever is the "host" decides the theme of food & the main dish and the rest of us bring something to complement. We have done Italian, Mexican, Native American, Chinese...so when it was my turn I decided that I wanted to do Cuban food (for those of you who don't know, my mom is Cuban) I have :helped" her makes lots of different dishes over the years but I have never cooked this many things all on my own! We had Ropa Vieja (shredded beef) Rice & Black Beans, Traditional Avocado & Onion Salad, Fried Plantains (or Mariquitas), Croquettes, Flan & Guava Pastelitos... it was A LOT of food!!! I ordered 2 things and made everything else myself...My kitchen literally looked like a bomb had gone off in it, but everyone really liked the food :) I guess all hope is not lost!

Fried plantains (aka - Mariquitas) YUM!

Michelle having some home-made flan