Ronaldo Linares - Chef Ronaldos Sabores de Cuba: Diabetes-Friendly Traditional and Nueva Cubano Cuisine

Director, Book Publishing, Abe Ogden; Managing Editor, Rebekah Renshaw; Acquisitions Editor, Victor Van Beuren; Project Manager, Lauren Wilson; Production Manager and Composition, Melissa Sprott; Cover and PageDesign, Pixiedesign, LLC; Photography, Kelly Campbell Photography; Printer, Marquis Imprimeur.

2016 by Ronaldo Linares. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including duplication, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the American Diabetes Association.

Printed in Canada
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The suggestions and information contained in this publication are generally consistent with the Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes and other policies of the American Diabetes Association, but they do not represent the policy or position of the Association or any of its boards or committees. Reasonable steps have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information presented. However, the American Diabetes Association cannot ensure the safety or efficacy of any product or service described in this publication. Individuals are advised to consult a physician or other appropriate health care professional before undertaking any diet or exercise program or taking any medication referred to in this publication. Professionals must use and apply their own professional judgment, experience, and training and should not rely solely on the information contained in this publication before prescribing any diet, exercise, or medication. The American Diabetes Associationits officers, directors, employees, volunteers, and membersassumes no responsibility or liability for personal or other injury, loss, or damage that may result from the suggestions or information in this publication.

The paper in this publication meets the requirements of the ANSI Standard Z39.48-1992 (permanence of paper).

American Diabetes Association titles may be purchased for business or promotional use or for special sales. To purchase more than 50 copies of this book at a discount, or for custom editions of this book with your logo, contact the American Diabetes Association at the address below or at booksales@diabetes.org.

American Diabetes Association
1701 North Beauregard Street
Alexandria, Virginia 22311

DOI: 10.2337/9781580406130

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Linares, Ronaldo, author. | Linares, Ronaldo. Chef Ronaldos sabores de Cuba. Spanish. | American Diabetes Association.
Title: Chef Ronaldos sabores de Cuba : diabetes-friendly traditional and nuevo cubano cuisine / Ronaldo Linares.
Other titles: Sabores de Cuba
Description: Alexandria [Virginia] : American Diabetes Association, 2016. |
English and Spanish. | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2015039804 | ISBN 9781580406130 (paperback)
Subjects: LCSH: Diabetes--Diet therapy--Recipes. | Cooking, Cuban. | BISAC: COOKING / Health & Healing / Diabetic & Sugar-Free. | COOKING / Regional & Ethnic / Caribbean & West Indian. | COOKING / Regional & Ethnic / Central American & South American. | HEALTH & FITNESS / Diseases / Diabetes. |
LCGFT: Cookbooks.
Classification: LCC RC662 .L56 2016 | DDC 641.597291--dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015039804
eISBN: 978-1-58040-656-7

Dedication

Dedicated to the moments in my life that made this dream possible and the people who believed in me and helped me make my book a reality.

Foreword

Food, family, and fitness: These are the driving forces behind young, accomplished chef Ronaldo Linares. Ronaldo grew up in Colombia and worked in the kitchen of his fathers Cuban restaurant. This is where his lifes journey began. The moment you start reading this cookbook, you will feel the fire of Ronaldos Latin roots in every word.

Healthy eating and great flavor come together in this informative book; its like an encyclopedia of Cuban cuisine. This collection of personal recipes is a diabetes-friendly tour-de-force of traditional and nuevo Cuban cooking. Ronaldo will teach you how to select the best ingredients when shopping at the farmers market. And the glossary of ingredients and lists of pantry staples, kitchen essentials, and gluten-free flours in this book will prepare you for culinary success.

Diabetes is a personal subject for me. My grandfather suffered from this disease. So, as a chef, I realize the great responsibility of cooking for the public. I serve only healthful, fresh foods. As a culinary ambassador for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, I taught healthy cooking in the Philippines and Indonesia, and Ive cooked with many of the best chefs in the world. So I know tasty, nutritious food.

When I met Ronaldo, the first thing he said was, Chef, I love foodmy passion is Cuban food. I have known Ronaldo for years as his mentor and his friend, but now he is my mentor. He is a talented chef who has appeared on several culinary television productions, and hes the Executive Chef at Martinos Cuban Restaurant. He also gives back to the community by teaching about nutrition and fitness. He hopes this book will inspire many more people to practice healthy eating habits.

Chef Ronaldos Sabores de Cuba will teach you to cook from the heart, using healthy ingredients and traditional Cuban cooking methods. This book is your key to planning mouthwatering and wholesome meals. Use this book often and experience the flavors of Cuba Chef Ronaldos way!

Andrew Gold
Culinary Educator / Executive Chef / Consultant
New York, NY

Table of Contents

From reflection to reality

So here I am, a Cuban, Colombian, Marine, and a salsa-dancing chef, making his dreams come true.

What is Latin food? Latin cuisine has a rich history. Its about family, tradition, layers of flavor, and the expression of ones country through food. I dont think there is anyone more passionate about Latin cuisine than me. Thats probably what every Latino out there would saythat is the passion in all of us. For me Latin cuisine is a way to share the unique flavors that the warm climate in Latin America has to offer: the fruits, vegetables, tubers, and the delicious meats. Latin cuisine can take you on an emotional journey; it can leave you excited and speechless or make you grab the person next to you at the table and smile. Thats the beauty of Latin cuisineit allows you to express and convey emotions without words.

Lets get personal, mi gente (my people). This book is a manifestation of my love of food, family, and culture. I would like to share some of my life stories with you. I will try my hardest not to leave out anything about the journey that has led me to this moment, writing my first cookbook.

My journey started in Medelln, a city located almost in the center of Colombia with a population of 2.4 million people. Colombia is full of culture, food, beauty, and a feeling of joy only those who are native to the country can express. My memories of Medelln are mostly food-related and begin with my memory of arepas (corn patties) with scrambled eggs, tomatoes, and onions that had been sweated down to be almost candy-like. I remember the tantalizing flavors of fresh blood sausage stew with seasonal tubers. And the smells of rotisserie chicken that will beckon you from miles away and make you feel as if youre chasing the girl that got away. Finding the source of that smell always filled me with excitement, and my mouth would water as I got ready to dive in to that moist, perfectly seasoned chicken. If I could only tell you how much I miss the flavors and smells of Colombia in my everyday life. Yes, I can make these dishes anywhere, but the Colombian air, the beeping taxis, and especially the wonderful conversations that filled my time in Colombia are greatly missed. I think that great conversations and the laughter and tense moments that they bring add extra flavor to any meal. My childhood experiences with food in Colombia set me on the path to becoming a chef.