{"product_id":"cuban-soul-100-vibrant-recipes-from-mi-cocina-9781454999140","title":"Cuban Soul: 100 Vibrant Recipes from Mi Cocina","description":"\u003cb\u003eA Cuban cookbook from chef Mika Leon that offers 100 flavorful modern dishes influenced by tradition, resilience, and pure joy.\u003c\/b\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e Food has always been the heartbeat of chef Mika Leon's big, boisterous Cuban family. Her grandfather opened one of the first Cuban family-run restaurants in Valencia, Spain, after fleeing political instability in the 1970s. He later brought the family to Miami, where they ran a backyard cantina--Mika's introduction to the family business. These early experiences shaped her simple, humble cooking style, which she carried into her catering company, then a food truck, and eventually her restaurant, Caja Caliente. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e In \u003ci\u003eCuban Soul\u003c\/i\u003e, Mika shares her most cherished memories through Cuban homestyle recipes, perfect for infusing any meal with comforting and craveable Cuban flavors. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Pass around crunchy, salty bites such as \u003cb\u003eEmpanadas de Carne (Beef Empanadas) \u003c\/b\u003estuffed with picadillo, ground beef cooked with tangy olives, capers, and raisins for a touch of sweetness. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Dig into toasty \u003cb\u003ePan con Bistec (Steak Sandwich)\u003c\/b\u003e, pan-fried steak tucked into soft \u003cb\u003ePan Cubano (Cuban Bread)\u003c\/b\u003e, with a chewy crumb thanks to lard in the dough. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Ladle a bowl of \u003cb\u003eCamarones Enchilados (Creole-Style Shrimp) \u003c\/b\u003eover fluffy \u003cb\u003eArroz Blanco Cubano (Cuban White Rice)\u003c\/b\u003e. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Squeeze plenty of lime over \u003cb\u003eVaca Frita (Crispy Shredded Beef)\u003c\/b\u003e, or use Mika's citrus marinade to transform \u003cb\u003eLechón Asado (Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder)\u003c\/b\u003e. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e Savor \u003cb\u003eArroz con Leche de Abuela (Grandma's Rice Pudding) \u003c\/b\u003eserved with a frothy \u003cb\u003eColada Cubana con Espumita (Cuban Colada with Foam) \u003c\/b\u003eor \u003cb\u003eCóctel de Ron (Cha Cha's Rum Cocktail)\u003c\/b\u003e, which will have you dancing salsa until 5 a.m. \u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e Featuring lush photography and an exploration of Cuba's rich culinary history, this book brings all the flavors of Cuba's most beloved dishes--borrowed and blended from many Caribbean influences--into your own kitchen.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Mika Leon\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Union Square \u0026amp; Co.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 10\/06\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 256\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 2.45lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 10.10h x 8.20w x 0.90d\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781454999140\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eReview Citation(s): \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003ci\u003eLibrary Journal\u003c\/i\u003e 07\/01\/2026 pg. 74\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eMika Leon \u003c\/b\u003ehas worked in kitchens across South Florida over a decade. Her journey to chef, restaurateur, and television personality began with Mikabites, a wholesale desserts company, and continued with opening a food truck serving Cuban tacos and later her restaurant, Caja Caliente, in Coral Gables, Florida. She has competed on Food Network's \u003ci\u003eTournament of Champions, 24 in 24: Last Chef Standing, Guy's Grocery Games\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eBeat Bobby Flay, \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eChopped\u003c\/i\u003e. She has also been featured on shows such as \u003ci\u003eGordon Ramsay: Uncharted\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003eTaste the Nation with Padma Lakshmi\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eFamily Dinner with Andrew Zimmern\u003c\/i\u003e, where she brings Cuban flavors to life for a national audience. Mika lives in Miami with her husband and daughter and is surrounded by her big, crazy Cuban family.\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"booksdeli.com","offers":[{"title":"Mika Leon \/ Hardcover \/ English","offer_id":49001574662301,"sku":"9781454999140","price":42.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0619\/5648\/9373\/files\/img_5b10186b-4427-4c48-9a63-ab64eb6825b2.jpg?v=1791980534","url":"https:\/\/booksdeli.com\/products\/cuban-soul-100-vibrant-recipes-from-mi-cocina-9781454999140","provider":"booksdeli.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}