Cuban "Square Dancing"
Yes, Cubans have their own version of square dancing without the typical barn and hay accompaniments that seem to go hand-in-hand with American square dancing. Called, Rueda, the dance was initially developed in Havana in the 1950's. Based on traditional salsa dancing, Rueda is performed by groups of couples in a large circle or wheel (hence the name).
As in square dancing, there are many different dance moves that are announced by a caller. Each move has it's own name and many have hand signals associated with them -- an important consideration in loud clubs where the "calls" might not be heard by all of the dancers.
Some of the moves have a real sense of humor. One move simulates "diving" into a pool. Another popular move, besala tres veces "kiss her three times" is very popular. This one sends you across the circle to kiss someone else's partner!
Salsa Dancers by Bill Brauer
New moves are always being developed. The "balsero" or rafter, simulates ocean waves. There is even a move that mimics talking on a cell phone!
Watching a rueda is like watching a kaleidoscope -- everyone is in constant motion moving this way and that, changing partners, changing moves -- it's all very precise! There are many places in Miami that teach rueda along with traditional salsa dancing. It has become very popular with Miami teens!
Food Network Summer Repeats
This could be your last chance to see the Three Guys from Miami with Tyler Florence on the Ultimate Paella!
Two more showings are scheduled for August only on the Food Network:
- August 29, 2003
- 9:00 p.m. Eastern
- August 30, 2003
- 12:00 a.m. Eastern
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Check Out the Back Issues
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Catch up on previous issues by clicking HERE!
Where is it?
When we want good, fresh seafood -- especially for our paella, we head over to Angeline's Seafood on Coral Way and 24th Street in Miami. This is the place we took Tyler Florence when he was in town.
The owner and his very nice daughter were kind enough to let us film in their shop for our Food Network appearance. If you're looking for great seafood in Miami, check this place out.
Angeline's will even cook anything in the display cases to your order. Tyler had them prepare a fried whole fish and he loved it!
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We're not sure if El Mesón de Pepe is the best Cuban restaurant in Key West, but it does have one of the nicest locations.
Located on Mallory Square, right next to the pier, El Mesón de Pepe Is a great place to eat either before or after the sunset festivities. In the heart of the action, this is a place where you can really enjoy the Key West atmosphere.
We especially like eating in what they call "The Cistern" after dark. It's like a sunken patio, surrounded by trees and warmly lit with tabletop candles.
| When the sun goes down and the evening cools, you can kick back and listen to the gurgling of the fountain or frequent performances of live music. |
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The nearby patio dining is also very nice in the shadow of El Meson de Pepe's large brick building.
For an appetizer we recommend the cazuelita mesón. We love seafood and this combination of shrimp, mushrooms, chorizo and squid is both unusual and excellent.
If you're in the land of the conch, you really need to try the conch salad. El Meson de Pepe's Cuban version adds a touch of saffron to the traditional mayonnaise sauce. Some sliced cachucha pepper -- a very mild green pepper -- adds a nice crunch.
The list of entrees at El Meson de Pepe is not as extensive as some restaurants, but just about all of the Cuban classics are here.
If you like liver, Higado al Italiano is an Italian-style dish of sliced beef liver, sautéed in olive oil with onions and peppers.
El Meson de Pepe's churrasco steak is a real crowd pleaser. The last time we ate here it seemed like every other person was eating one. Be sure to smother the steak in plenty of chimichurri sauce and ask for more if you need it... (more) 
Our niece, and Jorge's daughter, Mariel Castillo will appear on an episode of "Switched" on the ABC Family channel. Mariel switched with a girl from Nashville, Tennessee whose parents write songs for Country music artists. Mariel's challenge was to learn a Country song that was written by her Switched partner and perform it in front of a live audience, including several names in the country music business.
Meanwhile, the girl from Nashville came to Miami to learn Salsa dancing at a Miami dance studio, cook Cuban food, and hang out with Mariel's friends! Tune in to see Mariel's sister Allison and the entire Castillo family give this young Nashville girl a taste of the Miami Cuban experience!
The episode is scheduled to run on August 21, 2003 at 4:30 p.m Eastern.
Here's a question we get from tourists a lot: "What in the heck are those COW STORES?" The Farm Stores Express are great places for picking up milk, soda, beer or snacks. The Miami stores carry a complete selection of Cuban snacks: Chifles, meringues, Maria cookies, Cuban crackers, Jupiña - even a decent loaf of Cuban bread.
The best thing is, you never have to leave your car! Just drive up, roll down the window, and tell them what you want. Cubans call them "La Vaquita" (the little cow). You'll find them all over Miami. Many are open 24 hours a day.
The stores began way back in 1957, when there just weren't that many Cubans in Miami! The company's patented double drive-thru, full-service markets now include more than 100 stores!
The concept would never work in Minnesota. Maybe in the summer, but not in the winter at 20 degrees below zero! That would give an entirely new meaning to the term FROZEN foods! There are about 50 stores in the Miami area. They're all over the place! Just look for the giant cow sign!(more)
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- Gazpacho de Glenn y Jorge
When it's hot in Miami. (which is just about every day of the year) we like to eat something cold. Gazpacho, a cold tomato-based soup is just the ticket. Glenn and Jorge have developed their own recipe over the years.
This recipe captures all of the fresh tastes of the garden -- fresh red, ripe tomatoes, crisp peppers, juicy cucumbers all combined with citrus and garlic. Just make sure the tomatoes are very ripe! (more)
Rum Cake
This recipe really will really knock your socks off! It is so rich and moist, you won't believe it. Dieters beware! This is NOT a low-calorie dessert. Maybe if you slice the pieces small enough, all of the calories will leak out...(more)
Frituras de Malanga
Cubans love frituras and they make them with many different ingredients. This month's recipe features frituras made with
These are made with malanga -- a type of root vegetable that's common in the Caribbean.
Frituras are a lot like French fries. They need to be cooked and eaten immediately, while they are hot and crisp...(more)
- The Sad Passing
- of a Legend
Celia Cruz with her husband of 41 years, trumpeter Pedro Knight.
It was with great sadness that we marked the passing of one very great Cuban lady! Celia Cruz recorded more than 70 albums, and won a Latin Grammy Award last year for best salsa album for "La Negra Tiene Tumbao."
There was no one more beloved in Miami than Celia Cruz. A special memorial was held in her honor and thousands of people came to pay their last respects.
Cruz will be honored in a special tribute at this year's Latin Grammys, September 3 in Miami. Before she died, Celia prepared one final gift for her legions of fans: she recorded 10 new songs for a new album Regalo del Alma (Gift from the Soul).
Celia was unique in that she touched the hearts of people all over the world. She told the New York Times, "When people hear me sing, I want them to be happy, happy, happy. I don't want them thinking about when there's not any money, or when there's fighting at home. My message is always felicidad -- happiness."
Thank you Celia for bringing all of us so much happiness!
Havana on the Hudson? Click here to find out more!
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