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| ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: Humberto Benitez |  |
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| Capuchinos Cubano | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| For Coral Gables artist Humberto Benitez, exile in the United States has introduced him to a whole new world of color. No, Miami isn't any more colorful than Cuba, but for someone who used to mix his own paint from the red clay soil of Cuba, it was unimaginable to see the wide variety of paint colors available at the local artist supply house. The self-described "explosion of human emotions" has made great use of color in his exploration and interpretation of life, as seen through someone who developed his artistic eye in the Cuban countryside. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Capuchinos are those little yellow cone-shaped cakes you see in just about every Cuban bakery. The capuchinos are made in paper cones using baker's parchment and are filled from a large pastry bag.
You need a special rack to hold the cones, something that is hard to find commercially. Most bakeries make their own. We made our own rack using two old jelly roll pans. We drilled holes in one pan and used the other pan for a base. You also need to get bakers parchment and cut it in strips so that when you roll the paper into a cone you end up with the right size -- about 2 1/2 inches long. You need to experiment with the right width and length and your rolling technique to get it right. Most bakers aren't very fond of these by the way -- too labor intensive. We have tried this recipe a couple of times, but we have to agree with the bakers -- making and filling all those cones is a lot of work! However, if you really miss these Cuban pastry favorites and you DON'T have a Cuban bakery nearby, we have a recipe for you! |
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| Born in Havana, Benitez grew up in Pinar del Rio, a childhood filled with made-up toys, games, and eventually art. For Benitez, art became a means of escape from the very difficult realities of his daily life.
"Painting is much like learning to see, as if for the very first time," Benitez says. "The (Cuban) soil was pure volcanic red, this soil seems to run though my veins. We really like his pastels! |
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| Style: Surrealist
Themes: Cuban, women, fruits, landscapes, and family. Technique: Small to large format (pastel on paper) acrylic on canvas, oil on canvas, and sculpture. |
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COOKBOOK UPDATE The book should hit the stores by mid-October and we can tell you it looks great. Thanks to the many people all over the United States who have started their own Three Guys from Miami Book Buying Chains. You know who you are -- all the people who have written us to say that they are buying a copy of the book for themselves and another copy for a friend AND telling a least two more people about the book. You guys are great! |
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| Look for this book at your local bookstore beginning October 15, 2004. Or pre-order your copy today! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| We have always relied on word-of-mouth to promote our site and we are eternally grateful to all of the people who have adopted us and our site as their personal "cause." Whether you love Cuban culture, Cuban food, or just like keeping the Internet a diverse and open exchange of ideas and information, your support over the years has been outstanding. Purchasing our book and encouraging your friends and family to buy a copy will help us keep this site alive. So again, our HEARTFELT thanks to everyone who has formed a book-buying chain or is planning on starting one! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Jamón Serrano | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| (L to R) Douglas Valverde, Harold Rivas, Raúl Musibay, Armandito Gonzales, and Jorge Castillo. OK, Raúl isn't really part of the group (and neither is Jorge) but if Raúl is at the party you'll think he's part of the group with all of his dancing and singing! | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| The Maracas Sound Machine is available in two flavors -- the party-sized group shown above and a 10-piece orchestra for larger gatherings. They play everything from all over the Latin hemisphere, including salsa, merengue, cumbia, porro and bachata.
Raúl and Jorge enjoyed their music recently at the wedding of one of our nieces in Miami. If you love great Cuban/Latin music and need a band, the Maracas Sound Machine has the Raúl Musibay Seal of Approval! Click MORE below for more information or call: 786-277-9727. |
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| Can't Afford to Go "Whole Hog?"
Now you can buy jamón Serrano without buying a whole ham. This package of five half-pound packages is the perfect way to pick up this great Spanish ham. Jamón Serrano is the secret ingredient in Cuban sandwiches and a listed ingredient in several recipes -- including Spanish tapas. Order some today! |
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