In the 1950’s Havana, Cuba, was the “in” place to be. Socialites and celebrities would flock to its center for the entertainment, Spanish colonial architecture, culture, and of course it’s magnificent cuisine. Give Me Sazón is a celebration of Cuban food; a collection of delicious recipes passed down from our grandmothers, “abuelas”, each generation added their own individual flare. Cubans are known to be fun, happy, energetic and flamboyant. The flavor of home-cooked Cuban meals, like its culture, is a blend of Spanish, African and Caribbean, which is brazen, bold, and colorful.
The idea for this group,website and book, was conceived when a few Cubans got together and after many boisterous gatherings that consisted of witty conversations, laughter, and of course “cafecitos”, the idea of a compilation of our abuela’s recipes came to fruition as “Give Me Sazón!”. Why over cafecito? Because it’s a popular Cuban staple, and perhaps an addiction. The Cuban coffee aka cafecito, is usually accompanied with a “pastelito” (pastry) or Cuban toast. Cafecito can feel very strong if you’re not used to it. This potent shot of coffee is not only essential in sleepy mornings but in some cases, it is an afternoon delight similar to the English “tea time”. Let’s just say that if you need a steaming shot of electricity, you need to have a cafecito.
