Old Havana Foods

Black Bean Chili
(spicy-version)

1 lb lean ground beef
2 small Vidalia or sweet onions
4 garlic cloves, minced
(2) 15-ounce cans of "seasoned black beans"
6 -ounce can tomato paste
1 can 15-oz diced tomatoes (drain water)
1 vine-ripened tomato (chopped small)
1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground Black pepper
1 Bell Pepper (remove seeds and core)
1/2 small 6 oz. jar of sweet pimientos
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 teaspoons raw cane sugar
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

1. Preheat a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Brown beef until pink is gone. Drain excess fat.
2. In a second skillet, heat olive oil for 6-7 minutes at low heat. Add chopped onions until they reach a green-golden color (about 15 minutes). Add minced garlic and EVERYTHING ELSE (minus the black beans & Green pepper).
3. In big pot, add everthing together (the beef, the olive oil and onions, etc. and your two cans of beans). Add your Green Pepper. Heat and stir for 40 minutes or until Green Bell Pepper is soft. Remove Green Pepper. Serve and watch everybody smile.

Buen provecho!
Visit Old Havana Foods

Happy St. Patrick's Day!!!

A Cuban named O'Reilly (Chicago - March, 2009) - Nothing says St. Patrick's Day like a bowl of "frijoles negros" (black beans). Don't laugh because history-loving Cubans dance a jig every March 17th to honor Alejandro O'Reilly. An Irish general who swore allegiance to the Spanish crown, O'Reilly came to Cuba's aid in the late 1700's. After falling prey to pirates and the invading British Royal Navy, Habaneros looked for help in fortifying their defenses. In his book, Havana - Autobiography of a City, journalist Alfredo Jose Estrada writes of the Irishman's memorable return to the island. O'Reilly marched Spanish forces into Havana in 1763 - receiving the colonial city back from the Redcoats (who occupied "La Habana" for five months after a successful siege). The handover was part of the negotiated end to The Seven Years War.

Historians say the Spanish then asked O'Reilly to analyze what went wrong in the failed defense effort. To prevent future invasions, the general designed a new plan to fortify the city. He refined military training, bolstered troop levels and led the construction of "La Cabana" fortress to help guard Havana harbor.

With the great city secured, the Irishman soon married into a prominent Havana family, securing his place in the island's history. His wife, Doña Rosa de Las Casas, was the sister of Luis de Las Casas, the Governor of Cuba. Years later, Habaneros named a street in the general's honor. To this day, you can walk on the centuries-old cobblestones of "Calle O'Reilly" - undeniable proof of the bond between Ireland and Cuba.


Old Havana Foods - In the News! People go loco when they taste our tantalizing "Picadillo" (or Chili-Cubano, as we prefer to call it). And thanks to your overwhelming response, Old Havana Foods is quickly drawing national attention.
After launch, our family-owned business was profiled on Chicago superstation, WGN-TV (send us an e-mail or call if you want a FREE DVD copy with your next order!) Next month, look for features in a pair of national news journals. You can learn about the making of Old Havana Foods in Latino Magazine, an exciting new publication dedicated to culture, politics and food (among many other things!) And you can read more (in English or Spanish) in April's NegociosNow.com (a magazine profiling the latest trends in Latino business). Thanks to all who attended our Old Havana Foods cooking demonstration at this month's Chicago Flower & Garden Show at Navy Pier. Although cooking in front of 200 people makes me a bit nervous, it was fun to give Chicago a taste of Old Havana!


Old Havana Foods is now on Facebook! Become a fan!
Looking for more recipes, stories and great Cuban-style food?
Visit http://e2ma.net/go/1814418638/1658684/61761612/goto:http://www.oldhavanafoods.com/


This email was sent to Juliancrews@comcast.net. To ensure that you continue receiving our emails, please add us to your address book or safe list. manage your preferences opt out using TrueRemove®.Got this as a forward? Sign up to receive our future emails.

Fending off Pirates

Fending off Pirates -
Havana's "El Morro" Castle

After suffering attacks at the hands of pirates, privateers and French Corsairs in the 1500's, Spanish settlers on the island of Cuba found themselves vulnerable to invasion. When associates of pirate Francois Le Clerc (also known as Peg Leg) sacked and burned Havana to the ground in 1555, a Spanish royal decree laid the foundation for a new defensive strategy.
In his fascinating book, "Havana: Autobiography of a City," journalist Alfredo José Estrada chronicles the development of the young settlement's fortifications - efforts that led to the birth of a great city.

The Real Fuerza fortress was the first major Spanish attempt to guard Havana harbor. While it seems to have deterred Sir Francis Drake and his fearsome armada of twenty-two ships in 1586, the Spaniards still feared future attacks.

To fortify the Real Fuerza, King Philip II ordered the construction of a new defensive structure in 1588. El Morro, a state-of-the-art fortress, would protect Havana for centuries.

"Designed by the celebrated Italian military architect, Giovanni Baptista Antonelli, [El Morro's] polygonal walls contain two landward bastions with a deep moat. The battery guarding the channel is known as Los Doce Apostoles (The 12 Apostles)."

Estrada says to this day, El Morro remains the most visible symbol of Havana. "It is to the city what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris, or the Coliseum is to Rome, framed in countless postcards sent back to Barcelona, Chicago or Kiev."

If you want to read more fascinating Cuban history, "Havana: Autobiography of a City" is available on www.OldHavanaFoods.com ($14.95 plus $5.99 shipping).

Authentic Old Havana Foods
Free Delivery Special (limited offer)
www.oldhavanafoods.com

Old Havana Foods - We're Open!

(Chicago) Dec. 2008 - Authentic Cuban Style

People go "loco" when they taste our famous all-natural, easy-to-prepare Cuban classics - and we want to spread the joy! So we're launching this blogspot dedicated to great Old Havana-style cooking, photographs, film, documentaries, stories and centuries-old recipes.

And we'll give you great advice for preparing authentic Cuban-style food in your own home.

But if you don't feel like working in the kitchen - let us do the cooking! we invite you to visit OldHavanaFoods.com to order all-natural stovetop-meals - delivered fresh to your door. Cubans like to call it 'Cantina." We think you'll call it the best gourmet Cuban food you've ever tasted. The whole family (young and old) will love the authentic Old Havana flavor!

Once you try our famous "frijoles negros" (black Beans), you'll never go back to plain and boring beans. Our centuries-old recipes and seasonings are legendary.

Vegetarians especially love our one-of-a-kind flavor. Our high-protein black beans with minerals and natural fiber are a delicious meat alternative!

We hope you'll enjoy our food, real-life stories and deep appreciation for Old Havana. We want to help preserve the rich culinary and arttistic tradtions of Cuban culture and share our treasures with families across Chicago and North America.

Muchas gracias! And blessed holidays to you and your loved ones,


The Old Havana Family
Chicago, IL