Ajiaco is a hearty soup that’s popular in Cuban and Colombian cuisine, although the two versions are quite different. A Colombian ajiaco is essentially a chicken and potato soup. A Cuban ajiaco, however includes pork and beef and a showcase of tropical vegetables.

Chimichurri is a sauce typically served with grilled meat. It’s a simple combination of parsley, olive oil, vinegar and spices that makes a wonderful addition to steaks, chicken and pork.

A traditional Cuban sandwich is made with ham, Swiss cheese, roast pork and pickles all generously stacked on Cuban bread. The sandwich lightly buttered and heated on a plancha until the bread is toasty and the cheese is melted. It’s one of the best sandwiches ever!

When you think Cuban food, beans are usually on the menu. In Spanish this dish is called frijoles colorados, and they’re a staple in Cuban cuisine. The beans are made with simple ingredients including herbs, spices and pork. The pork used is typically an inexpensive cut. Smoked ham hocks or shanks, sausage, or a leftover, meaty ham bone are all good options. Cuban style red beans are traditionally served with white rice as a side dish, or as a stand-alone soup.

Sausage gravy is the perfect dish for brunch, and it works for breakfast-for-dinner too. My family has been enjoying this sausage gravy for years. My step-dad would make this on leisurely Sunday mornings, and we loved it! Served over warm biscuits, this thick, creamy, and super flavorful gravy is comfort food at its best. I hope your family enjoys this sausage gravy as much as mine does.

These Cuban pork chops or chuletas de cerdo in Spanish, make an easy, affordable and quick dinner. In this recipe, thin-cut pork chops are seasoned with garlic powder, cumin, oregano and salt and pepper. Then we squeeze some fresh lime juice over them and let them marinate for great flavor. Serve the pork chops with white rice and black beans or mashed potatoes for a filling and delicious meal.

In Cuban Culture, roast pork (lechon asado) is the meal served on all special occasions. Christmas, Weddings, New Year’s… roast pork is on the menu. This is a traditional recipe using a homemade mojo marinade. Roast pork is a two-day event. The pork needs to marinate in the refrigerator overnight. Then you roast it, low and slow for hours.

Mojo is a popular marinade and sauce in Cuban cuisine. A mojo marinade is a simple combination of garlic, spices and citrus juice. It injects wonderful flavor to meat. Mojo is used most commonly to flavor pork, but it works great on chicken and root vegetables, like yuca and malanga. However you use it, this marinade will add a tropical flair to your meal.

This is a Cuban Corn Stew called Guiso de Maiz in Spanish. It’s a traditional Cuban dish, and like most Cuban recipes this stew is made from easy to find, affordable ingredients. Made with pork stew meat, corn, potatoes and spices, this stew is perfect for tight budgets and hungry appetites.

If you’re looking for something different for dinner, or you want to put together an Oktoberfest feast, try this pork schnitzel recipe. Schnitzel is a piece of meat that has been pounded thin. Then it’s dredged in flour, breaded, fried and served with fresh lemon. The pork is simply seasoned with salt; the lemon really wakes up the flavor of the dish.