Lost and found



Looking through my mother’s recipe books, I found a long lost recipe from my Cuban godfather his ‘frijoles negros a lo Monchy’, (Black beans a la Monchy). I knew of the existence of these recipes but as a result of many moves they just went missing. There are two more recipes, one for the best sweet potato soup and one for the ham croquettes; these are still lost somewhere in my mother’s house.

My godfather was one of the most humble and greatest cooks I’ve ever known.  Even though I was a kid, when we used to gather at his place for dinner parties, I remember the taste of his food like it was yesterday.

The spread at the dinner table was always impeccable and amazing, this was always his wife’s doing. They had a six seat dining table and the plate settings were always set up formally (with place cards and all).

His flavors were bold and homey. Everything was made from scratch with a huge smile on his face and the kind of love that you can taste in a plate. I would give anything to taste his food again.

My favorite dish was the sweet potato soup, it was just perfect. Fondue nights where a big hit too, with some -fry your own beef- fun. On game nights, we would play Rummikub and have a huge plates of homemade ‘platanutres’ (thin plantain chips) with a few beers for the guys, red wine for the ladies and of course some nice cold Coca-colas for me.  I loved those nights where we would go visit them; they were great party hosts.
Unfortunately, my godfather, his wife and their son, have passed away, the only thing I have left from them are the great memories and these recipes. This is why, finding this recipe has brought me to tears of joy.