The foremost authority on Puerto Rican cooking is a silver haired, stylish, and warmly hospitable woman named Carmen Aboy Valldejuli . . . [her books] are considered today to be the definitive books on island cooking.
-New York Times
Written entirely in Spanish, Cocina Criolla, the standard reference work on traditional Puerto Rican cooking, is in its 68th priniting and has special appeal to those who enjoy the island's cuisine.
In addition to offering hundreds of delicious recipes, Cocina Criolla includes advice for the inexperienced cook that ranges from suggestions about the most efficient way to read a recipe to suggestions about what kitchen equipment every cook should have.
Cocina Criolla no puede compararse con la generalidad de los libros de cocina. En muchos puntos difiere grandemente de 'stos. Pero por su encaje perfecto en la necesidad actual de literatura culinaria pr'ctica y 'til y por la forma detallada y caracter'stica de sus rectas es, de por s', 'nico en su clase.
Cocina Criolla solucionar' muchas problemas dom'sticos y por lo tanto, est' llamad a ser un libro indespensable en el hogar.
The English edition of this book, Puerto Rican Cookery, is in its 36th printing with more than 167,000 copies in print and is also available from Pelican.
Puerto Rican Cookery has become the standard reference on traditional native cookery (cocina criolla). According to the San Juan Star, the cookbook is seen and is more likely better read in some homes than the religious tome. . . . [it] is considered a primer for beginning cooks . . . a textbook for home economists and it is a guide for the gourmet as well.
Carmen Aboy Valldejuli was, according to New York Times food critic Craig Claiborne, the foremost authority on Puerto Rican cooking whose cookbooks are
the definitive books on island cooking.
Her cookbook, Juntos en la Cocina (Together in the Kitchen), is the result of fifty years of love, sharing and hard work. Carmen and her husband, Luis presented their favorite recipes in this new volume. Now these flavorful meals are available to anyone interested in learning the art of Puerto Rican cuisine from two of its finest teachers.
Written in Spanish, Juntos en la Cocina provides a complete tour of the culinary arts of Puerto Rico. Adobo and sofrito, the bases of many island dishes, are despcribed in detail. To enable both novice and experienced cooks to create savory meals, each recipe gives step-by-step instructions, with special emphasis on preparation and serving.
Sample Chili con Carne, Chicken Fiesta, Carne Empanada and traditional black beans and rice. Pasta is never dull with recipes for Lasagna a la San Juan and Spaghetti Florentine. And dessert temptations include chocolate and mango flan, queen's cake and other exotic pastries.
Whether you are working alone in the kitchen or with someone you love, Juntos en la Cocina is a friend you won't want to be without.