Well a few weekends ago Mi Corazon Sagrado and I took a trip to Felix’s Continental Cafe in the Orange Circle for some long anticipated and highly desired Cuban food. Why the homage to that place? Well there is where the story begins.
You see, when Mi Corazon Sagrado was just a little girl she spent a lot of time with a family friend I’ve come to know as Mama. Mama was born and raised in Cuba, came to America and from what I’ve been told, misses the old Cuba every day. Mama would watch her every day, and some of the fondest memories she has from spending time with Mama was the food, oh and the chicken coop, but mostly the food because she hated the chicken coop.
Mi Corazon Sagrado is what I’d call a lover of comfort food, it started with Polenta/Harina which at first glace resembles oatmeal, however it’s coarse ground cornmeal boiled in a pot with a little oil and salt, topped with an avocado, Quite honestly the heartiest breakfast I’ve ever had and so far with a sad story. After Castro took power in Cuba Cornmeal was standard in food rations, eaten every day and from what I’m told, hard to find in any Cuban restaurant in the United States because it was eaten so often in Cuba that if someone from Cuba could avoid it, they will.
After the Polenta/Harina was the Flan, Ooooh the Flan was amazing. Normally when I think of Flan I think of some store bought butchery with the consistency of custard and just as much eggy flavor. But not Cuban Flan, it’s so Thick that taking a fork to it feels like going through a slice of perfectly firm cheesecake, just enough resistance to make any foodie’s heart flutter with anticipation, and it was no let down, the consistency was perfect, thick, rich, creamy, it didn’t jiggle like some jello imitation, it was the real deal, the caramel sauce soaked into the top drizzled down the sides sending a mild sweet flavor swirling around each bite. I’ve never had anything like that Flan in my entire life but I was convinced at that point Cuban Flan, is the best Flan I’ve ever had.
As Mi Corazon Sagrado and I were eating the Flan we started to talk about Mama, and how Her flan is better than this, honestly I was floored inside at the sheer possibility that somewhere out there, Flan could be made better than the one I’m eating right now. And to be honest I can’t wait to find out!
So, Yesterday Mi Corazon Sagrado and I decided to make our own Flan. It was the first time Mi Corazon Sagrado has ever tried to make Flan let alone the caramel that goes with it, the Flan was amazing, delicious, rich and creamy, the Caramel was kinda burned, but honestly I don’t think I could have done any better, especially since I’ve never made caramel either!
But it was Great.
For pictures and Mi Corazon Sagrado‘s story of our Flan Adventure, just click her name anywhere on the page or in the links!
Apetito bueno.
