Puerto Rican Cookery

cover definitely showed use - but was easily fixed with scotch tape - book itself was in almost new condition - even though it was advertised as 'acceptable' - pleasant surprise - recipes are rare and priceless

I used to have the Spanish version of this book but made the biggest mistake or loaning it out and never getting it back again, so I bought the English version and I have to say that it was translated very well, better than what I had expected.Before I go further, I am a professional chef in NYC and I have worked at many very well known fine dining restaurants, I have 21 years experience so I will be speaking from a professional aspect.I received a phone call from a very well known chef who is a TV personality, he told me that he has a friend who lives near me who needs a chef to help out. I went to see the place and it was a Puerto Rican restaurant, the chef who was there really didn't have a grasp on the ingredients when it comes to Puerto Rican cooking. So by me going into that kitchen to help for the two weeks that I committed myself, it motivated me to really dig deep into the flavor and ingredients that really goes into Puerto Rican cooking, not the NYC or American version of it which is watered down. This book became one of the culinary Bible's for me at that time, and it help me make what was an okay menu to a menu that became talked about and raising the bar for that particular restaurant.After that experience, it really made me pick up my game and perfect my cooking when it comes to Puerto Rican cooking, when Maria hit the island, I was one of the first chefs up there cooking for people, I coordinated a trip and menu with very well known Puerto Rican chefs and this was the book i went to for inspiration at a time where people needed an amazing meal.This book is simple and yet so amazing, the instructions are easy to follow and believe me, you will learn a lot from this book. My non professional recommendation would say that this is an amazing starter book for those who want to learn, but it is the one book that I assure you that you will end up keeping for the rest of your life.Now, if you're a Spanish speaker, or know how to read in Spanish I highly recommend getting the Spanish version of this book which is the original version. Whomever translated this book has no idea of what they were doing and really hurt the English version of this book completely, it was as if they used Google translate instead of getting a well educated professional.

All the women in my family kept their recipes to themselves because it was a secret and they're old fashion. Men don't cook they would tell me. Finally found their secret and in English. As a divorced father of 2 now I can cook the meals I grow up on and make them a little healthier for me and my kids. Got the book faster than expected and found out my mom has the original book in Spanish hidden in the China cabinet. Very happy.

FIVE STARS!!! ---"the recipes are authentic" is what one verified Purchaser said and she is so correct...maybe not glitzy...it is not eye candy it is the authentic older Puerto Rican cooks writing old recipes in English....so worth the patient reading of it and getting familiar with the layout....so delicious and so REAL OLD FASHION ABUELA (PuertoRican Granny) COOKING!!! NO LITTLE PACKETS OF ANYTHING BUT YES HOW TO MAKE ACHIOTE OIL (Annatto Seed Oil-as a natural coloring and for that authentic PuertoRican taste AND SOFRITO AND THE BASICS AND MORE!!! You want to taste the Real Authentic Puerto Rican food BUY THIS BOOK! You want to impress a Real Puerto Rican in your life....Want to cook like the older Puerto Rican cooks (before little packets of seasonings-with chemicals) are you Vegan and want to learn how to make delicious beans -get some basic ideas from this book-: ) Buy this book and take the time to get familiar with it...and you'll be cooking like the Older (turn of last Century) Puerto Rican Cooks.

There were only a handful of traditional Puerto Rican recipes. This book is not a complete telling of food through the history of Puerto Rico. This is a book about a wealthy woman with a wealthy husband who liked to entertain in the mid 20th century. The author makes it known and very apparent that her cooks, were just that, cooks who were there to serve her. Some of the recipes are traditional but most of them are heavily influenced by the American cuisine at the time. This has nothing to do with the traditional foods that were handed down for generations from the indigenous, the African slaves and Spaniards. Complete disappointment.