Recipes by Sergio Hernandez

Mojo Criollo by Sergio Hernandez

Mojo (pronounced mo-ho, not mo-joe) is a classic Cuban seasoning sauce that is a wonderful marinade for meat, fish, poultry, and vegetables. A mojo is made of garlic, herbs, olive oil, and citrus, and there is no end to the variations. No Cuban meal would be complete without mojo. Here is my take on this delicious marinade/rub.…

Ninfa's Green Sauce by Sergio Hernandez

The late proprietor of the Houston chain Ninfa’s is credited with inventing this green sauce that is a very popular staple of Tex-Mex cuisine, especially in the Houston area. This stuff is awesome. Adapted from Texas Home Cooking. The recipe has been printed in the Houston Chronicle several times.

Texas Style Pinto Beans by Sergio Hernandez

Slightly spicy cumin, cilantro and jalapenos lend a Southwestern Tex/Mex flair to tender pinto beans in this recipe. I've added a ham hock and/or bacon for added flavor. Goes well with the spanish rice recipe I've posted.

Barbacoa De Cabeza by Sergio Hernandez

Barbacoa de Cabeza is a slow cooked dish prepared with parts from the head of a cow, such as the cheeks. Popular in South Texas, I've adapted the dish to be cooked using your Slow Cooker, Pressure Cooker, or Smoker/Oven Combo to create this tasty dish.

Tostones by Sergio Hernandez

Plantains are a staple in the Latin Caribbean diet. They are prepared many different ways, but tostones is the quickest and easiest. It’s a perfect recipe for beginners. You can serve the tostones immediately while they’re warm as a side dish or as a snack with garlic dip.

Carnitas by Sergio Hernandez

Carnitas are the Mexican version of pulled pork. Braised first in a spicy sauce, pork shoulder is slow cooked until so tender the meat just shreds easily with a fork, then it's roasted at high heat to make crispy browned bits full of flavor.

Pudín Diplomático by Sergio Hernandez

Mexican Rice by Sergio Hernandez

Arroz con Calamares by Sergio Hernandez

Arroz Congrí by Sergio Hernandez

Arroz Congrí or Moros y Cristianos as it's also known is the national dish of Cuba, their version of the rice and beans. The "Moors" refer to the black beans, and "Christianos" to the white rice - a reference to the early settlers of Cuba for whom the Reconquista of Spain was a recent memory.