A Cultural Publication for Puerto Ricans From the editor . . . It is March already and that means, a celebration of the Puerto Rican Woman. We have a long list of women of achievement. This month we are featuring Daisy Martínez, a ‘chef’ and her great new book ‘Daisy: Morning, Noon, and Night.’ We are also reviewing a children’s book about Sonia Sotomayor, a must in all Rican homes, as well as book review written about little known Luisa Capetillo, a woman ahead of her time. We also feature Puerto Rican fashion designer, Carlota Alfaro . We conclude our Month of Puerto Rican women with a music review on ‘Canciones de Amor,’ by Yolandia Monge Did you know Taíno children used hats covered with leaves to catch parrots - a delicacy. The Amazon makes two flight calls, a take-off squawk which consist of a pattern of long squawks, and a loud "bugle." YOUR AD Siempre Boricua, Ivonne Figueroa FITS HERE Index Page Credits 2 Daisy: Morning, Noon and Night/Review 2 Visit Puerto Rico/Trivia, Refranes 3 Taínos - Calendar - Don Guillo 4 Diego the Bartender/Carlota Alfaro 5 Primos/República Dominicana 6 Hints with Vélez and Rodello 7 Nuestra Cocina Criolla 8 More recipes 9 Book Reviews 10 Music Review by: Alberto González 10 MARCH 2010 MARCH 2010 EL BORICUA PAGE 2 CREDITS ©1995-2010 All articles are the property of EL BORICUA or the property of its authors. Daisy: Morning, Noon and Night by: Daisy Martínez with Chris Styler Staff Ivonne Figueroa - Dallas, TX Executive Editor & Gen. Mgr. Javier Figueroa – Dallas, TX Publisher Dolores Flores – Dallas, TX Language Editor Scheduled for release within a few days, Daisy: Morning, Noon and Night is a collection of appealing and flavorful recipes with photos. The large variety of Latino recipes in this book is supplemented with short essays by Food TV Star, Daisy Martínez, regarding ingredients, cooking procedures, tips and short cuts and ‘how tos’. Daisy shares many of the classic Puerto Rican favorites such as Pastelón de Amarillos, Tostones Rellenos, Jibarito Sandwich, among others. Recipes from Latin American include: Arepas form Colombia/Venezuela and Ecuador, Humitas from Argentina; from Mexico, a Mayan Omelet, and Shredded Pork Tacos, and whole lot more fabulous and mouth watering recipes. Anna María Vélez de Blas Recipe Tester Manuela Rodello Hints for a Puerto Rican Household Guillermo ‘Don Guillo’ Andares, Gardening Tips for Puerto Ricans Alberto González Music Reviews The book includes beautiful photographs by Joseph de Leo, as well as many articles and narratives that help us get to know Daisy ‘the Chef’ better. Elena Cintrón Colón Primos Editor Daisy: Morning, Noon and Night is scheduled for released in March, both in English and Spanish versions. Get your copy . . . Diego Matos Dupree Bartender Watch Daisy on Food Network’s ‘Viva Daisy Show’ Support Staff Fernando Alemán Jr - Web Consultant José Rubén de Castro -Photo Editor María Yisel Mateo Ortiz -Development EL BORICUA is a monthly cultural publication, established in 1995, that is Puerto Rican owned and operated. We are NOT sponsored by any club or organization. Our goal is to present and promote our "treasure" which is our Cultural Identity - “the Puerto Rican experience.” EL BORICUA is presented in English and is dedicated to the descendants of Puerto Ricans wherever they may be. Most to back available Special Thanks . . issues . – in yearly CDRom Tayna Miranda Zayas of MarkNetGroup.com George Collazo – PhotosofPuertoRico.com There are three Puerto Rico's you need to learn about; the old, the new and the natural. Learn about our little terruño. Subscribe to EL BORICUA, a monthly cultural publication for Puerto Ricans. MARCH 2010 EL BORICUA PAGE 3 People from Barranquitas are known as barraquiteños Visit Puerto Rico . . . Puerto Rican 101 Is Puerto Rico a continent? No, the island is too small to be considered a continent and being that it is an island, it is not part of a continent. Speaking Puerto Rican . . . El Puertorriqueño no sale corriendo: sale embalao. Refrán . . . El que bien siembra, bien cosecha. Trivia According the Census the most common surnames in the island are Rivera and Santiago. Barranquitas The name comes from the local terra-cotta-colored soil. The surnames Colón and Rivera are more common in Puerto Rico than anywhere else in Latino America. Barranquitas was founded as a municipality in 1803. Whenever it rains, the water forms small ravines (barrancas). Hence the name Barranquitas. This hospitable town is known as "Cuna de Próceres" because the town has produced so many eminent poets, writers, politicians and educators. These próceres include Luis Muñoz Rivera and Luis Muñoz Marín, two of the most important participants in Puerto Rico's recent history. There are various stops that are highly recommended while visiting Barranquitas. The church on the plaza with its arched, handmade wood ceiling should not be missed. For art lovers, a great option is the Museo de Arte y Antropología, where Puerto Rican art is exhibited. This museum has a unique Greek-Roman collection. Close by you can find San Cristóbal Canyon, one of Puerto Rico’s great natural wonders. See the directory for more information on the canyon. >How to go: From Aibonito take Rt 162 YOUR AD FITS HERE BORICUA . . . is a powerful word. It is our history, it is our cultural affirmation, it is a declaration, it is a term of endearment, it is poetic . . . ...... it is us. MARCH 2010 EL BORICUA Iguaca The Puerto Rican Amazon Parrot (Amazona vittata vittatais) is also commonly known as Iguaca, the name given by Taínos - pre-Columbian inhabitants - as it resembled the sound the parrots make when in flight. The species is the only remaining native parrot in United States territory and one of the 10 most endangered bird species in the world. Don Guillo, the gardener . . . . Gardeners must cover plants to protect them from the cold. Special insulating fabric and frost blankets for plants can be purchased from most nurseries and home improvement stores, but in a pinch sheets and blankets can be used to cover the plants, protecting them from frost and freezing temperatures. When you learn a freeze is coming, run out to cover your plants. PAGE 4 March 2, 1938 -Eurípides Rubio, U.S. Army Captain and Vietnam War Hero, born March 2, 1917 The Jones Act grants U.S. Citizenship to residents of Puerto Rico. March 3, 1908 -Juan Antonio Corretjer, poet - born March 3, 1952 The Puerto Rican Constitution is approved. March 7, 1937 Oscar García Rivera becomes first elected Puerto Rican to the NYS Assembly. March 9, 1962 -ASPIRA, oldest national Puerto Rican educational agency, est. in NYC March 9, 1915 Francisco Matos Paoli, poet born March 9, 1940 Raúl Rafael Carlos Juliá (actor) is born in San Juan March 10, 1899 Antonio Ayuso Valdivieso is born in Yabucoa. He founded "El Imparcial," the newspaper, in 1923. March 10, 1904 Caguas, Margot de Vázquez is born in Caguas, she was a noted teacher and essayist. March 12, 1903 The University of Puerto Rico is established. March 15, 1916 Hiram C. Bithorn, the first Puerto Rican major league player is born. March 16, 1969 José Feliciano wins Grammy for "Light My Fire" March 20, 1898 Luis Palés Matos, poet, is born in Guayama. March 22, 1873 Slavery is abolished in Puerto Rico. March 23, 1951 José Ferrer wins an Oscar for Cyrano de Bergerac. March 24, 1751 José de Andino, first known Puerto Rican journalist is born. March 26, 1849 The first telegraph line is built in Puerto Rico. March 28, 1953 Nydia Velázquez, first Puerto Rican woman elected to Congress is born. March 29, 1825 Pirate Roberto Cofresí is executed. MARCH 2010 EL BORICUA PAGE 5 Maestra de Maestros By Cindy Weightman Born in 1933, she is often referred to as “Maestra de Maestros” and even as "Puerto Rico's grande dame of fashion". Carlota Alfaro's fashions and techniques continue to be relevant, decades after she rocketed to fame in the 1960s. Her clothes have been featured in Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus; she has collaborated with the likes of Oscar de la Renta and the ladies she has dressed...from Diana Ross to Carmita Jiménez to Barbie, just to name a few. A native of Santurce, Puerto Rico, Alfaro began her career at a time before fashion schools, magazines and Barbie. She practiced her talent by making clothes for herself and her dolls. Alfaro recalls her first day of school when the nuns were so impressed with her uniform that they took her from classroom to classroom, showing off her skills. Back in that time, there were no stores and each student had been given instructions to make a uniform. The nuns were pleased with Alfaro's “perfect interpretation.” She continued to make clothes for family and friends, even designing her own prom dress and those of classmates. During her first show at the Sheridan in Puerto Rico, 45 years ago, she remembers a standing ovation. And the accolades continue to this day. Alfaro recently celebrated the 35th anniversary of the famous Barbie doll and befitted her in a dazzling gown for the occasion. “The day of the Barbie, I thought I was in heaven,” Alfaro said. She was also humbled and touched by the way her fellow designers reacted to the award. There was no jealousy, because all of the others knew it was the dress that had to win, Alfaro said. But even more important to her than all of the beautiful dresses she has designed is her students. “It was never about material possessions.” Alfaro said. What she's most proud of is that by the grace of god, she can teach people to make clothes and earn money and that's why she founded the Instituto de Carlota Alfaro in San Juan. Alfaro says she never expected fashion to take her so far. She credits “The will of our God,” as the secret behind her success and just loving what she does. “I am going to be like Coco Chanel,” she says, “I am going to die working.” Caribe Rum Punch Cocktail 3 oz Bacardi Gold rum 1 oz orange juice 1 oz pineapple juice ½ oz sweet and sour mix 1 splash grenadine syrup 2 dashes bitters Pour all ingredients over ice in a hurricane glass, and stir well. Garnish with a maraschino cherry and a slice of orange. * Diego Matos Dupree, born in Bayamón, is a bartender for a popular cruise line. He lives on board most of the year and gets to travel the world. Puerto Rican 101 Embelequero . . . What does it mean to be an embelequero? Someone who is an embelequero tends to exagerate and embelish stories, tales, and things in general in order to make things look or sound better, etc. They would be good at marketing and advertising. MARCH 2010 EL BORICUA PAGE 6 Our PRIMOS section journeys through Latin America celebrating our cousins. Mangú (Mashed plantains) 4 green plantains, cut in 4 pieces ½ cup of whole milk 5 tbsp grated mild cheddar ½ stick butter (cold) 5 strips bacon Salt to taste . Boil the peeled plantains in salted water until very soft, about 40 min. (ok to add more water if it dries up.) Drain. Mash using a potato masher adding milk, cheese, and butter as you go. . Fry the bacon strips, chop the cooked bacon and add both the bacon drippings and the bacon to the mashed plantains. Salt to taste and stir well. . The Southern Coast, or Caribbean Coast of the Dominican Republic has miles of beautiful coastline and beaches, and is also where Santo Domingo, the capital of the la República Dominicana, is located. Santo Domingo is known as the “birthplace of the Americas”, for it was the first European city of the Western Hemisphere, founded in 1496 by Christopher Columbus’s brother, Bartolomé Colón. Today it is a bustling, cosmopolitan city with a population of 2.5 million, the largest and most populated city in the Dominican Republic. Here you will find the best nightlife, restaurants and shopping in the Dominican Republic, as well as museums, ballet, opera, and a stadium for baseball games, the Dominican Republic’s national sport. Its colonial heritage is preserved in the Colonial Zone, where you can see the first cathedral, the first monastery, first hospital, first university, and first court of law, all dating back to the 16th Century. Near Santo Domingo is Los Tres Ojos, a series of caves and freshwater lagoons used by the Taíno Indians for religious ceremonies. Elena Cintrón Colón Primos Editor * Elena, born and raised in Puerto Rico to Brazilian and Peruvian parents, lives in Buenos Aires most of the year. She works for a large South American Marketing firm and travels throughout Latin America. Oscar de la Renta A world-famous leading fashion designer, Oscar de la Renta was born in the Dominican Republic (his father is of Puerto Rican origins). Oscar de la Renta is one of the most acclaimed, luxury fashion designers today who captures the ultimate in fashion for the modern woman. MARCH 2010 EL BORICUA PAGE 7 Cocina Criolla – Cooking Hints By: Anna María Vélez de Blas I left Puerto Rico when my husband and I married, and headed to a military base in Europe. That was grand culture shock for sure. Missing my family, loved ones, friends, and culture, I began my quest to cook those favorite dishes Mami cooked in her kitchen. Bistec Encebollao was one of the first dishes I attempted and it turned out too watery, and not tender enough, but my husband and I dug in and finished the entire pan in one sitting. Hints for a Puerto Rican Household by: Manuela Rodello Further attempts were made, and a lot of long distance calls went back and forth to the island, until I mastered the dish. My errors included trying to ‘fry’ the meat first, not letting the meat marinate enough, and cooking it too fast. Now, my Bistec Encebollao comes out perfect each and every time. So what is the secret to one of Puerto Rico’s best-loved dishes? First, make sure the meat is not too thick. It should not be thicker than ¼ inch, but not much thinner than that. I season the meat with tons of mashed fresh garlic, oregano, salt and coarse black pepper, then I use a meat tenderizer tool and tenderize the meat by mashing it down after it is seasoned. While that sits, I slice up my onions, not paper thin, and I use a lot of onions (they tend to cook down to nothing). I dump the meat and onions in a gallon zip lock bag, then pour in the vinegar and oil and shake it well. Now I either put this in the fridge the night before or get it ready in the morning. I always prepare two batches, one to cook and one to freeze. If you are going to freeze for later just add the onions later. To cook it I use my trusted caldero. I dump it all in, bring it to a boil, lower the heat and cover it loosely leaving a bit of room for the steam to escape. In 30 – 40 minutes the meat is ready. While this cooks I prepare the white rice and tostones. In the meantime my house smells devine. *Anna is a Recipe Tester for EL BORICUA and is also a professional Chef, she lives in California with her husband, Joe and their three children. Salchichón Native to Spain, this type meat is a cured hard sausage that resembles the traditional hard salami. It is something Puerto Ricans love to eat. Salchichón sausage is produced from pork meat that is coarsely ground with some spices added. Chunks of ground peppercorns randomly distributed among the bits of fat are common throughout the hard texture of this sausage. Similar in flavor to Spanish chirozo sausage, salchichón is commonly served as an appetizer with cheese or with hearty breads and robust red wines. Sealed, salchichón sausage can be stored in a cool dry place out of the light for up to one year. Once a sausage has been cut open, it should be refrigerated, as the cut exposes the interior of the sausage to the risk of bacterial contamination. Manuela Rodello Blanco, born in Río Piedras, is a Home Economics Teacher in North Carolina. MARCH 2010 EL BORICUA PAGE 8 Nuestra Cocina Criolla Bistec Encebollado Puerto Rican marinated steak with onions Bolitas de Maiz 2 pounds beef top round, cut into thin slices 1 tsp salt 1 tsp coarse black pepper, to taste 1 tsp crushed oregano 1/3 cup white vinegar 1 cup olive oil 3 cloves garlic, mashed 2 cups Spanish yellow onion slices In a plastic saleable bag, drop all the ingredients. Marinate over night or at least 4 hours. Drop it all in a medium caldero and cook over low heat, partially covered, for about 20 minutes or so. Serve over white rice with tostones. 1 lb. corn meal, extra fine if available ½ tsp baking powder 2 cups milk 2 oz. butter or margarine 2 tbsp granulated sugar ½ tsp salt 1 tsp Adobo 1 cup corn (whole kernel) 3 eggs (beaten) In a saucepan add milk, butter, sugar, salt, Adobo, and corn and bring to a boil. Turn off the heat and add corn meal and baking powder and mix until it gets sticky. Let this cool a bit, for about 20 minutes or so, and then add the eggs, mixing fast. Makes about 6 Servings Drop by tablespoons into hot oil and fry until golden. Serve with spicy mustard or your favorite dipping sauce. Puerto Rican 101 What is the most popular island appetizer? Puerto Rico’s most traditional aperitivo is guava paste and white cheese. The paste and cheese are cut into squares and secured with a toothpick and put on a serving platter. This the most typical and traditional appetizer served in the city and en el campo for hundreds of years. It is a delicious mix of sweet and salty. MARCH 2010 EL BORICUA PAGE 9 Nuestra Cocina Criolla Brazo Gitano Bacardi Guava-Cheese Jelly Roll Prepare a 15 x 10 inch jelly-roll pan (which is actually what we think of a cookie sheet, with edges) by lining with parchment paper or aluminum foil, then spray with oil & flour baking spray. 1 box yellow cake mix - Prepare cake as per directions on the box, but reduce water by ½ cup and add ½ cup Bacardi. Pour cake batter on the prepared pan and carefully spread the batter all around to the edges. Bake for about 15 - 18 min until fork comes clean. Turn out immediately onto towel sprinkled with powdered sugar. Carefully peel off the parchment paper or foil. Roll up like jelly roll – towel and all. Let cool for about 30 min. Filling 1 pkg. (3 oz.) cream cheese 1 tsp. vanilla ½ cup granulated sugar ¾ cup guava jelly or jam Beat cream cheese (room temperature), vanilla and sugar until smooth, add the jelly or jam and beat again for only 30 seconds. Gently and slowly, unroll the cake, remove the towel, and spread filling over the cake to all the edges. Gently roll up the cake again. Refrigerate until 10 minutes before serving. Place the jelly-roll on a serving platter and dust with a bit of confectioners’ sugar just before slicing and serving. Caldo Santo Prepared during Lent 7 cups coconut milk ½ cup annatto seeds 1 cup basic recaito 3 quarts water 1# yuca, cut into 1-inch cubes 1# yautia, cut into 1-inch cubes 1# batata, cut into 1-inch cubes 1# calabaza, cut into 1-inch cubes 1# ñame, cut into 1-inch cubes 3 green plantains, peeled and shredded, and shaped into 1-inch balls salt to taste 1 cup alcaparrado 1# medium shrimp, peeled and cleaned 1# lobster meat 8 blue crabs, whole 1# boneless fillet of red snapper, chopped Heat 1 cup of the coconut milk with the annatto seeds. When the milk turns bright red, remove it from the heat and strain. Set the milk aside and discard the seeds. In a big soup pot, combine the annatto-colored milk, the rest of the coconut milk, recaito and water. Bring this to a slow boil then add the root vegetables and plantain balls. Add the salt and bring to a boil again. Add all the alcaparrado and the seafood and simmer for 30 minutes, or until the root vegetables are cooked. Let the soup cool a little before serving. Serve with French bread on the side. MARCH 2010 EL BORICUA PAGE 10 Nuestra Música Sonia Sotomayor: a judge grows in the the Bronx/la juez que creció en el Bronx By: Jonah Winter Illustrations by: Edel Rodríguez Ages 4-8 $16.99 (Hardcover) 2009 Atheneum Books for Young Readers (Imprint of Simon & Schuster) Watch Sonia Sotomayor blossom from being a young determined Puerto Rican girl to Supreme Court Justice in the picture book, Sonia Sotomayor: A Judge Grows in the Bronx, by Jonah Winter. The bilingual prose and beautiful illustrations will touch your heart as you read about Sonia’s perseverance and her mother’s love, which motivated her to do well. Share with your children the inspiring true story of a woman’s rise from the projects in the South Bronx to the highest seat in the Supreme Court of the United States. Absolute Equality: An Early Feminist Perspective/Influencias de Las Ideas Modernas by: Luisa Capetillo , Lara Walker Publisher: Arte Público Press Pages: 360 Publication Date: 01 February 2010 A collection of works by one of Puerto Rico’s very first feminists, Luisa Capetillo. Luisa born in 1879 in Arecibo and is the first woman known to have worn men’s trousers. It is she on the cover of this book. She was a working class militant, intellectual, writer of essays and plays, who during her life published four books of a combination of works like essays and plays, letters, works of fiction, and more. This volume combines long and short plays, fiction, essays, propaganda, letters, poems, philosophical reflections, and journal entries in a never-before-available English translation by Lara Walker. The first 34 pages or so are dedicated to the Introduction of Luisa Capetillo, who she was and her accomplishments. The rest of the book is an English Translation, followed by the original Spanish text of Capetillo’s work. Noteworthy reading. Artist: Yolandita Monge Title: Release Date: 2007 When talking about female singers, the name Yolandita Monge needs to be mentioned. Here is a “Borinqueña” who possesses one of the most powerful and melodic voices in the past few decades not only locally but also internationally. Yolandita started her artistic journey participating in Radio and TV shows and releasing her first album “Puerto Rico's Poignant...Powerful...Incomparable: Yolandita Monge” while being a child. She has known how to adapt her music through the years in order to always stay as one of the most popular artists in the market, from Ballade to Latin Pop, some folk music like Plena, and others. After 40 years in the music industry with more than 30 albums, as well as music videos, concerts, and performing as an actress in TV series and soap operas, her list of national and international awards, recognitions, records and achievements would be impossible to be shown in full here. But, mentioning some of them, she has won several Gold, a few Platinum and a couple of Double Platinum records, set a Guinness World Record for performing 3 concerts in 3 different cities in one day, and also has earned various music awards and recognitions. With so many hits in her career, trying to select a few of her best songs becomes a tough task, but this CD compiles a good sample of her lifelong success. * Alberto González lives in Illinois, works in Spanish & ESL education and provides services in SpanishEnglish translation. Graduated from the Inter American University of Puerto Rico and also attended the Music Conservatory of Puerto Rico.