Jose's Real Cuban Food - and Yucca

My aunt and uncle wanted to take us to Jose's Real Cuban Food  of course we jumped at the chance, we all love Cuban food. The restaurant was featured on Food Network's Diners, Drive-ins and Dives, and I was a little hesitant, just not so sure about it. The place is incredibly small...just 4 tables along the wall and then the counter. I was very impressed with the staff and how comfortable they make you feel. They greet you right away, and will work out a place for you to sit. They restaurant does a lot of take out, and I can see why, just for the size, but we live about 25 minutes away so we were staying.

There was plenty of staff on hand to take care of us. I ordered Lechon Asado - Arroz con frijoles negros, yucca o platanitos…"House Signature" Roast pork, black beans and rice, yucca or fried plantains. I couldn't decide between the yucca or plantains so she said I could have both! It was so good, the pork just melted in your mouth.

Everyone else got the Cuban sandwich and black beans...the lunch special. I didn't get a picture of that sorry...I was must of been too busy eating. He uses his roast pork on the Cuban so it makes it extra special. After eating the yucca, I just had to see if I could make it like that. I've made yucca fries, mashed yucca, and used yucca in my salmon cakes, but have never made the buttery tender yucca like this.

Cuban style yucca (cassava)
Ingredients:
1 pound of yucca I used frozen, but you can use the fresh root
1 quart water
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 tablespoon butter
1/2 small onion minced
2 cloves garlic chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Method:
Place the yucca in a pan and fill with water until the yucca is covered, add salt. Bring to a boil, then simmer until tender, about 30 minutes. Drain and remove woody fiber in center of yucca.

Meanwhile in another pan cook the onions in oil until soft, add garlic and butter, stir and cook until garlic is fragrant and butter melted, you can add a squeeze of lemon if you like. Pour the mixture over the yucca salt and pepper to taste and serve.

 

Dose it seem like when you see a really colorful sunset you are in a parking lot coming out of a store. Or in your car driving? Well I was just lucky to have my camera in the car with me, but it was my old camera so it really didn't do it justice.

and then driving home...

I was careful! It looks like nobody is on the road with me. It was such a pretty sight!
Anyway we really enjoyed the our experience at Jose's and will be back again for sure. My aunt and uncle live in Bradenton so when we go up to see them we can try it again, maybe I'll try something else next time. The best part was the food leftover for lunch the next day!