Ropa Vieja (“Old Clothes”)

This is a version of the dish many consider to be the national dish of Cuba. It would be very common to find ropa vieja on the menu at a paladar.

Frijoles Puercos

Tart Cherry Soda

Ceviche with Tuna, Cucumber and Orange

Fermented Cranberry Relish

Jote’s Mom’s “Generations-Pleasing” Fakie Chicken Noodle Soup

Two Not-so-plain-Jane Tartines

For the most basic and simple tartine, you can’t go wrong with an untoasted, sliced on a bias, fresh baguette.

Amy’s “Feel the Love” Chocolate-Dipped Fruit and Nuts

This artfully prepared yet simple dish is what Amy Nylund brought Lanell Coultas after Coultas’ son Hank was born. And it was one of her favorite food deliveries. “Every time I would open my fridge, I would see that platter, and I would just take one. It was beyond tasty and beautiful. You could taste the love—that each thing had been hand-dipped—and it felt like a hug from Amy every time I grabbed one.”

Bill Varney’s Lemon-Rose Martini

Bill Varney founded the Fredericksburg Herb Farm in 1985. He sold this legendary Hill Country destination in 2007 and created URBANHerbal, a wonderful herbal haven adjacent to the original herb farm property. Bill is always creating unique herbal- or flower-oriented things to eat and drink. This luscious martini is a great example.

Chicken Rogan Josh