Cuban Soul

A joyful Cuban cookbook from chef and rising star Mika Leon that offers 100 modern dishes influenced by tradition, resilience, and pure joy 

Food has always been the heartbeat of chef Mika Leon’s big, boisterous Cuban family. Her grandfather opened one of the first Cuban family-run restaurants in Valencia, Spain, after fleeing political instability in the 1970s. He later brought the family to Miami, where they ran a backyard cantina—Mika’s introduction to the family business. These early experiences shaped her simple, humble cooking style, which she carried into her catering company, then a food truck, and eventually her restaurant, Caja Caliente.

In Cuban Soul, Mika shares her most cherished memories through 100 Cuban homestyle recipes, perfect for infusing any meal with comforting and craveable Cuban flavors.

• Pass around crunchy, salty bites such as Empanadas de Carne (Beef Empanadas) stuffed with picadillo, ground beef cooked with tangy olives, capers, and raisins for a touch of sweetness.
• Dig into toasty Pan con Bistec (Steak Sandwich), pan-fried steak tucked into soft Pan Cubano (Cuban Bread), with a chewy crumb thanks to lard in the dough.
• Ladle a bowl of Camarones Enchilados (Creole-Style Shrimp) over fluffy Arroz Blanco Cubano (Cuban White Rice).
• Squeeze plenty of lime over Vaca Frita (Crispy Shredded Beef), or use Mika’s citrus marinade to transform Lechón Asado (Slow-Roasted Pork Shoulder).
• Savor Arroz con Leche de Abuela (Grandma’s Rice Pudding) served with a frothy Colada Cubana con Espumita (Cuban Colada with Foam) or Cóctel de Ron (Cha Cha’s Rum Cocktail), which will have you dancing salsa until 5 a.m.

Featuring lush photography and an exploration of Cuba’s rich culinary history, this book brings all the flavors of Cuba’s most beloved dishes—borrowed and blended from many Caribbean influences—into your own kitchen.

• “Mika cooks the food I always want to eat. It’s packed with heart, flavor, and family tradition and puts a smile on my face with every bite. Cuban Soul will be my bible for tantalizingly delicious Cuban food.” 
  Chef Michael Symon
• "As a total newbie when it comes to Cuban food, I feel that we’ve struck gold with Mika as our culinary ambassador. Her warm, joyful energy and bright, beautiful recipes invite you into a cuisine that she has so appropriately labeled as 'comfort food with a little extra swagger.' I love it!!”
  Molly Yeh, New York Times bestselling cookbook author and TV host
• "This book is a must-have for anyone who considers themselves a lover of food, a home cook ,or a cookbook geek. I have known Mika since the first days of the food truck and followed her career closely. I have eaten her food on many occasions and have been lucky to dine at one of her family's (justifiably) famous food gatherings. This isn't just another book about Cuban food. It is superbly written, has deep roots, and comes to you fully flavored. And it will change the way you look at food and seasoning! The recipes—and the food that comes from them—are addictively delicious. I love cooking from this beautifully bound set of edible memories."
  Chef Andrew Zimmern