I LOVE giving cooking demonstrations for my new children’s cookbook, Now You’re Cooking: Cuba (Purple Toad Publishing). The recipes are simple and delicious!
I’ve done a couple of demonstrations for drinks from the book and the Cuban sandwich. Both types of foods are delicious and make healthy snacks.
A few weeks ago, I returned to the Allen County Public Library Young Adult section to give a cooking demonstration from my Cuban cookbook. For the past five years the YA librarian, Cathy Lambert, has asked me to come to her home school group and present something about one or more of my books. We’ve done a Greek god costume contest for my 3 Greek gods books (Hades, Hermes, Hephaestus); a cooking demo for the Recipe and Craft Guide to Indonesia book; and a presentation from a local Fair Trade shop to connect with my book on philanthropy, Celebrities Giving Back.
The 15 or so students listened as I gave a brief description about the land of Cuba and why I could not visit there to do research, due to political situation.
Then, using a blender and canned drinks, I mixed up a pina colada. It was so frothy and sweet—and completely natural with no extra sugar!
Then they patiently waited for the creation of the Cuban sandwiches. These are so simple and tasty I don’t know why more people don’t make them. They’re now my husband’s favorites!
The day ended with the kids tasting the foods. I think you can tell by this photo taken while they waited how anxious they were to try them!
I also recommended a great book about the Cuban Revolution: The Red Umbrella by Christina Gonzalez. I had just finished and still remember how well this author depicted what life was like for a young boy and girl separated from their parents due to the political problems in Cuba.
I’ve also given Cuban cooking demonstrations for adults. Please let me know if you’d like to schedule such a demonstration.
Writing of Kayleen Reusser 
Leave a Reply