Puerto Rican Flavours with Laura Ortiz

Delving into Puerto Rican Culinary and Cultural Richness with Laura Ortiz

In this episode of The Moreish Podcast, host Hema chats with Laura Ortiz, a historian and food & culture tour operator from Puerto Rico, to explore the island's rich culinary heritage and cultural traditions. The discussion highlights traditional dishes like mofongo, rice & beans, and roasted pork, influenced by Taino, African, and Spanish roots. Laura explains the importance of cooking methods such as barbacoa and talks about some notable dishes like fritters, cassava bread, and plantains. 

Laura recommends some cookbooks, and also touches on festive foods like blood sausage and pasteles, the cultural impact of Puerto Rican migration to Hawaii, and the vibrant traditional dances that you can find predominately in the town of Loiza with African influences such as Bomba and Plena.

Connect with Laura on:
TikTok
Instagram

Resources:

First cookbook: El Cocinero Puerto-Riqueño o Formulario, was published in 1859, Anonymous https://libros787.com/products/el-cocinero-puerto-riqueno 

War Against All Puerto Ricans, Nelson A Denis: https://libros787.com/products/war-against-all-puerto-ricans

Eating Puerto Rico, Cruz Miguel Ortiz Cuadra: https://uncpress.org/book/9781469629971/eating-puerto-rico/

Puerto Rican Cookery, Carmen Valldejuli: https://libros787.com/products/puerto-rican-cookery

Puerto Rican Dishes, Berta Cabanillas, Carmen Ginorio: https://www.alibris.com/Puerto-Rican-Dishes-Berta-Cabanillas/book/5467945?

Cocinero Puertorriqueño: https://libros787.com/products/el-cocinero-puerto-riqueno