In the realm of Cuban cuisine, there exists a duo of delectable libations that tantalize the taste buds and embody the vibrant spirit of the island: the Mojito and the Mojo. The Mojito, a quintessential Cuban cocktail, is a harmonious blend of five key ingredients: white rum, sugar, lime juice, soda water, and mint. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, with tales tracing its roots to 16th-century pirates and 19th-century sugar cane workers. The Mojo, on the other hand, is a versatile sauce or marinade that adds a burst of flavor to meats, seafood, and vegetables. There are two primary variations: Mojo Criollo, a vibrant and aromatic blend of garlic, citrus, and herbs, and Mojo Picón, which brings a spicy kick with the addition of peppers. Join us on a culinary journey as we delve into the recipes for both the Mojito and the Mojo, exploring the flavors and techniques that make these Cuban delights so captivating.
Let's cook with our recipes!
THE REAL MOJITO
This is an authentic recipe for mojito. I sized the recipe for one serving, but you can adjust it accordingly and make a pitcher full. It's a very refreshing drink for hot summer days. Be careful when drinking it, however. If you make a pitcher you might be tempted to drink the whole thing yourself, and you just might find yourself talking Spanish in no time! Tonic water can be substituted instead of the soda water but the taste is different and somewhat bitter.
Provided by Brandy
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Caribbean
Time 10m
Yield 1
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place mint leaves and 1 lime wedge into a sturdy glass. Use a muddler to crush the mint and lime to release the mint oils and lime juice. Add 2 more lime wedges and the sugar, and muddle again to release the lime juice. Do not strain the mixture. Fill the glass almost to the top with ice. Pour the rum over the ice, and fill the glass with carbonated water. Stir, taste, and add more sugar if desired. Garnish with the remaining lime wedge.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 193.1 calories, Carbohydrate 25 g, Cholesterol 0 mg, Fat 0 g, Fiber 0 g, Protein 0 g, SaturatedFat 0 g, Sodium 10.7 mg, Sugar 25 g
MOJO MARINATED PORK
Steps:
- Combine 4 cups of the orange juice and 1 cup of the lime juice and zest in a large saucepan over high heat and reduce to 2 cups. Remove from the heat and stir in the remaining orange juice and lime juice add a few cloves of garlic and 1/4 cup of the oregano. Let cool to room temperature.
- Using a paring knife, make small slits over the entire surface of the pork and rub the garlic into the slashes. Whisk together the oil and remaining 1/4 cup of the oregano in a large roasting pan, add the pork and turn to coat, cover and let marinate in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- Remove the pork from the refrigerator 30 minutes before roasting. Season the pork with salt and pepper and cook for 30 minutes. Reduce the heat to 375 degrees F and continue roasting, basting with the marinade during the last 30 minutes of roasting until golden brown and an instant-read thermometer inserted into the center reaches 150 degrees F. Remove from the oven, baste with any remaining glaze, tent loosely and let rest 15 minutes before slicing.
- Serve the pork with the Mojo Dipping Sauce and the Plantains with Rum and Brown Sugar.
- Using a mortar and pestle, mash the garlic, serrano, cilantro and a few pinches of salt until it becomes a paste. Add the orange juice, lime juice and oil and stir to combine.
- Heat butter in a large saute pan over high heat. Add the sugar and cook until melted. Add the plantains and cook until soft and heated through. Remove pan from the heat, add the rum, return to the heat and cook until the alcohol has reduced.
TOSTONES WITH GARLIC MOJO DIPPING SAUCE
Crispy twice-fried plantains are a staple throughout many Latin American countries, including Puerto Rico, where my family is from. They're eaten at just about any time of day and in many ways-as a side dish along with entrees like pork or fish, as the base for savory party canapes or even as a salty late-night bar snack with a variety of dipping sauces. Here we serve them with garlic mojo (from the Spanish word "mojar" which means "to wet")-a tangy and spicy condiment made with fresh citrus juice, olive oil, garlic and herbs. Mojo is typically made with sour orange juice from Seville oranges, but as those aren't readily available you can use a mix of lime and regular orange juice to approximate the flavor.
Provided by Alejandra Ramos
Categories appetizer
Time 30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings as an appetizer or side dish
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- For the mojo: Finely mince or use a rasp grater to grate the garlic into a small bowl or the base of a mortar and pestle. Add the salt and pepper and use a fork or the pestle to mash into a paste. Strip the oregano and cilantro leaves off the stems and add them to the bowl, mashing them into the paste. Whisk in the sour orange juice or equal parts lime and orange juice and the olive oil. Taste and add additional salt if desired. Set aside while you prepare the tostones.
- For the tostones: Heat 3 inches of vegetable oil in a medium heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven until it reaches 325 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer.
- While the oil heats, peel the plantains and cut on the bias into 2-inch-thick pieces.
- Fry the plantains in batches until crisp and pale yellow, about 2 minutes. Remove from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on paper-towel-lined baking sheets. Repeat with the remaining plantains.
- Move the pot the off the heat (do not discard the oil).
- Line a cutting board with parchment paper and gather a flat-bottomed glass and small bowl of water. Place a fried plantain on the parchment paper, dip the bottom of the glass in the water and use it to smash the plantain to about 1/2-inch thick. Repeat with the rest of the plantains.
- Put the oil on the heat again and bring it back up to 325 degrees F. Fry the smashed plantains in batches until golden and crisp, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels, season with salt and serve hot with the garlic mojo dipping sauce.
MOJO MOJITO
Refreshing summer mojito that you will want to make over and over. Great for warm summer days or nights. You can serve this right away, but it is better to let the flavors meld together in the fridge first.
Provided by prell2k4
Categories Drinks Recipes Cocktail Recipes Rum Drinks Recipes
Time 2h10m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Mash mint leaves with a muddler. Combine sugar, lime juice, and rum in a large glass jar; mix well. Add mint leaves and let steep for 5 minutes.
- Pour in lemon-lime seltzer. Refrigerate until flavors meld, about 2 hours. Serve over ice.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 183.2 calories, Carbohydrate 31.1 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 0.1 g, Protein 0.4 g, Sodium 53.9 mg, Sugar 28.6 g
MOJITO MARINADE
Steps:
- Mix together the garlic, onions, orange juice, and lime juice in a bowl. Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan til just smoking. Now cover up your arms and put some potholder mitts on your hands because you're about to do something that is contrary to good cooking practice but produces great flavor release. Slide the contents of the bowl into the hot oil - be very careful because the liquid will splatter. Simmer for 5 minutes to soften the onions and garlic. Season the marinade with the rest of the ingredients. Pour everything into a blender or food processor and pulse 3 times to combine. Pour into a plastic container and cool to room temperature; then cover and refrigerate. Mojito Marinade keeps for up to 2 weeks.
EASY MOJITOS
It's hard to find mojitos at any of the restaurants in the small town I'm stationed in, and when I tried to make my own using club soda, they never seemed to turn out right. Using lemon-lime soda also cuts down on the amount of sugar usually used.
Provided by Jennifer
Categories World Cuisine Recipes Latin American Caribbean
Time 5m
Yield 1
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place mint leaves, lime slice, and sugar in bottom of a glass and muddle with a spoon until mint is crushed. Fill glass with ice cubes. Pour rum and soda over the ice; stir.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 121.3 calories, Carbohydrate 7.1 g, Fat 0.1 g, Fiber 0.7 g, Protein 0.2 g, Sodium 13.3 mg, Sugar 4.6 g
MOJITO RECIPE
Mix this classic cocktail for a party using fresh mint, white rum, sugar, zesty lime and cooling soda water. Play with the quantities to suit your taste.
Provided by Good Food team
Categories Cocktails
Time 5m
Yield Makes 1
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Muddle the lime juice, sugar and mint leaves in a small jug, crushing the mint as you go - you can use the end of a rolling pin for this. Pour into a tall glass and add a handful of ice.
- Pour over the rum, stirring with a long-handled spoon. Top up with soda water, garnish with mint and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 158 calories, Fat 0.1 grams fat, Carbohydrate 4.6 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 4.3 grams sugar, Protein 0.3 grams protein
Tips:
- Use fresh limes for the best flavor. Limes that are too ripe will be bitter.
- If you don't have fresh limes, you can use bottled lime juice. However, fresh limes will give your mojito a much better flavor.
- Use a good quality white rum. A cheap rum will make your mojito taste harsh and unpleasant.
- Use simple syrup instead of sugar. Simple syrup is easier to dissolve and will make your mojito smoother.
- Add the mint leaves last. This will help to preserve their flavor.
- Don't over-muddle the mint leaves. If you do, they will release a bitter flavor.
- Serve your mojito immediately. It's best when it's fresh.
Conclusion:
The mojito is a classic Cuban cocktail that is perfect for any occasion. It's refreshing, flavorful, and easy to make. With a few simple tips, you can make the best mojito you've ever tasted. So next time you're looking for a delicious and refreshing cocktail, give the mojito a try. You won't be disappointed.
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