Hi there! My name is Claudia Heidelberger, photographer, crochet addict and a phenom in the kitchen.
I was born and raised in Miami, Florida where my family settled in the 60s after emigrating from Cuba to escape communism. My brother(1070) and I(1972) were raised with a perfect blend of both our Cuban and American heritages, something we are both very proud of.
I was a particularly observant kid who always learned best by watching and being hands on, especially in the kitchen. I marveled at the women in my life who just KNEW how to throw ingredients together and make great food. As I grew older, I observed my friends' mothers and grandmothers as well, always asking questions about what they were preparing.
I love to cook and I cook with love. From black beans to flan, I owe my skills and knowledge in the kitchen to all the great women in my life. As life goes, a lot of them have passed on to the other life, including my mother and her mother. These recipes are theirs; this website is a tribute to them.
My husband Matthew and I live in rural southern Indiana, about 40 miles south of Indianapolis. We have two beautiful daughters, a teenager and toddler.
Happy National Empanada Day! Never has a tasty treat been so deserving of its own day of celebration. Empanadas are the greatest culinary creation ever. Their origins can be traced back to Portugal in the late 16th century, most likely inspired by Indian samosas. They can be filled with everything from meat to fruitContinue Reading
Funny name, spectacular flavor. I pretty much only knew Cuban or Mexican food growing up and I stupidly just assumed for the longest time that all latinos ate the same food. And we do, but not entirely. Guasacaca sauce is a Venezuelan avocado based sauce that I learned of aboutContinue Reading
Guess who didn’t like black beans growing up? Yup, ME! “You call yourself a Cuban?” “What do you mean you don’t like black beans?” “What kind of Cuban doesn’t like black beans?” This went on at every family gathering, at all my friends’ houses. Party after party, restaurant after restaurant,Continue Reading
A very brief history of the Cubano The origins of the Cuban sandwich are not entirely known, however its later history can be traced back to the late 1800’s when cigar factory workers would travel from Havana to the Florida Keys and Tampa for work and bring the sandwiches with them for lunch. ByContinue Reading
Save 50% until March 31 on the Collected Recipes and Recipe Card Cookbooks. Whether it’s for a grandchild, a new mom, a new bride, or simply anyone you know who loves to cook, a custom cookbook shows that you put time and thought into their gift. I should know; I recently receivedContinue Reading