Book excerpt: Award-winning chef Guillermo Pernot and acclaimed author Lourdes Castro unveil authentic Cuban recipes for home cooks, celebrating the bold flavors, creative techniques, and unique inspirations of the country’s finest paladares. Pernot and Castro explore Cuba, collecting dishes and stories that reveal a vibrant contemporary cuisine. Each dish has been adapted from the best private restaurants from Old Havana to Santiago de Cuba and Pernot’s own celebrated restaurant, Cuba Libre, marrying traditional foundations with modern influences. Divided into chapters for fresh seafood (“Mar”), meat (“Tierra”), vegetables (“Granja”), and delectable desserts (“Postres”), Cuba Cooks includes recipes for Arroz con Bacalao, Charred Snapper in Coconut Sauce, Oyster Ceviche, and elegant Stone Crab Mojito; Ajiaco (Cuban stew), Cuban Fried Chicken, Duck Ropa Vieja, Honey-Glazed Lamb Ribs with Cachucha Vinaigrette, Pork Belly Fried Rice, a traditional whole pig roast, and a legendary smoked chicken from the side of the road; Black Bean Gnocchi with Culantro Butter, Green Plantain Soup garnished with Popcorn, and Malanga Tacos Stuffed with Eggplant; Old Havana street vendors’ roasted coconut Cucuruchos, and Cuba Libre’s Chocolate Tart with Caramelized Bananas.