Part cookbook, part historical and cultural guide, Ana Sofía Peláez's The Cuban Table brings the lush foods of Cuba to life with more than 100 recipes and numerous color photographs from Ellen Silverman that showcase the best of this island's unusual blend of "indigenous, Spanish, African, Chinese, Caribbean, and even French cuisine." Using local fruits, vegetables, seafood and meats, the recipes include bakery items (guava turnovers, ham croquettes, chorizo empanadas), Creole stew and plantain soup, and a variety of rice-and-bean dishes. Beef, chicken, pork and goat each feature in the main courses, and the large selection of desserts boasts anise fritters, coconut-and-almond candy cones, egg custard and several types of flan. Peláez, creator of the food blog Hungry Sofia, also offers glimpses into the lives and hearts of the people behind each recipe. A thorough glossary of ingredients and cooking techniques and a list of places to purchase Cuban staples help round out the book. --Lee E. Cart, freelance writer and book reviewer