Be Your Own Kindof Beautiful

By Cindy Adams

Favorite Recipes In Florida

Nothing beats living in Florida and knowing all the best Florida recipes. Every state has its own set of unique foods, many of which can be recreated at home. From Cuban sandwiches to Key Lime Pie, Florida has some fantastic recipes. We’ve collected some of the best traditional Florida recipes all for your culinary enjoyment.

Most Floridians would agree that the most famous sandwich in southern Florida is the Cuban. Originating in early Cuban immigrant communities in Florida, particularly in the cigar-producing cities of Tampa and Key West, the Cuban Sandwich is also known as a Cubano. Cuba brought a variation of the classic sandwich to Florida in the early 1900s where it remains a signature dish in some of the most popular Cuban restaurants.

A Cuban Sandwich is a combination of roast pork, ham, swiss cheese and pickles. Press it all between thick Cuban bread. Once you bite into a warm, crispy Cuban sandwich, you are sure to be hooked for life.

Ingredients

2 (8- to 10-inch) sections Cuban bread, split open horizontally

4 tablespoons yellow mustard

6 ounces sliced Swiss cheese

6 ounces thinly sliced dill pickles

8 ounces sliced honey ham

6 ounces leftover Cuban-style roast pork

4 ounces sliced Genoa salami (optional)

2 tablespoons butter

Cuban bread is a soft white bread made with lard. Look for it in Latin bakeries or groceries. If unavailable, use any not-too-crusty, soft white rolls, preferably with some lard or fat baked into them. Salami is a traditional ingredient in Tampa-style Cuban sandwiches, but can be omitted.

Instructions

Preheat a panini press or a large cast iron skillet or griddle over medium heat. Lay bread, open side up, on a work surface and spread the bottom and top halves with mustard. Layer bottom and top halves with Swiss cheese. Working only on bottom halves, layer on all of the pickles, ham, roast pork, and salami (if using). Close sandwiches, pressing gently.

Butter top and bottom of panini press and press sandwiches with moderate pressure until crisp on both sides, about 8 minutes. If using a cast iron skillet or griddle, melt half of butter in pan and add sandwiches. Use a second pan to press on them as the first side crisps. When crisp, flip sandwiches, add remaining butter, swirl to coat, and continue cooking while pressing until crisp on both sides, about 10 minutes total. Slice sandwiches in half diagonally and serve immediately.

Stone crabs are a Florida delicacy from October to May that you don’t want to miss. There are strict harvesting regulations to preserve the population of these creatures, and only the claws are allowed to be consumed. Wildlife advocates insist only one claw is removed per crab before they are set free again, allowing them to regenerate and be harvested for the future.

Those gigantic claws with signature black tips are full of succulent meat just begging for lemon and butter or a tangy mustard sauce for dipping.

Stone crabs are pre-cooked for commercial sale. You don’t have to cook them. If you’re catching them yourself, bring a pot of water to a boil, place the claws in the water and simmer for 6 minutes, then immediately transfer to an ice bath and chill completely.

Ingredients

Tangy Mustard

1 tsp A1 steak sauce or hot sauce

1 cup mayonnaise

4 tsp Dijon mustard

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Salt & freshly ground black pepper

This Grilled Shrimp recipe is a back-pocket ace that utilizes pantry-friendly ingredients to create restaurant-quality shrimp in minutes.

Ingredients

The shrimp is spice rubbed with smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dried oregano, dried basil, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper then dunked in Lemon Parsley Butter.

Instructions

Whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, smoked paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, dried basil, dried oregano, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper together in a large bowl. Add the shrimp and stir until evenly coated. Marinate for 15-30 minutes at room temperature (no more!).

Evenly space skewers on the clean grill and cook for 2 minutes per side or until the shrimp are golden – no more! Grill to golden perfection so shrimp are crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside and exploding with flavor all over. Remove grilled shrimp to a plate.

FLORIDA’S STATE PIE

Florida's most famous export besides oranges may be Key Lime Pie. Named after the small, tart, aromatic limes commonly associated with the Florida Keys, the meringue-topped pie combines tangy lime juice with sweetened condensed milk and egg yolk, all poured into a graham cracker crust.

Ingredients

1 Ritz graham cracker pie crust

Brush with butter and bake 5 minutes or so

- Remove from oven and cool.

3 eggs - separate

1 - 14 oz can Eagle Brand sweetened condensed milk

1/2 cup KEY LIME juice from fresh limes if possible

Instructions

Beat egg yolks and sweetened condensed milk; add lime juice a little at a time until it is well incorporated, then pour into the cooled pie crust.

Cook about 15 minutes in a 400-degree oven

While pie is cooking, beat egg-whites on high adding white sugar to taste - some like the meringue sweeter, others less sweet.

Remove pie from oven and top it with the meringue and return to oven until lightly browned - keep your eye on this part!

The mojito is a tropical standard for Florida. Five ingredients make this a warm-weather winner.

Ingredients

5 mint leaves, more for garnish

2 ounces white rum

1 ounce fresh lime juice

½ ounce simple syrup

Ice

Club soda or sparkling water Lime slices, for garnish

Instructions

Lightly muddle the mint in the bottom of a cocktail shaker until aromatic. Add the rum, lime juice, simple syrup, a handful of ice and shake. Strain into a glass filled with ice. Top with a splash of club soda and garnish with lime slices and more fresh mint sprigs.

Celebrating its 25th Anniversary Year

By Sharon Kunkel Photos Courtesy Arts Conservatory

The Circus Arts Conservatory (CAC) is planning another exciting year of youth and professional performances as well as community outreach programs in its 25th anniversary year.

The CAC is the nation's only nonprofit organization that combines professional circus performances, youth circus training, and education and outreach programming. One of the feature programs at the Circus Arts Conservatory is its renowned Sailor Circus Academy, the nation’s longestrunning youth circus program. Students ages 8-18 wow audiences with acts showcasing stunning aerial artistry, heart-stopping acrobatics, contortion, light-hearted comedy, and more.

THE SAILOR CIRCUS Academy recently presented a sold-out run of its annual holiday show, this year titled “Sailor Circus Holiday Special.” The students will return to the Sailor Circus Arena for the spring show, with shows running April 20-23.

The CAC also runs magnet programs at two area schools, Booker Middle and Sarasota High, for which students receive academic credit.

Each year, community members and visitors eagerly await the return of the CAC’s Circus Sarasota show. This year’s Circus Sarasota Legacy: 25th Anniversary Show will, once again, bring together award-winning international artists in one ring, under the Ulla Searing Big Top on Nathan Benderson Park's Regatta Island, from February 10-March 5, 2023.

Joseph Bauer Jr. returns as Ringmaster. Some of the featured acts will include Alan Silva on aerial silks, Chu Chuan-Ho performing Tempo Diabolo (juggling, “The JuJus” on tight wire, Oleg Izosimov doing hand balancing, a Russian Barre act from Ethiopia, the funny and adorable pups of “Muttville Comix,” and more. CAC leaders are particularly excited to welcome Tetiana Yudina and Maryna Tkachecko, an aerial straps duo from Ukraine. There will also be clowning and comedy galore.

“WE ARE CONFIDENT that audiences of all ages, from near and far, are going to love the talent we’ve assembled for Circus Sarasota 2023,” said Circus Arts Conservatory founder and CEO Pedro Reis. “We are proud to continue to provide an entertainment option that is unique and unparalleled in our region… and beyond.”

Up next for the CAC is Cirque des Voix®: Circus of the Voice, its annual collaboration with Key Chorale. Thirteen years ago, Reis and Key Chorale’s Artistic Director Joseph Caulkins joined forces to create a unique arts presentation, as they combined the more-than 100 voices of the Key Chorale with the 40-piece Cirque Orchestra and live circus artists. Through this unique partnership, audiences have been held spellbound as circus artists of both national and international acclaim, as well as youth performers from the Sailor Circus Academy, perform with exquisite musical accompaniment.

This year’s Cirque des Voix takes place March 10-12 under the Ulla Searing Big Top on Nathan Benderson Park's Regatta Island. „

MUCH OF THE CAC’s work does not, however, take place under the Big Top. The nonprofit organization presents arts integrated education at area schools as well. Utilizing the engineering and artistic achievements of the circus arts, the CAC has developed a STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) curriculum that demonstrates the physics, science, engineering, art and collaborative problem-solving required to produce a contraption-based circus performance.

Since 2012, the CAC's Education Outreach team has helped students recognize the importance of science, technology, and mathematics through kinesthetic learning experiences. The team provides in-class curriculum and supplies to primarily fifthgrade (with some middle school participation) classroom teachers; the culmination of the unit is the performance of the arena-sized Marvelous, Miraculous Circus Science Machine, which demonstrates physics, gravity, force, and motion for approximately 1,400 students and teachers each year.

“When students learn through arts integration, they are engaged in experiences in which they actively build and demonstrate their understanding of both the art form and the corresponding curriculum area,” said Karen Bell, the outreach and education manager for the CAC. “The Circus Science Machine doesn't always function as expected, affirming that engineers learn through – and students shouldn't be afraid of – failure. But we’re always thrilled when everything works as planned!”

The CAC is also known for its Circus Arts in Healthcare program, which improves the quality of life for individuals in care facilities by bringing delight to people through the circus arts. CAC artists incorporate comedy, music, magic and more to engage and energize audiences. The CAC works with health care professionals to develop interactive programming that is both entertaining and therapeutic in design. The program is not just a one-time performance; visits are made on a reliably consistent basis, building relationships with residents, families and staff.

"We are so excited to present another season of thrilling and inspiring circus arts performances and programs," said Jennifer Mitchell, Circus Arts Conservatory executive VP/COO. "We wanted to be sure that this was our most remarkable season yet, especially as we embark upon the 25th anniversary of the Circus Arts Conservatory in 2023.”

THE COMMUNITY IS invited to become involved with the CAC – whether by volunteering, taking classes, doing corporate training, or making a donation in support; visit CircusArts.org or call the Box Office at 941-355-9805.

We are confident that audiences of all ages, from near and far, are going to love the talent we’ve assembled for Circus Sarasota 2023. -Pedro