You’re invited on this culinary journey of self-discovery as Kiera Wright-Ruiz connects to her Latinx roots with recipes and stories from the diaspora.

“What are you?” is a dreaded question that has followed Kiera Wright-Ruiz around her entire life. She is half Latinx and half Asian, and her journey to understand her identity has been far from linear. Though she is a first-generation American, she didn’t have the typical experience often tied to that identity; she didn’t grow up in a home where many traditions from her family’s home countries were passed down by her parents. Kiera’s childhood was complicated, and the role of caregiver was played by various people in her life: from her mom and dad to her grandparents and foster parents. Many of whom were from all different parts of Latin America, and each of them taught Kiera something about what it means to be Latinx through their food.

This cookbook is the story of Kiera’s journey to embrace her identity and all her cultures: Latinx, Asian, and American. It’s a celebration of Latin American food in all its vibrant, flavorful glory, and a love letter to the diaspora. From Ecuador to South Florida, Mexico to Cuba, the recipes in this book are as diverse and unique as the cultures themselves with dishes like:

• Ecuadorian Seco de Pollo (one of the most beloved dishes from her father’s home country)
• Three Salsas to Know Before You Die
• Peruvian Ceviche with Leche de Tigre (her aunt’s iconic recipe)