Real food, bold flavors, no drama — welcome to my kitchen.
Hi, I’m Alejandra Graf — cookbook author, food photographer, and the creator behind AleCooks and Piloncillo&Vainilla. I started these spaces to show that healthy eating doesn’t have to be complicated or boring. Whether you’re a busy parent, a beginner cook, or just someone who wants more vegetables in their meals, you’re in the right place.
Read more about Alejandra here.
Our Mission
At AleCooks and Piloncillo&Vainilla, our mission is simple:
To help home cooks make everyday meals that are easy, wholesome, and full of flavor. Through approachable recipes, beautiful photography, and honest storytelling, we show that eating well is not about perfection — it’s about joy, community, and connection.
What You’ll Find Here
- Recipes: Quick, healthy, mostly plant-based meals (with flexible options for every family).
- Tips & Techniques: Cooking tricks and kitchen confidence for real life.
- Inspiration: From tacos to soups, from cozy dinners to refreshing aguas frescas — all made simple and flavorful.
Our Story
What started in 2013 as Piloncillo&Vainilla, a Spanish-language blog for modern Latina moms, grew into a bilingual food brand reaching readers worldwide. In 2015, I launched AleCooks to bring the same heart, warmth, and flavor to English-speaking readers.
Since then, both blogs have become trusted kitchen companions — featuring recipes that have appeared in The New York Times, VegNews, The Kitchn, and Simple Recipes.
Our Values
- Community: Cooking is meant to be shared.
- Authenticity: Every recipe comes from real-life experience.
- Simplicity: Delicious doesn’t need to mean complicated.
- Culture: Rooted in Mexican tradition, open to the world.
As Seen On
The New York Times, VegNews, The Kitchn, PureWow, Telemundo, Reforma, HipLatina, Veganuary, and more.
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I love to cook and eat. Here are some of my favorite recipes: Lentil Picadillo Tacos, Salsa Taquera (best salsa for tacos), Tinto de Verano, Chimichurri Recipe, and so much more!