The Story
What began in 2013 as Piloncillo & Vainilla, a Spanish-language blog for modern Latina moms, grew into a bilingual food brand reaching home cooks around the world. In 2015, I launched AleCooks to bring the same heart, warmth, and bold flavors to English-speaking readers.
Over the years, both blogs have become trusted kitchen companions — grounded in Mexican roots, shaped by everything I’ve learned along the way, and always focused on food that brings people together.
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.
Read more about Alejandra here.
My Mission
The mission is simple: To help home cooks make everyday meals that are nourishing, flexible, and full of flavor. Through approachable recipes, beautiful photography, and honest storytelling, I believe eating well isn’t about perfection — it’s about joy, connection, and gathering around the same table.
Real food. Big flavor. Made for everyday life.
What You’ll Find Here
- Recipes. Plant-forward, flavor-forward meals inspired by Mexican home cooking and global flavors — with flexible options so everyone at the table feels included. Many recipes are vegetarian as written, with easy ways to adapt them for different preferences.
- Tips & Techniques. Practical cooking tips, shortcuts, and kitchen confidence for real life — because good food shouldn’t feel overwhelming.
- Inspiration. From tacos and soups to cozy dinners and refreshing aguas frescas, everything here is meant to be simple, comforting, and deeply satisfying.
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.
I love to cook and eat. Here are some of my favorite recipes: Lentil Picadillo Tacos, Salsa Taquera (the best salsa for tacos), Tinto de Verano, Chimichurri, and so much more!
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