For many, the kitchen is simply a place to prepare meals. But for me, it’s a sanctuary of creativity, peace, and absolute joy.
There’s just something special about preparing a meal that gives me peace and fills me with purpose as a wife, a daughter, a sister, an aunt, and a “good-good girlfriend” (a term coined by the comedian Lonnie Bee).
Watching eager faces take the first bite of my food and the “mmmmmm” that follows is a feeling no words in the English language can truly capture.
My Earliest Memories In The Kitchen
My journey began with a simple curiosity: a desire to understand the magic behind my mother’s beloved cooking. Little did I know that this initial spark would ignite a lifelong passion and joy for food and cooking.
My earliest memories in the kitchen are filled with aromatic spices of arroz con pollo cooking up in a large caldero and sofrito being made from scratch in a blender. (Trust me, it’s a WHOLE PROCESS and should NEVER be bought in a jar unless you enjoy the taste of disappointment with a hint of food coloring.)
The comforting hum of family chatter with Salsa music serving as the kitchen soundtrack sparks memories that are forever etched in my mind.
My mother, Justa, a culinary genius in her own right, became my first teacher. She taught me how to make the food from our beloved island of Puerto Rico, how to keep a tidy kitchen, and how to present food when you plate. These are lessons that I hold dear to my heart.
Through her guidance, I learned that cooking was more than just following recipes, if at all. It was about passing down wisdom, telling a good story, keeping our Puerto Rican culture alive, and most of all, sharing love. This realization marked the beginning of my culinary adventure.
Embracing Culinary Challenges
As my confidence in the kitchen grew, so did my willingness to embrace culinary challenges. From attempting to recreate complex dishes with my own twist to experimenting with different cuisines, every success and failure taught me something new.
Cooking became an explorative playground where I could push boundaries with food and unleash my creativity.
One pivotal moment in my journey was mastering the art of cooking rice. [In Puerto Rican culture, rice is more than just a side dish—it’s a staple present in almost every meal.]
Who knew that a simple food could be so temperamental! My early attempts were nothing short of chaotic: burnt bottoms, sticky messes, and undercooked grains. But with each failed attempt, my determination only grew stronger. I was not going to let a few cups of rice defeat me.
The satisfaction of finally cooking a perfect pot of white rice—or my beloved arroz con gandules—was indescribable. It was more than just a culinary victory; it was a testament to perseverance.
[I’ll be sure to share with you my full rice-cooking adventure one day—a kitchen caper that proves sometimes the most memorable lessons come from our most challenging moments in life.]
Learning To Cook My Cultural Dishes
Beyond conquering rice, another culinary milestone that shaped my confidence in the kitchen was the first time I successfully made pasteles by myself. It took me 8 hours and my grandmother’s voice guiding me in my head before mine were deemed worthy of being shared; however, when those labor-intensive bundles of deliciousness wrapped in banana leaves were done, I felt a profound connection to my heritage.
Then there’s my ongoing adventure with my Titi Geña’s delicious flan de queso, a dessert that demands precision and patience. My early attempts resulted in caramel that was either burnt or too thin and custard that bubbled instead of boasting a silky-smooth texture. I haven’t been successful with this one yet, but the day that I finally achieve that perfect wobble and creamy consistency will be a celebration in itself. [Operation: Flan de Queso in progress. Stay tuned for that.]
Each dish mastered (or not) isn’t just about the food—it was about preserving tradition while finding my voice in the kitchen. These weren’t just recipes; they were stories unfolding through my hands.
From Passion To Purpose: The Birth Of ‘Titi Simply Cooks’
My kitchen triumphs and tribulations didn’t just make me a better cook—they shaped me into a teacher. I soon realized that the frustration, determination, and eventual joy I experienced were universal feelings for anyone learning to cook.
When I first started sharing my kitchen adventures, I never imagined creating more than a personal diary of recipes and memories, but something magical happened. What began as my undying passion for cooking and wanting to pass down my kitchen wisdom to my 21 nieces and nephews (I stopped counting after 16, but they kept popping up at family gatherings), transformed into my first book: Kitchen Capers: A Beginner’s Guide to Conquering the Kitchen Challenges, and my YouTube channel, Titi Simply Cooks.
My kitchen struggles gave me empathy for beginners, while my successes gave me authentic techniques to share. What began as personal growth naturally evolved into a desire to guide others through their culinary challenges.
My philosophy is clear: anyone can cook if they have the passion and willingness to learn.
Today, I am proud to say my platform has become a safe space for home cooks who understand that cooking isn’t about perfection—it’s about connection, progression, creativity, and the pure joy of feeding those we love.
Sharing The Love With The Next Generation
My story isn’t about culinary school diplomas. It’s about passion, love, and the persistence that brings people together. This is the very quality I strive to nurture in others who may feel intimidated by their kitchens.
My dedication to passing down a love for cooking to the next generation remains unwavering, as watching them conquer their culinary fears reinforces my belief that cooking is a universal language of love and creativity.
Whether you’re burning your first pot of rice or ready to tackle more ambitious dishes, I invite you to become part of the Titi Simply Cooks family. We have a strict ‘no judgment’ policy, unless you put ketchup on your pasteles—then we’ll have to have a side conversation.
Together, we’ll create not just delicious food, but lasting memories and confidence. Let’s cook, laugh, learn, and grow—one recipe at a time.
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.
By BrownStyle Magazine in Special Editions
72 pages, published 1/17/2025
