Today’s guest is Mia Castro, a chef, cookbook author, and TV personality based in New York City. She’s been on “Chopped,” “Hell’s Kitchen,” and “Beat Bobby Flay,” and she’s releasing her debut cookbook, “Cocina Puerto Rico: Recipes from My Abuela’s Kitchen to Yours.” 

Mia joins host Jessie Sheehan to talk about growing up in Puerto Rico, trailing her abuela through the kitchen, and spending afternoons at neighborhood panaderías. She shares how long calls with her grandmother became the foundation for her book, the challenges of translating “a ojo” (by eye) cooking into written recipes, and more.

Then, she walks Jessie through her Milkiest Tres Leches cake recipe. Mia shares smart tips on soaking, poking, and baking to get the perfect texture, and her two toppings of choice: a silky Italian meringue or a fluffy coconut cloud whip.

Click here for Mia’s Milkiest Tres Leches recipe. 

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More on Mia: Instagram, “Cocina Puerto Rico” cookbook
More on Jessie: Instagram, “Salty, Cheesy, Herby, Crispy Snackable Bakes” cookbook