EspañolIf you’ve ever tried authentic Mexican food and thought, “I wish I could make this at home,” you’re in the right place.
Here at Mama Latina Tips, I share authentic Mexican recipes, cooking tips, and cultural traditions straight from my kitchen in California that will help you cook with confidence and connect with Mexico's rich culinary heritage.
Why I Started Mama Latina Tips
I started Mama Latina Tips in 2009 as a lifestyle blog to connect with other Latina moms online, covering motherhood, home, kids, travel, celebrations and even Disney.
But as I began sharing the recipes I grew up making, I realized just how deeply people were longing to cook Mexican food, especially those who had moved away from home, married into Mexican families, or simply loved the cuisine.
Many of my family's recipes weren't written down, so I started documenting them, in English and Spanish, for my children, my family back in Mexico and anyone wanting to cook real Mexican food.
Now, Mama Latina Tips is focused on celebrating Mexican culture through food, sayings, and festivities. I want to help you bring the warmth and richness of Mexican traditions into your kitchen, no matter where you live.
A Little About Me
I was born and raised in the State of Guanajuato in Mexico, where I started helping in the kitchen around age 8 (peeling tomatillos from my grandma!). By 12, I was learning to make rice, beans, and gelatinas, and at 14, I officially became our family's main cook.
Even while studying at the Universidad de Guanajuato, I would go home on weekends just to cook for my family.
In 2000, I met my now-husband, a Californian boy, and a year later, I moved to the Central Coast of California, where we raised our two kids.
In 2007, I became an American citizen, and I feel so proud of being both Mexican and American, a beautiful blend of two cultures. I understand what it means to miss the flavors of home, and I love helping others recreate those comforting dishes, whether you're…
- Craving a dish you had on a trip to Mexico 🇲🇽
- Trying to keep family traditions alive 🫶
- Married to a Mexican and want to surprise your suegra 😉
…or just love delicious food that tells a story!
From the Blog to National TV
In 2021, a casting agent reached out to me on social media about a new PBS cooking competition show. I said yes, even though I was terrified inside, and I'm glad I did.
The show aired during the summer of 2022, and after 8 rounds and 18 recipes, I was honored to be named the winner of The Great American Recipe on PBS.
Competing on the show allowed me to represent Mexican home cooking on a national stage and reminded me that our traditions, our flavors, and our stories deserve to be celebrated.
The momentum from winning didn't stop there. I was invited to appear on the Kelly Clarkson Show (watch the video), where I had the incredible opportunity to share some of my favorite Mexican dishes with Kelly and her audience.
It was such a joy to cook on national television again and show how approachable and delicious authentic Mexican home cooking can be.
Then in 2024, the journey came full circle when I was invited back to The Great American Recipe as a guest judge for episode 8 of season 3. Sitting on the other side of the competition, evaluating dishes instead of creating them, was such a surreal and meaningful experience.
I got to encourage new home cooks who where sharing their own family stories through food, just like I had done two years earlier. It reminded me why I fell in love with the show in the first place: it's not just about cooking, it's about celebrating the recipes that make us who we are.
Being able to represent Mexican cuisine on these platforms has been one of the greatest honors of my career.
What You’ll Find On Mama Latina Tips
- Traditional and modern Mexican recipes (with step-by-step photos)
- Cooking tips for everyday life
- Seasonal dishes, Mexican sayings and celebrations.
- Bilingual posts for those navigating life in two languages
Getting to Know Me Better
Beyond the kitchen, I'm just like any other mom trying to balance it all. You'll usually find me walking along the beautiful Central Coast beaches, reading a good book with a cup of coffee, watching a movie or playing board games.
I still get homesick for Mexico sometimes. There's nothing like a good cafecito with friends to cure that, whether it's with my amigas here in California or during our visits back to Guanajuato.
Dancing always lifts my spirits too, put on some good music and I'm the first one on the dance floor!
Some days I feel more Mexican, some days more American, and most days I'm beautifully both. If you are navigating this bicultural life too, or if you're simply trying to bring more authentic Mexican flavors into your home, know that I get it.
My husband is a San Luis Obispo, CA native, and we have the sweetest love story, we met in downtown Guanajuato when I was reading and English grammar book. Now we have two amazing kids who are young adults and make us proud every day.
Our family wouldn't be complete without our gorgeous Husky girl, who keeps us laughing and definitely keeps us on our toes. She's got more personality than most people I know!
Besides cooking and my business projects, my husband and I are caregivers for my 94 year old mother-in-law. This experience has given me such a different perspective on life and has taught me so much about patience, love, and what really matters.
Caregiving isn't always easy, but it's shown me the importance of slowing down and cherishing the everyday moments with the people we love.
I'm also someone who loves to know herself better, which I do through different things like meditation, reading self-help books, and astrology. I was featured in this blog post about the 2nd house and money, sharing how my astrological chart influences my entrepreneurial journey. There's something beautiful about understanding the different layers of who we are.
And yes, I really could eat tres leches cake every single day (as you'll see when you try my family recipe).
Let’s Stay Connected!
If any of this speaks to your heart or your stomach! I'd love to invite you to join my email list below. I’ll send you new recipes, festive ideas, and cultural insights to help you bring a little more Mexico into your home, one delicious dish at a time.
Gracias for being here. I’m so happy you found your way to my kitchen.
Con cariño,
Silvia
