Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Ericka Sanchez

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Ericka Sanchez In this episode of the Helping Families Be Happy podcast, host Christopher Robbins interviews Ericka Sanchez, a Mexican-born recipe developer, food stylist, and creator of the award-winning blog Nibbles and Feasts. Ericka shares her journey from documenting family recipes to becoming a successful cookbook author with four published books. She discusses the deep influence of her grandmother and mother on her passion for Mexican cuisine, the importance of breakfast in Hispanic culture, and meaningful traditions like Día de los Muertos. The conversation explores how food serves as a bridge to cultural heritage and family connection, while Ericka offers practical advice for those wanting to explore Mexican cooking and incorporate its flavors into their own kitchens. Episode Highlights 00:00:10: Christopher Robbins introduces the podcast and welcomes listeners to explore family, love, and relationships. 00:00:10: Introduction of guest Ericka Sanchez, Mexican-born recipe developer, food stylist, and food photographer. 00:00:10: Background on Ericka's immigration from Torreon, Mexico to El Paso, Texas at age eight. 00:00:10: Discussion of Ericka's bicultural life and cooking memories with her grandmother and mother. 00:00:10: Overview of Nibbles and Feasts blog started in 2010 to catalog family recipes. 00:01:18: Mention of Ericka's four cookbooks including Aguas Frescas & Paletas, ¡Buen Provecho!, ¡Buenos Días!, and Spicy Sauces and Moles. 00:01:18: Recognition of Ericka's features in publications like Oprah Daily, Parents, and Eating Well. 00:01:18: Discussion of Ericka's cooking series on Recipe TV Network. 00:01:18: Background on Ericka's 20-year career in marketing and social media. 00:01:18: Christopher shares his personal experience living among Hispanic communities in the 1980s. 00:02:52: Ericka expresses happiness about finally talking with Christopher. 00:02:56: Discussion begins about the origin of the blog name "Nibbles and Feasts." 00:03:08: Ericka explains the blog started during the mommy blogger era as an outlet after her son was born. 00:03:08: The name originally covered all types of recipes before focusing on Latin-inspired cuisine. 00:04:00: Ericka describes wanting to create a recipe catalog for her son to access as he grew up. 00:04:02: Discussion of how the blog evolved from personal project to successful business. 00:04:25: Christopher asks about specific memories that sparked Ericka's passion for cooking. 00:04:45: Ericka shares memories of visiting her grandmother's bodega-style store in Mexico during summers. 00:04:45: Description of helping grandmother prepare and sell food, particularly breaded fish. 00:05:33: Discussion of Hispanic traditions important to Ericka's family beyond cooking. 00:05:50: Ericka explains the importance of Día de los Muertos celebration with altars, flowers, and food. 00:06:27: Christopher shares his observation of brightly decorated Hispanic cemeteries in Central California. 00:07:15: Ericka describes her dream dinner party menu featuring traditional mole with rice and beans. 00:07:15: Guest list includes her grandmother, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Frida Kahlo. 00:08:17: Discussion of essential pantry staples in Ericka's kitchen. 00:08:29: Ericka identifies dried chilies as indispensable for adding flavor to dishes. 00:08:58: Discussion of cilantro as both pantry staple and experimental ingredient in sauces and broths. 00:09:26: Brief tangent about people who experience cilantro tasting like soap. 00:09:37: Christopher asks for advice on learning about Mexican cuisine and culture. 00:09:55: Ericka recommends starting with familiar ingredients and asking questions at stores. 00:09:55: Suggestion to compare Mexican cheeses like cotija to familiar options like feta. 00:10:54: Christopher shares his favorite Mexican-inspired breakfast with eggs, avocado, and pico de gallo. 00:11:34: Ericka explains why breakfast is significant in Hispanic culture as family gathering time. 00:11:34: Discussion of breakfast as opportunity for conversation and connection regardless of busy schedules. 00:12:26: Introduction to Ericka's existing cookbooks including Buenos Días and Spicy Salsas 00:12:49: Ericka reveals upcoming taco-focused cookbook currently in progress. 00:12:49: Discussion of future book on Mexican cooking essentials aimed at college students and those reconnecting with roots. 00:13:39: Christopher refers to future project as "Mastering the Art of Mexican Cooking." 00:13:59: Ericka shares where to find her online at nibblesandfeasts.com and social media 00:14:17: Christopher concludes with thanks and encouragement to subscribe and leave reviews. Key Takeaways Food serves as a powerful connection to cultural heritage and family traditions, preserving memories across generations. Starting with familiar ingredients and asking questions is the best approach when exploring a new cuisine like Mexican cooking. Breakfast holds special significance in Hispanic culture as a time for family connection and conversation, not just sustenance. Essential Mexican pantry staples like dried chilies and cilantro can transform everyday cooking with authentic flavors. Cultural traditions like Día de los Muertos help families maintain connections to their roots and honor those who came before. Passion projects that start as personal endeavors can evolve into meaningful careers when they authentically reflect one's heritage. Comparing unfamiliar ingredients to similar familiar ones (like cotija cheese to feta) helps overcome intimidation in trying new cuisines. Quotable Moments "It was just more of just having a recipe catalog for my family" - Ericka on the original purpose of Nibbles and Feasts. "Every time I see breaded fish, I'd always think of her" - Ericka remembering her grandmother's specialty dish. "Hispanic heritage, one in my house, there's, it's an everyday thing" - Ericka on celebrating culture daily. "I feel bad for those people" - Ericka responding to those who taste cilantro as soap "We always eat breakfast, even if it's a Wednesday morning. We sit and we eat breakfast" - Ericka on the importance of breakfast in Hispanic culture. "It's just a way of bringing everybody together and talking about our day" - Ericka on breakfast as family connection time. "You have to experiment and find out how it's used" - Ericka's advice for exploring Mexican ingredients.