MARICOPA, Ariz. — Ana Regalado shared step-by-step the flavors that have helped define her life on ABC15 on Friday as part of Hispanic Heritage Month.
“I don't know if you've ever heard, 'Oh, it's a family secret recipe,' but I think recipes should be shared. We share them with the world. We make it fun for everyone,” Regalado said.
mother and grandmother of seven children Known as “Salty Cocina” on TikTok. In 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, she began creating what she calls a visual cookbook.
This will help pass on the vibrant flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine to her children and grandchildren.
“Think about it: How nice would it be to be able to see your grandma standing in the kitchen cooking when she's no longer around?” Regalado said.
Not only her children loved it, but people all over the world loved it too. Within a year of uploading her first video, her followers had surpassed her 1 million followers. She currently has over 2.5 million.
They are all passionate about exploring the history, cultural significance, and origins of the ingredients in her beloved dishes. Her charming and authentic personality has given her a platform she could never have imagined.
“I never thought it would get this big,” Regalado said.
Each video is a testament to her commitment to spreading the richness of recipes passed down through generations while savoring everything she has learned about other cultures from her followers.
“Everyone's culture is different, but in some ways they are similar. That way we can all embrace each other,” Regalado said. “There are many recipes that are the same but have different names depending on the country.”
Her food can be described as delicious, so it's no wonder so many people have adopted this grandma from Maricopa as their own.
“I always tell my husband that a family that cooks together stays together,” Regalado said with a laugh.
