Cocina Puerto Rico transports you to Borinquen—the Island of Enchantment—otherwise known as Puerto Rico. Or, to Chef Mia Castro, home. 

Mia spent her early career working under prestigious chefs such as José Andrés, Thomas Keller, and Wolfgang Puck, and later cooked for exclusive clients worldwide as a private chef. In 2020, unexpectedly grounded in New York City, she found herself craving the foods of her native Puerto Rico. Over daily FaceTime calls (that sometimes stretched for hours) with her beloved Abuela Sara in San Juan, Mia collected the time-honored recipes that represent her family’s homeland. Now, applying her professional knowledge, she has expertly adapted these dishes for you to re-create in any home kitchen.

Cocina Puerto Rico covers everything from salads, fritters, and soups to seafood, meat, and rice dishes to sweets, including re-creations of favorites from the island’s traditional panaderías (bakeries). Classics like Abuela’s Sancocho (Root Veggie Stew with Plantain Dumplings), Serenata de Bacalao (Saltfish Salad), Arroz con Jueyes (Stewed Crab Rice), and Tembleque (Creamy Coconut Pudding) bring the signature flavors of Puerto Rican cooking into your home, while dishes like Tropical Caprese Salad and Caribbean Passion Pie introduce some of Mia’s modern tropical riffs.

Featuring photography shot at Abuela’s house in San Juan, iconic landmarks throughout Puerto Rico, and a design inspired by the sun-washed alleyways of Old San Juan, this book is a true trip to the Island of Enchantment. Whether you want to explore a new destination, savor a unique cuisine, or immerse yourself in vibrant culture and rich history—Cocina Puerto Rico is your way in.  

Testimonials:

"Every dish I tasted of Mia's has had her passion on the plate. I have no doubt this incredible cookbook will not only transport you to Puerto Rico, but it will also give you a taste of what made her one of the most inspiring chefs in my kitchen."

―Chef Gordon Ramsay

"Chef Mia Castro’s debut cookbook is a love letter to her Puerto Rican roots and her grandmother’s cooking. Castro guides readers through Boricua cuisine and the food that reminds her of home…relying on her abuela Sara’s recipes to bring a sense of familiarity during her time on the mainland."

―Los Angeles Times

"Chef Mia Castro unpacks the rich culinary diversity of Puerto Rico in her new cookbook, Cocina Puerto Rico. Each recipe celebrates the history and tradition that’s at the heart of the island’s most beloved dishes." 

―Harper's Bazaar

“Chef Castro’s lively and wide-ranging debut collection pays homage to her Puerto Rican roots and her grandmother’s home cooking…Those nostalgic for their home cuisine and those new to Puerto Rican fare will be equally taken with this expansive collection.” 

―Publisher's Weekly

"With simple foundational recipes that deliver sabor y sazón (flavor and seasoning) — think sofrito and adobo — Mia Castro shows how easy it is to create vibrant Puerto Rican dishes you'll be proud to serve."

―Food & Wine Magazine