Podcast Summary: ALL Of It – Food Writer Kiera Wright-Ruiz Connects to Her Latinx Roots Through Recipes and Stories

Podcast Information:

• Title: All Of It
• Host: Alison Stewart
• Guest: Kiera Wright-Ruiz, Author and Recipe Developer
• Episode Title: Food Writer Kiera Wright-Ruiz Connects to Her Latinx Roots Through Recipes and Stories
• Release Date: February 11, 2025
• Description: ALL OF IT is a show about culture and its consumers, aiming to engage thinkers, doers, makers, and creators about the what and why of their work. The show celebrates the diverse perspectives that make New York City culturally rich.

Introduction: Exploring Food and Identity

Alison Stewart opens the episode by introducing a “Food for Thought” conversation centered on how food shapes identity. She presents Kiera Wright-Ruiz’s new book, titled My Half Latinx, Half Recipes, Half Stories, All Latin American, which intertwines personal memoirs with traditional and modern Latin American recipes. The book includes heartfelt stories and dishes such as Seco de Pollo, reflecting Kiera’s Ecuadorian and Korean heritage.

Alison Stewart [00:35]: “These are stories and recipes by writer and recipe developer Kiera Wright Ruiz. For example, she shares a funny and heartfelt letter declaring her love for plantains...”

Multicultural Heritage and Culinary Connections

Kiera delves into her multicultural background, highlighting her Ecuadorian father and Korean mother. She explains the significance of blending memoir with recipes to convey that her identity extends beyond just food.

Kiera Wright Ruiz [02:08]: “I can't really talk about me being half Ecuadorian or half Latinx without talking about more than that. So while food is a huge part of how I view my identity...”

Navigating Identity: The Question "What Are You?"

A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the challenging question “What are you?” Kiera shares how this question has impacted her life, feeling a sense of otherness and the burden of categorization due to her visible non-white identity.

Kiera Wright Ruiz [05:17]: “Like, what are you? It's always loaded because it feels like someone's trying to categorize me...”

Honoring Traditions Through Travel and Experience

Kiera recounts her first trip to Ecuador in 2017, which was pivotal in connecting with her heritage. She contrasts her experiences with her foster Cuban parents and her biological Korean mother, emphasizing the diverse culinary influences that shaped her.

Kiera Wright Ruiz [03:22]: “I think while I've gotten older, I've really had the opportunity to travel. [...] Going to Ecuador for the first time in 2017 was a super informative experience for me.”

Highlighting Underrepresented Cuisines: Ecuadorian Shrimp Ceviche

Kiera passionately advocates for Ecuadorian shrimp ceviche, noting its distinction from the more widely recognized Peruvian ceviche. She explains the unique ingredients, such as ketchup, which adds sweetness and tang, thereby honoring Ecuador’s coastal culinary traditions.

Kiera Wright Ruiz [09:42]: “I think Ecuador deserves a little Ecuadorian shrimp ceviche is very different than Peruvian ceviche. One of the key ingredients is like a little bit of ketchup...”

Listener Engagement: Multicultural Recipes and Traditions

Alison invites listeners to share their multicultural backgrounds and favorite dishes. Calls from listeners like Madeline and Elizabeth enrich the conversation, highlighting diverse culinary practices and the concept of exoticism in food.

Madeline [13:03]: “My Ukrainian side... I make sauerkraut that my mom made. I add vanilla and orange rind as well as mint.”

Deep Dive into Seco de Pollo: Building Flavor Layers

Kiera discusses her recipe for Seco de Pollo, an Ecuadorian stew, emphasizing the importance of layering flavors through slow cooking and proper technique to achieve depth and richness.

Kiera Wright Ruiz [16:29]: “The depth is really coming to, giving each layer its time to like, do its thing in the pan. So, like, browning the chicken in the very beginning just immediately adds more depth...”

Innovative Recipes: Kimchi, Chorizo, and Cheddar Empanadas

Kiera introduces her fusion recipe combining Korean kimchi with traditional Latin American chorizo and cheddar cheese in empanadas. She explains the inspiration behind blending these distinct flavors to create a harmonious and popular dish.

Kiera Wright Ruiz [19:43]: “I love it. Let's make it a thing for combining my Korean heritage into the book...”

Personal Reflections: Cooking as a Form of Identity Expression

Kiera shares personal anecdotes about her experiences growing up in a multicultural household and how cooking serves as a medium to express and preserve her diverse heritage.

Kiera Wright Ruiz [25:37]: “I got a little flan tattoo, complete with whipped cream and a cherry. Yeah, I'm a big flan fan.”

Conclusion: Embracing Multiculturalism Through Food

Alison and Kiera wrap up the conversation by celebrating the fusion of cultural identities through culinary arts. Kiera announces her upcoming event at P and T Knitwear Bookstore on Orchard Street, encouraging listeners to engage with her work and explore their own cultural identities through food.

Alison Stewart [26:00]: “The name of the book is half Latinx kitchen, Half recipes, half stories, All Latin American. Tonight you'll be at PNT Knitwear at 6:30.”

Notable Quotes:

• Kiera Wright Ruiz [02:08]: “I can't really talk about me being half Ecuadorian or half Latinx without talking about more than that.”

• Kiera Wright Ruiz [05:17]: “Like, what are you? It's always loaded because it feels like someone's trying to categorize me...”

• Kiera Wright Ruiz [09:42]: “I think Ecuador deserves a little Ecuadorian shrimp ceviche is very different than Peruvian ceviche...”

• Kiera Wright Ruiz [19:43]: “It just sounded really good to me when I was concepting what recipe should be in the book.”

• Alison Stewart [26:00]: “The name of the book is half Latinx kitchen, Half recipes, half stories, All Latin American.”

Key Themes and Insights:

1. Intersection of Food and Identity: Kiera emphasizes that food is a powerful tool for exploring and expressing cultural identity, especially within a multicultural backdrop.

2. Cultural Diversity and Fusion: The conversation highlights the beauty of blending different culinary traditions to create unique and meaningful dishes.

3. Challenges of Multiculturalism: Kiera discusses the complexities of navigating multiple cultural identities and the societal pressures to categorize based on visible traits.

4. Preservation of Heritage: Through her recipes and stories, Kiera seeks to preserve and honor her Ecuadorian and Korean roots, shedding light on lesser-known aspects of these cultures.

5. Listener Engagement: The episode fosters a sense of community by inviting listeners to share their own multicultural experiences and favorite dishes, reinforcing the show's mission to celebrate diverse perspectives.

Event Announcement:

Kiera Wright-Ruiz will be hosting an event at P and T Knitwear Bookstore on Orchard Street at 6:30 PM, where listeners can engage with her work and gain deeper insights into her culinary and cultural journey.

Final Thoughts: This episode of ALL OF IT offers a heartfelt exploration of how food intertwines with personal and cultural identity. Kiera Wright-Ruiz’s narrative serves as an inspiration for listeners to embrace their multicultural backgrounds and express them through culinary creativity. The rich discussions, coupled with interactive listener segments, make this episode a compelling listen for anyone interested in the cultural significance of food.