Radio Cherry Bombe

Illyanna Maisonet might be the first cookbook author who got her start posting Yelp reviews. She was a working artist when the financial crisis of 2008 sent her down a new path; it took a combination of culinary school, back issues of Gourmet magazine, and Anthony Bourdain’s Kitchen Confidential to help her discover a new calling. The Yelp reviews? Well, they helped boost her confidence as an aspiring writer. Illyanna went on to become the first Puerto Rican food columnist in the U.S., yet a deal to write a cookbook on the country’s cuisine eluded her. Not even the high-profile support of José Andrés seemed to make a difference. Illyanna persevered and Diasporican: A Puerto Rican Cookbook was published this fall. The author joins host Kerry Diamond to talk about the journey, the most special recipes in Diasporican, her Burlap & Barrel Adobo & Sazón spice collaboration, and more. You can find the recipe for Illyanna’s Califas Shrimp (Puerto Rican shrimp and grits) from Diasporican here.Thank you to Käs