Po-tay-to, Po-tah-to, Ya-may-to, Ya-mah-to
At The Table With: Stephanie Engoy aka ThisIsAvocado on Family, Food and the Celebration of Heritage
Name: Stephanie Engoy
Pronouns: She/Her
Instagram Profile: thisisavocado_
Favorite Sur La Table item: GreenPan GP5 Nonstick Skillet Set, 9.5″ & 11″ in Cloud Cream
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Food creator Stephanie Engoy has only one answer when it comes to her inspiration: her mother.
“As a kid I would peer over my mom’s shoulders while she cooked, and even though I didn’t attempt to make many dishes of my own growing up, I always admired her creativity in the kitchen.
I always joked that she could make a boot taste good because she was a very scrappy cook, cooking with whatever she had on hand and rarely looking at recipes, and it somehow always tasted absolutely amazing. She’s definitely my biggest
inspiration in the kitchen and I try to emulate her as much as possible with my work.”
Born and raised in Southern California with roots in El Salvador and Guatemala, Stephanie’s recipe repertoire is a direct reflection of her upbringing.
“So many of the recipes that I create are of foods that I grew up eating.
I was also born and raised in Southern California, where we have an abundance of some of the best Mexican food in the country, so Mexican cuisine has been a huge inspiration in my cooking as well.”
Food is her love language, Stephanie tells us, and it’s always at the center of every celebration, moment and gathering.
“Food is a powerful way to connect people, and through my recipes, I try my best to tell the stories of my culture and my family.
I also love to cook as a means to bring people together—nothing makes me happier than sharing a delicious meal with my favorite people.”
And if any of her 10k+ followers are inspired to cook or share her recipes with their favorite people, that, she tells us, is a feeling she’ll never quite get over.
“I’ll never get over that feeling when someone tells me they’ve made a recipe of mine and enjoyed it. I’m always so flattered that someone would take the time to try it and it makes me smile from ear to ear!”
Not only does seeing others try her dishes bring Stephanie immeasurable joy, but it’s also a way for her to share the stories and traditions of her culture and heritage.
When we asked Stephanie to tell us what Hispanic Heritage Month means to her, her answer was simple:
“As a content creator, it’s an opportunity for me to highlight and share our diverse traditions.
I also think it’s a time to reflect on the unique contributions that our culture brings to the table, whether it’s through food, music or art. For me, sharing these recipes is more than just about food—it’s about preserving our history, celebrating our identity and passing on these traditions to future generations.”
The food closest to her heart?
“Pupusas!
My family is known for their delicious pupusas—my aunt and oldest brother both have food businesses where they sell hundreds of pupusas each year. They’re a bit labor-intensive, but they’re also a labor of love and our family has made and enjoyed pupusas at countless special events. So many memories have been at our dinner table over a platter of fresh homemade pupusas.”
And when it comes to sharing those delicious pupusas, Stephanie had 5 people at the top of her list:
“Anthony Bourdain—I’ve been a fan of his for years and I know he would have some of the best stories to tell.
Adele, because she just seems like the coolest, most down-to-earth person to hang out with. Selena, because she made incredible, iconic music when she was alive, and it would be an honor to meet her.
My brother Danny, who passed away when I was a teen. He was such an amazing human being and being able to share more time with him would be so special to me. And my husband, because I know he would have the best time, and I would definitely want to share this special evening with him.”
Hungry for more? You can check out Stephanie’s recipes on her website, ThisIsAvocado, or via her Instagram, thisisavocado_. Check out our recipe library for more of her decadent dishes, like this Braised Short Rib Ragu with Pappardelle and Burrata.
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