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Picture shows the face of Mara creator of The Latin Spoon, she is wearing a red blouse, black glasses and a big smile

Hola I'm Mara!

And I am obsessed with food.

I just love good food, whether it’s something new or a dish I’ve enjoyed a hundred times before. On Saturdays, my husband Jerry and I often go out to try different cuisines, Indian, Chinese, Lebanese, or whatever we find that day.

What I love most about food isn’t just preparing or eating it, it’s the culture, memories, and feelings we attach to every dish. That’s why I was so excited to start this blog, to share my culture, my background, and everything I know about Costa Rican food.

I’ve been creating recipes for over 13 years, mostly in Spanish and with dishes from all over. But now, through this space, I’m proud to focus on what I love most: sharing the flavors of Costa Rican cuisine with you.

These are just a few of the recipes I’ve made throughout the years.

Round butter cookies topped with guava jam, one cookie cut in half to show the soft texture inside.
Round plate filled with shredded chicken in a red sauce, garnished with freshly chopped cilantro.
Golden fried empanadas stacked on a pink plate, dusted with sugar.
Glass jar filled with pickled red onions, with a fork lifting onions out of the jar.
Round plate of picadillo showing diced potatoes, carrots, and ground beef mixed together in a creamy reddish sauce.

Who This Blog Is For

This blog is for you if…

  • You want to learn Costa Rican cooking step by step, from basics like rice and beans to traditional dishes and desserts.
  • You’ve visited Costa Rica and want to recreate the flavors you loved during your trip.
  • You’re married to (or friends with) a Tico/a and want to surprise them with the taste of home.
  • You love trying new things and discovering the stories and culture behind food.
  • You live outside Costa Rica but miss it, and know that food brings you back to that happy place.
  • And if you’re anything like me, you simply love food and want to explore every version the world has to offer.

Here's some of the recipes you can find in this blog:

Logo for The Latin Spoon, contains letters in red and green. A brown spoon is shown also

How This Blog Works

I usually test each recipe two or three times before sharing it here. I know how frustrating it can be to buy ingredients, spend time in the kitchen, and end up with a recipe that doesn’t work. So I do the testing for you.

Along the way, I also share recipes I’ve been making for many years, the ones I know by heart, the ones that always turn out, and the ones I’m sure you’ll love too.

That way, when you cook from this blog, you can trust the recipe will guide you to a delicious result, every time.