Chef LaLa Talks Healthy Eating

Laura Diaz, better known as Chef LaLa, is an accomplished chef, cookbook author and certified nutritionist. She is at the forefront of the healthy revolution of Latin home cooking. Chef Lala recently spoke to us about how eating healthy does not have to sacrifice flavor, and gave us some tips on how we can maintain our health without losing sight of our delicious Latino traditions. She also provided TLK with two recipes created with her partnership with Mazola®.

How has food affected your life?

Chef LaLa: Food is a double-edged sword for me and my family. Our lives revolved around the kitchen table and food was at the center of all of our celebrations. But it also helped carry on my family’s legacy with diabetes.  I lost three of my grandparents to the disease. Both of my parents have it as well as seven of my eight uncles. 

What are some common misconceptions about healthy Latino cuisine?

Chef LaLa: Eating healthier doesn’t mean you have to give up all of the foods you love. But making small changes to how you cook can have a huge impact on your health. Many think Latino food is not healthy when in fact, it’s the cooking methods that need changing. Instead of frying your foods, baking, steaming and char-boiling drastically reduce calories. Regardless of your preparation method, it is equally important to use healthy, unsaturated fats, like extra virgin olive oil, when cooking at home.

What are some key Latino ingredients that everyone should have in their kitchens that will help them to cook healthy and flavorful?

Chef LaLa: My favorite flavor enhancers are chiles, lime, tomato, cilantro, parsley, basil, garlic and onion.  

Can you offer some tips for working parents who want to put healthy meals on the table for their families?

Chef LaLa: Menu planning is a vital part of feeding a family. Plan ahead so that you don't cook from scratch every day. For instance, make a roast chicken. I love to make them on Sundays and later on in the week use up leftovers in pastas, enchiladas and chicken salads. 

Getting children involved in meal preparation is important as well so that they can see what they are consuming and take pride and ownership in what you are preparing as a family.

I also allow myself to take healthy shortcuts in the kitchen. With the help of products like Mazola® Sobrecitos™ bouillon packets, I save time in the kitchen without compromising the traditional Latin flavors I love. I feel good about seasoning my foods with them because they are made with premium ingredients and natural sea salt. My favorite way to use the Sobrecitos™ is to add a little kick to cotija baked chicken fingers, which children love.

When you take the chance to cheat a bit, what's your favorite way to indulge?

Chef LaLa: I’m an ice cream girl. I love sharing an ice cream sundae with my son.

Chef LaLa's Cojita Chicken Fingers