Q&A: Food Network's Ingrid Hoffmann Shares Latin Flair

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CALL FOOD NETWORK diva Ingrid Hoffmann the Latina Giada. On "Simply Delicioso" (Saturdays at 11:30 a.m.), the Miami-dwelling "shortcut chica" reveals how to make kiwi mojitos, South American-style ribs and Cuban sandwiches. Find more of her recipes in "Simply Delicioso: A Collection of Everyday Recipes With a Latin Twist" ($22, Clarkson Potter).

» EXPRESS: Describe your cooking style.
» HOFFMANN: I'd say it's multicultural Hispanic. People don't realize that there are 22 Hispanic countries. I'm lucky enough to be a little bit of a mutt — I'm Colombian-born, but my Mom's dad is Bolivian, and I lived in the Caribbean.

» EXPRESS: How does living in Miami affect what you whip up?
» HOFFMANN: I have a love affair going with the two cultures here, American and Latino. So, I'll Latinize a burger, or put guava paste or tamarind on my barbecue.

» EXPRESS: What's your fave recipe in the book?
» HOFFMANN: I make Caribbean salmon with barbecue sauce on top. Then I lay it on top of a bed of mango salsa. It’s modern, easy and really colorful.

» EXPRESS: Which Latin ingredients are your staples?
» HOFFMANN: I love Hass avocados. If you use Chilean ones, they have more fat content. They fill you up and give you a shiny coat! I also like cilantro, and I cook a lot with fruit — fresh mangos, guavas. I also do a lot with frozen passion-fruit pulp.

» EXPRESS: What's your home kitchen like?
» HOFFMANN: It has lots of light — it's open with lots of glass. And I painted it a lavender color. I've also got incredible speakers in there — they probably blast my neighbors out. But I need music to cook! I light a candle and have a great time.

» EXPRESS: Any favorite gadgets?
» HOFFMANN: My lime squeezer. I love that thing, I use it every day. It's almost like a good luck charm.

» EXPRESS: Any other culinary tools you can't live without?
» HOFFMANN: I like anything with an engine, like an immersion blender or a kitchen torch. I love my torch — I burn the heck out of everything.

» EXPRESS: What's your secret to throwing good parties at home?
» HOFFMANN: Don't stress — have fun with it. And for a really interesting dinner party, invite crazy people that don't match. That makes for a really interesting time. And instead of trying to impress my family and friends, I give them comfort food. I want them to feel that they can come in and take their shoes off.

» EXPRESS: How do you prep your place before a bash?
» HOFFMANN: I like creating a visual experience at my parties, since everything comes in through the eyes. If it's a tropical party, I'll have some coconuts, sand and shells on the table.

» EXPRESS: Valentine's Day is coming up — any ideas for something delicious one can serve his or her sweetie?
» HOFFMANN: Do a crazy drink where you marinate strawberries with sugar and brandy overnight. Then mix that with a bottle of champagne, a bottle of white wine and a bottle of soda water — it makes an incredible punch. Or put a spoonful of guava puree in champagne — it's like a Latin Bellini.

Photo by Andrew Meade