Step by step, Ana Regalado shared the flavors that have helped define her life on Friday as part of Hispanic Heritage Month (西班牙裔传统月).

“I don’t know if you’ve heard, ‘Oh that’s a secret family recipe’, and I think recipes are meant to be shared, we share them with the world so everyone can enjoy them,” said Regalado.

The mother of seven and grandmother is known on TikTok as ‘Salty Cocina’. Back in 2020, she began making what she calls a look through cookbook. It’s one that helps pass down the dynamic flavors of traditional Mexican cuisine to her children and grandchildren.

“Just think about it, how amazing would it be to have your grandma in the kitchen, watching her cook when she’s no longer here?” said Regalado.

Not only did her children love it, but so did the rest of the world. Within a year of uploading her first video, she got over one million followers. She has more than 2.5 million now. All of them are eager to explore the history, cultural significance, and origins of the ingredients in her beloved dishes. Her engaging and reliable personality has given her a platform she never could have imagined.

“I never thought it would get this big,” said Regalado.

Each video is a proof to her commitment to spreading the richness of the recipes passed down through generations while enjoying all she learns about other cultures from her followers.

“Everybody’s cultures are different, but, in a way, they’re kind of similar. So we can all embrace (接受) each other,” said Regalado. “There are so many different recipes that are the same but have different names in different countries.”

“I always tell my husband a family that cooks together stays together,” said Regalado with a laugh.

Food is so much a part of daily life that people often take eating for granted. 【小题1】. Now it is a good time for you to think carefully about this question: What kinds of needs does food meet?

【小题2】. Food provides the energy needed for day-to -day activities. Eating the right foods each day helps your body perform important functions. Physical needs are not the only ones people satisfy by eating every day. People often eat even when they are not hungry. Some people eat to comfort themselves whenever they are upset or nervous.【小题3】.

Food serves social as well as physical and emotion ones. People often combine eating with the company of friends and families. 【小题4】. In some families, mealtime is only of day that the whole family can be together.

【小题5】. Many social events are connected with specific foods — birthday cakes, Thanksgiving turkeys, or Fourth of July cookouts. These customs build a bridge between food and social activities.

In the US, people prefer waiting for a table to sitting with people they don’t know. If you are sitting at a table with people you don’t know, it is impolite to light up a cigarette without first asking if it will disturb them.

At American restaurants and coffee shops you are usually served tap water before you order. You may find the bread and butter is free, and if you order coffee, you may get a free refill.

Most cities and towns have no rules about opening and closing times for stores or restaurants, though they usually do make rules for bars. Especially in large cities, stores may be open 24 hours a day.

Servings in restaurants are often large, too large for many people. If you can’t finish your meal but would like to enjoy the food later, ask your waitress or waiter for a “doggie bag”. It may have a picture of a dog on it, but everybody knows you’re taking the food for yourself. Supper and dinner are both words for the evening meal. Some people have “Sunday dinner”. This is an especially big noon meal. Tips are not usually added to the check. They are not included in the price of the meal, either. A tip of about 15% is expected and you should leave it on the table when you leave. In some restaurants, a check is brought on a plate and you put your money there. Then the waiter or waitress brings you your change.