Gabriela's Kitchen

Gabriela’s Kitchen was created a year ago when Gabrielle Marie Lopez, or Gabriela as she is known in Spanish and to her family, received some vanilla beans, a jar of olives, and a blog (all built and ready to go!) from her boyfriend Alex. Ever since, Gabriela has kept busy preparing the traditional Latin foods she grew up eating in New Mexico. After a stop in Los Angeles to pursue an undergraduate degree in studio art, where one of her creations incorporated 100 pounds of caramelized sugar, she landed in New York City, where she works in development and events for a museum. By night, Gabriela cooks, fueled by her mixed culinary heritage, a magical combination of Spanish, American Indian and Mexican traditions. Her blog bursts with life (we love her brilliant floral linens and colorful ceramic plates) and her earnest desire to share her recipes. Her writing is clear and sweetly endearing, and the girl knows how to photograph food. We can hardly look at the pictures—of Tres Leches Cupcakes topped with ruby red cherries, Cilantro Lime Chicken or Atole with Almonds—without wanting to hail the nearest cab and join her at her apartment for the next meal. She says that her favorite kind of cooking is for others. We know she'd welcome us.