Food Friends: Home Cooking Made Easy

Food Friends
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Food Friends: Home Cooking Made Easy

Do you love home cooking but hunger for better recipes that help you deliver quick and delicious meals to your dinner table? Two former personal chefs turned best friends share their expertise with each other and you! Kari and Sonya have been inspiring each other in the kitchen for over 15 years by swapping recipes, tips, and trade secrets in the pursuit of better home cooking. FOOD FRIENDS is a bi-weekly podcast inspiring home cooks to try new dishes in the kitchen by sharing trusted recipes, tips, and friendship. Every Tuesday, each host delivers 3 unique solutions to seasonal home cooking, like: how to make craveable soups with your farmers market haul, the easiest one-pot meals for busy nights, or what to do with leftover rotisserie chicken. On Thursdays, we serve up a pint-sized chat about our “Best Bite” of the week, pantry essentials we can’t live without, and more. Previous guests include Seth & Lauren Rogen, actor Randall Park & writer/director Evan Goldberg, and NY Times Recipe Developer, Sue Li! If you’re looking for a boost of fun in the kitchen by discovering recipes that will make mealtime easier and more delicious with a healthy dose of laughter, then you’ll want to dig in with FOOD FRIENDS! First-time listener? Tune into Episode 2: Don’t send flowers, send soup! and Episode 4: What do you bring to a potluck?

  1. A warming winter minestrone and a quick weeknight Midwestern "snappy pizza”! Our best home cooking bites of the week

    1 DAY AGO

    A warming winter minestrone and a quick weeknight Midwestern "snappy pizza”! Our best home cooking bites of the week

    As the days get colder and darker, are you searching for a nourishing dinner that will warm you up from the inside out?  In this bite-sized episode, we share delicious moments about the best things we ate this week to inspire each other – and you!  This week we’re talking about two must-try winter weeknight meals. You’ll discover the secrets to a craveable Minestrone, chock-full of veggies and topped with a vibrant basil sauce. You’ll also learn about a unique Midwestern twist on Sloppy Joe’s – it will make for a nostalgic weeknight meal that’s kid-friendly and parent-approved.  Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! *** LINKS Sign up for our Substack, and you’ll receive the Winter minestrone recipe (free) this Sunday (12/22)! You’ll also find more soup recipes in the Substack archives. Sloppy Joe recipe with bonus veggies via Celebrating Sweets *** Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084 Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunities Order Sonya's debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes! We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com!

    13 min
  2. It’s time to celebrate! Our favorite recipes for holiday home cooking

    3 DAYS AGO

    It’s time to celebrate! Our favorite recipes for holiday home cooking

    Are you searching for impressive holiday recipes that infuse your kitchen with irresistible aromas, beckoning your loved ones to gather around a festively appointed dinner table?  In this episode, we share expert tips for hosting with ease and grace, guiding you toward the dishes you’ll want to cook for pleasure, as well as menu items that rely on store bought help.  In this episode, you’ll:   Learn simple, time-saving strategies to help you breeze through hosting any partyDiscover the secret to sweet swirly slices of babka, and freshly baked cinnamon rolls, that will have your home smelling of sugar and spiceUnlock the secret to the flakiest biscuits—and the unexpected gravy you’ll want to smother them with! Tune in now to discover the recipes and tips that will fill your holiday table—and your heart—with joy! *** LINKS Sonya’s babka can be found in her cookbook Braids, and you can find Shannon Sarna’s babka via The Kitchn Sonya's recipe for sweet potato latkes with cranberry salsa, and her Salad Olivier (potato salad) The Gourmandise School cinnamon roll recipe  Chocolate babka sufganiyot (donuts) by Retrolillies and traditional sufganiyot from Once Upon a Chef Sweet cheese dreams via FoodTalk: add lemon zest and 1 tsp juice, cut into thirds!  Savory Cheese Dreams by Melissa Knific for NYT Cooking  Cheesy potatoes from Salt & Lavender, and cheesy potatoes with cornflake topping from Home Sweet Eats  Simple garlic sauteed collard greens from Yup It’s Vegan, and Southern style collard greens from All Recipes  Lemon-marinated Tuscan fried chicken from Serious Eats Edna Lewis’ biscuit recipe (with a description for homemade baking powder at the bottom of it) Sausage gravy recipe from Southern...

    32 min

  3. DEC 12

    An easy no-knead sourdough that even a kid can bake! Bread baking at home with Adrian Hale

    Scrolling through your feed, have you ever stumbled on a loaf of gorgeous homemade sourdough bread and thought to yourself: “I can never do that.” Maybe you’re intimidated by shaping, managing the rising times, or even picking out the best flour to use…. But you still crave a good quality loaf of bread to share with family and friends.  This week we called in one of our favorite food friends, Adrian Hale, to help us demystify sourdough bread baking. Adrian is the author of Mama Bread, and regularly teaches both kids and adults alike how to make her easy, delicious, no-knead sourdough recipe – and she’s generously sharing itwith all of us! Press play now to learn how just a little flour, water, and time can lead to a loaf of golden, delicious home-baked bread! *** Links: Adrian’s recipe for: “Communal Table Bread - My easiest first bread recipe” You can find out more about Adrian on Thousand Bites of Bread, or on her Instagram  Order her cookbook: Mama Bread Adrian’s flour resources round-up If you’re visiting or living in Portland, you can book a baking class with Adrian! *** Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084 Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunities Order Sonya's debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes! We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com!

    16 min
  4. Is breakfast for dinner the ultimate comfort food? 10 recipes for cooking up our favorite meal at home

    DEC 10

    Is breakfast for dinner the ultimate comfort food? 10 recipes for cooking up our favorite meal at home

    What’s more satisfying than the smell of sizzling eggs or the warmth of golden roasted potatoes to start your day? Celebrating the END of a long day with the comforts of breakfast-for-dinner!  If you’re looking for creative and nostalgic dishes that feel fun and easy, this week we’re sharing our top 10 breakfast recipes. While these meals work for any time of day, we think they make for simple, quick, and extra fun dinners.  In this episode, you’ll learn:  How to make crowd-pleasing, nourishing dishes like shakshuka to share family-styleA go-to potato dish that will have everyone asking for secondsCreative ways to make quick meals with pantry-friendly ingredients and minimal prep Press play now to discover simple, customizable breakfast-for-dinner recipes that are guaranteed to make your evenings more delicious and enjoyable! Links Ottolenghi’s classic shakshuka, Sonya’s eggplant and zucchini shakshuka, and green shakshuka by Adeena Sussman  Bacon, egg, and toast cups by Martha Stewart Potato chip frittata with carmelized onion from Delish, a quicker Spanish potato chip frittata with peppers from Food Network, and and the potato chip omelet from The Bear Migas con huevos from Muy Delish Matzo brei by Lee Mason from The Nosher How to make congee on the stovetop OR Instant Pot from Omnivore's Cookbook Blue corn atole video and recipe that Kari worked on, and another video on how to make traditional atole  Sheet pan potato nachos similar to what Kari makes but layered with crispy smashed potatoes + your fave roasted veggies instead of sliced potatoes  Sheet pan sweet potato hash from Detoxinista *** Got a cooking question? Leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084 Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunities Order Sonya's debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes! We love hearing...

    29 min
  5. A citrusy one-bowl cake and other easy holiday desserts! Our best home cooking bites of the week

    DEC 5

    A citrusy one-bowl cake and other easy holiday desserts! Our best home cooking bites of the week

    Do you ever find yourself stumped on an easy-to-make, but still impressive, holiday dessert for hosting or to bring to a friend? In this bite-sized episode, we share delicious moments about the best things we ate this week to inspire each other – and you!  You’ll discover a seasonal one-bowl snacking cake that is full of festive flavors and made for holiday hosting. You’ll also learn about 3 easy edible gift ideas, inspired by a trip to a bake sale, that are designed to spread cheer and friendship. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!  *** Links Sonya’s Cara Cara orange olive oil cake, and watch her make it on AM NW on KATU Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pies from My Baking Addiction  Avocado Bella’s viral date caramel apple Homemade brownie mix from Sugar Spun Run Rubinette produce in Portland, OR *** Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084 Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunities Order Sonya's debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes! We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com!

    13 min
  6. Cookie season is here! Baking tips for the best holiday cookies with Zoë François

    DEC 3

    Cookie season is here! Baking tips for the best holiday cookies with Zoë François

    Have you ever wanted to build the perfect holiday cookie tin but have no idea where to start?  Whether you’re dreaming of a buttery shortbread with crispy edges, a strudel bar filled with jammy fruit, or a gluten-free confection that doesn’t taste like it’s missing anything at all… we reveal pro tips for baking your favorite cookies at home with the legendary Zoë François of “Zoe Bakes.” In this episode you’ll discover:  The one kitchen tool that every home baker should own Foolproof tips for assembling, shipping, and traveling with holiday cookiesEssential lessons for ensuring perfect cookies every time (even when you're making gluten-free swaps!) Don’t miss your opportunity to learn practical tips and expert advice from Zoë François, and tune in now! (Photo credit: Wing Ho) *** LINKS: You can learn more about Zoë on her site: Zoe Bakes, Instagram, and YouTube. Grab a copy of her NEW NYT Best Selling cookbook, Zoe Bakes Cookies! Zoë’s recipes from this episode: Butter shortbreadSticky coconut maple barsDark chocolate madeleinesCoconut haystacks (gluten-free)Macarons (gluten-free) Some of Zoe’s favorite bakers: Dorie Greenspan, Sarah Kieffer and her Vanilla Bean Blog, Rose Levy Berenbaum, Nancy Silverton, and Claudia Flemming *** Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084 Sign up for our Substack newsletter here for special offers and opportunities Order Sonya's debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes! We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com!

    32 min
  7. A Mediterranean sheet pan meal and our favorite plant-based comfort food! Our best home cooking bites of the week

    NOV 28

    A Mediterranean sheet pan meal and our favorite plant-based comfort food! Our best home cooking bites of the week

    At the end of a long day, do you find yourself staring into your fridge or pantry, searching for something that will inspire you to make a protein-packed dinner? We've got you covered! In this bite-sized episode, we share delicious moments about the best things we ate this week to inspire each other – and you!  You’ll want to make this flavor-packed sheet pan chicken dinner loaded with Mediterranean-diet ingredients like olive oil, lemons, and veggies. And if you're on the hunt for a vegan option, you’ll be glad to dig into simple, nutritious, velvety coconut lentils. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!  *** Links Great Jones colorful sheet pans  Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Meal by Lisa Bryan Our coconut red lentil recipe  Diaspora Co spices  Coconut kale chips from My Chef’s Apron *** Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084 Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunities Order Sonya's debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes! We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com!

    15 min
  8. Cookbooks that made us better home cooks! Our top 10 favorites

    NOV 26

    Cookbooks that made us better home cooks! Our top 10 favorites

    Have you ever wondered which cookbooks truly deserve a spot on your kitchen shelf?  Whether you’re dreaming of wowing guests with holiday-perfect cinnamon rolls or mastering a melt-in-your-mouth pot roast, the right cookbook can be a game-changer for any home cook. In this episode, we’re diving into the cookbooks that have shaped how we cook—well-loved gems with splattered pages, the ones we gift over and over, and the timeless classics that every home chef should own. By the end of the episode you’ll discover: Why a cookbook with a collection of diverse recipes can be just as (if not more) supportive than one from a single author’s voiceHow a chef from a top restaurant can teach you professional techniques that transform home cookingThe standout recipes from best-selling cookbooks that you’ll want to make on repeat Hit play to uncover how these books spark joy, build confidence, and turn your everyday cooking into something extra special in the kitchen! *** Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunities *** Links: Kari’s top 5: Most cooked from: The 150 Best American Recipes, by Fran McCullough and Molly Stevens Most inspiring: Food of Life: Ancient Persian and Modern Iranian Cooking and Ceremonies, by Najmieh Batmanglij Gifted the most to others: Sonya’s cookbook Braids, and The Cooks Illustrated Cookbook Life changing: The Improvisational Cook, by Sally Schneider Biggest influence: The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook, by Amelia Satlzman  Sonya’s top 5: Most cooked from: Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami Tamimi Most inspiring: Summer Kitchens by Olia Hercules Gifted the most ot others: Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking and Julia Turshen’s Small Victories Life changing: The Book of Jewish Food by Claudia Roden Biggest influence: a href="https://www.amazon.com/Prune-Gabrielle-Hamilton/dp/0812994094" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    30 min
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About

Do you love home cooking but hunger for better recipes that help you deliver quick and delicious meals to your dinner table? Two former personal chefs turned best friends share their expertise with each other and you! Kari and Sonya have been inspiring each other in the kitchen for over 15 years by swapping recipes, tips, and trade secrets in the pursuit of better home cooking. FOOD FRIENDS is a bi-weekly podcast inspiring home cooks to try new dishes in the kitchen by sharing trusted recipes, tips, and friendship. Every Tuesday, each host delivers 3 unique solutions to seasonal home cooking, like: how to make craveable soups with your farmers market haul, the easiest one-pot meals for busy nights, or what to do with leftover rotisserie chicken. On Thursdays, we serve up a pint-sized chat about our “Best Bite” of the week, pantry essentials we can’t live without, and more. Previous guests include Seth & Lauren Rogen, actor Randall Park & writer/director Evan Goldberg, and NY Times Recipe Developer, Sue Li! If you’re looking for a boost of fun in the kitchen by discovering recipes that will make mealtime easier and more delicious with a healthy dose of laughter, then you’ll want to dig in with FOOD FRIENDS! First-time listener? Tune into Episode 2: Don’t send flowers, send soup! and Episode 4: What do you bring to a potluck?

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