Food Friends: Home Cooking Made Easy

Food Friends
  • 4.7 (340)
  • Food
  • Updated Weekly

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, recipe developer Justine Doiron, #1 Food & Beverage Substacker Caroline Chambers, and more. 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. 3d ago

    A 15-Minute Skillet Dinner + Bakery-Style Pumpkin Muffins | Our Best Home Cooking Bites of the Week

    How can you get a satisfying, vegetarian dinner on the table in 15 minutes or less? In this bite-sized episode, we share delicious moments about the best things we ate this week to inspire each other – and you! By the end of this episode, you'll have a new pantry-friendly dinner to try, plus tips for getting bakery-style muffin tops at home, and a reason to appreciate the seasonal foods that don't stick around for long. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! *** For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here. And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid! *** Links: Cheesy, spicy black beans in 15 minutes by Ali Slagel, for NYT Cooking Preppy kitchen pumpkin muffins with tall bakery-style tops, and the ones with streusel topping can be found in John Kannell’s new book: Preppy Kitchen Everyday Baking Sonya’s pumpkin bread from her Substack **** Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084 For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here. Are you a local to Portland or planning a visit? You can now book a private farmers’ market tour with Sonya through Airbnb Experiences! Or order Sonya's cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

    A 15-Minute Skillet Dinner + Bakery-Style Pumpkin Muffins | Our Best Home Cooking Bites of the Week

  2. 5d ago

    Hot Potato! Our Top 10 Recipes for Cooking Up Spuds at Home

    Potatoes are one of the most versatile, affordable, and delicious ingredients… and the possibilities are endless. This week, we’re sharing 10 recipes that make the most of potatoes in all kinds of ways, from smashed and baked to sautéed and frittered, with inspiration from Korean, Mexican, and other global cuisines. By the end of this episode, you’ll discover: Easy ways to turn potatoes into a meal, from sheet-pan chicken and potatoes to a spiced cabbage and potato stewHow to make the crispiest Pacific Northwest jojos and an unexpected twist on a potato saladSimple techniques for better baked potatoes and mashed potatoes, plus creative ways to dress them up Press play now for 10 new ways to cook with potatoes, whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or a side dish worth repeating! *** For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here. And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid! *** Links: Jojo's (fried) from Taste of Home, and JoJo's (baked) from Copy Cat Paprika chicken and potatoes by Yasmin Fahr for NYT Cooking (unlocked) Tacos de papa dorados (crispy potato tacos) by Nancy Lopez Potato calzone by Cooking with an Italian Korean potato pancake by Maangchi Frisee and potato salad by Richard Landau of Vedge Restaurant in Philadelphia, from Mainly Drizzle, originally published in Food & Wine Tikka gomen (Spiced Potato, Cabbage & Carrots) from Baking Hermann Deborah Madison’s Potato and green chile stew from Food 52, originally from her book: What We Eat When We Eat Alone No-peel rustic garlic mashed red potatoes from Fork In The Kitchen Baked potatoes with shallot corn butter from Wine Just a Pinch, originally printed in Food & Wine **** Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084 For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here. Are you a local to Portland or planning a visit? You can now book a private farmers’ market tour with Sonya through Airbnb Experiences! Or order Sonya's cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

    Hot Potato! Our Top 10 Recipes for Cooking Up Spuds at Home

  3. Oct 15

    Two Breakfasts: Indian Comfort Food + A Whole Grain Breakfast Loaf | Our Best Home Cooking Bites

    What do you make for breakfast when you’re tired of eating the same thing every day? In this bite-sized episode, we share delicious moments about the best things we ate this week to inspire each other – and you! By the end of this episode, you’ll want to make a lightly sweetened einkorn breakfast loaf studded with fruit. You’ll also discover a comforting Indian flattened rice dish, poha, made with potatoes and warming spices. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! *** For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here. And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid! *** Links: Einkorn breakfast loaf from Adrian Hale’s Einkorn Made Easy, and a similar breakfast blueberry bread with einkorn from A Modern Homestead Einkorn flour you can buy online, and if you’re in Oregon you can find a great one from Camas Country Mill Poha (spiced flattened rice with potato) from Indian Healthy Recipes You can find the poha (flattened rice) online **** Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084 For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here. Are you a local to Portland or planning a visit? You can now book a private farmers’ market tour with Sonya through Airbnb Experiences! Or order Sonya's cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

    Two Breakfasts: Indian Comfort Food + A Whole Grain Breakfast Loaf | Our Best Home Cooking Bites

  4. Oct 13

    Soup Season! 10 Recipes For Cooking Up Comforting Soups At Home

    What’s the secret to flavorful soups that don’t involve a ton of ingredients or a ton of time to prepare? This week, we’re back with our annual fall soup episode, with 10 recipes to keep in your rotation all season long, from quick weeknight dinners to soups worth sharing with friends. By the end of this episode, you’ll discover Soups you can make with 5 ingredients or lessEasy veggie soups that can be made with just water instead of store-bought or homemade stocksSimple toppings and finishing touches that make everyday soups special enough for hosting Press play now to find out how a few simple ingredients can make a really good bowl of soup! *** For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here. And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid! *** Links: Golden potato and greens soup by Andy Baraghani for NYT Cooking Cauliflower soup with green olive salsa verde by Justine Doiron Chickpea noodles soup by Ali Slagle for NYT Cooking Lebanese crushed lentil soup by Yumna Jawad of Feel Good Foodie Marcella Hazan’s 5-ingredient, 15-minute white bean soup from Simply Recipes (and the Marcella bean) 5-ingredient creamy celery soup by Martha Stewart Samin Nosrat’s curried carrot and coconut soup from Good Things, also similarly a version where she uses butternut squash instead of carrots Spinach and artichoke soup by Carolina Gelen Roasted tomato and pepper soup from 101 Cookbooks (and Kari’s tomato soup is another favorite) Albondigas de Familia Ronstadt by Linda Ronstadt and Lawrence Downes, adapted by Kim Severson via NYT Cooking Our previous soup episodes: Soup Season 2025 Soup Season 2024 Soup Season 2023 Soup Season 2022 **** Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084 For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here. Are you a local to Portland or planning a visit? You can now book a private farmers’ market tour with Sonya through Airbnb Experiences! Or order Sonya's cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

    Soup Season! 10 Recipes For Cooking Up Comforting Soups At Home

  5. Oct 8

    Cooking for a Dinner Party Together: When Friends Reunite | Our Best Bites of the Week

    What if cooking a dinner party with your closest food friend could make hosting easier, more fun, and even more delicious? In this bite-sized episode, we share delicious moments about the best things we ate this week to inspire each other – and you! By the end of this episode, you’ll want to make our menu of some of our favorite all-time recipes, like a hosting-friendly vegetarian casserole, crispy chicken cutlets that you can make-ahead and reheat like a dream, and a fruit-filled dessert that gets better with time. Plus you’ll discover what we love to send our guests home with! Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! *** For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here. And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid! *** Links: Starters: Thin toasted small slices of homemade sourdough bread using the Communal Table Bread recipe, by Adrian Hale Baba ghanoush by Maureen Abood made with charred eggplant + tahini Marinated olives Salad course: Sonya’s rainbow salad recipe from her Substack Mains: Farro cauliflower parmesan by Sarah DiGregorio for NYT Cooking (unlocked) Chicken schnitzel, like this one from Smitten Kitchen Dessert: Cake parfaits made with strawberry sheet cake with passionfruit buttercream by Zoe Bakes for the cake layer, with a layer of our favorite fruit salad, and labneh whipped cream (like the one from this Adeena Sussman recipe) Gift bags: Loaves of sourdough Slow cooker apple butter from Family Food On The Table Chocolate chip cookies Plum jam bars Cookbook gifted to us: Talisman Cookbook **** Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084 For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here. Are you a local to Portland or planning a visit? You can now book a private farmers’ market tour with Sonya through Airbnb Experiences! Or order Sonya's cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

    Cooking for a Dinner Party Together: When Friends Reunite | Our Best Bites of the Week

  6. Oct 6

    Best Breakfasts + The Secrets to Better Baking, with John Kanell of Preppy Kitchen

    What’s the secret to a great breakfast that you’ll actually look forward to? This week, John Kanell of Preppy Kitchen joins us to share his best breakfast ideas and the baking techniques that make a difference, from the secret to the best cinnamon rolls to how to achieve a perfectly tender cake. By the end of this episode, you’ll learn: How to make the best crisp-edged fluffy waffles for weekend breakfastsMake-ahead breakfast ideas you can enjoy all weekThe secret to a great quiche crust + how to keep a tomato tart from getting soggy Press play now for practical breakfast inspiration and expert baking tips! *** For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here. And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid! *** John Kanell’s new book: Preppy Kitchen Everyday Baking For more recipes, head to Preppy Kitchen and follow John on Instagram Make-ahead breakfasts: Muffin recipes, including the most popular ones on the site: banana, blueberry, and chocolate Waffles Egg muffins Make once and eat twice breakfasts: Quiche Tomato tart Bougatsa Breakfasts for when you want to linger: Homemade Cinnamon rolls Orange rolls Pan dulce (conchas) Most popular Preppy Kitchen recipe: Peanut butter cookies Some of John’s favorite recipes: Butter chicken German chocolate cake Princess cake with olive oil sponge Recipes from John’s new book: Cinnamon swirl pumpkin muffins German chocolate brownies Biscuit Dough Three Ways: Sweet, Savory Cheese and Herb, and Meyer Lemon **** Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084 For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here. Are you a local to Portland or planning a visit? You can now book a private farmers’ market tour with Sonya through Airbnb Experiences! Or order Sonya's cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

    Best Breakfasts + The Secrets to Better Baking, with John Kanell of Preppy Kitchen

  7. Oct 1

    One-Pot Braised Chicken Piccata + A Make-Ahead Chickpea Salad | Our Best Home Cooking Bites

    What if your next chicken piccata didn’t require dredging or sautéing and could come together in just one pot? In this bite-sized episode, we share delicious moments about the best things we ate this week to inspire each other – and you! By the end of this episode, you’ll want to try Alison Roman’s braised chicken piccata, a one-pot version that’s buttery and lemony with caramelized garlic and crispy capers. Plus, Ali Slagle’s chickpea-tomato salad; it only gets better as it sits, making it perfect for easy lunches and meal prep. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! *** For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here. And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid! *** Links: Our best bites: Puttanesca Chickpea-Tomato Salad by Ali Slagle for NYT Cooking (unlocked) Alison Roman’s braised chicken piccata from her cookbook: Something From Nothing Other resources and recipes mentioned: Culinary Breeding Network More about dry-farmed tomatoes and the ones that can be stored for 6 months or more Tofu piccata by Kia Damon for NYT Cooking (unlocked) **** Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084 For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here. Are you a local to Portland or planning a visit? You can now book a private farmers’ market tour with Sonya through Airbnb Experiences! Or order Sonya's cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

    One-Pot Braised Chicken Piccata + A Make-Ahead Chickpea Salad | Our Best Home Cooking Bites

  8. Sep 29

    What We Eat In A Day! What Chefs Really Cook At Home, Fall Edition

    What if you could peek inside two private chefs’ kitchens and see what they really cook — and eat — at home? If you’re tired of the same breakfast every morning or looking for ways to make your desk lunch more interesting, this episode offers a look at how two professional cooks feed themselves on an ordinary week. By the end of this episode, you’ll: Get easy ideas for better breakfasts and lunches, from a unique take on oatmeal to a satisfying broccoli saladDiscover how leftovers and a few smart additions can help you cook once and eat twiceFind a classic 30-minute chicken dinner plus a vegetarian pasta dish that is full of fall flavors Press play now to discover two chefs’ real-life meals, and get inspired with ideas for your own kitchen this week! *** For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here. And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid! *** Links: SONYA DAY 1 Breakfast: Scottish porridge, sautéed apples and cinnamon, topped with coconut sugar and nut butter (inspired by Adam Roberts’ English porridge) Lunch: Herby tuna salad, on top of a salad made with tomato, cucumber, and lettuce with balsamic dressing Dinner: Chicken piccata, garlic bread, Italian chopped salad KARI DAY 1 Breakfast: Coconut overnight oats with fresh fruit – Kari adds hemp seeds too Lunch: Deborah Madison’s Ravioli and Tomato Salad with Masses of Basil from her cookbook, Four bean salad with green romesco by Alison Roman from her cookbook: Dining In, crumbled feta, pickled cherries and herbs to pile onto sourdough slices Snack: Dragon fruit and cucumber Dinner: Mississippi Chicken stuffed into sourdough ciabatta SONYA DAY 2 Breakfast: Soft-boiled egg, Tabor bread sourdough toast points, mixed berries. Lunch: Leftover ratatouille, leftover chopped salad, toasted pita, avocado slices Dinner: A take on Kari’s white bean soup with parm with croutons, lemony garlic parm romano beans, simple greens salad For dessert, a cup of tea and good chocolate, like: Beyond Good, Alter Eco, Endangered Species, and CloudForest. KARI DAY 2 Breakfast: Full-fat Greek yogurt mixed with honey and passion fruit, with cut-up dragon fruit, cucumber, strawberries, figs, and melon Lunch: Broccoli salad, cabbage salad with peanuts, peach and herb salad with mozzarella balls and gochujang Dinner : Creamy pumpkin pasta with a pine nut gremolata on top **** Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084 For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here. Are you a local to Portland or planning a visit? You can now book a private farmers’ market tour with Sonya through Airbnb Experiences! Or order Sonya's cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

    What We Eat In A Day! What Chefs Really Cook At Home, Fall Edition
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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, recipe developer Justine Doiron, #1 Food & Beverage Substacker Caroline Chambers, and more. 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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