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 10-minute breakfast and the best cabbage for stuffing! Our best bites of the week

    4 DAYS AGO

    A 10-minute breakfast and the best cabbage for stuffing! Our best bites of the week

    Want more support in the kitchen? We’re expanding our offerings and would love your input. Fill out our survey and enter our giveaway! *** Is your week feeling extra full and hectic? Are you searching for satisfying meals that will warm up your day?  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 surprising 10-minute breakfast that’s gluten-free and full of flavor, and you’ll also learn how to make a comforting batch of classic cabbage rolls… and what to do if your recipe doesn’t go quite as planned.  Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! *** Links: Noona buckwheat flour pancake mix Sonya’s stuffed cabbage recipe and her vegetarian stuffed cabbage, both of which can also be found in her cookbook, Braids *** 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. Can you find comfort in one pot? Cooking easy, cozy recipes at home

    6 DAYS AGO

    Can you find comfort in one pot? Cooking easy, cozy recipes at home

    Want more support in the kitchen? We’re expanding our offerings and would love your input. Fill out our survey to be entered in our giveaway, and for more home cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack! *** What’s your ultimate comfort food on those chilly, bone-tired days? Sometimes you need soul-soothing meals that offer comfort but don’t require hours in the kitchen or a pile of dishes; and other times, comfort can mean spending a day in a warm, cozy kitchen.  This week, we explore our top one-pot wonder dinners, warming you from the inside out while keeping the mess to a minimum.  By the end of the episode, you’ll: Discover the easiest one-pot creamy broccoli mac & cheese Learn about a versatile vegan curry that uses pantry staples Find out about an unexpected sheet pan dinner that’s kid-tested and mother-approved! Tune in now to master the art of one-pot meals that will fill your home with mouthwatering aromas and will simplify your busy weeknight cooking! *** LINKS: Ali Salgle’s one-pot broccoli mac and cheese for NYT Cooking One-pot bucatini with cauliflower and capers from Martha Stewart Ina Garten’s easy turkey lasagna One-pot chicken meatballs with greens by Yasmin Farh for NYT Cooking Braised coconut chickpeas with greens by Faith Durand for The Kitchn i Sheet-pan bibimbap by Eric Kim for NYT Cooking Slow cooker/Crock Pot tortilla soup from Spend With Pennies Sarah DiGregorio’s slow cooker pasta e fagioli for NYT Cooking 20-minute rotisserie chicken tortilla soup (without a slow cooker) by Olivia Adriance *** Sign up for our free substack ! We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com! Or give us a CALL on our kitchen phone!...

    31 min
  3. More weeknight meatless meals – A pantry pasta and a vegetable main! Our best bites of the week

    OCT 24

    More weeknight meatless meals – A pantry pasta and a vegetable main! Our best bites of the week

    After a long commute home, are you craving a dinner you can whip up straight from your pantry?  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 cook up this easy vegetarian pasta with lentils that comes together in 25 minutes or less, and you’ll learn the secret to making the crispiest vegetarian schnitzel for a comfort dinner that will delight any diner at your table!  Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! *** Links: Zucchini schnitzel aka fried zucchini from Spend with Pennies Lentils with pasta and caramelized onions by Mark Bittman for NYT Cooking Episode 23 – All about our failures and firings as personal chefs *** 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!

    11 min
  4. Soup season! Our top 8 recipes for cooking up comforting soups at home

    OCT 22

    Soup season! Our top 8 recipes for cooking up comforting soups at home

    Feeling a chill in the air and looking for a way to warm up after a busy fall day? As the days get shorter and cooler, we crave comfort food that are nourishing, while still simple to make at home. But with so many different recipes out there, how do you choose a soup that will truly hit the spot?  Whether you want a quick weeknight option or a slow-simmered weekend treat, this episode will inspire you to make the most of soup season. By the end of this episode, you’ll… Discover the viral “Glow Soup” — creamy, nutritious, and 100% plant-basedLearn tips for creating hearty, flavorful broths in your slow cooker or Instant Pot that can be enjoyed as a healthy snack or used to elevate classics like tomato, lentil, or chicken noodleGet creative with root veggies and hearty greens, combining them with pantry staples like smoky spices and coconut milk to take your soup game to the next level Tune in now to learn how to create soul-warming soups that will carry you through autumn and into winter with ease and comfort! *** Links: The viral TikTok “Glow Soup” by Maddie Harrington/Nutriouslyeasy Similar to Kari’s soup: Andouille sausage + black bean soup with fire-roasted tomatoes by Sarah Carey for Martha Stewart, or this sausage, kale, and lentil soup (just swap the tomatoes for fire-roasted ones) Olia Hercules’ Tarragon Soup from her cookbook Kaukasis: The culinary journey through Georgia, Azerbaijan & beyond Classic French onion soup with beef stock and white wine, and a mushroom farro version from NYT Cooking Slow cooker carmelized onions from Gimme Some Oven Parsnip soup options – Easiest parsnip soup form Taming Twins , Carrot-Parsnip Soup from NYT Cooking, and Apple parsnip soup from Dana’s Table White chicken chili (with 3 different methods!) from Add a Pinch, and a 5-ingredient white chicken chili from Gimme Some Oven *** 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 cookbooka...

    28 min
  5. Must-have kitchen gadgets and our favorite cookbooks! Answering home cooking questions from our hotline

    OCT 17

    Must-have kitchen gadgets and our favorite cookbooks! Answering home cooking questions from our hotline

    Have you ever wondered what kitchen gadgets are essential to any home? Or maybe you’re looking for some new cookbook inspiration? In this bite-sized episode, we share listener questions – and answer with expert advice – to inspire each other and you!  You might be surprised to hear what pieces of inexpensive equipment two former personal chefs consider a must-have in our respective kitchens. You’ll also discover the cookbooks we keep reaching for over and over again.  Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration, and call our hotline 323-452-9084 with your own culinary question! *** Links Kari’s favorite books and gadget: Love Soup: 160 All-New Vegetarian Recipes from the Author of The Vegetarian Epicure by Anna Thomas Sonya’s cookbook, Braids: Recipes From My Pacific Northwest Jewish Kitchen Wide mouth funnel Sonya’s favorite books and gadget: Cooking for Artists by Mina Stone Around My French Table by Dorie Greenspan Benriner mandoline *** We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com! Or give us a CALL on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084 Sign up for Sonya’s free Substack, or order her debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

    14 min
  6. What’s for lunch? Make-ahead lunches for on-the-go or at home!

    OCT 15

    What’s for lunch? Make-ahead lunches for on-the-go or at home!

    Packed lunches just got easier!  If you need a boost for your midday meal, this week we’re sharing expert tips to help you upgrade your lunch game—whether you're meal-prepping for the week ahead or looking to pack something up in minutes. By the end of this episode, you’ll: Learn the 5 elements for building nutritious and customizable "adult Lunchables."Discover flavorful, protein-rich salads that can be prepped in advance (and get better over time).Find out how to stock your freezer with satisfying, grab-and-go lunches that are simple, satisfying, and kid-friendly. If you’re craving lunch that’s delicious, quick, and easy to prep, tune in now and take your packed lunches to the next level! *** Links: Easy adult lunchable ideas from Nourished by Nic Crispy chickpeas from Minimalist Baker Little Sesame Hummus, Sonya’s favorite store-bought variety Quinoa and broccoli spoon salad by Sohla El-Waylly for the NY Times Herby quinoa salad with feta and pomegranate by Sarah Cook for BBC Good Food Italian pasta salad with homemade dressing from Tastes Better From Scratch, or the classic Italian pasta salad with bottled dressing from Plowing Through Life  Spiced maple roasted carrots with zhoug recipe is in Sonya’s cookbook Braids, and you can find her “health salad” here Kenji Lopez-Alt’s Kale Caesar salad for Serious Eats Massaged kale salad with tahini dressing from Big Delicious Life Fennel and lentil salad by Yasmin Fahr for NYT Cooking Shaved brussels sprouts salad with walnut and pecorino from NYT Cooking  Homemade bean and cheese burritos and how to freeze them from Two Peas and their Pod Yewande Komolafe’s a href="https://cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/1022540-breakfast-burritos?algo=identity&fellback=true&imp_id=7525482978345933&req_id=897484638386140&surface=cooking-search-web&variant=0_relevance_reranking" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    28 min
  7. Weeknight meatless meals – A quick one-pan dish and a hearty soup! Our best bites of the week

    OCT 10

    Weeknight meatless meals – A quick one-pan dish and a hearty soup! Our best bites of the week

    Are you searching for a quick easy one-pan meal that you can make any night of the week?  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 cook up a craveable gnocchi and brussels sprouts dinner that comes together in 30 minutes or less, and you’ll discover the secret to the heartiest, most flavorful, plant-based lentil soup! Don’t miss these two meatless meals that will work for any night of the week, and tune in now!  *** Links to from this week’s show: Crisp gnocchi with brussels sprouts and brown butter by Ali Slagle via NYT Cooking Ina Garten’s lentil vegetable soup Adrian Hale’s pita recipe can be found in her book Mama Bread! *** We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com! Or give us a CALL on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084 Sign up for Sonya’s free Substack, or order her debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

    12 min
  8. Winner winner chicken dinner! Our top 6 recipes for cooking chicken at home

    OCT 8

    Winner winner chicken dinner! Our top 6 recipes for cooking chicken at home

    Are you tired of making the same bland, dry, or boring chicken dishes?  Whether you're intimidated by the idea of roasting an entire bird or are looking for some chicken dinner inspiration, this episode will delight your taste buds with tried and true techniques, cozy recipes, and easy methods for flavorful and delicious meals any night of the week! By the end of this episode, you’ll: Learn how to make a foolproof whole roast chicken that’s juicy and packed with flavorDiscover a crowd-pleasing marinated drumstick recipe perfect for hosting big groups or for potlucksFind out why one-pot chicken orzo dishes are the ultimate comfort food solution—without complicated steps or fancy ingredients Tune in now to boost your chicken dinners with these simple yet incredibly delicious techniques and recipes! *** Links to from this week’s show: Ina Garten’s perfect roast chicken recipe and her engagement roast chicken Mary Me Chicken by Lindsay Funston for Delish Simple, classic roast chicken by Melissa Clark for NYT Cooking Giada De Laurentis’ chicken cacciatore  Sonya’s chicken tinga recipe and her Seattle-style chicken teriyaki Lemongrass, soy, ginger drumsticks from Barossa Fine Foods Sam Sifton’s soy basted chicken thighs with spicy cashews for NYT Cooking Colu Henry’s skillet chicken with pearl couscous and Moroccan spices for NYT Cooking Weeknight fancy chicken and rice by Asha Gomez and Martha Hall Foose for NYT Cooking *** We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com! Or give us a CALL on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084 Sign up for Sonya’s free Substack, or order her debut cookbooka href="https://www.sonyasanford.com/book" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    26 min
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4.8
out of 5
104 Ratings

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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