Food Friends: Home Cooking Made Easy

Food Friends
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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?

  1. Two Easy Winter Bakes: Blueberry Muffins and Ricotta Cookies — Our Best Home Cooking Bites of the Week!

    4D AGO

    Two Easy Winter Bakes: Blueberry Muffins and Ricotta Cookies — Our Best Home Cooking Bites of the Week!

    What if baking at home didn’t have to require special skills of effort and instead could deliver a shareable sweet treat to warm up a chilly, busy week?  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 Alison Roman's recipe for blueberry muffins that are as easy to bake as they are to eat. Bonus: they're freezer and make-ahead-friendly. You’ll also want to try bright and citrusy classic Italian ricotta cookies – one simple batch yields a mountain of soft, lemony treats that are perfect for taking on the go, or for filling your cookie jar. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! *** Links:  Alison Roman’s blueberry muffin recipe Italian Ricotta Cookies by Melissa Huett, adapted by Melissa Clark for NYT Cooking *** 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. Order Sonya's 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!

    14 min
  2. Cooking Low and Slow – Braising Recipes to Melt Into… (Re-Release)

    6D AGO

    Cooking Low and Slow – Braising Recipes to Melt Into… (Re-Release)

    What’s the secret to transforming tough cuts of meat and sturdy vegetables into fork-tender meals that feel like a warm hug on a cold day? If you’ve ever been disappointed by a chewy brisket, flavorless chicken, or dry pot roast, we're re-releasing this fan-favorite episode to give you the foolproof techniques and tips for braising success. By the end of this episode, you’ll: Learn how to braise like a pro with equipment you already have in your kitchen (no Dutch oven required!)Explore classic recipes like comforting smothered pork chops and a rich coq au vinDiscover time-saving tricks that will make a braised dish your next go-to for hosting Tune in now to bring the magic of braising into your kitchen this season! *** Links: Tyler Florence’s wine-braised beef brisket recipe Beer braised brisket with onions from Food.com, and one for the slow cooker from The Kitchn George Graham’s Smothered Pork Chops with andouille, which are richer than his wife’s Roxanne’s version (which Kari describes in the show). Here’s a simpler version, too. Just be sure to use thin, bone-in chops and continue simmering until they are fork-tender and falling off the bone. Traditional coq au vin by Ina Garten, or a slightly easier version by Damn Delicious Eric Kim’s garlic-braised chicken recipe from NYT Cooking (unlocked) Amateur Gourmet’s braised chicken recipe and video Samin Nostrat’s soy-braised short rib recipe Ginger beer-braised butternut squash by Alexa Weibel from NYT Cooking (unlocked) Oven-braised red kuri squash video on TikTok from Kate Woodward (inspired by Prune by Gabrielle Hamilton) a...

    32 min
  3. A Big Pot of Chili and a Kale Salad Worth Making! Our Best Home Cooking Bites of the Week

    JAN 8

    A Big Pot of Chili and a Kale Salad Worth Making! Our Best Home Cooking Bites of the Week

    Looking for a chili recipe that you can rely on to feed any kind of eater at your table? 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 cook up a pot of deeply flavorful vegetarian or turkey chili that’s freezer-friendly and even entertaining-worthy, and you’ll also want to try a fresh take on kale salad with a punchy pickled-raisin vinaigrette that gets better as it sits. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! *** Links: Sonya’s Vegetarian and Turkey Chili from our Substack Kale Salad with Pickled Raisin Vinaigrette by Sheela Prakash 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. You can also now find us on YouTube. We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com!

    12 min
  4. Beans! Our Favorite Ways to Cook Lentils, Chickpeas, White Beans, and More

    JAN 6

    Beans! Our Favorite Ways to Cook Lentils, Chickpeas, White Beans, and More

    Are you staring at a bag of lentils in your pantry that you fully meant to cook… and somehow never do? Or maybe you’ve got a few cans of chickpeas that always feel like a good idea in theory, but never quite turn into dinner. If beans have ever felt bland, boring, or confusing, today’s episode is for you. By the end of this episode, you’ll: Discover how to make lentils, chickpeas, and other pantry beans actually craveable — from using up quick cooking red lentils in an unexpected pasta dish, to a vegetarian date-studded chickpea stew that relies on canned beansFind out go-to weeknight bean-centric meals that you can whip up in 30 minutes or lessLearn about two fresh takes on bean soup: one that uses white beans and has been served in the US Senate for decades, and another that relies on simple black beans combined with a few surprising, flavorful winter veggies  Press play now if you want affordable, comforting dinners that finally make good on all those beans in your pantry! *** Links: Lentils Our favorite coconut red lentils from our free Substack Curried tomato tortellini soup from 101 Cookbooks Ecuadorian lentil stew from Laylita.com Alison Roman’s  lentils with fried lemon or garlic (you can use red or yellow)  Chickpeas Our chickpea episode with Sarah Bond from Live, Eat, Learn Chickpea stew with dates, almonds, and orange  Chickpea butternut squash tacos by Laura Fuentes Yotam Ottolenghi’s confit tandoori chickpeas  Other Beans: Amy Chaplin’s spicy black bean soup, with squash, cabbage, loads of veggies  Cheesy mashed white beans with kale and parm and runny egg, from Serious Eats Mung bean curry from Pride of India Senate bean soup by The Country Cook Also: Kari’s famous white bean soup with oregano and parm, and Sonya’s take on Yemenite white bean soup with zhoug *** Got a cooking question?...

    27 min
  5. Two Quick Snacks and How to Turn a Package of Ground Chicken into a 30 Minute Meal! Our Best Home Cooking Bites of the Week (Re-Release)

    JAN 1

    Two Quick Snacks and How to Turn a Package of Ground Chicken into a 30 Minute Meal! Our Best Home Cooking Bites of the Week (Re-Release)

    Ever crave an Orange Julius at the mall?  In this bite-sized episode re-release, we're sharing 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 blend up a citrusy vanilla smoothie that will upgrade your breakfast routine (or snack time!) with its creamy, dreamy nostalgia. And if you’re looking for a flavor-packed weeknight dinner, you’ll discover a flavor-packed recipe using ground chicken for a 30-minute healthy meal!  Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!  *** Links  Orange Smoothie (a la Orange Julius) from Gimme Some Oven. For Kari’s version, she zests as well as the peeled oranges; she also likes to use yogurt or whole milk, and good vanilla paste. Veggie cream cheese from Chef Savvy Keema Shimla Mirch (Ground chicken with bell peppers) by Zainab Shah 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. You can also now find us on YouTube.  We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com! Looking for an in-person Food Friends experience? Book a farmers’ market tour with Sonya in Portland, OR!

    12 min
  6. Root Veggie Cooking 101: Rutabagas and Other Hidden Gems (Re-Release)

    12/30/2025

    Root Veggie Cooking 101: Rutabagas and Other Hidden Gems (Re-Release)

    Are you looking for recipes beyond roasted root vegetables? Root vegetables may not have the same curb appeal as juicy summer berries, but these winter workhorses can be just as satisfying! This week, we’re encouraging you to JUST SAY YES to these humble veggies. This week we're re-releasing a fan-favorite episode with our top recipes for carrots, parsnips, and even rutabags. From soup to salad, these dishes keep us nourished and satisfied in the colder months. You’ll want to tune in to find out how to make it for yourself! *** Links: How to tell the difference between a rutabaga and a turnip? Parmesan baked rutabaga via Peel with Zeal and rutabaga gratin from Delicioius Little Bites Rutabaga cheddar soup by Ripley Organic Farm Easy mashed rutabaga from The Spruce Eats Martha Stewart’s maple glazed carrot and parsnips Crispy parmesan carrots by Ayeh Manfre  Beautiful Soup by Celia Barbour via the NY Times Shredded vegetables do taste sweeter via NPR Sunchoke kale hash with farro by Jon Shook and Vinny Dotolo via Food & Wine

    33 min
  7. A Winter Minestrone and a Quick Weeknight Midwestern “Snappy Pizza”! Our Best Home Cooking Bites of the Week (Re-Release)

    12/25/2025

    A Winter Minestrone and a Quick Weeknight Midwestern “Snappy Pizza”! Our Best Home Cooking Bites of the Week (Re-Release)

    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 rereleasing a fan fanvorite episode, and 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: Winter minestrone recipe from our Substack Sloppy Joe recipe with bonus veggies from 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
  8. Cooking for the New Year! Our Top Recipes for Celebrating and Starting Fresh!

    12/23/2025

    Cooking for the New Year! Our Top Recipes for Celebrating and Starting Fresh!

    What if the dishes you cooked on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day could invite luck, prosperity, and ease into the year ahead? New Year’s can feel surprisingly complicated for home cooks: too celebratory to ignore, but too close to the holidays to summon big energy. That’s why this week we’re helping you decide what’s worth cooking, what can be made in advance, and all the auspicious food rituals and symbolic dishes to sweeten the year ahead. By the end of this episode, you’ll: Discover playful appetizers that are eaten for luck and deliciousnessNew Year’s classics like noodles for longevity, and a gumbo made with auspicious black-eyed peasNutritious and lighter recipes to ease into the first day of the year Press play to celebrate to start a new year feeling supported in your kitchen! *** Links: Appetizers Bacon wrapped dates from Gimme Some Yum, and you can also make it with beef bacon Cheese ball bites with a pretzel handle from Delish.com Pistachio goat cheese dates from Live Eat Learn Sour patch grapes and Prosecco grapes Delish.com Mains & Sides Mushroom ragu pasta by Heidi Swanson Gochujang mushroom udon by Hetti Lui MCkinnon Mini Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins from Our Zesty Life Black-eyed pea and pork gumbo by Donald Link, Stephen Strymewski and adapted by Bret Stephens for NYT Cooking – served with rice and potato salad on the side, like our fave Herby Potato Salad and or Sonya’s Salad Olivier (Soviet potato salad) Desserts Carolina Gelen’s no-bake chocolate mousse pie or cranberry

    28 min
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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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