Food Friends: Home Cooking Made Easy

This week we're rereleasing a fan-favorite episode to start our year off with easy, comforting recipe inspiration! We'll return with new episodes starting Thursday (1/9) with our "Best Bites of the Week"!***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 CookingOne-pot bucatini with cauliflower and capers from Martha StewartIna Garten’s easy turkey lasagnaOne-pot chicken meatballs with greens by Yasmin Farh for NYT CookingBraised coconut chickpeas with greens by Faith Durand for The Kitchn iSheet-pan bibimbap by Eric Kim for NYT CookingSlow cooker/Crock Pot tortilla soup from Spend With PenniesSarah DiGregorio’s slow cooker pasta e fagioli for NYT Cooking20-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! 323-452-9084

We're rereleasing a fan-favorite episode to give us a boost of meatless meal inspiration this new year!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 CookingIna Garten’s lentil vegetable soupAdrian 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! 323-452-9084Sign up for our Substack for more soup recipes and roundups!

Bored of the same old side of steamed or roasted broccoli? Let’s change that! Whether you're looking for quick weeknight meals, vibrant salads, or rich vegetarian mains, this episode is full of broccoli boosts! By the end of this episode, you’ll discover:A crispy sheet pan meal that will liven up any night of your weekThe broccoli salad with an unexpected dressing that's designed for meal prep or potlucksA surprising technique that transformers broccoli into a meltingly soft addition to pasta or crostiniTune in now and discover how to make broccoli the most exciting part of your plate! ***Correction from this episode: Broccolini and broccoli rabe are two different things! Broccolini is sometimes called baby broccoli or tenderstem broccoli. Broccoli rabe tends to be far more bitter and tough and requires different preparation. ***Links: Three ingredient smashed crispy Parmesan broccoli from Live Eat LearnRoasted broccoli with nutritional yeast from Something Nutritious – Kari likes to cut up the florets super small so they’re more popcorn-sizedSonya’s sheetpan crispy harissa tofu, chickpeas, and broccoliRoasted broccoli + chickpeas with herb jalapeno topping can be found in Cook Beautiful by Athena CalderoneQuinoa and broccoli spoon salad by Sohla El-Waylly for the NYT CookingHetty Lui McKinnon’s broccoli, date, and pistachio saladPecorino Fried Bread with Broccolini by Melissa Clark for NYT Cooking, or try Smitten Kitchen’s broccoli melts for something similarAlice Waters’ long cooked broccoli from The Art of Simple FoodRoasted broccoli and potato tacos with fried eggs by Kay Chun for NYT Cooking, and here’s the same recipe via the Baltimore Sun***Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

Need a last-minute dose of home cooking inspiration as you enter a new year? In this bite-sized episode, we share delicious moments about the best things we ate in 2024 to inspire each other – and you! We’re reflecting on our top six favorite dishes of the year and swapping notes about the secret to making an easy, veggie-packed soup, a cranberry-glazed tart that will have your guests asking for the recipe, a surprising topping for your next slice of toast, and more…Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! Links:Susan Spungen’s Squash Tart with Cranberry GlazeSlow cooker apple butter from Family Food On The TableBirria tacos from A Cozy Kitchen, and slow cooker birria from Muy Bueno CookingKari’s split pea soup from our SubstackLittle Fish in Echo ParkNorwegian Gjetost (brown cheese/caramel cheese)Quail & Condor bakery in Healdsburg, CA ***Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

Are you obsessed with finding the perfect chocolate chip cookie recipe? This week we're rereleasing a fan-favorite episode!By the end of this episode, you'll discover all of the ingredients and techniques that can lead to YOUR ideal chocolate chip cookie -- from what chocolate to use (chip or bar?), to sugar ratios (brown sugar v white), to how to ensure the best flavor and overall texture. Tune in now to unlock the keys to the best batch of chocolate chip cookies!***LINKSBon Appetit’s Brown Butter and Toffee Chocolate Chip CookiesBravetart’s chocolate chip cookies from Serious EatsChristina Tosi’s (of Milk Bar) Famous Choc. Chip cookie with nonfat milk powderAmerica’s Test Kitchen self-proclaimed, perfect chocolate chip cookieSonya’s Chocolate Tahini Chocolate Chunk CookieAlison Roman’s Salted Butter and Chocolate Chunk ShortbreadChocolate hay stacks from Add a Pinch ***Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

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! ***LINKSSign 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! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

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!***LINKSSonya’s babka can be found in her cookbook Braids, and you can find Shannon Sarna’s babka via The KitchnSonya'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 ChefSweet 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 EatsEdna Lewis’ biscuit recipe (with a description for homemade baking powder at the bottom of it)Sausage gravy recipe from Southern Bite***Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

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 BreadAdrian’s flour resources round-upIf 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! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

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 prepPress play now to discover simple, customizable breakfast-for-dinner recipes that are guaranteed to make your evenings more delicious and enjoyable!LinksOttolenghi’s classic shakshuka, Sonya’s eggplant and zucchini shakshuka, and green shakshuka by Adeena Sussman Bacon, egg, and toast cups by Martha StewartPotato 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 BearMigas con huevos from Muy DelishMatzo brei by Lee Mason from The NosherHow to make congee on the stovetop OR Instant Pot from Omnivore's CookbookBlue 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! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

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! ***LinksSonya’s Cara Cara orange olive oil cake, and watch her make it on AM NW on KATUHomemade Oatmeal Cream Pies from My Baking Addiction Avocado Bella’s viral date caramel appleHomemade brownie mix from Sugar Spun RunRubinette produce in Portland, OR ***Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!