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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, 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?

Copyright: © Food Friends Podcast 2022

Latest Episodes:

A savory shallot pasta dish and an unexpected way to make sweet potatoes! Our best home cooking bites of the week Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

Are you stuck in a dinner rut, relying on that familiar jar of pasta sauce for a quick weeknight meal?

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 discover an easy caramelized shallot pasta to your weekly dinner rotation (and it makes enough sauce for 2 meals!). You’ll also learn one of our favorite techniques for cooking sweet potatoes so they’re fluffy and tender — and topped with a flavorful sauce that takes just minutes to make!

Tune in now for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!

***

Links:

Alison Roman’s carmelized shallot pasta recipe and video

Carla Lalli Music’s steamed sweet potatoes with tahini butter

***

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!

Cooking low and slow – Braising recipes to melt into... Jan 28, 2025

Show notes

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, this episode will 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 vin
Discover 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 (and Kari describes both versions in the ep!). Here’s a simpler recipe, 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)

Braised leeks from Fox and Briar

***

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!

A richly spiced stew and the secret to the best buttery, garlicky pasta dish! Our best home cooking bites of the week Jan 23, 2025

Show notes

Are you feeling the chill in the air and looking for a cozy meal to warm you up?

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 whip out your big pot to cook up a spicy, aromatic, Moroccan stew that is full of veggies. You’ll also discover the tips to making the easiest, most delicious, buttery, garlicky noodles for a quick weeknight supper.

Tune in now for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!

***

Links:

Lamb and chickpea stew from Jo Cooks, similar to what Sonya made, and an Instant Pot version from Zestful kitchen

Ali Slagle’s lemon garlic linguine from NYT Cooking, and a similar recipe (with a little less butter) from Pinch & Swirl

***

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 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!

Cooking for community – How do you feed people when they need it most? Jan 21, 2025

Show notes

Can the aroma of freshly baked bread or a pot of steaming golden soup offer comfort and connection to those in your community during times of crisis?

In moments of uncertainty, like natural disasters or personal hardships, food can be more than sustenance — it can be a source of hope, normalcy, and care. This week we’re diving into practical ways to support your community through cooking... turning simple meals into powerful acts of kindness.

By the end of this episode, you’ll:

Discover our go-to dishes for comfort and nutrition: like a chewy breakfast cookie, a big pot of chicken soup, and an easy sheet pan meal
Learn practical tips for meal delivery
Get inspired with impactful ways to make a difference even when you can't cook

Tune in now to uncover how cooking homemade meals can make a meaningful difference, one thoughtful dish at a time!

***

Links:

Our easy sourdough episode, and Adrian Hale’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

Zoe Francois’ breakfast cookies from her cookbook Zoe Bakes Cookies

Sonya’s stuffed cabbage and her golden chicken soup with matzo balls

Farro and cauliflower parmesan by Sarah Di Gregorio for NYT Cooking, and Smitten Kitchen’s crusty baked farro and cauliflower

Lemony chicken and coconut soup from our Substack

Similar to what Sonya makes, sheet pan chicken thighs and roasted sweet potatoes from Paleo Grubs (modify to your liking with spices, or additional veggies!)

How to make overnight oats from The Kitchn

***

Got a cooking question? Leave us a message at: 323-452-9084

For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here.

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!

A 15-minute meal and dinner-made-easy with leftover salsa! Our best home cooking bites of the week Jan 16, 2025

Show notes

Are you looking for a way to revamp your leftovers into a quick dinner?

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 tender, salmon cakes that come together in 15 minutes! And you'll discover a simple spicy soup made with flavorful salsa; it's a protein-packed comfort meal that’s as quick to prepare as it is satisfying... thanks to the help of rotisserie chicken.

Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!

***

Links:

Ina Garten’s salmon cakes made with cooked or leftover salmon, and salmon patties made with fresh salmon from the Mediterranean Dish and a simpler version from Food Network. (Make sure to add extra dill!)

Easy salsa soup, similar to Kari’s, but we suggest you heat oil in your pot, then add the salsa for a few minutes, before adding the broth and any additional add-ins.

A vegan speedy salsa soup option, too!

***

Got a cooking question? Leave us a message at: 323-452-9084

For more recipes and cooking inspo, sign up for our Substack here.

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!

Chickpeas! Cooking up easy meatless meals with a humble pantry staple, with Sarah Bond of "Live Eat Learn" Jan 14, 2025

Show notes

What if one ingredient could turn your weeknight dinners into savory, satisfying dishes in less than 30 minutes — without ever feeling repetitive?

Cooking dinner can sometimes feel like a dull routine, but a simple can of chickpeas can change that. With the help of Sarah Bond, nutritionist and creator of Live Eat Learn, this week’s episode dives into the world of vegetarian meals built around our favorite versatile, affordable pantry staple.

Whether you’re looking to save time, eat healthier, or get inspired in the kitchen, chickpeas are the answer to your weeknight dinner dilemma!

By the end of this episode, you’ll learn how to:

Whip up the viral “Marry Me Chickpeas” in 15 minutes!
Discover the unique, simple spice blend for addictive “Dorito” chickpeas – a snack-turned-main-dish that even reluctant bean lovers will enjoy
Cook up easy meatless dinners, like crispy, golden air-fried chickpeas and a flavorful sheet pan meal packed with vegetables

Hit play on this episode to uncover the endless possibilities of chickpeas and transform your weeknight meals!

***

Links

Sarah Bond’s site: Live Eat Learn, Instagram, and her cookbook!

Marry Me Chickpeas (with creamy Tuscan sauce)

Roasted chickpea gyros

Roasted veggie glow bowls

Copy-cat Cafe Yum sauce

Crispy air fryer chickpeas

15-minute chickpea tacos with creamy cilantro sauce

Chickpea blondies

Vegan chicken and dumplings (with chickpeas!)

Chickpea pot pie

Vegan aquafaba + coconut popsicles

And a favorite recipe of Sarah's: Chai cinnamon rolls

***

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!

Two winter salads that will help with meal prep! Our best bites of the week Jan 09, 2025

Show notes

Do you ever wonder how to make salads taste good in the height of winter?

Every week, we share a bite-sized episode with delicious moments about the best things we ate to inspire each other – and you!

In this episode, you’ll discover two meal prep and potluck-friendly salads that will brighten up any plate, including a viral carrot salad that tastes better the longer it sits; and a vibrant, nutty broccoli salad that can be the star of your next buffet spread.

Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!

Links:

Korean carrot salad recipe from Alyona’s Cooking, and watch Danielle walk you through making her viral version on TikTok

Julienne vegetable peeler from OXO or one for under $5

Hetty Lui McKinnon’s broccoli, date and pistachio salad

Freddy Guy hazelnuts

Sonya’s favorite ras el hanout spice blend

One of our other favorite broccoli salads by Sohla El-Waylly

***

Got a cooking question? Call and leave us a voicemail! 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!

Can you find comfort in one pot? Cooking easy, cozy recipes at home (Rerelease!) Jan 07, 2025

Show notes

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 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! 323-452-9084

Weeknight meatless meals! A quick one-pan dish and a hearty soup! Our best bites of the week (Re-release) Jan 02, 2025

Show notes

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 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 our Substack for more soup recipes and roundups!

The best of broccoli! From sheet pan meals to salads, our top 8 recipes for cooking broccoli at home Dec 31, 2024

Show notes

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 week
The broccoli salad with an unexpected dressing that's designed for meal prep or potlucks
A surprising technique that transformers broccoli into a meltingly soft addition to pasta or crostini

Tune 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 Learn

Roasted broccoli with nutritional yeast from Something Nutritious – Kari likes to cut up the florets super small so they’re more popcorn-sized

Sonya’s sheetpan crispy harissa tofu, chickpeas, and broccoli

Roasted broccoli + chickpeas with herb jalapeno topping can be found in Cook Beautiful by Athena Calderone

Quinoa and broccoli spoon salad by Sohla El-Waylly for the NYT Cooking

Hetty Lui McKinnon’s broccoli, date, and pistachio salad

Pecorino Fried Bread with Broccolini by Melissa Clark for NYT Cooking, or try Smitten Kitchen’s broccoli melts for something similar

Alice Waters’ long cooked broccoli from The Art of Simple Food

Roasted 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! 323-452-9084

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!

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