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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:

Must-have kitchen gadgets and our favorite cookbooks! Answering home cooking questions from our hotline Oct 17, 2024

Show notes

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!

What’s for lunch? Make-ahead lunches for on-the-go or at home! Oct 15, 2024

Show notes

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 breakfast burritos for NYT Cooking

Potato cheese bourekas from Tori Avey

***

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!

Weeknight meatless meals – A quick one-pan dish and a hearty soup! Our best bites of the week Oct 10, 2024

Show notes

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!

Winner winner chicken dinner! Our top 6 recipes for cooking chicken at home Oct 08, 2024

Show notes

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 flavor
Discover a crowd-pleasing marinated drumstick recipe perfect for hosting big groups or for potlucks
Find 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 cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

Two quick & easy meatless meals! Our best home cooking bites of the week Oct 03, 2024

Show notes

Do you want to incorporate more meatless meals into your week but feel stuck on what to cook?

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 make this one-pot kale pasta recipe that follows a streamlined technique for easy cleanup, and you’ll be seduced by a crispy tofu dinner that’s served with an Instant Pot creamy polenta.

Tune in now and don’t miss out on these two vegetarian dinners that will work for any night of the week!

***

Links to from this week’s show:

Greens Pasta by Joshua McFadden via NYT Cooking

Tofu katsu recipe from Food52

Carla Lali Music’s instant pot polenta for Bon Appetit

***

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!

Apples, Pears, Persimmons! 10 sweet and savory recipes you’ll be cooking at home all season Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

As the weather turns cool and crisp, what do you do when you've got a counter full of ripe pears or too many apples from an orchard visit?

This week, we share 8 recipes for turning crunchy apples, juicy pears, and luxurious persimmons into sweet and savory dishes, from weeknight meals to entertaining-friendly dishes.

By the end of this episode, you’ll…

Learn how to make slow-cooked apple butter that fills your home with warm, comforting aromas
Discover an elegant appetizer that stars fresh pears and is perfect for a stunning brunch or your next dinner party
Get inspired by savory casseroles and crunchy salads that balance fall’s sweetest and most vibrant flavors.

Hit play now to uncover fresh and easy ways to use fall's most beloved fruits in your home kitchen all season long!

***

Links to from this week’s show:

Skin-on, no sugar, homemade apple sauce from Zero Waste Chef
Slow cooker apple butter from Family Food On The Table, and homemade apple butter with the peels on
The Kitchn’s guide on apple butter
Kari’s favorite blister-fried peanuts
Celery, apple, peanut salad by Joshua McFadden from Bon Appetit
The fennel, sausage, apple casserole recipe can be found in the cookbook Six Seasons: A New Way With Vegetables by Joshua McFadden and Martha Holmberg
Apple dumpling recipe
Pear, mascarpone crostini recipe can be found in the cookbook Seriously Simple Holidays
Pear + mascarpone crostini from Cake-n-Knife Blog
Sonya’s pear, rosemary, goat cheese galette
Endive salad with pear, pecans, and dijon dressing from the Salad Whisperer
Bittersweet chocolate and pear cake from Smitten Kitchen
Fuyu v. hachiya persimmons explained
David Tanis’ persimmon salad with radicchio and walnuts from NYT Cooking
Love Soup Cookbook by Anna Thomas has her recipe for persimmon soup

***

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 Braidsfor more Food Friends recipes!

Episode 112: A secret-ingredient white bean soup and a kid-friendly taco salad! Our best home cooking bites of the week Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

Do you ever find your soups bland, and missing that extra something — like a zippy, flavorful sauce that turns a humble meal into something extra special?

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 make this hearty bean soup topped with herby green hot sauce that comes together in seconds in your blender, and you’ll get inspired to serve dinner in a crispy tortilla bowl – filled with an updated take on the classic taco salad that’s full of veggies, and makes for an easy meatless meal.

Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!

***

Links to from this week’s show:

Sonya’s Yemenite white bean soup with zhoug

How to make crispy taco salad shells from Natasha’s Kitchen, and a roasted cauliflower taco bowl to serve inside it from Budget Bytes

For a more classic take, try taco salad by Sohla from 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 cookbook Braidsfor more Food Friends recipes!

Episode 111: Hosting this fall? Four inviting menus for cooking at home with ease Sep 24, 2024

Show notes

Are you ready to simplify your fall hosting while still impressing your guests, whether for holidays, potlucks, or casual dinners with friends?

Fall gatherings can be overwhelming, from multi-course holiday dinners to last-minute potlucks. This episode provides you with 4 easy yet sophisticated menus with recipes and hosting tips, so you can delight your guests without stress. Whether you're hosting for Rosh Hashanah, going to a tailgate, or just cooking a casual dinner at home, this episode helps you create a relaxed, festive vibe in your kitchen.

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

1. Create stunning, low-effort appetizers that can be assembled in advance, and made almost entirely with store-bought ingredients.

2. Choose a main course that will impress guests, like a seasonal salad that’s hearty enough to be a main, studded with fresh herbs and jewel-toned pomegranate seeds, or a delicious one-pot braised beef and aromatic rice dish

3. Enjoy the comfort of make-ahead desserts, like Kari’s crowd-pleasing chocolate sheet cake that travels well, or the spiced cookies that Sonya makes that taste better the next day

Don’t miss out on this essential fall hosting episode — press play now to make your next gathering unforgettable!

***

Links to from this week’s show:

Menu #1

Yotam Ottolenghi’s fig, radicchio, and hazelnut salad for the Guardian

Sonya’s beef plov and plum frangipane babka

Sonya’s honey sesame cake and one-bowl tzimmes cake

Menu #2

Baked brie by Ina Garten

Ottolenghi’s quinoa and fennel salad for Bon Appetit

Pear slab pie with sour dried cherries from Martha Stewart Living

Menu #3

Sonya’s smoked fish platter

Colu Henry’s sheet pan roasted chicken with shallot and roasted grape for NYT Cooking

Sonya’s apple + walnut spiced cookies in her recent Substack

Menu #4

Classic cheese ball recipe from It Tastes Better From Scratch

Fried chicken from your favorite place

Texas Chocolate Cake from All Recipes

***

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 Braidsfor more Food Friends recipes!

Episode 110: Foolproof potluck dishes and making hosting easier! Home cooking questions answered from our hotline Sep 19, 2024

Show notes

Are you stumped on what to bring to a potluck? Looking for a dish that will please a crowd but is still simple to make and transport?

In this bite-sized episode, we share listener questions and offer expert advice to inspire you and each other!

Discover our go-to potluck salad and the tricks to keeping it fresh for hours. Plus, get tips on making hosting easier by delegating kitchen tasks—learn what jobs to assign to your partner or friend when feeding a crowd.

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

Have your own culinary question? CALL on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084

***

Links to from this week’s show:

A kale and lentil recipe that’s similar to Kari’s sister-in-law’s, and a kale and lentil bowl recipe that’s a bit heartier (check out our Instagram for pics!)

Farro and cauliflower parm by Sarah DiGregorio for the NYT Cooking

Melissa Clark’s spinach salad with roasted root vegetables and spiced chickpeas for NYT Cooking

Our potluck episode - Season 1, Episode 4

***

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 Braidsfor more Food Friends recipes!

Episode 109: Fall farmers’ market must-haves! Our 6 favorite recipes for seasonal home cooking Sep 17, 2024

Show notes

When summer meets fall, do you find yourself both excited and overwhelmed with the abundance of produce available at the farmers’ markets this time of year?

If you’re like us, you’re craving the fresh flavors of fall, like crisp apples, harvest salads with vibrant greens, and soups with warming spices like ginger and turmeric.

This week, we’re sharing our fall cooking bucket lists, including what to pick up for your next fall produce haul and what to cook with it! By the end of the episode, you’ll…

1. Discover a mushroom dish that’s universally loved and is ideal for both weeknights as well as dinner parties.

2. Learn how to turn simple roasted squash into a luscious mash with caramelized onions and topped with fresh herbs

3. Find out how to maximize pantry staples to transform simple roasted peppers and grilled eggplant, and turn them into crowd-pleasing meatless meals

Tune in now and get inspired to create memorable fall meals using your favorite seasonal produce - straight from your local farmers’ market to your table!

***

Links to from this week’s show:

ABC Kitchen’s squash toast by way of Smitten Kitchen

Delicata squash, corn, zucchini fritters by Kay Chun from NYT Cooking

Kale, delicata, ricotta salata salad from Camille Styles

Sonya’s plum and rosemary challah, her marinated red bell peppers

Ina Garten’s plum cake tatin

Grilled eggplant with lemons and labne, with fresh mint by Dawn Perry from Bon Appetit

Greek Fisherman’s Stew by Florence Fabricant from NYT Cooking

Garlic butter roasted mushrooms from Smitten Kitchen

***

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 Braidsfor more Food Friends recipes!

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