Food Friends: Home Cooking Made Easy

What if one simple technique could change how you make roast chicken forever? 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 why the Zuni Café Cookbook is a timeless classic for home cooks – including why the roast chicken and bread salad is still its most famous recipe!You’ll also want to make our favorite nachos layered with veggies, beans, and meat. Discover how to construct it so each layer is perfectly cheesy and flavorful, and it might just become your new favorite weeknight meal. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!***Join us on our live monthly calls by becoming a paid subscriber to our Substack here! Or sign up for free to receive roundups and recipes straight to your inbox. We can’t wait to gather in community and swap recipes + tips with fellow curious home cooks!***Links:Zuni Cafe Cookbook, by Judy RodgersA simplified version of the famous roasted chicken and bread salad from Smitten Kitchen Pasta with spicy cauliflower from Amateur Gourmet (the original uses a mix of broccoli and cauliflower, which he mentions) ***Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084Order Sonya's cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

Ever wonder what two former personal chefs actually eat in a day?If you’re constantly asking, “What’s for breakfast, lunch, or dinner?” This episode is packed with easy meal ideas and real-life recipes to reduce that feeling of overwhelm, and deliver practical inspiration you can use all week. In this episode, you’ll learn how to:Upgrade your breakfast with a simple Turkish-inspired egg dish or a skillet pancake that brings joy to any morningMake lunchtime easier with smart leftover transformations and a few make-ahead, deli-style salads Discover two flavorful sheetpan dinners, and a one-pot meatless main we're making on repeatTune in now, peek inside our kitchens, and leave with fresh ideas for the week ahead!***For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here. And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid!***Links: Day 1Sonya:Breakfast – Yogurt bowl with homemade granola, flax, kiwi, blueberries, goji berries and homemade granola.Kari’s granola recipe is from Sony’as cookbook, Braids, and David Leibovitz has a a really good loaded tahini granola recipeLunch – Golden egg salad, black sesame rice crackers, tangerine, carrots, sauerkraut, radishes, grapes, pickled kohlrabiDinner – Tomato lentil stew with crispy potatoes, by Hetty Lui McKinnon for NYT Cooking (unlocked)Kari:Breakfast – Dutch Baby recipe by Florence Fabricant from NYT Cooking (unlocked), made with Einkorn flour and inspired by the recipe in Einkorn Made Easy by Adrian J.S. HaleLunch – Huevos Rancheros by Kay Chun for NYT Cooking (unlocked), made with leftover refried beans and salsa from takeout Dinner – Roasted Cauliflower with Feta & Dates Sheet Pan Salad by Kendra Vaculin for Bon Appetit (radicchio and shredded cabbage was subbed for the arugula, and hazelnuts were swapped for pistachios )Day 2Sonya:Breakfast – Turkish-inspired eggs, but instead of poached eggs, they were fried in butter spiced with smoked paprika and aleppo pepper, once cooked placed on yogurt with added dill and pepper, served with toastLunch – Herby tuna salad, winter citrus, pomegranate, mint salad, celery and kohlrabi salad with date and almond Dinner – Shawarma chicken thighs by Sam Sifton for NYT Cooking (unlocked) (using this shawarma spiced blend, and bone-in skin-on thighs), served with roasted thyme carrots and parsnips from Food Network (honey is optional)Kari: Breakfast – Peanut Butter & Honey Cereal Bars from our Substack, using a combination of Grape Nuts and Rice Krispies, Kari froze the bites in individual snack bags, served with a smoothie with banana, dates, blood oranges, kohlrabi leaves, ice and full-fat Greek yogurt  Lunch: Saucy chickpeas with sour cream in a tortilla with cabbage on top (coming soon to our Substack!)Dinner –  Leftover pizza from Prime Pizza with radicchio salad topped with crispy panko breadcrumbs, toasted hazelnuts, and balsamic vinaigrette ***Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084Order 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!

What if your best bite of the week came from beans… or a conversation at the butcher counter?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 our favorite crispy-topped “pizza beans” that are hearty, cheesy, and ideal for a meatless dinner. You’ll also discover how a local butcher inspired our new favorite collagen-rich braised meat sauce.Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!***For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here. And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid!***Links:Smitten Kitchen’s pizza beansSausage Ragu by Sara Jenkins and Nancy Harmon Jenkins, adapted by Julia Moskin for NYT Cooking (unlocked)Pennsylvania-Dutch scrapple from Food Network***Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084Order 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!

Are your weeknight pasta nights starting to feel predictable…even though you know pasta has so much more potential?When you’re tired and hungry, it’s easy to reach for the same jar of sauce and the same box of noodles. In this episode, we’re showing you how to turn pantry staples and simple techniques into pasta dinners that feel comforting, craveable, and completely new.By the end of this episode, you’ll:Learn the secrets to a crispy-topped, gooey baked pasta that’s worth turning on the ovenExpand your rotation with dishes built around seasonal greens, wild mushrooms, and bright citrusDiscover how to harness your pantry to build bold, flavor-packed sauces—including a Samin Nosrat recipe we can’t stop makingPress play and make pasta night the best night of the week.***LinksSix Seasons of Pasta by Joshua McFadden and Martha Holmber, for all the best ways to make a baked pasta dishBaked Ziti from All Recipes – Sonya made a version with Cavatapi pasta and swapped sausage for blanched broccoli rabeCheesy baked pasta with Sausage and Ricotta by Melissa Clark for NYT Cooking Baked gnocchi alla Sorrentina from Wishbone Kitchen River Cafe Walnut Tagliatelle from The Guardian (we skip adding oil to our pasta water)Sausage ragu by Sara Jenkins and Nancy Harmon Jenkins, adapted by Julia Moskin for NYT Cooking (unlocked)Bucatini with Swiss Chard, Raisins and Parm by Joshua McFadden by way of Nigella Lawson by way of Amateur GourmetCreamy Mushroom Pasta with Garlic Miso Butter by Chandra Ram for Food & WineNigella Lawson’s famous lemon linguineChicken Piccata pasta by Anna Theoktisto for Food & WineSamin Nosrat’s spicy tuna pantry pasta from Food and Wine

Do you want to know the secret to cooking the crispiest, fluffiest roast potatoes at home? 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 try British-style roastie potatoes known for their golden, crackly exterior and fluffy interior. You’ll also want to cook up our go-to chicken enchiladas; they're perfect for weeknight dinners, feed a crowd, and make smart use of leftovers so you can get dinner on the table with ease. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!***Links:British roast potatoes from The Jam JarFor a deep dive on roasties, check out  The Best Crispy Roast Potatoes by Kenji Lopez-Alt for Serious EatsSam Sifton's Chicken Enchiladas with Salsa Verde for NYT Cooking (unlocked)But this week, Kari used leftover roasted chicken and green enchilada sauce by Siete Foods (not sponsored!), and topped them with Monterey Jack and Queso Fresco***Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here. And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid!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!

Think salads are a summer thing? Great salads don’t have to disappear in the colder months.If you’re craving something crisp, bright, and alive during the winter, this week we're making the most of peak cold-weather produce. We’re sharing 10 salad recipes built around seasonal ingredients like juicy citrus, crunchy celery, hearty winter greens, and smart pantry staples.By the end of this episode, you’ll:Discover make-ahead–friendly salads that work just as well for meal prep as they do for entertainingFind stunning, flavor-packed salads that might completely change how you cook with celery, citrus, and even Brussels sproutsLearn which two salads are hearty enough to stand alone as a full mealPress play now and let this episode change the way you enjoy salads all winter long.***Sign up for our Substack here for original recipes and a roundup from each episode. Upgrade to paid, and join our monthly live Q&A!***Links: Sonya’s citrus, pomegranate, mint and feta salad with pomegranate molasses dressingBrussels Sprouts with Pomegranate & Pistachio by Sheela Prakash for NYT Cooking (unlocked)Celery root remoulade by Alice Waters, shared by Full Belly Farm Celery dates almonds parmesan inspired by Six Seasons by Joshua McFadden, recipe by Cookie & KateSonya’s celery and kohlrabi salad with date and almondUltimate Winter Salad by Natalie Perry for The Pioneer WomanThai Pomelo Salad from Healthyish and HappyThai Peanut and Cabbage Salad from Cookie & Kate Anna’s California salad from A Modern Way to Eat by Anna Jones, shared by 101 CookbooksWinter Panzanella from Floating Kitchen***Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084For 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!

Is the viral Japanese yogurt cheesecake worth making?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 find out for yourself if you should jump on the Japanese yogurt cheesecake trend, and you'll also discover a next-level take on no-bake rice crispies treats!You'll also want to try our favorite slow-cooker braised chicken dish, which relies exclusively on pantry staples and can be the foundation for countless dishes -- like a delicious weekday taco. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!***To join our monthly live hang, or for more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here.***Links:Two-ingredient viral Japanese yogurt cheesecake recipe from Food & WinePistachio Halvah Rice Krispie Treats by Miro Uskokovic from NYT Cooking (unlocked)Kari’s slow cooker braised chicken for an easy taco lunchTortilla Land ready-to-cook flour tortillas that Kari uses (not sponsored!)***To join our monthly live hang, or for more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here.Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084Order 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!

What if you could easily cook up an incredible meal at home for someone you love?Date night doesn’t have to be fussy or complicated to be special, and we firmly believe it can be about cooking incredible food for anyone you're close to: a partner, family, roommates, or friends.This week, we’re sharing our top 10 date night recipes, and by the end of this episode, you’ll:Learn simple fuss-free dishes, like a 30-minute crispy artichoke pasta, and a no-churn ice creamDiscover interactive meals, like a home-cook-friendly Japanese hot potFind out about our favorite 15-minute, elegant classic French main courseListen now to get inspired to make a memorable date night dinner at home... no hard-to-get reservations, waiting in line, or complicated cooking required!***Links:Japanese shabu shabu (hot pot) at home from Just One Cook, or sukiyaki from White On Rice CoupleClassic sole meuniere by Molly Wizenberg, serve with steamed asparagusRicotta gnocchi by Mark Bittman for NYT Cooking (unlocked)Crispy artichoke pasta by Andy Baraghani for NYT Cooking (unlocked)Crepe night with savory buckwheat crepes by Martha Rose Shulman, and chocolate crepes by Zeynab Issa, both for NYT Cooking (unlocked) Heart-shaped french toast by Sew White, and use the outside of the heart for “Egg-in-a-heart” (aka toad-in-a-hole)Nigella Lawson’s one-step no-churn coffee ice creamHeart-shaped pastry with strawberries and whipped cream from Bos Kitchen Kiwi fool by Eric TriesitTiramisu dippers by Anna Painter for Delish***Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084For 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!

What are the building blocks of the perfect veggie sandwich? 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 crave a veggie sandwich that’s packed with easy-to-make homemade saurekraut, and you’ll get inspired to cook up restaurant-style pizza at home – loaded with crispy kale and savory crumbled sausage. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!***Links:Tabor Bread is one of Sonya’s favorite spots for sourdough loaves in Portland, OROur favorite brand of hummus is Little Sesame (not at all sponsored) An easy reliable homemade sauerkraut recipe from The GefilteriaSweet Salt Food in Los Angeles inspired Kari’s pizza at homeSourdough pizza dough made from Adrian Hale’s “Communal Table Bread - My easiest first bread recipe”And our favorite super easy no-knead pizza dough

Looking for more answers to your home cooking questions? Every month, we'll gather on Zoom for "Around the Table with Food Friends: Live Q&A". Together, we'll connect in real time as a community and share recipes, tips, and solutions to everyday cooking struggles and successes. Join in by becoming a paid subscriber on our Substack today. Sign up here!***What if a seasonal winter produce haul could be as versatile, delicious, and exciting as a flat of berries in peak summer? This week we’re sharing our 10 must-have winter farmers’ market produce picks, and the recipes to go with them.By the end of this episode you’ll:Discover a viral sweet potato recipe that will change how you make it foreverLearn simple and quick techniques for coaxing sweetness and depth from veggies like parsnips, turnips, and cabbageFind out about our go-to winter weeknight meals, like a sheetpan chicken dinner full of greens and a rustic cabbage skillet dishTune in now to learn how the winter farmers' market might surprise you, and how to turn seasonal produce into satisfying meals you’ll want to dig into all season long!***LinksSweet Potato:New technique for the best whole roasted japanese sweet potatoes by Jamesyworld, + the viral TikTok cheese stuffed version from The Kitchen And our favorite Carla Lalli Music recipe for steamed sweet potatoes with tahini butter for NYT Cooking (unlocked)Squash:Zucotte, garlicky braised squash, by Whistling Train Farm in Kent, WA Bok Choy/Tatsoi:Sheetpan Scallion Chicken with Bok Choy by Kay Chunfrom for NYT Cooking (unlocked)We also like to use bok choy and tastoi instead of lettuce in saladsCabbage:Venetian smothered cabbage, “Verze Sofegae” And a shout out to our favorite cabbage soup from Six Seasons by Joshua McFadden and Martha HolmbergLeek:Two takes on a leef tart, one straightforward Leek puff pastry tart  from It’s A Veg World Afterall, or a stunning upside down leek tart from Live Eat LearnAnd we love Braised leeks from Fox and Briar too!Turnips:Honey glazed turnips from Dishing Up the DiretBeets:Golden beets and beet greens in yogurt dill dressing by David Tanis for NYT Cooking (unlokced)Parsnips:Parsnip and parmesan souffle from PC Fresh CoCitrus:Sonya's Citrus topped rice puddingA cookbook shoutout:Bonnie Slotnik Cookbooks in NYC where Kari discovered Greene on Greens by Bert Greene***Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084For 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!