Food Friends: Home Cooking Made Easy

Craving a cold and creamy dessert to beat the summer heat, but can’t even imagine walking into your hot kitchen, let alone turning on the oven? In this episode we’re divulging our tried and true easy summer dessert recipes to make at home, from cold and creamy to perfectly packable, no cooking required! This week you’ll discover:1. How to stay cool with refreshing icebox cakes and frozen pies that bring excitement to any table, rely on premade ingredients, and are easy to assemble. 2. A portable cookie treat that travels easily to the beach, picnic, or on a road trip made of melted chocolate combined with classic ingredients like peanut butter, cereal, and butterscotch.3. A make-ahead dessert from Sonya’s childhood that maximizes seasonal fruit and is perfect with a scoop of vanilla ice creamAdd sweetness into your summer gatherings with these exciting and easy no-bake desserts…tune in now for a spoonful of sweet inspiration!***Links to from this week’s show:Sonya’s raspberry mocha icebox cake, strawberry tiramisu, and fruit compote recipesIna Garten’s mocha icebox cakeChocolate wafers for icebox cake18 ice cream pie ideas from Taste of HomeNot-so-classic peach melba from David Tanis for the NY TimesClassic Scotheroos recipes from Tastes Better From ScratchBuckeyes recipe by Tammy Winters for All RecipesTricia Yearwood’s no-bake rocky road barsAll the rocky road bar combos on TikTokIna Garten’s limoncello fruit salad recipe***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 Sonya’s free Substack, or order her debut cookbook Braidsfor more Food Friends recipes!

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 deeply flavorful caramelized scallion sauce and find out what to use it for, and you’ll also discover a surprising gluten-free ingredient that shows up in a classic coffee cake recipe! Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! ***Links to from this week’s show:Caramelized scallion sauce by Francis Lam via NYT Cooking How to make crispy fried shallots from Hot Thai KitchenSonya’s tahini coffee cake recipeGluten-free teff coffee cake coming soon to the Maskal Teff recipe library Teff flour from Maskal TeffWe love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com! Sign up for Sonya’s free Substack, or order her debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

Does the summer heat stump you in the kitchen? Are you craving something, cold, crunchy, and satisfying that you can make easily, quickly, and maybe even pack up for a day at the beach? If you’re tired of your same old pasta salad recipe and looking for easy, healthy, and delicious noodle salad inspiration, this episode is for you! In this episode, we share:1. Six recipes that can be made ahead and are packed with bright herbs, crunchy veggies, and zesty dressings, making them ideal for beach days, picnics, and summer gatherings of all kinds 2. A lip-smacking dressing with fresh lime juice and pantry staples3. The chewy, satisfying gluten-free noodle that can be served hot, cold, or room temperature for a crowd-pleasing main dish Tune in now to transform your summer meals with these easy and colorful noodle salad recipes!***Links to from this week’s show:Ottolenghi’s mango eggplant soba noodle salad via 101 CookbooksSoba noodle salad with peanut dressing from Vegetarian TimesSambal olek chili pasteMelissa Clark’s rice noodle salad with salted peanuts and herbs for the NY TimesJapchae sweet potato noodleJapchae recipe from Maangchi and from Rosenadle Online***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 Sonya’s free Substack, or order her debut cookbook Braidsfor more Food Friends recipes!

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 colorful, vibrant rainbow salad for your next dinner party, and you may just get in the mood to whip up a simple batch of French crepes.Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!***Links to from this week’s show:Rainbow salad recipe on Sonya’s substackFrench crepe recipe from Sweet as HoneyWe love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com! Sign up for Sonya’s free Substack, or order her debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

Does turning on the stove in the summer stress you out? Do warm, long evenings make you dream of hosting friends for delicious meals at home?Let’s be honest: no one wants to slave away in a kitchen on a hot summer day. This week, we’re offering six approaches to summer dining that will make gathering around the table a breeze.This week you’ll discover:1. Strategies for prepping your menu 90% ahead of time, like making colorful and versatile sheet pan salads that offer a no-fuss approach to serving veggies2. Tips on how to grill with ease3. The perfect pasta dish to take to parties, beaches, and picnicsReady to transition into relaxed summer cooking with easy-to-make recipes? Tune in now for all the tips and menus for delicious summer home cooking!***Links:Sheet pan salad inspiration from The Kitchn, The First Mess, and Rosalyn Daniels  How to make crostini from Cookie & KatePickled red onion recipe from Love & LemonsFrascatelli with pecorino and mustard greens from Bon AppetitAlso, Frascarelli “World’s Easiest Pasta” from Serious EatsSamin Nostrat’s pesto from the NY Times, and one with lemon from Love & Lemons

Have you ever wanted to serve a show-stopping dessert that relies on just 3 pantry staples you already have in your kitchen?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 3 ingredient classic French pastry that’s endlessly adaptable! Plus, cook up a braised turkey breast for a meal prep dream. It’s a make-ahead, one-pot recipe, that will leave you with leftovers, too!Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! ***Links to from this week’s show:Kari’s favorite profiterole recipe by Shelly Wiseman for Gourmet in 2008, via EpicuriousA similar profiterole recipe by Chef Thomas Keller that includes chocolate sauce, from Epicurious If you’ve never roasted a turkey before here’s a great place to start from Tastes Better from Scratch!A simple braised turkey breast recipe, similar to what Sonya made from Kosher.com***We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com! Sign up for Sonya’s free Substack, or order her debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

Have you ever felt like you’re fading in the afternoon, and wish you knew what snack to eat that would satisfy and energize you until dinner time? If your afternoon snacks need a makeover, this episode is packed with creative, simple, and delicious ideas to keep you happy instead of “hangry!” In this episode you’ll discover how to:1. Assemble fun, nourishing, and creative ingredients straight from the pantry for an exciting snack plate2. Make your favorite childhood snacks from scratch with no funky additives, including granola bars, fancy popcorn, and even homemade crackers (p.s. it’s super easy!)3. Set up a trail mix bar with a mix of savory and sweet ingredients that will satisfy everyone’s cravings.If you’re ready to upgrade your snack game, tune in now to discover how to make your afternoon mini-meal the highlight of your day!***Links to from this week’s show:Homemade granola bars from Eating WellSohla’s method for popping popcorn via her Substack, and perfect stovetop popcorn from Cookie & KateJacobson salt turmeric popcorn seasoning blendPistachio stuffed dates with tahini by Sonya for The NosherSonya’s cheddar cheese coin crackers***We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com! Sign up for Sonya’s free Substack, or order her debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

In this bite-sized episode, we share delicious moments about the best things we ate this week to inspire each other – and you! You want to find any excuse to make an easy and comforting Frito Pie (also known as a walking taco), and you’ll learn about a simple, nutritious sheet pan meal that can help you get dinner on the table quickly and easily. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! ***Links to from this week’s show:Walking tacos/Frito Pie recipe from the Girl Who Ate EverthingDoritto walking tacos from Eating on a DimeA sheet pan chicken sausage, potato, and asparagus meal that’s similar to what Sonya made fro dinner (swap sweet potato for potato/carrot)***We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com! Sign up for Sonya’s free Substack, or order her debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

Have you ever had a fudgy, chewy, glossy, crackly-topped brownie and wondered: How can I replicate this brownie bliss? How can I make it at home? If you're looking to create the brownies and blondies of your dreams with help from expert bakers and tried-and-true recipes, this episode is your ticket to home cooking heaven! This week you’ll learn…1. Insider secrets from baking experts like Nigella Lawson and Alice Medrich for achieving the glossy, shatter-y top and rich chocolate flavors that make for an ideal brownie2. Delicious takes on classic brownie and blondie recipes, from gooey caramel swirl brownies to nutty coconut blondies2. How to make an easy pecan bar straight from Kari’s childhood!Are you ready to take your baking skills to the next level and indulge in a world of decadent brownies, blondies, and bar cookies? Tune in now and embark on a delicious exploration of sweet treats that are sure to please! ***Links to from this week’s show:A helpful brownie chart with ingredients, baking times, and bakeware can change the texture and look of your brownie, from DelishNigella Lawson’s Feast cookbook, and her recipe for snow-flecked browniesAlice Medrich’s famous cocoa brownie recipe via Food 52Sonya’s flourless tahini brownies, featured in her cookbook BraidsSmitten Kitchen cheesecake marbled browniesCherry Bombe Cookbook for Kari’s favorite salted caramel browniesCaramel brownies made with cake mix and storebought Kraft caramels from The Recipe CriticGrasshopper brownies by Yossy Arefi for the NY TimesButterscotch blondies from the Lemonade CookbookEnglish Toffee Bars from HersheylandChewy chocolate cookie bars from the Shabby Creek Cottage***We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com! Sign up for Sonya’s free Substack, or order her debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

Are you in a breakfast or lunch rut? 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 easy refrigerator jam made with frozen fruit that will elevate your morning toast. It has a secret ingredient that adds a boost of nutrition!. You’ll also learn how to upcycle last night’s salad into a delicious and satisfying lunch that’s filled with veggies and can be made vegan-friendly.  Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! ***Links to from this week’s show:Strawberry rhubarb chia jam  from Bakerita (Sonya uses sugar in place of maple syrup)Adrian Hale’s Mama Bread Cookbook***We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com! Sign up for Sonya’s free Substack, or order her debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!