Food Friends: Home Cooking Made Easy

Are you ever overwhelmed by the thought of hosting a dinner party? Do you often find yourself stuck in the kitchen, cooking at the last minute, and missing out on the conversation?If you're tired of complicated dinner parties and craving a simple yet elegant way to entertain loved ones with an Italian feast, then this episode is for you. We'll guide you through making home cooking and hosting easy and enjoyable!This week you’ll discover:How to assemble a brilliant first course made entirely of prepared items you source and elevate from your local grocery store3 make-ahead comfort foods that make hosting a breeze, including a game-changing technique for fail-proof risotto!An approachable strategy for homemade pasta that brings your friends and loved ones into the kitchenA dessert you can make from scratch to wow your friends, or a premade option that you can assemble and serve in an unexpected and delightful way  Don't miss out on the chance to invite some friends over for a memorable Italian dinner party. Tune in now to learn how to make it easy, fun, and enjoyable for all—especially for you!***Links to from this week’s show:Ina Garten’s antipasto platterMarinated mozzarella balls from We Are Not MarthaGrissini breadsticksWhite bean bruschetta (hot) from Full of Beans and a simple white bean salad to top bruschetta from Fifteen SpatulasSimple homemade anchovy dressing from The KitchnSunday Sauce by Ali Slagle for the NY TimesMarcella Hazan’s tortellini and her Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking cookbookClassic tortelloni from QBCucina, and Tortellini with asparagus and lemon from Taste of HomeHow to make easy oven baked risotto via The KitchnInstant pot risotto from Pressure Cook RecipesJules de Strooper cookies and Italian pizzellesSonya’s crostada/galette recipe***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!

How exciting is it to come home after a long day at work and find a sweet treat waiting for you to indulge in joy and comfort?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 bake up an easy rhubarb snacking cake that’s as satisfying to eat as it is easy to assemble. Pressed for time this week? Learn Kari’s freezer trick for when of her favorite hometown sweets. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!***Links to from this week’s show:Claire Saffitz’s rhubarb custard cake for Bon AppetitPfaff’s Bakery in Pontiac, IllinoisA recipe for Danish-style coffee cake from Taste of Home***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!

Do you ever stare at a head of cauliflower and have no idea how to make it taste amazing? Or, maybe you’re tired of simply roasting or steaming it? This is your opportunity to stretch your imagination and embrace the versatility of the humble cauliflower! In this episode you’ll discover:10 new cauliflower recipes, including how to use this veggie for meaty substitutes and creamy saucesHow to cook cauliflower so that it yields a sweet, caramelized, and luxurious bite, or so it can turn into the base of a silky soupAnd how to make a cauliflower the main course or your next meal, while still delivering a big wow factor for your guests!If you’re ready to up your veggie game, tune in now to unlock a world of cauliflower possibilities that you never knew existed!***Links to from this week’s show:Mark Bittman’s recipe for whole roasted cauliflower for the NY TimesCauliflower steak with green yogurt sauce by Max Nelson for Food52David Tanis’ cheese-topped cauliflower steaks for the NY TimesCauliflower nachos from Hungry HappensCauliflower chips from Eating WellCauliflower pizza crust from The Ambitious Kitchen Andy Baraghani’s cauliflower bolognese from Bon AppetitCauliflower alfredo by Yumna Jawad from Feel Good FoodieBuffalo cauliflower wings from Love & LemonsNigella Lawson’s cauliflower cheese***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 dreamed of making crispy, crave-worthy chicken wings at home, but without all the mess? 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 find out all about Sonya’s pantry swap for a lip-smacking wing sauce, plus a vegetarian twist on a classic French stew that will satisfy your cravings and is easy enough to make on a weeknight. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!***Links to from this week’s show:Sonya’s spiced pomegranate molasses wings Serious Eat’s best oven fried chicken wings Melissa Clark’s mushroom bourginon from the NY Times***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 tired of the same boring bowl of oatmeal, cold cereal, or sad, hard-boiled egg? Are you ready to break free of your breakfast rut? Step into the exciting world of breakfast possibilities!In this episode, you’ll learn …How to transform last night’s grains and veggies into a hearty start to your day,How to whip up healthy breakfast cookies you can make ahead of time and freeze for a speedy and portable meal or snack on the go. Time-saving tips for making your mornings easier, plus upgrades to classics like chia pudding and overnight oats that will make you excited to bounce out of bed.Don’t settle for boring or uninspiring breakfasts anymore! Tune in now to give your mornings a makeover with these tasty and simple breakfast ideas! ***Links to from this week’s show:Belle’s Bagels and Sycamore Kitchen in Los AngelesBreakfast cookies with banana from Sally’s Baking Addiction, breakfast cookies with pureed squash from Dishing Up DirtBrown rice farinaHow to sprout buckwheatLots of fun ways to make overnight oats from Minimalist Baker!Chia pudding base from Love & Lemons***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!

Looking for the perfect brunch dish for spring entertaining that will impress guests AND can be made ahead of time? This week, we’re replaying a fan-favorite episode where we share the secrets to making memorable frittatas and egg casseroles, including the frittata that forever changed the way Sonya thinks about baked egg dishes. You’ll learn:Which straightforward ingredients go into creating a luscious brunch dish that takes flavors to the next level, and can be made ahead of time for easy hosting. A simple ratio that yields the most luscious baked eggs. Tips on how to swap out different herbs depending on what you might (or might not!) already have in your fridge or garden.If you’re looking for a swoon-worthy brunch dish that will have your guests begging for the recipe, tune into this episode about frittatas and egg casseroles! ***Links to from this week’s show:Lauren Chandler’s reference recipes + her notes about the frittata:Bon Appetit’s - How to Master Frittata for a Crowd, as was as their How to Make a Perfect Frittata: Rules to Follow and Mistakes to AvoidLauren adds: “This was the jumping-off point. They say any dairy, but I used  1/2-cup of heavy cream per dozen eggs. The creaminess was definitely also due to the heavily caramelized onions. Also, I added 3/4=cup shredded Tillamook cheddar per dozen eggs, as well as herbs.”Kari’s family’s Breakfast CasseroleMelissa Clark’s Green Strata with Goat Cheese and HerbsMarcella Hazan’s Bolognese RecipeThe kind of quiche Sonya grew up with, from Peas Love & Carrots***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! If you’ve been looking for a delicious upgrade to your weekly taco night,  Sonya shares a stellar recipe for making refried beans that’s crowd-pleasing and vegetarian. With a rotisserie chicken tucked away in the fridge, Kari tells Sonya about how she put a seasonal one-pot stew on the table in minutes with this healthy shortcut. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! ***Links to from this week’s show:Creamy artichoke spinach stew by Sarah DiGregorio for the NY TimesSonya’s chicken tinga recipe via her Substack The Muy Bueno Cookbook by Yvette Marquez-Sharpnack and her recipe for refried beans***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 searching for gluten-free or grain-free desserts that are so delicious that you don’t realize anything is missing? Indulgent grain-free desserts are not only possible, but they can also be easy to make and fun to serve your guests! You already may know that high-quality ingredients are the secret to making simple recipes better, but by the end of this episode, you might be surprised to learn about an unexpected pantry staple that lends texture and softness to any flourless cake. You’ll also find out about a classic modifiable crepe technique that will charm you with its endless variations — from a simple sprinkle of sugar to seasonal fruit and beyond. You’ll also discover several of our favorite classic desserts that are naturally grain-free, with no alterations or difficult-to-find ingredients involved! This episode is your ultimate guide to indulgent treats without compromise, so don’t miss your opportunity to include these flourless wonders at your next dinner party or holiday!***Links to from this week’s show:Flourless chocolate brownie cookies by Alison Roman for Bon Appetit, adapted by SonyaKari’s favorite flourless chocolate cake by Tyler FlorenceBaked by Melissa’s chickpea cakeBlack bean cake recipe from Clean EatingPassover crepes made with eggs and potato starch from Diary of a Recipe Collector, easy paleo crepes from Elana’s pantry, and 2 ingredient banana pancakes from The KitchnBananas Foster by Brennan’s restaurant in New OrleansNielsen and Massey vanilla bean paste***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 wondered how to turn up the flavor on home cooking classics like simple roast salmon or classic banana bread?In this bite-sized episode, we share delicious moments about the best things we ate this week to inspire each other – and you! Find out all about the recipe that inspired Sonya to take a new direction with salmon, and you’ll need the recipe for the best banana bread Kari’s ever had. Tune in for a quick dose of culinary inspo!***Links to from this week’s show:Sue Li’s roasted gochujang salmon for the NY Times, and our interview with her!Creamy miso dressing from The Devil Wears SaladSmitten Kitchen’s marbled banana bread***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!

Do you ever come home from the market with a beautiful bouquet of asparagus, hoping you can make an exciting meal, only to cook it the same way you always have? Are you ready for new ways to embrace asparagus?In this episode, we’re sharing techniques, tips, and 6 tried and true outstanding recipes for cooking asparagus at home: from embracing those bright green stems and making them the backdrop of a brilliant salmon sheet pan dinner to quick and easy ways to incorporate asparagus into your next pizza night!By the end of the episode, you’ll learn how to cook asparagus in minutes with a wide range of flavor combinations. You’ll also discover an elegant approach to tart making that utilizes market-fresh asparagus with buttery puff pastry; it comes together in minutes for an easy brunch. Asparagus is just as delicious and served at room temp as it is straight from the fridge, so you’ll also find about dishes that are ideal for both hosting and meal prep. Tune into this episode for recipes and tips that will inspire you to make the most of asparagus season in your kitchen today! ***Links to from this week’s show:Skillet charred asparagus from Milk Street You can find Sonya’s blanched asparagus with snap peas and chive blossoms in her new book!Sheet pan broiled salmon and asparagus and craime fraiche by Molly Gilbert for Sunset MagazineSue Li’s roasted gochujang salmon for the NY Times, and our interview with her!How to make homemade creme fraiche, by Kenji Lopez-Alt for Serious EatsEasy asparagus tart with mustard and cheese from House of Nash EatsFarmers market potato and asparagus pizza from Love & LemonsOur episode about a life-changing frittataAsparagus frittata with goat cheese and tarragon by Ari Lang for Well Seasoned StudioSpring chicken miso soup by David Tanis via the NY Times from our Spring Soup Episode