Food Friends: Home Cooking Made Easy

Are you searching for impressive holiday recipes that infuse your kitchen with irresistible aromas, beckoning your loved ones to gather around a festively appointed dinner table? In this episode, we share expert tips for hosting with ease and grace, guiding you toward the dishes you’ll want to cook for pleasure, as well as menu items that rely on store bought help. In this episode, you’ll:  Learn simple, time-saving strategies to help you breeze through hosting any partyDiscover the secret to sweet swirly slices of babka, and freshly baked cinnamon rolls, that will have your home smelling of sugar and spiceUnlock the secret to the flakiest biscuits—and the unexpected gravy you’ll want to smother them with!Tune in now to discover the recipes and tips that will fill your holiday table—and your heart—with joy!***LINKSSonya’s babka can be found in her cookbook Braids, and you can find Shannon Sarna’s babka via The KitchnSonya's recipe for sweet potato latkes with cranberry salsa, and her Salad Olivier (potato salad)The Gourmandise School cinnamon roll recipe Chocolate babka sufganiyot (donuts) by Retrolillies and traditional sufganiyot from Once Upon a ChefSweet cheese dreams via FoodTalk: add lemon zest and 1 tsp juice, cut into thirds! Savory Cheese Dreams by Melissa Knific for NYT Cooking Cheesy potatoes from Salt & Lavender, and cheesy potatoes with cornflake topping from Home Sweet Eats Simple garlic sauteed collard greens from Yup It’s Vegan, and Southern style collard greens from All Recipes Lemon-marinated Tuscan fried chicken from Serious EatsEdna Lewis’ biscuit recipe (with a description for homemade baking powder at the bottom of it)Sausage gravy recipe from Southern...

Scrolling through your feed, have you ever stumbled on a loaf of gorgeous homemade sourdough bread and thought to yourself: “I can never do that.”Maybe you’re intimidated by shaping, managing the rising times, or even picking out the best flour to use…. But you still crave a good quality loaf of bread to share with family and friends. This week we called in one of our favorite food friends, Adrian Hale, to help us demystify sourdough bread baking. Adrian is the author of Mama Bread, and regularly teaches both kids and adults alike how to make her easy, delicious, no-knead sourdough recipe – and she’s generously sharing itwith all of us!Press play now to learn how just a little flour, water, and time can lead to a loaf of golden, delicious home-baked bread!***Links:Adrian’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 BreadAdrian’s flour resources round-upIf you’re visiting or living in Portland, you can book a baking class with Adrian!***Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

What’s more satisfying than the smell of sizzling eggs or the warmth of golden roasted potatoes to start your day? Celebrating the END of a long day with the comforts of breakfast-for-dinner! If you’re looking for creative and nostalgic dishes that feel fun and easy, this week we’re sharing our top 10 breakfast recipes. While these meals work for any time of day, we think they make for simple, quick, and extra fun dinners. In this episode, you’ll learn: How to make crowd-pleasing, nourishing dishes like shakshuka to share family-styleA go-to potato dish that will have everyone asking for secondsCreative ways to make quick meals with pantry-friendly ingredients and minimal prepPress play now to discover simple, customizable breakfast-for-dinner recipes that are guaranteed to make your evenings more delicious and enjoyable!LinksOttolenghi’s classic shakshuka, Sonya’s eggplant and zucchini shakshuka, and green shakshuka by Adeena Sussman Bacon, egg, and toast cups by Martha StewartPotato chip frittata with carmelized onion from Delish, a quicker Spanish potato chip frittata with peppers from Food Network, and and the potato chip omelet from The BearMigas con huevos from Muy DelishMatzo brei by Lee Mason from The NosherHow to make congee on the stovetop OR Instant Pot from Omnivore's CookbookBlue corn atole video and recipe that Kari worked on, and another video on how to make traditional atole Sheet pan potato nachos similar to what Kari makes but layered with crispy smashed potatoes + your fave roasted veggies instead of sliced potatoes Sheet pan sweet potato hash from Detoxinista***Got a cooking question? Leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder Sonya's debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!We love hearing...

Do you ever find yourself stumped on an easy-to-make, but still impressive, holiday dessert for hosting or to bring to a friend? 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 discover a seasonal one-bowl snacking cake that is full of festive flavors and made for holiday hosting. You’ll also learn about 3 easy edible gift ideas, inspired by a trip to a bake sale, that are designed to spread cheer and friendship.Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! ***LinksSonya’s Cara Cara orange olive oil cake, and watch her make it on AM NW on KATUHomemade Oatmeal Cream Pies from My Baking Addiction Avocado Bella’s viral date caramel appleHomemade brownie mix from Sugar Spun RunRubinette produce in Portland, OR ***Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

Have you ever wanted to build the perfect holiday cookie tin but have no idea where to start? Whether you’re dreaming of a buttery shortbread with crispy edges, a strudel bar filled with jammy fruit, or a gluten-free confection that doesn’t taste like it’s missing anything at all… we reveal pro tips for baking your favorite cookies at home with the legendary Zoë François of “Zoe Bakes.”In this episode you’ll discover: The one kitchen tool that every home baker should own Foolproof tips for assembling, shipping, and traveling with holiday cookiesEssential lessons for ensuring perfect cookies every time (even when you're making gluten-free swaps!)Don’t miss your opportunity to learn practical tips and expert advice from Zoë François, and tune in now!(Photo credit: Wing Ho) ***LINKS:You can learn more about Zoë on her site: Zoe Bakes, Instagram, and YouTube.Grab a copy of her NEW NYT Best Selling cookbook, Zoe Bakes Cookies!Zoë’s recipes from this episode:Butter shortbreadSticky coconut maple barsDark chocolate madeleinesCoconut haystacks (gluten-free)Macarons (gluten-free)Some of Zoe’s favorite bakers: Dorie Greenspan, Sarah Kieffer and her Vanilla Bean Blog, Rose Levy Berenbaum, Nancy Silverton, and Claudia Flemming***Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our Substack newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

At the end of a long day, do you find yourself staring into your fridge or pantry, searching for something that will inspire you to make a protein-packed dinner? We've got you covered! 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 flavor-packed sheet pan chicken dinner loaded with Mediterranean-diet ingredients like olive oil, lemons, and veggies. And if you're on the hunt for a vegan option, you’ll be glad to dig into simple, nutritious, velvety coconut lentils.Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! ***LinksGreat Jones colorful sheet pans Greek Sheet Pan Chicken Meal by Lisa BryanOur coconut red lentil recipe Diaspora Co spices Coconut kale chips from My Chef’s Apron***Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

Have you ever wondered which cookbooks truly deserve a spot on your kitchen shelf? Whether you’re dreaming of wowing guests with holiday-perfect cinnamon rolls or mastering a melt-in-your-mouth pot roast, the right cookbook can be a game-changer for any home cook.In this episode, we’re diving into the cookbooks that have shaped how we cook—well-loved gems with splattered pages, the ones we gift over and over, and the timeless classics that every home chef should own.By the end of the episode you’ll discover:Why a cookbook with a collection of diverse recipes can be just as (if not more) supportive than one from a single author’s voiceHow a chef from a top restaurant can teach you professional techniques that transform home cookingThe standout recipes from best-selling cookbooks that you’ll want to make on repeatHit play to uncover how these books spark joy, build confidence, and turn your everyday cooking into something extra special in the kitchen!***Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunities***Links:Kari’s top 5:Most cooked from: The 150 Best American Recipes, by Fran McCullough and Molly StevensMost inspiring: Food of Life: Ancient Persian and Modern Iranian Cooking and Ceremonies, by Najmieh BatmanglijGifted the most to others: Sonya’s cookbook Braids, and The Cooks Illustrated CookbookLife changing: The Improvisational Cook, by Sally SchneiderBiggest influence: The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook, by Amelia Satlzman Sonya’s top 5:Most cooked from: Jerusalem by Yotam Ottolenghi and Sami TamimiMost inspiring: Summer Kitchens by Olia HerculesGifted the most ot others: Marcella Hazan’s Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking and Julia Turshen’s Small VictoriesLife changing: The Book of Jewish Food by Claudia RodenBiggest influence:

Do you love the smell of simmering soup and freshly baked cookies filling your kitchen... but don't think you can manage cooking all that on a busy weekday? 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 a super easy, viral "glow" soup; it's velvety, full of nutrients, and fully plant-based. And for dessert, you’ll get inspired to whip up perfectly crispy-edged, chewy, chocolate chunk tahini cookies that come together in minutes.Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! Links:The viral TikTok “Glow Soup” by Maddie Harrington/NutriouslyeasyOlia Hercules’ Tarragon Soup from her cookbook Kaukasis: The culinary journey through Georgia, Azerbaijan & BeyondSonya’s tahini chocolate chunk cookies King Arthur’s regeneratively-grown climate blend flour (not sponsored)Adrian Hale’s Mama Bread cookbook for more whole grain baking inspiration***Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

This holiday season, are you searching for easy party snacks that you can make-ahead so you can relax and enjoy your own party? Whether you're asked to bring an appetizer to a gathering or you’re hosting a holiday get-together, coming up with fresh, crowd-pleasing hors d’oeuvres can be a challenge. This episode offers creative party snacks from two former personal chefs who will help you create a memorable party!In this episode, you’ll discover:Expert tips for transforming a simple starter like olives and almonds Recipes that can be scaled up for large parties or scaled down for intimate gatherings, with tips from entertaining mavens like Martha Stewart. Decadent ideas that include a bit of caviar, to irresistible comforting appetizers like nostalgic queso dipListen now to discover a world of party snacks that will keep your guests talking and your gatherings deliciously unforgettable!***Sign up for our Substack for more support in the kitchen!***LinksMartha Stewart’s blanched snowpeas stuffed with boursin cheeseEndive boats with pear and blue cheese from The Yellow TableAmelia Satlsman’s roasted almonds and green olives, you can also find her squash puree for crostini in the The Santa Monica Farmers’ Market Cookbook or try this butternut squash puree Three ingredient goat cheese stuffed dates from Live Eat Learn Sonya’s beet-cured gravlax Ottolenghi’s butternut squash and tahini spreadTarte au soleil from Smitten Kitchen Mississippi roast by Jenn Crippen for All Recipes, and the NYT Cooking version Classic queso dip from All Recipes, and one without the Velveeta from Recipe Tin Eats***Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder Sonya's debut cookbooka...

Are you in search of a salad that actually tastes exciting AND you can make-ahead for meal prep or your next potluck? 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 two winning make-ahead seasonal salads. You’ll want to try a colorful, nutty Napa cabbage salad that will hold up for days, or an equally stunning radicchio salad filled with comforting bites of dates and salted walnuts. ****Want more support in the kitchen? We’re expanding our offerings and would love your input. Fill out our survey and enter our giveaway!***LINKS:Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! Sonya’s Napa cabbage salad with peanut dressing Gochujang salmon from Cooking TherapyDavid Tanis’ persimmon salad with radicchio and walnuts from NYT Cooking, and radicchio salad with dates and hazelnuts by Joanna Weir from Epicurious Indian pav bhaji from Indian Healthy Recipes, and another from Cook with ManalPomegranate molasses salad dressing by Maureen Abood and whole grain dijon maple vinaigrette from Plays Well With Butter***Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

Do you feel overwhelmed by the onslaught of Thanksgiving recipes and techniques coming at you?Tune into our episode to unlock your best holiday meal. We’re covering 5 essentials: classic roast turkey, the creamiest mashed potatoes, rich gravy, an exciting veggie side, and a stunning dessert.By the end of this episode, you’ll discover:Reliable tips and techniques for the perfect (never dry) turkeyThe secret to creamy, make-ahead mashed potatoes Simple, standout touches to veggies sides and desserts that will impress your guests Listen now to create a Thanksgiving feast filled with essential dishes and expert tips that guarantee a smooth, memorable holiday! ***Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunities!***Links:Classic plug-in turkey roasterHow to dry brine a turkey from The KitchnDigital meat thermometerSonya’s go-to roast turkey Turkey stock from roasted turkey wings from How Sweet EatsClassic last-minute gravy with turkey stock by Julia Moskin and Kim Severeson for NYT CookingUltra creamy mashed potatoes made with a ricer or food mill by Andy Baraghani for Bon AppetitAnd perfect mashed potatoes (no special gear required) by Elise Bauer for Simply RecipesHow to reheat mashed potatoes from The KitchnHetty Lui McKinnon’s sticky gochujang brussels sprouts from her cookbook Tenderhearta...

Have you ever picked up a haul of mushrooms and felt stumped on how to make the most of them? 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 how a kitchen fail can take an unexpected turn thanks to the gift of foraged mushrooms. And you’ll learn how to make a seasonal upgrade to classic French onion soup that relies on a slow cooker and some simple roasted mushrooms. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! ***Links:Mushroom brushSauteed chanterelles mushrooms with butter and garlic from The PolonistMushroom and gruyere grilled cheese from Always from ScratchSlow cooker caramelized onions from Gimme Some OvenGarlic butter roasted mushrooms  from Smitten Kitchen Caramelized French onion and mushroom soup from Williams Sonoma (just add farro to make it like Kari’s!)Slow cooker beans from Jennifer’s KitchenSlow cooker apple butter from Family Food On The Table***Want more support in the kitchen? We’re expanding our offerings and would love your input. Fill out our survey and enter our giveaway!***Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

Are you bored with serving the same old veggie recipes week after week? Do you wish you could transform everyday ingredients into easy, vibrant, plant-forward meals? Tune in to our conversation with Justine Doiron of Justine Snacks. Justine has inspired countless home cooks with her viral vegetable-centric recipes and her passion for making seasonal produce the star of any meal. In this episode, you’ll learn: Pro tips on what to cook with fall favorites like cabbage, squash, and fennelThe simple yet sophisticated 15-minute noodle recipe that’s so good, her friends beg her to make itThe one pantry ingredient that Justine always keeps on hand – and how she uses it to boost any dishDon’t miss this chance to learn about Justine’s practical, approachable take on plant-forward cooking, and bring more vegetable-first, flavor-packed meals into your own kitchen! ***Links:Grab a copy of Justine Doiron’s new cookbook: “Justine Cooks” Discover more of Justine’s recipes on TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, and her website***Recipes from this episode: Spinach and ricotta gnudiZhoug beans with crispy potatoes Crispy lime cabbage with turmeric white bean mashUpside-down blueberry cakeTiramisu cookieThe world-famous Butter BoardIna Garten’s engagement roast chicken recipe ***Want more support in the kitchen? We’re expanding our offerings and would love your input. Fill out our survey and enter our giveaway!Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

Want more support in the kitchen? We’re expanding our offerings and would love your input. Fill out our survey and enter our giveaway!***Is your week feeling extra full and hectic? Are you searching for satisfying meals that will warm up your day? 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 discover a surprising 10-minute breakfast that’s gluten-free and full of flavor, and you’ll also learn how to make a comforting batch of classic cabbage rolls… and what to do if your recipe doesn’t go quite as planned. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! ***Links:Noona buckwheat flour pancake mixSonya’s stuffed cabbage recipe and her vegetarian stuffed cabbage, both of which can also be found in her cookbook, Braids***Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

Want more support in the kitchen? We’re expanding our offerings and would love your input. Fill out our survey to be entered in our giveaway, and for more home cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack!***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 CookingOne-pot bucatini with cauliflower and capers from Martha StewartIna Garten’s easy turkey lasagnaOne-pot chicken meatballs with greens by Yasmin Farh for NYT CookingBraised coconut chickpeas with greens by Faith Durand for The Kitchn iSheet-pan bibimbap by Eric Kim for NYT CookingSlow cooker/Crock Pot tortilla soup from Spend With PenniesSarah DiGregorio’s slow cooker pasta e fagioli for NYT Cooking20-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!...

After a long commute home, are you craving a dinner you can whip up straight from your pantry? 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 this easy vegetarian pasta with lentils that comes together in 25 minutes or less, and you’ll learn the secret to making the crispiest vegetarian schnitzel for a comfort dinner that will delight any diner at your table! Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! ***Links:Zucchini schnitzel aka fried zucchini from Spend with PenniesLentils with pasta and caramelized onions by Mark Bittman for NYT CookingEpisode 23 – All about our failures and firings as personal chefs***Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder 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!

Feeling a chill in the air and looking for a way to warm up after a busy fall day?As the days get shorter and cooler, we crave comfort food that are nourishing, while still simple to make at home. But with so many different recipes out there, how do you choose a soup that will truly hit the spot? Whether you want a quick weeknight option or a slow-simmered weekend treat, this episode will inspire you to make the most of soup season. By the end of this episode, you’ll…Discover the viral “Glow Soup” — creamy, nutritious, and 100% plant-basedLearn tips for creating hearty, flavorful broths in your slow cooker or Instant Pot that can be enjoyed as a healthy snack or used to elevate classics like tomato, lentil, or chicken noodleGet creative with root veggies and hearty greens, combining them with pantry staples like smoky spices and coconut milk to take your soup game to the next levelTune in now to learn how to create soul-warming soups that will carry you through autumn and into winter with ease and comfort!***Links:The viral TikTok “Glow Soup” by Maddie Harrington/NutriouslyeasySimilar to Kari’s soup: Andouille sausage + black bean soup with fire-roasted tomatoes by Sarah Carey for Martha Stewart, or this sausage, kale, and lentil soup (just swap the tomatoes for fire-roasted ones)Olia Hercules’ Tarragon Soup from her cookbook Kaukasis: The culinary journey through Georgia, Azerbaijan & beyondClassic French onion soup with beef stock and white wine, and a mushroom farro version from NYT CookingSlow cooker carmelized onions from Gimme Some OvenParsnip soup options – Easiest parsnip soup form Taming Twins , Carrot-Parsnip Soup from NYT Cooking, and Apple parsnip soup from Dana’s TableWhite chicken chili (with 3 different methods!) from Add a Pinch, and a 5-ingredient white chicken chili from Gimme Some Oven***Got a cooking question? Call in and leave us a voicemail on our kitchen phone! 323-452-9084Sign up for our newsletter here for special offers and opportunitiesOrder Sonya's debut cookbooka...

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!***LinksKari’s favorite books and gadget:Love Soup: 160 All-New Vegetarian Recipes from the Author of The Vegetarian Epicure by Anna ThomasSonya’s cookbook, Braids: Recipes From My Pacific Northwest Jewish KitchenWide mouth funnelSonya’s favorite books and gadget:Cooking for Artists by Mina StoneAround My French Table by Dorie GreenspanBenriner 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! 323-452-9084Sign up for Sonya’s free Substack, or order her debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

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 NicCrispy chickpeas from Minimalist BakerLittle Sesame Hummus, Sonya’s favorite store-bought varietyQuinoa and broccoli spoon salad by Sohla El-Waylly for the NY TimesHerby quinoa salad with feta and pomegranate by Sarah Cook for BBC Good FoodItalian 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” hereKenji Lopez-Alt’s Kale Caesar salad for Serious EatsMassaged kale salad with tahini dressing from Big Delicious LifeFennel and lentil salad by Yasmin Fahr for NYT CookingShaved 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 PodYewande Komolafe’s

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 CookingIna Garten’s lentil vegetable soupAdrian 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! 323-452-9084Sign up for Sonya’s free Substack, or order her debut cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!