Are you craving a homemade soup that’s a full meal in a bowl?

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 cook up a pot of Ina Garten’s Italian Wedding Soup — a flavorful classic filled with tender chicken meatballs, fresh spinach, and pasta in rich chicken broth.

And you’ll want to make our favorite sweet, simple, no-bake peanut butter granola bars. They’re inspired by a nostalgic snack, and are perfect for packing up for lunch or travel.

Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration that will warm your kitchen and your week!

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Links:

Ina Garten’s Italian Wedding Soup

The original Samak Stickies

How to make Kari’s homemade version of “No-bake PB & Honey Stickies”

NOTE: Process mixture finely so that it will pack well, and use very creamy peanut butter; the natural varieties do not work as well in this recipe. If your bars are crumbly and falling apart, dabbing a bit more peanut butter will help bind it together.

• Process and pulse 1 cup roasted salted peanuts in a food processor until roughly chopped
• Add 2 cups Grape Nuts Cereal (or similar) and pulse until finely chopped, then transfer to a large mixing bowl
• Gently heat 1 cup creamy peanut butter + ⅓ cup honey + ½ tsp vanilla paste; stir until smooth and creamy
• Pour peanut butter mixture over the cereal mixture, then combine with (clean) hands until fully incorporated
• Use a 2” scoop to pack and portion into individual balls, then use your hands to flatten into a puck shape
• Can be eaten as is, or kept on the counter in an airtight container. You can also freeze them!
• This is a great recipe for teenagers and kids who are interested in helping in the kitchen!

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Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084

For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here. You can also now find us on YouTube.

We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com!

Looking for an in-person Food Friends experience? Book a farmers’ market tour with Sonya in Portland, OR!

How do working parents manage to cook thoughtful, home-cooked meals while balancing everything else — and still have time to bake, plan ahead, and enjoy the process?

If you’ve ever wished you could get delicious meals on the table without the stress, this episode is for you.

This week, we’re talking with two home cooks, who happen to be our real life “Food Friends.” Sam and Malin share their tips on how they get dinner on the table without spending hours in the kitchen.

Whether you’re packing lunches for kids, stocking your freezer for busy weeks, or trying to rediscover your joy in everyday cooking, this conversation offers real-world inspiration for how to make it happen.

By the end of this episode, you’ll learn:

1. Creative solutions for meal prep and packed lunches – from scratch-made baked goods to recs for premade items from Trader Joe’s and Costco
2. Quick weeknight recipes that work EVERY time, like an endlessly modifiable one-pot rice dish and creamy spicy tomato beans
3. Two takes on home-cooked classics, like: spaghetti bolognese, muffins, and even birthday cake!

Press play now to learn practical ideas you can actually cook this week!

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This week’s episode is sponsored by La Baleine, makers of ancestral sea salts harvested from France.

La Baleine’s Grey Sea Salt comes from the Celtic shores of Guérande, on France’s west coast. Hand-harvested using traditional methods, this 100% natural sea salt is unrefined, additive-free, and naturally grey from the mineral-rich clay of the Guérande salt marshes.

With its unique delicate but crunchy texture, La Baleine’s Grey Sea Salt is our go-to salt for everything from roasted vegetables and grilled meats to fresh salads and even desserts.

👉 Grab a canister of La Baleine Grey Sea Salt here on Amazon! Starting on Nov 4th, the first 500 purchases will receive $1 off their order!

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Links:

Sam’s favorite recipes and recommendations:

The Lunch Tiffins Sam’s been using for years

Lunchbox Harvest Muffins by Melissa Clark for NYT Cooking (unlocked)

Apple, Fennel Salad by Melissa Clark for NYT Cooking

Apple Cider Doughnut Loaf Cake by Sarah Jampel for Bon Appetit

French Yogurt Cake from Bon Appetit

Marcella Hazan’s Spaghetti

Looking for the perfect make-ahead menu for hosting on a chilly fall evening?

In this bite-sized episode, we share the best things we ate this week to inspire each other and you!

By the end of this episode, you’ll be craving Julia Child’s classic boeuf bourguignon; it’s famous for a reason, with tender beef and a rich, velvety sauce. You’ll also pick up our tips for making the best apple-cranberry crisp – a dessert that’s impressive enough for your next dinner party, or even for brunch!

Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!

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Links:

Julia Child’s Boeuf Bourguignon

Apple Crisp recipe from The Chunky Chef. To make Kari’s breakfast/brunch version, sub maple syrup for the sugar in the apples, and bake them with cranberries in the oven until tender and jammy. Mix up crumble topping and bake SEPARATELY from the fruit for added crunch (use gf oats if you like!). Add crumble topping to roasted fruit before serving. Offer whole milk Greek yogurt as an optional topping!

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Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084

For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here. You can also now find us on YouTube.

We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com!

Looking for an in-person Food Friends experience? Book a farmers’ market tour with Sonya in Portland, OR!

What cookbooks are worth the investment? And which ones will you really cook from, time and time again?

Even the most passionate home cooks struggle with navigating the sea of available cookbooks out there! In this episode, we’re sharing the ones that have earned a permanent spot in our kitchen — these are the books that make weeknight cooking easier, baking more reliable, and hosting more successful.

Whether you’re just starting your collection or looking to fall back in love with the books you already own, this episode helps you discover the ones that make you want to cook.

By the end of this episode you’ll:

• Find out which cookbooks we rely on for weeknight cooking, with repeat-worthy recipes like chicken piccata and one-pot baked lentils with feta
• Learn which baking books made us confident home bakers, with recipes for an outstanding banana cake or the perfect homemade cinnamon rolls
• Discover inspiring recipes you might not expect, like a comforting bean soup from Frida Kahlo’s cookbook or iconic casseroles from a classic vegetarian tome

Pour yourself a cup of tea, open your favorite cookbook, and listen in. This episode might just remind you why you fell in love with cooking in the first place…

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This week’s episode is sponsored by La Baleine, makers of ancestral sea salts harvested from France.

Discover La Baleine’s sister brand’s new, organic Le Saunier de Camargue Fleur de Sel Sprinklers — the iconic finishing sea salt from the South of France, now in an easy, ultra-practical sprinkling format.

Each grain is carefully hand-harvested by salt masters using ancestral methods passed down through generations. This delicate, crunchy sea salt enhances every dish with a perfect touch of flavor and texture, and it’s 100% natural, unrefined, and additive-free.

Choose from three organic varieties: ✨ Original — for everyday flavor, 🌿 Rosemary — for a Provençal touch on meat, fish, and vegetables, and 🌶️ Espelette Pepper — for a bold, subtly spicy finish.

👉 Grab all three Fleur de Sel Sprinklers here on Amazon and bring a taste of the South of France to your kitchen. Use code SALTSHAKE for $2 off your order!

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Links:

Sonya’s favorite cookbooks for:

WEEKNIGHT/EVERYDAY COOKING: Whole Food Cooking Every Day, by Amy Chaplin

ENTERTAINING: At Elizabeth David’s Table, by Elizabeth David

BAKING: Classic Home Desserts, by Richard Sax

RELIABLE: The Smitten Kitchen Cookbook, by Deb Perelman

GIFTING: Tenderheart, by Hetty Lui McKinnon

ESSENTIAL CLASSIC: The Taste of Country Cooking, by Edna Lewis

INSPIRING/UNIQUE:

What if dinner could practically cook itself?

In this bite-sized episode, we’re sharing our best home-cooking bites of the week, including two sheet pan meals that make busy weeknights a breeze.

By the end of this episode, you’ll discover:

• A Hungarian-inspired sheet pan chicken dinner loaded with veggies and big flavor — all roasted together for minimal effort and cleanup.
• A make-ahead sheet pan quiche that’s buttery, herby, and perfect for brunches, potlucks, or easy weekday lunches.

Press play for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!

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Links:

Sonya’s Sheet pan chicken paprika

Spinach sheet pan quiche from Smitten Kitchen. Kari kept the total weight of the greens, but combined added kale as well as spinach, and added in fresh parsley, dill, and mint

Are you searching for easy ways to stock your freezer for busy days, or for a friend’s meal train?

If you’ve ever wished you could pull dinner from your freezer when life feels too hectic, or to help a friend in need, this episode is for you. This week, we’re sharing our favorite freezer-friendly recipes that are designed to be stored and reheated.

By the end of this episode, you’ll:

1. Discover how to freeze meals beyond dinner, like healthy protein and flavor-rich breakfast options
2. Master strategies for storing, freezing, and reheating… without losing flavor and texture
3. Find reliable recipes for comfort foods like homemade calzones, quiche, and homey chicken and rice soup

Press play to discover freezer meals that will add ease to your week, and deliver comfort to your table... or to someone you love.

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Today’s episode is sponsored by La Baleine — makers of ancestral sea salts harvested from the South of France.

A high-quality natural finishing sea salt can transform just about any dish, and La Baleine’s sister brand Le Saunier de Camargue Fleur de Sels take it a step further.

Available in Original Fleur de Sel, Espelette Pepper, and Herbes de Provence, it’s the perfect final touch for vegetables, grilled meats, or even a decadent dessert.

Find Le Saunier de Camargue Fleur de Sel at Whole Foods Market or on Amazon, and bring a taste of the South of France to your kitchen. Use code FLDSALTS for $2 off your order!

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Links:

Homemade frozen whole pizzas from Amy Bakes Bread, you can also get the dough from your local pizza spot or grocery store

Calzones from Natasha’s Kitchen that’s similar to what Kari makes

Ina Garten’s Turkey Meatloaf

Taco meat by Sam Sifton for NYT Cooking, similar to what Kari ate growing up

Spinach sheet pan quiche from Smitten Kitchen

Steel cut oats from Well Plated, oatmeal, and porridge all freeze well – Kari always uses water to cook, and adds a splash of dairy once served

Chicken leek and rice soup by Smitten Kitchen

Frijol Con Puerco (Black Beans...

Can your favorite diner order be turned into dinner?

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 get inspired to try a classic Greek soup that’s creamy without any dairy, and can cook up quickly with a few shortcuts. You’ll also discover the secret to the best diner-style patty melt, and a trusted recipe for homemade slaw you can serve with it.

Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!

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Links:

Avgolemono Soup from our Substack

Best Patty Melt Ever from Amanda Cooks & Styles

Sonya’s coleslaw from our Substack

***

Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084

For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here. You can also now find us on YouTube.

We love hearing from you — follow us on Instagram @foodfriendspod, or drop us a line at foodfriendspod@gmail.com!

Looking for an in-person Food Friends experience? Book a farmers’ market tour with Sonya in Portland, OR!

What’s better than a bowl of homemade soup after a long, chilly day?

If you’ve been craving easy soup recipes that actually work, this episode is your invitation to dive into soup season! We’re sharing our go-to soups for cozy weeknight dinners — the tried-and-true recipes we make every year, plus new favorites you’ll want to add to your rotation.

By the end of this episode, you’ll discover:

1. How to make flavorful homemade broth that freezes beautifully — so you can have soup ready any night of the week
2. Vegetarian soup recipes that pack big flavor, like a silky roasted red pepper soup and a bright, gingery twist on classic squash soup
3. Beginner-friendly soups that are hearty enough to serve as a complete meal

Press play now and get inspired with easy, comforting soup ideas to stir, sip, and savor all season long!

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This episode is sponsored by La Baleine — makers of ancestral sea salts naturally harvested from the South of France.

Their Fine and Coarse Sea Salts are crafted through natural crystallization, harnessing the sea, wind, and sunshine to create clean, unrefined crystals. The Fine Sea Salt is perfect for everyday cooking, seasoning, and baking, while the Coarse Sea Salt adds texture and bright bursts of flavor to any dish.

La Baleine’s salt-harvesting methods also help protect an extraordinary ecosystem in the South of France, which is home to over 500 species of birds and plants.

Grab La Baleine’s Fine and Coarse Sea Salt Bundle here on Amazon, or find it at your local Whole Foods Market, and enjoy a true taste of the French Mediterranean Sea in your kitchen. Use code LABALSALT for $1 off your order!

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Links:

Kari’s Sunny Chicken Soup with Lemon and Coconut from Food Friends’ Substack

Ribollita soup from Ina Garten

Kari’s Tomato Soup from Food Friends’ Substack, and slow cooker caramelized onions from Gimme Some Oven

Sonya's Indian tomato soup

Creamy Broccoli and Spinach Soup

Soviet-style "Monday"...