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 pillowy potato vareniki – because nothing beats a homemade dumpling on a cold day! You’ll also want to swap out your roast salmon for a cozy miso coconut salmon curry that’s light but still hearty and comes together in less than 30 minutes.

Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!

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Links:

Sonya’s pelmeni (Siberian dumplings), her potato vareniki video/recipe, and her cherry vareniki (dumplings) recipe – the dough can be used with any filling!

Potato vareniki (dumplings) from The New Baguette

Coconut Miso Salmon Curry by Kay Chun, from NYT Cooking (unlocked)

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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.

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 if you could create indulgent meals at home—without spending hours in the kitchen?

We all crave meals that feel luxurious and special, whether it's for a date night, a dinner party, or simply treating yourself. But too often, indulgent cooking feels intimidating or overly complicated. This episode explores effortless ways to bring decadence to your table using simple techniques and a few game-changing ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen.

By the end of this episode, you’ll:

1. Learn the secret to making the creamiest, dreamiest risotto - without all the stirring!
2. Turn a humble ingredient into a rich, nutty dressing that makes a salad feel indulgent
3. Discover both savory and sweet dishes that have a big wow factor with 5-ingredients or less

Treat yourself to the kind of rich dishes that fill your kitchen with delicious aromas and big flavors—press play now!

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Links:

Brown butter vinaigrette by Tami Weiser for The Kitchn. Make sure your lettuce comes up to room temp, as advised by Jennifer McLagan in the “Double Butter Salad” recipe from her cookbook, Fat .

Parmesan oven risotto from Smitten Kitchen, and an Instant Pot version of risotto from Our Salty Kitchen

Sheet pan roasted sausage and grapes by Sheela Prakash for The Kitchn

And Smitten Kitchen’s harvest roast chicken, olives, and grapes

Justine Doiron’s spicy tomato beans with hot honey

Garlic and lemon buttery beans from The Mediterranean Dish

Carbonara in a jar from Grubstreet

Cheese fondue night from The Kitchn

5-ingredient chocolate mousse from Nagi Maehashi (with video too!)

Silken tofu chocolate mousse from As Easy As Apple Pie

Skillet chocolate chip cookie by David Turner from King Arthur Baking

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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.

Order Sonya's cookbook...

Are you stuck in a dinner rut, relying on that familiar jar of pasta sauce for a quick weeknight meal?

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 an easy caramelized shallot pasta to your weekly dinner rotation (and it makes enough sauce for 2 meals!). You’ll also learn one of our favorite techniques for cooking sweet potatoes so they’re fluffy and tender — and topped with a flavorful sauce that takes just minutes to make!

Tune in now for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!

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Links:

Alison Roman’s carmelized shallot pasta recipe and video

Carla Lalli Music’s steamed sweet potatoes with tahini butter

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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.

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!