In this heartfelt and unfiltered first episode, Dina welcomes you into her (sometimes chaotic) kitchen and life. She sets the “table” by introducing you to her Italian American roots and life as a mom, wife, cookbook author, ex-reality tv star, and everything in between. Listeners can expect to hear musings about life as mom navigating busy schedules and the dinner time rush, as well as deeper rooted parts of her journey such as surviving postpartum depression and cancer. Dina shares her mission for the podcast: to offer real encouragement, faith-filled perspective, and practical mealtime inspiration for women doing it all. It is always about faith, food, and family!
Food
What’s Cooking This Week in my Kitchen+ my favorite new snack!
- Chicken Cutlets with Caesar Salad
- Broccoli Parmesan Pasta
- Slow Cooker Sticky Chicken (perfect for busy nights!)
- Round 2 meals with leftovers = budget win!
Recipe of the Week:
Pineapple Banana Bread from Dina’s cookbook At the Kitchen Sink
(A must-try with crushed pineapple glaze — great for snacks, lunchboxes, or weekend French toast!)
Serves 8
Prep: 20 minutes
Cook: 50 minutes
Inactive: 1 hour
FOR THE BREAD:
8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
½ cup sugar (100 grams)
½ cup light brown sugar, packed (106 grams)
2 large eggs, room temperature
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 ripe banana, mashed
¾ cup crushed pineapple, drained
2 cups all-purpose flour (240 grams)
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
⅛ teaspoon salt
½ cup unsweetened coconut chips
FOR THE GLAZE:
1 cup confectioners sugar (130 grams)
⅛ teaspoon cardamom
3 tablespoons reserved pineapple juice
½ teaspoon lime zest
- MAKE THE BREAD. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease a 9X5 loaf pan with non- stick spray or butter.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar using a hand mixer on medium speed until well combined, about 2 minutes.
- Add the eggs, one at a time, allowing the first to fully incorporate before adding the next, mixing on low speed, about 2 minutes.
- Add the almond extract and mix to combine.
- Add the mashed banana and drained pineapple and gently fold to combine.
- In another bowl, sift together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
- In a medium-sized bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt until well combined.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing just until fully incorporated.
- Pour the batter into the prepared loaf pan, giving the pan a good shake to help the batter settle in evenly.
- Bake until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted into the center of the loaf, about 55 minutes.
- Transfer to a cooling rack and cool for 10 to 15 minutes before carefully removing the bread from the loaf pan.
- Place on the cooling rack and cool completely.
- Using a fork, prick the top to make small holes to absorb the glaze.
- MAKE THE GLAZE. In a medium bowl, whisk the confectioners sugar, and cardamom, adding in the pineapple juice a tablespoon at a time, until well combined.
- Add the lime zest and continue to mix until smooth.
- Pour the glaze over the loaf cake, a little at a time, using an offset spatula to spread it evenly over the top.
- Garnish with coconut chips.
Notes:
- When pricking the top of the bread your goal is to give the glaze a chance to seep into the bread a bit. Make sure to make the fork pricks gently.
- Unsweetened coconut flakes would also work as a great topping! Bonus points if you toast the coconut flakes!
Faith/Family
Looking at the story of Esther as a model of courage, obedience, and calling.
Dina reflects on how to stop panicking and start praying, surrender anxiety, and walk confidently in the purpose God has placed before you — especially as a woman, mother, and homemaker.
“You are equipped. You are here on purpose. And even your dinner plans are kingdom work.”
Prayer Moment:
Dina closes with a prayer for listeners feeling anxious, overwhelmed, or weary — encouraging them to trust God’s presence in the everyday and to walk boldly, just like Esther.
Resources:
Dina’s Cookbook- https://www.amazon.com/At-Kitchen-Sink-Recipes-Cookbook/dp/0593728939
Prefer video? This episode is on YouTube!
The DishItGirl Podcast is a part of the Christian Parenting Podcast Network. For more information visit www.ChristianParenting.org
