Do you love home cooking but hunger for better recipes that help you deliver quick and delicious meals to your dinner table?
Two former personal chefs turned best friends share their expertise with each other and you! Kari and Sonya have been inspiring each other in the kitchen for over 15 years by swapping recipes, tips, and trade secrets in the pursuit of better home cooking.
FOOD FRIENDS is a bi-weekly podcast inspiring home cooks to try new dishes in the kitchen by sharing trusted recipes, tips, and friendship.
Every Tuesday, each host delivers 3 unique solutions to seasonal home cooking, like: how to make craveable soups with your farmers market haul, the easiest one-pot meals for busy nights, or what to do with leftover rotisserie chicken. On Thursdays, we serve up a pint-sized chat about our “Best Bite” of the week, pantry essentials we can’t live without, and more.
Previous guests include Seth & Lauren Rogen, actor Randall Park & writer/director Evan Goldberg, recipe developer Justine Doiron, #1 Food & Beverage Substacker Caroline Chambers, and more.
If you’re looking for a boost of fun in the kitchen by discovering recipes that will make mealtime easier and more delicious with a healthy dose of laughter, then you’ll want to dig in with FOOD FRIENDS!
First-time listener? Tune into Episode 2: Don’t send flowers, send soup! and Episode 4: What do you bring to a potluck?
Site
RSS
Apple
Data updated on 09/11/2026
Recent rankings
Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.
Shared links between episodes and podcasts
Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.
One-Pot Pasta! | Our Best Home Cooking Bites of the Week, with Nora Singley
Season 5 · Episode 329
Thursday, November 5, 2026 • Duration 33:47
For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substackhere. Want to join our live monthly calls? Upgrade to a paid subscription for $5/month or $55/year.
Our Thanksgiving Zoom is coming up on November 18 at 4:30 PM PT!
***
What if you could make restaurant-quality pasta in just one pot?
Leave your colander behind, because this week, we’re joined by Nora Singley, author of the new book: One Pot Pasta. Nora shares the techniques behind making glossy, flavorful pasta dishes, all with the ease of cooking them in a single pot.
She’s also sharing her “Best Bite” of the week, a dish that’s full of surprises and relies on a humble can of tuna.
Kari shares her own “Best Bite,” an inventive pasta and salad combination straight from Nora’s book!
Nora’s best bite: Tuna Surprise by Zora Tangorra for Molly Baz’s recipe club (Free trial available) (you have to taste it to believe it)
Recipes discussed in this episode that you can find in Nora’s book: Caesar on Caesar, Bottle of White Pasta e Piselli, One Pot Lasagna, Rainy day Tomato Soup and Pastina, Pasta alla Vodka alla Boursin
Meal Prep Like A Private Chef: Four Menus for Busy Weeks
Season 5 · Episode 328
Tuesday, November 3, 2026 • Duration 35:29
What do private chefs actually cook for families during the week… and what can home cooks learn from it?
In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on our client menus. These are the kinds of meals designed to work in real life, they’re flexible, flavorful, make-ahead friendly, and built to stretch into multiple lunches and dinners throughout the week.
We’re also sharing the strategies we rely on in our own kitchens, and by the end of this episode, you’ll discover:
How to build “mix-and-match” weekly meal plans that don’t feel boring
Strategies for prepping proteins, sauces, and vegetables once and using them throughout the week
4 unique menus that feature some of our go-to dinners
Tune in now to cook like a private chef in your kitchen!
***
For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here.
And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid!
The Best Chocolate Cake? + A Better Way to Make Scones | Our Best Home Cooking Bites
Season 5 · Episode 327
Thursday, October 29, 2026 • Duration 16:09
What is the best chocolate cake recipe?
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 a classic chocolate cake with ganache frosting that makes for the perfect dinner party dessert.
You’ll also discover a new technique for tender scones swirled with marmalade before baking, and are just right for breakfast, brunch, or an afternoon treat!
Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!
***
For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here.
And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid!
What Cookbooks Should You Cook From Next? | Recommendations from “Everything Cookbooks”
Season 5 · Episode 326
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 • Duration 38:15
There are more cookbooks published every season, but which ones are worth keeping on your shelf? And which ones will you actually reach for, year after year?
This week, we’re joined by Molly Stevens and Kate Leahy, two hosts of the Everything Cookbooks podcast. Both are accomplished cookbook authors and avid collectors, and they know what makes a cookbook worth returning to.
They’re sharing the books they rely on for everything from weeknight dinners to baking, along with underrated finds and cookbooks that open the door to new cuisines and experiences.
By the end of this episode, you’ll discover:
Essential baking books for beginners and experienced bakers alike
Cookbooks to turn to for everyday dinners, new cuisines, and inspiration when you don’t know what to cook
What makes a cookbook stand the test of time, and which trends are worth paying attention to
Press play now to get recommendations from two cookbook experts, and find your next favorite cookbook today!
***
For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here.
And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid!
A 15-Minute Skillet Dinner + Bakery-Style Pumpkin Muffins | Our Best Home Cooking Bites of the Week
Season 5 · Episode 325
Thursday, October 22, 2026 • Duration 16:01
How can you get a satisfying, vegetarian dinner on the table in 15 minutes or less?
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 have a new pantry-friendly dinner to try, plus tips for getting bakery-style muffin tops at home, and a reason to appreciate the seasonal foods that don't stick around for long.
Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!
***
For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here.
And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid!
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 .
Hot Potato! Our Top 10 Recipes for Cooking Up Spuds at Home
Season 5 · Episode 324
Tuesday, October 20, 2026 • Duration 31:41
Potatoes are one of the most versatile, affordable, and delicious ingredients… and the possibilities are endless.
This week, we’re sharing 10 recipes that make the most of potatoes in all kinds of ways, from smashed and baked to sautéed and frittered, with inspiration from Korean, Mexican, and other global cuisines.
By the end of this episode, you’ll discover:
Easy ways to turn potatoes into a meal, from sheet-pan chicken and potatoes to a spiced cabbage and potato stew
How to make the crispiest Pacific Northwest jojos and an unexpected twist on a potato salad
Simple techniques for better baked potatoes and mashed potatoes, plus creative ways to dress them up
Press play now for 10 new ways to cook with potatoes, whether you’re looking for an easy weeknight dinner or a side dish worth repeating!
***
For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here.
And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid!
Two Breakfasts: Indian Comfort Food + A Whole Grain Breakfast Loaf | Our Best Home Cooking Bites
Season 5 · Episode 323
Thursday, October 15, 2026 • Duration 13:03
What do you make for breakfast when you’re tired of eating the same thing every day?
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 a lightly sweetened einkorn breakfast loaf studded with fruit. You’ll also discover a comforting Indian flattened rice dish, poha, made with potatoes and warming spices.
Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!
***
For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here.
And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid!
Soup Season! 10 Recipes For Cooking Up Comforting Soups At Home
Season 5 · Episode 322
Tuesday, October 13, 2026 • Duration 31:24
What’s the secret to flavorful soups that don’t involve a ton of ingredients or a ton of time to prepare?
This week, we’re back with our annual fall soup episode, with 10 recipes to keep in your rotation all season long, from quick weeknight dinners to soups worth sharing with friends.
By the end of this episode, you’ll discover
Soups you can make with 5 ingredients or less
Easy veggie soups that can be made with just water instead of store-bought or homemade stocks
Simple toppings and finishing touches that make everyday soups special enough for hosting
Press play now to find out how a few simple ingredients can make a really good bowl of soup!
***
For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here.
And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid!
Cooking for a Dinner Party Together: When Friends Reunite | Our Best Bites of the Week
Season 5 · Episode 321
Thursday, October 8, 2026 • Duration 17:47
What if cooking a dinner party with your closest food friend could make hosting easier, more fun, and even more delicious?
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 our menu of some of our favorite all-time recipes, like a hosting-friendly vegetarian casserole, crispy chicken cutlets that you can make-ahead and reheat like a dream, and a fruit-filled dessert that gets better with time.
Plus you’ll discover what we love to send our guests home with!
Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration!
***
For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here.
And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid!
Best Breakfasts + The Secrets to Better Baking, with John Kanell of Preppy Kitchen
Season 5 · Episode 320
Tuesday, October 6, 2026 • Duration 27:34
What’s the secret to a great breakfast that you’ll actually look forward to?
This week, John Kanell of Preppy Kitchen joins us to share his best breakfast ideas and the baking techniques that make a difference, from the secret to the best cinnamon rolls to how to achieve a perfectly tender cake.
By the end of this episode, you’ll learn:
How to make the best crisp-edged fluffy waffles for weekend breakfasts
Make-ahead breakfast ideas you can enjoy all week
The secret to a great quiche crust + how to keep a tomato tart from getting soggy
Press play now for practical breakfast inspiration and expert baking tips!
***
For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here.
And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid!
Sunday Meal Prep:pot of black beans, pot of short-grain brown rice, marinate and bake or grill lime chicken, cut up mango and/or pineapple or fruit from the farmers market
Sunday Dinner: Roasted fish (snapper, salmon, Arctic Char) with rice and roasted carrots and parsnips
Monday dinner: Lime chicken with black bean and queso fresco salad with chopped zucchini jicama, red peppers, cilantro scallion, chile powder, and lime juice
Additional meals during the week Quinoa cakes with herby salad, leftover greenies with a fried egg, tomato soup, granola with yogurt or over a smoothie bowl or in your frozen yogurt
****
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.
Discover shows related to Food Friends: Home Cooking Made Easy, based on actual content similarities. Explore podcasts with similar topics, themes, and formats, backed by real data.
