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What's Giving Me Life
The places, people, recipes, traditions, and little moments that are inspiring me lately. Think of it as everything I'd tell you if we were catching up over coffee—or cooking dinner together.
The 2025 Gift Guide
Every item in this guide has earned its place in my kitchen. These are the tools I reach for, the cookbooks I cook from, the pantry staples I buy on repeat, and the gifts I've happily given to the people I love. If you're looking for something thoughtful for the home cook in your life—or simply need a little inspiration for your own wish list—I hope you find something you love. Global Fish Spatula — or any high-quality fish spatula. After many not-so-subtle hints, Frank got m
Maddie Umali
Jul 24
The 2024 Gift Guide
Every year, friends and family ask me what kitchen tools, cookbooks, and pantry staples are actually worth buying. Rather than rounding up trendy products I've never touched, this list is made up entirely of things I use in my own kitchen—items I reach for daily, gift to friends, and would happily buy again. Whether you're shopping for a seasoned home cook, someone just learning their way around the kitchen, or simply treating yourself, I hope this list gives you a few ideas.
Maddie Umali
Jul 24
Meatballs with Tomato Sauce
I make meatballs at least once a month, so trust me when I say I've tried just about every variation imaginable. After years of experimenting, these have become my go-to. Inspired by recipes from Alison Roman and Half Baked Harvest, these meatballs combine ground beef, pork, whole milk ricotta, Parmesan and plenty of fresh herbs for an incredibly tender, flavorful result. They're browned in a skillet, nestled into a rich tomato sauce and baked under a blanket of melted mozzar
Maddie Umali
Oct 134 min read
Shrimp Risotto
Risotto has a reputation for being fussy and time-consuming, but I'm here to tell you it's so much easier than you think. This shrimp risotto, adapted from a Claire Saffitz recipe for Bon Appétit, is rich, creamy and packed with flavor thanks to homemade shrimp stock, white wine, lemon and mascarpone. It's the kind of meal that feels special enough for a dinner party but is surprisingly approachable, especially with a glass of Sauvignon Blanc in hand and a few friends helping
Maddie Umali
Oct 134 min read
Twice Baked Potatoes
There are few things better than a baked potato, except maybe a twice baked potato. These are loaded with sour cream, butter, cream cheese, sharp cheddar and scallions, then baked a second time until the tops are golden and the filling is perfectly creamy. My friend Anna made these for a birthday dinner alongside some beautiful steaks, and I've been thinking about them ever since. They're the ultimate steakhouse-style side dish, and honestly, I'd happily eat one as my entire
Maddie Umali
Oct 133 min read
Orange-Maple Vinaigrette
Sweet, tangy and bright, this orange-maple vinaigrette is one of those dressings you'll want to keep on hand. Fresh orange juice and zest bring a little citrusy sweetness, while apple cider vinegar, Dijon mustard and maple syrup add the perfect balance of acidity and richness. It's especially delicious on my Cape Cod Salad, but just as good drizzled over roasted vegetables or a simple bowl of greens. Yield: Approximately 1¼ cups Servings: 8-10 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time:
Maddie Umali
Oct 132 min read
Brown Sugar Spiced Salmon
Sweet, savory and just a little spicy, this brown sugar salmon is one of my favorite ways to turn a simple salad into a full meal. A quick rub of dark brown sugar, chili powder, salt and pepper creates a beautifully caramelized coating as the salmon bakes. It's incredibly easy, requires just a handful of ingredients and pairs especially well with Cape Cod Salad. Servings: 4 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 15-20 minutes Total Time: 20-25 minutes Ingredients 4 (8-ounce) salmon
Maddie Umali
Oct 132 min read
Cape Cod Salad
This salad has been a staple in my kitchen since college, thanks to my best friend Juliana. Inspired by Ina Garten's Cape Cod Salad, our version combines peppery arugula, crisp Granny Smith apples, dried cranberries, salty bacon, feta and scallions, all tossed in a sweet and tangy orange-maple vinaigrette. It's the kind of salad you'll make once and immediately add to your weekly rotation. Serve it on its own or top it with my Brown Sugar Spiced Salmon for a complete meal. Se
Maddie Umali
Oct 132 min read
St. Louis Gooey Butter Cake
If you're from St. Louis, you know that gooey butter cake is practically a food group. And if you've never had it, you're in for a treat. Unlike the popular cream cheese version, this recipe features a soft, yeasted crust topped with a rich, buttery, gooey filling and a generous dusting of powdered sugar. It's the style my Grandma Kitty always made, and the kind of dessert that reminds me of home. Enjoy a slice with your morning coffee, as an afternoon treat or straight from
Maddie Umali
Oct 133 min read
Simple Guacamole
This is the guacamole we make on repeat, and for good reason. My friend Anna's recipe is simple, fresh and exactly what good guacamole should be: ripe avocados, a little heat from jalapeño, plenty of cilantro, red onion and lots of lime. It's the kind of thing you can throw together in 10 minutes, and somehow the bowl is always empty even faster. Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes Ingredients 3 ripe avocados ½ red onion, finely
Maddie Umali
Oct 132 min read
Spicy Margaritas
Some of my favorite memories with friends have involved these spicy margaritas, a recipe passed down from my best friend Juliana's dad, Dave. They're citrusy, a little sweet, and pack just the right amount of heat from fresh jalapeño. The secret? Lots and lots of freshly squeezed lime juice. Make a batch for your next gathering, but trust me, you'll probably want to double it. Servings: 6-8 cocktails Prep Time: 15 minutes Infusion Time: Optional, 2-3 days Total Time: 15 minut
Maddie Umali
Oct 132 min read
Spicy Ranch Pretzels
These spicy ranch pretzels come courtesy of my good friend Katherine, who has been bringing them to parties, tailgates and just about every gathering imaginable for years. They're salty, spicy, ridiculously easy to make and dangerously snackable. All you need is a bag of pretzels, ranch seasoning, olive oil and cayenne pepper. The hardest part? Waiting for all that flavor to soak in before digging in. Servings: 12-16 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 6 hours (overnight recommen
Maddie Umali
Oct 132 min read
Summer Squash Aglio e Olio
This is not your traditional aglio e olio, but it might just be one of my favorite pasta dishes I've ever made. Zucchini, yellow squash and green onions cook down in garlicky olive oil and white wine before getting tossed with rigatoni, plenty of fresh parsley, Parmesan and a squeeze of lemon. The finishing touch? Homemade toasted breadcrumbs for a little crunch. It's everything I want in a summer pasta. Servings: 6 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 50 m
Maddie Umali
Oct 133 min read
Black Bean Salsa
This black bean salsa has been a favorite for years for good reason. Black beans and sweet corn make it hearty, tomatoes and avocado keep it fresh, and jalapeño, cilantro and a lime-heavy dressing bring plenty of brightness. Put a big bowl of it down with tortilla chips and watch it disappear. Servings: 8-10 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 20 minutes Ingredients 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed 2 (15-ounce) cans sweet corn, drained and r
Maddie Umali
Oct 132 min read
Herby Potato Salad
A fresher, herb-packed take on classic creamy potato salad. Tender red potatoes get tossed with mayo, whole-grain mustard, shallot, scallions and a full cup of fresh herbs. It's creamy without feeling heavy and gets even better after a couple hours in the fridge. Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Chill Time: 2 hours Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes Ingredients 2 pounds red-skinned potatoes, scrubbed and cut into bite-size pieces ½ cup mayonnaise 1 tables
Maddie Umali
Oct 132 min read
Classic Coleslaw
Creamy, tangy and just a little sweet, this classic coleslaw is exactly what I want alongside anything coming off the grill. Using a bagged coleslaw mix keeps things incredibly easy, and a simple dressing of mayo, lemon and vinegar brings it all together. Make it a few hours ahead so the cabbage has time to soften and soak up all that flavor. Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Chill Time: 2 hours Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes Ingredients 1 (16-ounce) ba
Maddie Umali
Oct 22 min read
Chicken Adobo
Chicken adobo is one of those recipes that tastes like home to me. Growing up, we ate it about once a week, and it remains one of the dishes I associate most with my dad and my Filipino family. Bone-in chicken simmers in a savory, tangy sauce of soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, bay leaves and black peppercorns until tender, then a little ginger and a cornstarch slurry turn the braising liquid into a glossy sauce perfect for spooning over rice. This version is inspired by my dad’s
Maddie Umali
Oct 22 min read
Peach Caprese Salad
This is summer in a salad: peppery arugula, juicy tomatoes, sweet peaches or nectarines, fresh basil and the creamiest burrata, all finished with olive oil and balsamic glaze. It’s fresh, simple and endlessly adaptable depending on which tomatoes and stone fruit look best at the market. Servings: 6 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Ingredients 5 ounces arugula 3–4 ripe peaches or nectarines, sliced or cut into bite-size pieces 2–3 heirloom toma
Maddie Umali
Oct 22 min read
BBQ Chicken
Sticky, smoky and a little sweet, this BBQ chicken starts with bone-in, skin-on chicken cooked on the grill until crisp and juicy, then gets brushed with a homemade BBQ sauce during the final few minutes of cooking. The sauce comes together with pantry staples and just the right balance of sweet, tangy and savory. Yield: 3 pounds chicken Servings: 4-6 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 30-35 minutes Total Time: 45-50 minutes Ingredients For the BBQ Sauce 1 cup ketchup ½ cup pac
Maddie Umali
Oct 22 min read
Watermelon Salad
Juicy watermelon, peppery arugula, salty feta and fresh mint come together in this simple summer salad inspired by one of our favorites from Katie’s Pizza and Pasta. Instead of cubing the watermelon, we cut it into big slabs and pile everything on top, making this a definite knife-and-fork situation—in the best possible way. Servings: 4 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 15 minutes Ingredients 1 small seedless watermelon 5 ounces arugula 6 ounces crumbled
Maddie Umali
Oct 22 min read
Citrus Chimichurri
Bright, herby and packed with fresh citrus, this chimichurri gets a twist from both orange and lemon zest and juice. It’s fresh, punchy and incredibly versatile—spoon it over grilled fish or chicken, toss it with vegetables or use it as an excuse to tear off a piece of crusty bread and start dipping. Yield: About 1 cup Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes Ingredients 1 large shallot, finely diced 1 garlic clove, finely grated ½ cup f
Maddie Umali
Sep 12 min read
Grilled Salmon with Citrus Chimichurri
This grilled salmon is simple enough for a weeknight but the citrus chimichurri makes it something special. Fresh cilantro and parsley are mixed with shallot, garlic, orange and lemon for a bright, punchy sauce that gets spooned generously over smoky grilled salmon. And make extra chimichurri—you’re going to want to put it on everything. Yield: 4 salmon fillets Servings: 4 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Ingredients For the Citrus Chimichurr
Maddie Umali
Sep 12 min read
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