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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
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
Lemony Chicken Thighs with Fennel
Crispy, golden chicken thighs, caramelized fennel and jammy slices of lemon all come together in one skillet for a dinner that feels special without requiring much work. The fennel and lemon cook down in the chicken fat while anchovies melt into the background, creating a savory, bright sauce that makes this one of my favorite ways to eat fennel. Yield: 4 chicken thighs Servings: 4 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Total Time: 55 minutes Ingredients 4 bone-in, skin-
Maddie Umali
Sep 12 min read
Avocado Crema
Creamy, tangy and just a little spicy, this avocado crema is one of those sauces you’ll want to put on everything. Avocado and Greek yogurt make it extra creamy, while jalapeño, cilantro and lime keep it bright and fresh. Spoon it over tacos, grain bowls and grilled veggies, use it as a dip, or honestly just eat it straight from the spoon. Yield: About 1½ cups Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes Ingredients 1 ripe avocado, pitted and
Maddie Umali
Sep 12 min read
Blackened Fish Tacos with Avocado Crema and Cabbage Slaw
These blackened fish tacos are proof that cooking fish at home doesn’t have to be intimidating. Flaky, spice-crusted cod gets tucked into warm corn tortillas with crunchy cabbage slaw, crumbled queso fresco and a creamy, tangy avocado crema. They come together surprisingly quickly and hit all the right notes: spicy, cool, crunchy and fresh. Yield: 8-10 tacos Servings: 4 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 10 minutes Total Time: 30 minutes Ingredients For the Blackened Fish 1–1½
Maddie Umali
Sep 13 min read
Palisade Peach & Pancetta Pizza
Sweet, juicy Palisade peaches, crispy pancetta, creamy ricotta and fresh thyme come together on a crisp homemade crust for a pizza that tastes like Colorado summer. It’s the perfect mix of sweet and salty, with just enough garlic and smoky sea salt to bring everything together. Recipe comes from my dear friend, Kate. Yield: 1 pizza Servings: 2-4 Prep Time: 30 minutes Rise Time: 3-4 hours Cook Time: 10-12 minutes Total Time: About 4½ hours Ingredients For the Pizza Dough 153 g
Maddie Umali
Sep 13 min read
Kate's Curry Dip
This curry dip comes from my friend Kate’s grandmother, Grammer, and has a slightly scandalous origin story. After years of trying to get the recipe from a favorite St. Louis restaurant, it eventually made its way into Grammer’s hands under strict orders of secrecy. Thankfully, Kate decided recipes this good are meant to be shared. Creamy, herby, tangy and warmly spiced, it’s the kind of dip you’ll keep coming back to—and absolutely one you should measure with your heart. Yie
Maddie Umali
Sep 12 min read
Classic Peach Pie
When peaches are truly at their peak, I don’t think there’s a better way to show them off than a classic peach pie. This one keeps things simple: juicy peaches, lemon, vanilla, nutmeg, and just enough sugar tucked between two flaky, buttery crusts. It’s the kind of summer dessert that deserves a big scoop of vanilla ice cream and absolutely no unnecessary fuss. Yield: 1 (9-inch) double-crust pie Servings: 8 Prep Time: 40 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 30-45 minutes Total Time: Abo
Maddie Umali
Aug 213 min read
Pie Dough
Homemade pie dough can feel intimidating, but this version is surprisingly forgiving. Cold butter gets worked into flour by hand, then just enough ice water and apple cider vinegar are added to bring everything together. The result is a flaky, buttery crust that works for fruit pies, galettes, and just about anything else that calls for pie dough. Yield: 2 pie dough disks Servings: Enough for 1 double-crust pie or 2 single-crust pies Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes
Maddie Umali
Aug 212 min read
Summer Shrimp Scampi
This is shrimp scampi dressed for summer. Sweet corn, blistered cherry tomatoes, garlic, butter, white wine, and plenty of fresh herbs turn the classic into something brighter, juicier, and even more satisfying. It’s buttery and garlicky in all the right ways, but the tomatoes and corn keep it fresh enough for a hot summer night. Yield: About 8 cups Servings: 6 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 25 minutes Total Time: 45 minutes Ingredients 1½ pounds shrimp, peeled and deveined
Maddie Umali
Aug 212 min read
Marinated Tomatoes
These marinated tomatoes are peak-summer simplicity. Juicy tomatoes get tossed with garlic, olive oil, red wine vinegar, and fresh herbs, then sit just long enough for everything to mingle. They’re delicious on their own, but even better spooned over whipped ricotta, toast, grilled bread, or anything else that needs a little tomato magic. Yield: About 3 cups Servings: 4-6 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 2-3 hours, including marinating Ingredients 1 poun
Maddie Umali
Aug 211 min read
Whipped Honey Ricotta with Roasted Garlic
This whipped ricotta is creamy, lightly sweet, savory, and full of roasted garlic flavor. Honey softens the richness, thyme keeps it fresh, and a little olive oil helps everything blend into a smooth, fluffy spread. It’s perfect for crostini, crackers, vegetables, or as a base for marinated tomatoes. Yield: About 1½ cups Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 30 minutes Total Time: 40 minutes Ingredients 1 whole head garlic 8 ounces whole-milk ricotta 1 tablespoon ext
Maddie Umali
Aug 211 min read
Tomato-Ricotta Tart
This is one of those recipes that makes peak-summer tomatoes feel extra special without doing too much to them. Flaky puff pastry gets layered with creamy ricotta, juicy tomatoes, garlic, red onion, and fresh thyme, then baked until golden and crisp. It’s simple enough for lunch but pretty enough for a brunch or dinner party. Yield: 1 tart Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 20-25 minutes Total Time: About 45 minutes Ingredients 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed 8 ounces
Maddie Umali
Aug 212 min read
Spicy Italian Sausage Rigatoni with Tomato-Cream Sauce
This is the pasta I make when I want something cozy, comforting, and a little indulgent. Sweet and hot Italian sausage simmer in a tomato sauce with garlic, fennel, oregano, and a touch of cream, then everything gets tossed with rigatoni and plenty of Parmesan. It’s rich without being over-the-top, spicy without being aggressive, and exactly the kind of pasta that makes cooking feel like self-care. Yield: About 8 cups Servings: 6 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes To
Maddie Umali
Aug 213 min read
Butternut Squash Soup
This is the soup that made me a butternut squash person. It’s creamy without being heavy, cozy without being fussy, and built from just a handful of simple ingredients. Browned butter gives the soup a little extra richness, while cumin and white pepper add warmth without overpowering the squash. It’s the kind of recipe that becomes part of your fall rotation and then somehow stays there all winter. Yield: About 8 cups Servings: 6 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 55 minutes To
Maddie Umali
Aug 212 min read
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