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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
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
Brothy Beans
Brothy beans are one of my ultimate comfort foods. They’re simple, inexpensive, endlessly adaptable, and somehow manage to feel both rustic and luxurious at the same time. A good pot starts with dried beans, plenty of olive oil, garlic, onion, lemon, herbs, and a little patience. The result is a bowl of creamy beans in a deeply flavorful broth that feels like the food equivalent of wrapping yourself in a blanket. Yield: About 8-10 cups Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 15 minutes, plu
Maddie Umali
Aug 213 min read
Potato Leek Soup
Potato Leek Soup is one of those recipes that proves you don’t need a long ingredient list to make something really good. Potatoes and leeks blend together into a silky, creamy soup, while fresh dill keeps everything bright. It’s simple, cozy, and easy enough to make even when you’re feeling under the weather. Yield: About 10 cups Servings: 6 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Ingredients 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 4 large leeks, whit
Maddie Umali
Aug 213 min read
Classic Chili
This is my go-to, no-frills classic chili: hearty ground beef, kidney beans, tomatoes, and plenty of warm, smoky spices. It’s exactly what I want on a cold day or when I’m feeding a crowd, and it’s especially good with a table full of toppings so everyone can build their perfect bowl. Yield: About 10 cups Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Ingredients 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 1 medium yellow onion, diced 3 garlic clove
Maddie Umali
Aug 212 min read
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