top of page
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
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
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
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
bottom of page