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
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
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
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
Crispy Chicken Thighs
This is one of those recipes I come back to again and again because it never disappoints. The trick is starting the chicken thighs skin-side down in a cold pan, then letting them come up to temperature with the skillet. It sounds backwards, but it gives you incredibly crisp, deeply golden skin every time. The chicken roasts alongside onion, garlic, and thyme, so you also end up with caramelized, jammy vegetables that are almost as good as the chicken itself. Servings: 4-5 Pre
Maddie Umali
Aug 212 min read
Tomato Orzo with Crispy Chicken Thighs
Crispy-skinned chicken thighs nestled into creamy, tomatoey orzo is exactly the kind of dinner that looks impressive without requiring much work. The orzo cooks right in the skillet with tomato sauce and all those flavorful chicken drippings, while the thighs finish roasting on top. Finish it with basil, Parmesan and chili flakes and call it dinner. Servings: 4-5 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 45 minutes Total Time: 55 minutes Ingredients 4–5 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs
Maddie Umali
Aug 212 min read
Buffalo Chicken Dip
This is my favorite game-day snack of all time, courtesy of my best friend Anna, who makes Buffalo Chicken Dip better than anyone I know. It’s creamy, cheesy, spicy, and loaded with shredded chicken—and there’s a reason the dish is always scraped clean. Yield: About 6 cups Servings: 10-12 as an appetizer Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Total Time: 55 minutes Ingredients 12 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature 1 (12-ounce) bottle Frank’s RedHot Origina
Maddie Umali
Aug 212 min read
Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup
This Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup is what I crave when I want something comforting that still feels light and fresh. It’s packed with tender chicken, plenty of vegetables, little bites of orzo, fresh herbs, and lots of lemon to brighten everything up. It’s cozy enough for a cold day but fresh enough to carry you into spring. Yield: About 10 cups Servings: 6 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes Total Time: 50 minutes Ingredients 2 tablespoons unsalted butter 2 carrots, peele
Maddie Umali
Aug 212 min read
bottom of page