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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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Lasagna-ish Pasta
All the best parts of lasagna—spicy tomato sauce, Italian sausage, creamy ricotta, bubbly mozzarella and plenty of Parmesan—without actually having to make lasagna. This one-pot-ish version comes together in a Dutch oven and goes straight into the oven until the pasta is tender and the cheese is golden and melty. Cozy, cheesy and way easier than layering noodles. Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 50 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes Ingredients 2 tablespoons e
Maddie Umali
Aug 213 min read
Creamy Spicy Sausage Spaghetti Squash
This is the kind of dinner I make when I want something cozy and satisfying without spending all night in the kitchen. Roasted spaghetti squash gets tossed with spicy Italian sausage, jalapeño, garlic, Boursin, cream, and Parmesan for a rich, creamy sauce with just enough heat. It feels indulgent, but the spaghetti squash keeps it from feeling too heavy—and aside from wrestling the squash in half, the whole thing is pretty easy. Yield: About 8 cups Servings: 4-6 Prep Time: 20
Maddie Umali
Aug 133 min read
Cold Sesame Soba Noodles
Every home cook needs a handful of recipes they can make without thinking, and this is one of mine. These cold sesame soba noodles come together in about 10 minutes using mostly pantry staples, making them the perfect quick lunch, easy dinner, or make-ahead meal. The sauce is nutty, savory, just a little sweet, and coats every noodle beautifully. It's one of those recipes I find myself craving again and again. Yield: About 5 cups Servings: 4 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 5
Maddie Umali
Jul 272 min read
Bucatini & Meatballs
Growing up, spaghetti and meatballs was on regular rotation at our house. My dad loved it so much that, as a kid, I eventually swore I'd never eat it again. Funny how that works, because now it's one of my favorite comfort meals to make. While this recipe would be just as delicious with spaghetti, I'm a bucatini girl through and through. The thick, hollow noodles hold onto the rich tomato sauce beautifully, making every bite extra satisfying. Servings: 4-6 Prep Time: 25 minut
Maddie Umali
Jul 273 min read
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