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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
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
Lemon Honey Whipped Ricotta
This is one of those appetizers that feels a little fancy but takes almost no effort. Ricotta and cottage cheese get whipped until light and creamy, then brightened with lemon, a touch of honey, and good olive oil. It’s fresh, slightly sweet, and perfect for spring and summer entertaining. Serve it with crunchy vegetables and crostini, or spread it onto toast for an easy snack. Yield: About 2 cups Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes
Maddie Umali
Aug 132 min read
Honey Vanilla Coffee Syrup
After spending our honeymoon in Hawaii, there was one thing I couldn't stop thinking about: the coffee. Every island coffee shop seemed to have its own signature drink, but my favorite was a honey vanilla shaken espresso that was simple, smooth, and just sweet enough. This homemade syrup lets me recreate a little piece of that trip at home—and it's become my go-to for elevating my morning coffee. This recipe creates 1 cup of syrup. Ingredients 1/4 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup
Maddie Umali
Jul 241 min read
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