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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
Simple Guacamole
This is the guacamole we make on repeat, and for good reason. My friend Anna's recipe is simple, fresh and exactly what good guacamole should be: ripe avocados, a little heat from jalapeño, plenty of cilantro, red onion and lots of lime. It's the kind of thing you can throw together in 10 minutes, and somehow the bowl is always empty even faster. Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes Ingredients 3 ripe avocados ½ red onion, finely
Maddie Umali
Oct 132 min read
Spicy Margaritas
Some of my favorite memories with friends have involved these spicy margaritas, a recipe passed down from my best friend Juliana's dad, Dave. They're citrusy, a little sweet, and pack just the right amount of heat from fresh jalapeño. The secret? Lots and lots of freshly squeezed lime juice. Make a batch for your next gathering, but trust me, you'll probably want to double it. Servings: 6-8 cocktails Prep Time: 15 minutes Infusion Time: Optional, 2-3 days Total Time: 15 minut
Maddie Umali
Oct 132 min read
Avocado Crema
Creamy, tangy and just a little spicy, this avocado crema is one of those sauces you’ll want to put on everything. Avocado and Greek yogurt make it extra creamy, while jalapeño, cilantro and lime keep it bright and fresh. Spoon it over tacos, grain bowls and grilled veggies, use it as a dip, or honestly just eat it straight from the spoon. Yield: About 1½ cups Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 5 minutes Ingredients 1 ripe avocado, pitted and
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
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