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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.


Citrus Chimichurri
Bright, herby and packed with fresh citrus, this chimichurri gets a twist from both orange and lemon zest and juice. It’s fresh, punchy and incredibly versatile—spoon it over grilled fish or chicken, toss it with vegetables or use it as an excuse to tear off a piece of crusty bread and start dipping. Yield: About 1 cup Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 0 minutes Total Time: 10 minutes Ingredients 1 large shallot, finely diced 1 garlic clove, finely grated ½ cup f
Maddie Umali
7 days ago2 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
7 days ago2 min read


Roasted Fresh Tomato Sauce
When summer tomatoes are at their peak, they really don’t need much. This simple tomato sauce lets them do all the work: juicy tomatoes are slow-roasted with olive oil, garlic and fresh oregano, then blended until silky smooth. Use it for pasta, pizza, or as the base for my Tomato Orzo with Chicken Thighs. Yield: About 3-4 cups Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes Total Time: 1 hour 25 minutes Ingredients 2–2½ pounds ripe tomatoes, quartered ¼ cup
Maddie Umali
Aug 212 min read
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