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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
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
Sep 12 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
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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