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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
Spicy Ranch Pretzels
These spicy ranch pretzels come courtesy of my good friend Katherine, who has been bringing them to parties, tailgates and just about every gathering imaginable for years. They're salty, spicy, ridiculously easy to make and dangerously snackable. All you need is a bag of pretzels, ranch seasoning, olive oil and cayenne pepper. The hardest part? Waiting for all that flavor to soak in before digging in. Servings: 12-16 Prep Time: 5 minutes Cook Time: 6 hours (overnight recommen
Maddie Umali
Oct 132 min read
Spicy Italian Sausage Rigatoni with Tomato-Cream Sauce
This is the pasta I make when I want something cozy, comforting, and a little indulgent. Sweet and hot Italian sausage simmer in a tomato sauce with garlic, fennel, oregano, and a touch of cream, then everything gets tossed with rigatoni and plenty of Parmesan. It’s rich without being over-the-top, spicy without being aggressive, and exactly the kind of pasta that makes cooking feel like self-care. Yield: About 8 cups Servings: 6 Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 35 minutes To
Maddie Umali
Aug 213 min read
Buffalo Chicken Dip
This is my favorite game-day snack of all time, courtesy of my best friend Anna, who makes Buffalo Chicken Dip better than anyone I know. It’s creamy, cheesy, spicy, and loaded with shredded chicken—and there’s a reason the dish is always scraped clean. Yield: About 6 cups Servings: 10-12 as an appetizer Prep Time: 15 minutes Cook Time: 40 minutes Total Time: 55 minutes Ingredients 12 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature 1 (12-ounce) bottle Frank’s RedHot Origina
Maddie Umali
Aug 212 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
Sweet & Spicy Corn Salad
This is summer in a bowl. Sweet corn, juicy nectarines, spicy jalapeños, fresh herbs, and a good drizzle of olive oil come together to make a salad that's bright, refreshing, and just a little unexpected. It's the kind of dish that disappears at backyard barbecues, picnics, and potlucks. And if you really want to impress people? Tear a ball of burrata over the top right before serving. Yield: About 8 cups Servings: 6-8 Prep Time: 20 minutes Cook Time: 7 minutes Total Time: Ab
Maddie Umali
Jul 272 min read
Pickled Jalapeños
When your garden suddenly gives you more jalapeños than you know what to do with—or your Instacart shopper accidentally delivers one pound of peppers instead of one pepper—there's only one solution: pickle them. These refrigerator pickled jalapeños are sweet, tangy, and just the right amount of spicy. I keep a jar in the fridge all summer long for tacos, nachos, chili, sandwiches, and burgers. My husband Frank is perfectly happy eating them straight from the jar. Yield: About
Maddie Umali
Jul 271 min read
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