The Best Chocolate Cake? + A Better Way to Make Scones | Our Best Home Cooking Bites

There are more cookbooks published every season, but which ones are worth keeping on your shelf? And which ones will you actually reach for, year after year? This week, we’re joined by Molly Stevens and Kate Leahy, two hosts of the Everything Cookbooks podcast. Both are accomplished cookbook authors and avid collectors, and they know what makes a cookbook worth returning to. They’re sharing the books they rely on for everything from weeknight dinners to baking, along with underrated finds and cookbooks that open the door to new cuisines and experiences. By the end of this episode, you’ll discover: Essential baking books for beginners and experienced bakers alike Cookbooks to turn to for everyday dinners, new cuisines, and inspiration when you don’t know what to cook What makes a cookbook stand the test of time, and which trends are worth paying attention to

How can you get a satisfying, vegetarian dinner on the table in 15 minutes or less? In this bite-sized episode, we share delicious moments about the best things we ate this week to inspire each other – and you! By the end of this episode, you'll have a new pantry-friendly dinner to try, plus tips for getting bakery-style muffin tops at home, and a reason to appreciate the seasonal foods that don't stick around for long. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! *** For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here. And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid! *** Links: Cheesy, spicy black beans in 15 minutes by Ali Slagel, for NYT Cooking Preppy kitchen pumpkin muffins with tall bakery-style tops, and the ones with streusel topping can be found in John Kannell’s new book: Preppy Kitchen Everyday Baking Sonya’s pumpkin bread from her Substack **** Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084 For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here. Are you a local to Portland or planning a visit? You can now book a private farmers’ market tour with Sonya through Airbnb Experiences! Or order Sonya's cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

Potatoes are one of the most versatile, affordable, and delicious ingredients… and the possibilities are endless. This week, we’re sharing 10 recipes that make the most of potatoes in all kinds of ways, from smashed and baked to sautéed and frittered, with inspiration from Korean, Mexican, and other global cuisines. By the end of this episode, you’ll discover: Easy ways to turn potatoes into a meal, from sheet-pan chicken and potatoes to a spiced cabbage and potato stew How to make the crispiest Pacific Northwest jojos and an unexpected twist on a potato salad Simple techniques for better baked potatoes and mashed potatoes, plus creative ways to dress them up

What do you make for breakfast when you’re tired of eating the same thing every day? In this bite-sized episode, we share delicious moments about the best things we ate this week to inspire each other – and you! By the end of this episode, you’ll want to make a lightly sweetened einkorn breakfast loaf studded with fruit. You’ll also discover a comforting Indian flattened rice dish, poha, made with potatoes and warming spices. Tune in for a quick dose of home cooking inspiration! *** For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our free Substack here. And join us on our live monthly calls by upgrading your subscription to paid! *** Links: Einkorn breakfast loaf from Adrian Hale’s Einkorn Made Easy, and a similar breakfast blueberry bread with einkorn from A Modern Homestead Einkorn flour you can buy online, and if you’re in Oregon you can find a great one from Camas Country Mill Poha (spiced flattened rice with potato) from Indian Healthy Recipes You can find the poha (flattened rice) online **** Got a cooking question? Leave us a message on our hotline at: 323-452-9084 For more recipes and cooking inspiration, sign up for our Substack here. Are you a local to Portland or planning a visit? You can now book a private farmers’ market tour with Sonya through Airbnb Experiences! Or order Sonya's cookbook Braids for more Food Friends recipes!

What’s the secret to flavorful soups that don’t involve a ton of ingredients or a ton of time to prepare? This week, we’re back with our annual fall soup episode, with 10 recipes to keep in your rotation all season long, from quick weeknight dinners to soups worth sharing with friends. By the end of this episode, you’ll discover Soups you can make with 5 ingredients or less Easy veggie soups that can be made with just water instead of store-bought or homemade stocks Simple toppings and finishing touches that make everyday soups special enough for hosting