It's been 48 weeks of the Sip and Feast podcast and we couldn't be more grateful to those who tuned in to listen over the past 11 months! During this time we learned much about our audience and will use our time between Seasons 1 and 2 to continue to learn and pave the way for new and exciting things. Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/nAhtYo-de-w What we know (and don't know) Through every channel possible (email, the website, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube)...

When it comes to cooking, there are a few staples that everyone should know how to make. Here we ask each other the question, "if you had only one meal to learn how to prepare, what would that be?". Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/wgJWhvClTa0 Most people have that one dish they're really good at making; you know, the dish that everyone expects them to bring to gatherings, like your aunt's famous 7 Layer Dip, or your cousin's pudding pie. But when it comes to...

We've all been there before, searching for an item in the pantry only to discover something that expired ages ago! Spring cleaning isn't just for closets and backyards, it's the best time to organize your pantry, and we've got some tips to help you formulate your plan of attack. Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/LHuJSO_fZko This is the time of year we all feel inspired to do some deep cleaning and purging. Whether it be storing warm clothes and jackets until...

Humans have gathered together for millennia to break bread and share meals with loved ones. It wasn't just a time to eat but to celebrate, bond, and wind down after a long day. And in today's age of 24/7 access to technology, coming to the table with family and loved ones is more important than ever. Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/ilGMaILNmtY In our home, we've always placed a huge value on dinner time. It's a time for us to regroup at the end of the...

Spring is here and with it comes warmer weather and meals that celebrate the lighter flavors and fresh ingredients. We've compiled our favorite must-make Spring recipes to help you usher in the season! Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/s2kAJtkpa7w We're now in that in-between time of year where it's not quite warm enough to eat outside every day, but we've already begun to crave fresher flavors and lighter food. For me that means more vegetables, such as...

Traditions play an integral role in any holiday. Each year we are reminded of old traditions that may have been around for generations, and we adopt a new one or two. And food almost always plays a significant part. Join us as we discuss some of our most loved Easter traditions, and share how they've evolved. Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/oW8FuFP5iDY When a listener wrote to us and asked us to share some of our family's Easter traditions, we couldn't help but...

Whether you're helping your child learn to cook, just getting started yourself, or have been cooking for years, there are a few best practices every home cook can benefit from knowing! Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/rxQnSkJleBg The Culinary Classroom Throughout my life I've viewed the kitchen as the heart of the home, but also the room in which 95% of learning takes place. Whether you're a novice cook who's just getting started, or a seasoned home...

When it comes to spending money on kitchen gear, the sky is the limit, but is it really worth it to spend your hard-earned money on some of these high-ticket items? Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/M-m3Rx9nfO8 Dollars and sense We try always to keep value in mind when talking to our audience. Whether discussing budget-friendly food or ways to save at Costco, value and saving money is an overarching theme of the Sip and Feast podcast. Fancy...

With prices soaring to new heights, many of us can't help but reflect on what we're spending for food and contemplate ways to still make amazing food on an extremely tight budget. This isn't a new issue for humans and luckily we can look to our ancestors for inspiration. Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/M0tScIESsyo According to the Wall Street Journal, it's been 30 years since food ate up this much of our income, and we see it every day in the grocery store,...

While some foods, ingredients, and preparation methods have stood the test of time, others have gone extinct. We're here to examine some of the major once-loved food and cooking trends that have disappeared. Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/cBrcC0GYtDc I was born in the 70s, grew up in the 80s and 90s, and throughout my time here on Earth have seen my fair share of cooking trends come and go. Some of them were enjoyable and I still appreciate them to...

With the hustle and bustle of our every day, it can be tempting to turn to food delivery services when we’re not in the mood to leave the house to get groceries or take-out, however, these often come with high delivery costs, increased prices on menu items, and other fees that yield a degraded experience for the consumer. Watch On YouTube https://youtu.be/P5frmZpexDc The Downside of Delivery Gone are the days of the in-house pizza delivery services...

The old adage "hindsight is 20/20" couldn’t be more true when it comes to cooking. There are so many things I had to learn the hard way and rather than gatekeep that knowledge, I’m here to share with you the 10 things I wish I knew when I started cooking. Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/d3q_JlwNDJw Mise en place While my list of things I wish I knew goes beyond just 10 items, I will say that there is one tip that comes first and...

When it comes to Super Bowl food, there are plenty to choose from but only a few that are 100% non-negotiable. We discuss our Top 5 must-haves for Super Bowl, and why you should opt for homemade over take-out. Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/ZvxektwJlYk While Super Bowl Sunday is mostly about football, commercials, and the halftime show, we'd be remiss if we didn't acknowledge it as a "food holiday". When we think of this event, a few items really stand out:...

A first date is all about making a good impression and assessing whether or not there's a connection that warrants a second date. Since food is an integral part of how we connect on the human level, the first date often involves dinner. But are there some meals that should be avoided? Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/p6JGMqZf2js When thinking of foods to avoid on a first date, I think of overly messy ones, that require you to wear a bib or use a...

When it comes to cookware, choosing what's best can be intimidating. Whether you're using nonstick, stainless, cast iron, or another type of cookware, there are pros and cons. Here we explore each use cases and discuss which are our favorites. Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/SDuVgqzTsnc Through the years I've been asked repeatedly which type of pans work best. While there are several to choose from, for this discussion we've focused on the "Big 3", cast iron,...

When it comes to curating your culinary arsenal, there are a few food secret weapons every home cook should have on hand. Vinegars, olive oils, condiments, and more can truly amplify your food and take your dishes from basic to amazing! Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/Y7iTlC41Tko Every good cook has a food secret weapon or two they rely on to take their meals up a notch. Whether it's a particular spice, a dash of hot sauce, or a condiment that's used...

There is much to be said about the power of food memories: their ability to transcend time and space, their emotional evocation, and the desire to recreate them all impact who we are as humans and individuals. Watch on YouTube https://youtu.be/Cnq5Zb1atXo Oxford defines nostalgia as "a sentimental longing for the past, typically for a period or place with happy personal associations". For me, there is perhaps no greater trigger of nostalgia than food and the...

For many, a new year represents a clean slate and an opportunity to shift our focus to eating more mindfully and frugally. Here we explore some recipes that may help you stick to your goals in 2024! If you prefer video, watch the full episode 31 YouTube video version. December is a month of indulgence. Making merry usually includes consuming sugary treats and alcoholic beverages, and spending a bit more money than we're accustomed to. So when the new year rolls...

As this year comes to an end we were compelled to reflect on some of the best and worst food trends of 2023. Some trends were downright awful while others piqued our curiosity. Here we explore the ones we'll bring forward into 2024 and the ones we'll gladly leave behind! If you prefer video, watch the full episode 30 YouTube video version. Like years past, 2023 was full of all sorts of trends, some good and even more not-so-good. Regarding food trends, 2023 saw a...

Across the world Christmas traditions differ from one country to the next. Some are super cozy, while others are bizarre and sometimes frightening! Here we explore many of these traditions and discuss which ones we love most. If you prefer video, watch the full episode 29 YouTube video version. When a listener asked us to elaborate on our family's Christmas traditions, we took a step back and examined this question from a global standpoint. Christmas is celebrated...

In Italy, it's called La Vigilia di Natale, but here in the US, it's known as no other than the Feast of the Seven Fishes. This time-honored tradition of preparing a delectable seafood banquet to commemorate Christ's birth takes place on Christmas Eve and is heralded by Italian-Americans as one of the most important meals of the calendar year. We're here to explore its origins and our most favorite seven fishes recipes. If you prefer video, watch the full episode 28 YouTube video...

When December rolls around there's one thing on our mind: Christmas Cookies! There are many we love and make on repeat and others we begrudgingly eat out of some odd self-imposed obligation. Here we discuss them all! If you prefer video, watch the full episode 27 YouTube video version. For many, Christmas cookies are a symbol of the season. Baking with loved ones, making sweets steeped in tradition, and sharing those creations with others brings us...

The key to hosting a successful and low-stress dinner party lies with the prep, and the more you can do ahead of time, the happier you'll be; I'm a firm believer that happy hosts yield joyful guests. In this episode, we share 3 delectable dinner party menus with an emphasis on recipes that can be made ahead of time giving you ample time to be the incredible host or hostess you are! If you prefer video, watch the full episode 26 YouTube video version. Having hosted many...

The gift-giving season is about to kick off! We've compiled a list of some of the top gift ideas for the food lover or home cook in your life so you can shop and gift with confidence! If you prefer video, watch the full episode 25 YouTube video version. The season of gift-giving is upon us and if you've been following Sip and Feast, you or someone you love is likely a home cook, a self-proclaimed foodie, or even a professional chef. Together, Tara and I have...