Cooking with Friends

I will be joined by friends to recreate their favorite childhood dishes. We will dig deep into the memories they have of these dishes and I will learn a little more about how these dishes brought them and their families closer together.

Nonna’s Italian Meat Sauce (SUGO) with Dani Schlauderaff

I had the pleasure of getting together with my good friend Dani and cook a recipe that has been in her family for decades. The house was filled with the amazing smells of garlic, onions and pork as we began to build the foundation of flavor for this labor of love. Sugo is not a quick dish, but the wait is totally worth it. Although Dani and I have known each other since 2008 (she was my first room in New York and we were both students at the Ailey school)cooking together is something we haven’t been able to do very much. I was so happy I was given the opportunity learn even more about my incredible friend and her amazing family (Thank you Lorinda! (Dani’s mom)).

Paneer Pulao with Preet Chouhan

I had the amazing opportunity of getting together with my neighbor, Preet and learned how to make this traditional North Indian dish with her. I wish I could put into words how incredible this experience was. The house was full of wonderful fragrances and aromatics as we toasted the spices and sauteed the paneer. I also learned so much about Preet, her family and her culture, she even let me taste her mom’s homemade ghee. It was incredible. I am super excited to share this recipe with yall and hope you take the time to bring a little bit of North Indian into your homes as well.

Pop Pop’s Sicilian Chicken Soup with Jess

I had the distinct honor of getting together with my friend Jess and her two little girls to make Pop Pop’s Sicilian Chicken Soup. From start to finish, I could tell how special this dish was to her family, and it was really special to be a part of it. We had a lot of laughs and ended up with an amazing soup that was absolutely delicious. Read all about it below!