Cookbook Club

A very ambitious and comprehensive guide to pie — from crust technique to decoration to hundreds of unique and interesting flavor combinations — this book from Erin Jeanne McDowell really captured our interest. We talk about the recipes we made, and decide whether this book holds up to the promise.Recipes mentioned in this episode:Striped citrus pieCreamy lemon custard piePeanut butter cream pie with raspberry meringueSweet corn pie with blueberry whipped creamRoasted pineapple piePumpkin pieApple pieCaramel Earl Grey custard pie in a gingersnap crumb crustBlueberry swamp pie with cornmeal crustCitrus sugar pieBirthday cake pieTres leches slab pieOrange vanilla panna cotta pieCreamy mango pieMango pie (NYT)Peanut butter choco-shmallow pieJoin our Cookbook Club!Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshowE-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.comFind Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragrayOur sponsors: Dropcloth SamplersCook along with us! Our next (and last!) cookbook episode (airing 7/9/2025): Ottolenghi Simple, by Yotam Ottolenghi

We like veggie burgers, but have we cooked that many? Turns out, this episode sent Sara down a rabbit hole of making veggie burger recipes and they are tricky! Renee weighs in with her favorite store-bought veggie burger options and we have some clear winners to recommend.Recipes and resources mentioned in this episode:The Ultimate Veggie Burger (NYT)Black bean burgers (NYT)Really awesome black bean burgers (Serious Eats)Best Veggie Burger (Love & Lemons)Sweet potato, quinoa, spinach and red lentil burger (NYT)White bean burgers (NYT)Beautiful burger buns (King Arthur Flour)Multigrain veggie burger (Grains for Every Season)Vegetarian black bean burger (Ultimate Veg)Beet & Pinto burger (America's Test Kitchen Vegan for Everybody)Join our Cookbook Club!Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshowE-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.comFind Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragrayOur sponsors: Dropcloth SamplersCook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 6/11/2025): The Book on Pie, by Erin Jeanne McDowell

My Everyday Lagos is a critically acclaimed cookbook that brings West African cuisine to western audiences. Specialty ingredients, spice mixes and unusual techniques set this book apart for us. Recipes and resources mentioned in this episode:Bon Appetit article featuring Yewande KomolafeMom's Sunday chickenOmo Tunde's spice blendJacobsen salt tinsCitrus tonicFermented grain bowlsStewed sardinesCoconut milk caramelsJoin our Cookbook Club!Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshowE-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.comFind Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragrayOur Amazon storefrontOur sponsors: Dropcloth SamplersCook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 6/11/2025): The Book on Pie, by Erin Jeanne McDowell

Breakfast for dinner is a favorite weeknight hack for our families. You can take it in a hundred different directions, make it dead easy or make it fancy. Here's our favorite recipes and hacks to make this fun meal!Recipes and resources mentioned in this episode:Multigrain pancake (Super Natural Every Day)Sour cream pancakes with roasted blueberries (Small Victories)Almond flour pancakes (King Arthur Flour)Cuisinart Belgian waffle maker with pancake plates Waffles (NYT)Simple yeasted waffles (NYT)Waffles (Kid in the Kitchen)Dutch baby (NYT)Dutch baby (Grand Central Baking Book)Crepes (Canelle et Vanille)Italian roasted potatoes (Nigella Lawson)Sheet pan full English breakfast (Dinner in One)Leek and red potato frittata with goat cheese and dill (Cooking in Real Life)Sweet potato quiche (Dinner in French)Pasta frittata (NYT)Joi plant-based milksShakshuka (Dinner in an Instant)Artichoke shakshuka (One Pan and Done)Sheet Pan Suppers, by Molly GilbertGreen shakshuka with avocado, chile & feta (Dinner in One)Huevos rancheros (Ama)Huevos rancheros (Smitten Kitchen)Baked eggs with crushed chickpeas, chorizo and bread crumbs (Dining In)Join our Cookbook Club!Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshowE-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.comFind Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragrayOur sponsors: Dropcloth SamplersCook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 5/14/2025): My Everyday Lagos, by Yewande Komolafe

This book is our first foray into the Chrissy Tiegen food universe, and it was a surprise to us — Renee enjoys Chrissy's sense of humor and family-friendly dishes, Sara loves some of the fun treats and umami hacks. Recipes mentioned in this episode:Peanut butter and potato chip seven-layer bars (page 238)Two-berry crumble with HBO crumble (page 22)Orange chicken fried chicken sandwiches (page 161)Meatloaf Wellington (page 141)Sourdough Jack hamburger helper (page 68)Shortcut khao man gai (page 170)Spicy sausage pasta fagioli (page 120)Crispy chicken caesar wedge salad (page 129)Chicken tikka masala with “garlic naan” pita (page 188)Broccoli salad with creamy cashew dressing (page 93)Frosted circus animal cookies (page 240)Join our Cookbook Club!Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshowE-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.comFind Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragrayOur Amazon storefrontOur sponsors: Dropcloth SamplersCook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 5/14/2025): My Everyday Lagos, by Yewande Komolafe

We deeply love the magic that happens when you combine whipped egg whites with sugar. Join us as we fall down the rabbit hole of meringue treats, including one of our favorites, the pavlova.Recipes and resources mentioned in this episode:Salted lemon cream pie (Sweet Enough)Vanilla meringues (NYT)Marshmallowy meringues (Salt Fat Acid Heat)Strawberry pavlova (NYT)Cookies-and-cream pavlova (NYT)The best pavlova wreath (Food52)Pull-apart pavlova wreath (Simply Delicious)Roasted rhubarb pavlova with pomegranate molasses (Sweeter off the Vine)Mary Berry's baking bible Join our Cookbook Club!Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshowE-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.comFind Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragrayOur sponsors: Dropcloth SamplersCook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 4/16/2025): Cravings: All Together by Chrissy Tiegen

This cookbook brings the unique perspective of an entire family — a collaboration between parents and young adult children with personal stories, family history and some delicious Chinese recipes. Renee went for some weeknight-friendly easier recipes and Sara took on a big baking project.Recipes mentioned in this episode:Cantonese steamed fish (page 211)Mapo tofu (page 250)Chili oil wontons (page 87)Ultimate chili oil (page 275)Shredded potato & carrot salad (page 74)Fast sizzled cucumber salad (page 73)Beef and broccoli (page 194)Milk bread (page 284)Red bean pineapple buns (page 287)Char siu roast pork (page 173)Char siu mini bao (page 29)Lazy veggie noodles (page 115)Eggplant with garlic sauce (page 231)Join our Cookbook Club!Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshowE-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.comFind Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragrayOur Amazon storefrontOur sponsors: Dropcloth SamplersCook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 4/16/2025): Cravings: All Together by Chrissy Tiegen

We've talked about pasta recently, but in this episode, we dig into noodles. From noodle soups to a range of Asian noodle dishes, we talk about the delicious things we like to make. Just try to listen to this on without your mouth watering.Recipes and resources mentioned in this episode:The Kitchn guide to Chinese noodlesVietnamese rice noodle salad bowl (Vietnamese Food Any Day)Ever-Green Vietnamese, by Andrea NguyenUmami garlic noodles (Vietnamese Food Any Day)Sesame brown butter udon noodles (NYT)Pressure cooker miso chicken ramen with bok choy (NYT)Pressure cooker beef pho (NYT)Perfect instant ramen (NYT)Peanut butter noodles (NYT)Gochujang butter noodles (NYT)Super simple ramen (Japanese Cookbook for Beginners)Bulgogi with noodles (Maangchi's Big Book of Korean Cooking)Noodle soup with kimchi seasoning (Maangchi's Big Book of Korean Cooking)Join our Cookbook Club!Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshowE-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.comFind Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragrayOur sponsors: Dropcloth SamplersCook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 3/19/2025): Woks of Life, by the Leung Family

Lidey Heuck's recipes are classic — maybe to a fault? For Sara, this book has been a weeknight workhorse, and Renee loves the inventive flavor combinations. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Blueberry muffin sugar cookies (page 108) Honey-roasted cashews with a kick (page 33) Baked crap dip with sweet corn and Old Bay (page 41) Coconut creamed corn (page 182) Kale salad with gouda, honeycrisp & walnuts (page 50) Little gem salad with avocado goddess dressing & pickled red onions (page 65) Raddichio salad with pear, cornbread crumbs & muffins (page 77) Shaved carrot salad with creamy sesame-ginger dressing (page 54) Spiced sweet potatoes with pecans & pomegranate seeds (page 177) Avgolemono-ish chicken noodle soup (page 74) Cider-glazed sausages with caramelized apples & fennel (page 87) One-pan chicken meatballs with red sauce & spinach (page 84) Creamy polenta (page 162) Oven-baked polenta (NYT) Red potato and leek frittata with goat cheese and dill (page 245) Lidey bars – vegan date & almond bars (page 246) Peanut butter & ginger cookies (page 190) Lemon rosemary olive oil cake (page 221) Rainbow sprinkle ice cream cake (page 213) Spicy paloma punch (page 22)Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our Amazon storefront Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 3/19/2025): Woks of Life, by the Leung Family

We love pie! In this episode, we dig in to savory pies that run a wide gamut of influences and flavors. Sara talks about the tamale pie of her youth, Renee used her precious postpartum support time to make a steak & mushroom pie, and we deem pies perfectly worthy of dinner. Recipes and resources mentioned in this episode: Tamale pie (Simply Julia) Kale and mushroom pot pie (Simply Julia) Pasta alfredo (Cook for Love) Shepherd's pie (Linda McCartney's Family Kitchen) Shepherd's pie (Whole30) Steak, ale & mushroom pie (goodFOOD) Samosa pie (NYT) Chicken pot pie (America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book) Chicken pot pie (Small Victories) Chicken pot pie (Salt Fat Acid Heat) Skillet chicken pot pie (NYT) Deep dish broccoli quiche (Smitten Kitchen Keepers) Sweet potato & bacon quiche (Dinner in French) The Book on Pie Everything bagel hand pies (Simply Julia) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our Amazon storefront Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 2/19/2025): Cooking in Real Life, by Lidey Heuck

This memoir with recipes is an unusual cookbook — it follows the year after the folding of Gourmet magazine, when Ruth Reichl was left reeling and found her way through that transition through cooking and food. We talk about the wide variety of recipes, mixture of prose and recipes, and whether we liked the things we made from this book. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Khao man gai Borscht salad Cider-braised pork shoulder Thomas Keller roast chicken Food cart curry chicken Roast leg of lamb with fresh mint sauce Chicken liver pate Beef, wine and onion stew Tart lemon tart Gingered applesauce cake with caramel Linzer torte Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our Amazon storefront Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 2/19/2025): Cooking in Real Life, by Lidey Heuck

After the hemorrhage of the holiday season, we are ready to get back to simple cooking in the evenings, with a budget-friendly spin. We focus on cleaning out the freezer/pantry, maximizing protein and using our yummiest budget-friendly recipes. Recipes and resources mentioned in this episode: White bean dip (Super Natural Every Day) Lentil soup dip (Simply Julia) The Everlasting Meal, by Tamar Adler Super Natural Every Day, by Heidi Swanson White beans & cabbage (Super Natural Every Day) Miso curry delicata squash (Super Natural Every Day) Green lentil soup (Super Natural Every Day) Curried red lentils with coconut milk (Small Victories) Pureed winter squash & lentil soup (NYT) Red lentil soup with lemon (NYT) Creamy lentils (Indian Instant Pot) Stewed chickpea, zucchini & peppers (Simply Julia) Roasted chickpeas (NYT) Spaghetti with garlicky breadcrumbs & anchovies (NYT) I Dream of Dinner, by Ali Slagle Dinner in One, by Melissa Clark Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 1/22/2025): My Kitchen Year: 136 Recipes that Saved my Life, by Ruth Reichl

This cookbook from Martha Stewart alum Jess Damuck rides high on crunchy California hippie vibes. Whole wheat baked goods (yikes), smoothies and salads rule this book, which we liked and disliked in almost equal measure. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Tuna, Avocado and Grapefruit with Seed Crackers (page 129) Test Kitchen turmeric tonic (page 74) Morning glory muffins (page 50) Morning glory muffins (NYT) Savory brown rice porridge with greens and soft egg (page 54) Creamsicle smoothie (page 70) Peach and burrata caprese with hot honey (page 176) Crispy rice and salmon bowl with quick pickles and greens (page 111) Sweet potato bread with miso tahini butter (page 240) Whole wheat sesame challah (page 262) Buckwheat brownies (page 244) Simple Any-stone-fruit cake (page 254) Marian Burros' plum torte (NYT) Black bean tostadas with avocado and crispy leeks (page 91) Very good vegan chili (page 103) Mushroom “carnitas” tacos with citrusy radish slaw (page 232) Lemony kale salad with crispy chickpeas and avocado (page 183) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsor: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 1/22/2025): My Kitchen Year: 136 Recipes that Saved my Life, by Ruth Reichl

By listener request, some ideas for gifts for yourself or the other cooks and foodies in your life. We discuss the best gift exchange gifts we've received, thrifting for treasures and buying more than one of your favorite spatula. Recipes and resources mentioned in this episode: SNL: Christmas morning (YouTube) Strawberry huller (Amazon) Renee's Amazon storefront Mason jar juicer lid (Amazon) Thermopro probe thermometer (Amazon) Get it Right spatulas Figmint mini rubber spatulas & mixing bowls with lids (Target) Hydro Flask insulated bowl (Amazon) Fly by Jing chili crisp Olympia Provisions Jacobsen salt Raaka chocolate Sugarpine Drive-In sundae sauces Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 12/25/2024): Health Nut, by Jess Damuck

Discovered by Renee at Book Larder in Seattle, this book is a baking book celebrating flavors and treats from Denmark, Norway & Sweden. We both loved creating these treats that were outside the normal things we bake — a perfect book for the baking season! Recipes mentioned in this episode: The Life-Changing Loaf of Bread (My New Roots) Sprouted rye bread (page 198) Cardamom-scented apple and pear snacking cake (page 76) Rye chocolate chunk cookies (page 60) Waffles with kefir & cardamom (page 179) Raspberry squares (page 57) Cinnamon buttons (page 224) Caramel slices (page 47) Brown sugar “focaccia” cake (page 81) Royal party cake (page 100) Soft bun dough (page 110) Cinnamon knots (page 113) Saffron rusks (page 64) Buttermilk “soup” with cardamom rusks (page 103) Rye crispbread (page 175) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsor: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 12/25/2024): Health Nut, by Jess Damuck

It's that time again! The super bowl of the cook's calendar. We talk about not making it a one-woman show, our plans for Thanksgiving this year and strategies for keeping it together during this food and family-filled holiday. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Cranberry curd tart (NYT) Mango pie (NYT) Vegan mushroom gravy (NYT) Carrot pie (Six Seasons) French onion stuffing (NYT) Pecan pie bites with gravy (NYT) Jennie's Chicken Pelau (Small Victories) Chicken and black-eyed pea chili (Now & Again) Chickpea stew with coconut and turmeric (NYT) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 11/27/2024): Scandinavian from Scratch, by Nicole Accettola

Instagram sensation turned cookbook author Dan Pelosi gave us a gem of a cookbook filled with comfort food, family and fun here. Sara is obsessed with the breakfast mushrooms and eggs, Renee isn't sure whether these recipes are that great, but we love how Dan brings his whole personality to the book. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Grossy's vodka sawce (page 193) Spinach & mushroom baked eggs (page 60) Mushroom bolognese (page 190) Vegan mushroom gravy (NYT) Roasted fennel, orange & olive salad (page 115) Four seasons salad (page 103) Italian gay wedding soup (page 85) Chocolate anise biscotti (page 249) Grandma Katherine's rice pudding (page 276) Cinnamon sugar knots (page 138) The only dough you'll knead (page 123) Live, Loaf, Love (page 229) Aioli have eyes for you (page 35) Mom's stuffed artichokes (page 112) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 11/27/2024): Scandinavian from Scratch, by Nicole Accettola

A weeknight savior, a delicious favorite for kids and adults alike, and yet we made it to episode 79 before we had an episode about it?! We're getting to it, thanks to a great listener request. Join us to talk about delicious pasta. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Spaghetti with garlicky bread crumbs and anchovies (NYT) Bacon & egg spaghetti, with greens & herbs (Dinner in One) Fettucine alfredo (Cook for Love) Pasta with garlicky broccoli raab (Dinner in One) Creamy corn pasta with basil (NYT) Charred corn pasta salad (What's Gaby Cooking: Grilling all of the things) Disappearing zucchini orzo (Animal, Vegetable, Miracle) Instant Pot pasta bolognese (Julia Turshen) Caramelized shallot pasta (NYT) Kale sauce with any noodle (Six Seasons) Green angel hair with garlic butter (Smitten Kitchen Keepers) Llubav's green spaghetti (Simply Julia) A Nice Lasagna (Small Victories) A Very Good Lasagna (Nothing Fancy) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 10/30/2024) will be about Let's Eat! by Dan Pelosi

This James Beard-award winning cookbook features a collaboration between Hawa Hassan and Julia Turshen, and tells the stories of many women across eight African countries. We love the storytelling aspect of this book. Will we keep it on our shelves? Recipes mentioned in this episode: Digaag Qumbe (page 73) Xawaash spice mix (page 74) Somali beef stew (page 93) Ma Gehennet's Shiro (page 45) Berbere spice mix (page 50) Ma Kauthar's Mango chile sauce (page 116) Date bread (page 158) Bolo Polana (page 189) Ginger spritz (page 245) Iced Rooibos tea with orange, cloves and cinnamon (page 214) Resources mentioned in this episode: In Bibi's Kitchen, by Hawa Hassan with Julia Turshen Indian Instant Pot, by Urvashi Pitre Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 10/30/2024) will be about Let's Eat! by Dan Pelosi

The kids are back in school, and you need to get yourself fed during the day. Join us for some strategies for weekday lunches, whether you are at home or in the office. Renee works from home, Sara often works from her car, and we offer solutions for every situation in-between. Cookbooks mentioned in this episode: That Cheese Plate will Change Your Life, by Marissa Mullen Vegan boards, by Kate Kasbee It's All Easy, by Gwyneth Paltrow Resources mentioned in this episode: Planetbox lunch boxes Lunchbots lunch boxes Copycat Bitchin' sauce Copycat Yumm sauce Copycat Toby's dip Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (airing 10/2/2024): In Bibi's Kitchen, by Hawa Hassan & Julia Turshen

Ali Slagle wrote our dream weeknight cookbook in “I Dream of Dinner.” We talk about Ali Slagle's camper van adventures and the flexibility in these recipes while we celebrate bringing the podcast back after Renee's cancer treatment! Recipes mentioned in this episode: Shrimp cocktail for dinner (page 365) Gochujang gravy (page 337) Smoky white beans and cauliflower (page 82) Marbella chicken salad (page 277) Ricotta frittata with lemon crumbs (page 32) Sesame chicken meatballs (page 263) Tahini herb pasta salad (page 162) Sticky chicken with pickled vegetables (page 297) Resources mentioned in this episode: Ali Slagle's cute cooking videos from her camper van Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Our next cookbook episode (airing 10/2/2024) will be about In Bibi's Kitchen, by Hawa Hassan with Julia Turshen.

Rick Martinez brings his warm, fun and exuberant personality to this collection of Mexican cuisine from different regions of Mexico. We love the color and texture throughout this book and talk about one of the yummiest meals we've shared together. Somebody book us a trip to sunny Mexico! Recipes mentioned in this episode: Enchiladas mineras (page 74) Aguachile (page 242) Gaspacho moreliano (page 90) Arroz blanco con mantequilla (page 50) Pozole verde, estilo Guerrero (page 116) Chiles jalapeños en escabeche (page 64) Salsa macha (page 60) Tacos árabes (page 93) Tortillas árabes (page 44) Pan de muerto (page 102) Resources mentioned in this episode: Tajín Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next episodes coming in September 2024 after a summer break!

Pie is wonderful. Dessert pie is the best. And it makes us feel downright patriotic. Join us as we geek out on crust, fillings and baking techniques in this episode all about pie. Recipes mentioned in this episode: ⁠Tart and pie dough (The Art of Simple Food) All butter crust (America's Test Kitchen) The only pie crust (Alison Roman) Lime pie with Anzac biscuit crust (Family) Carrot pie (Six Seasons) David Liebovitz's salted honey pie (Grains for Every Season) Banana cream pie (NYT) Coconut cream pie (America's Test Kitchen) Salted lemon cream pie (Sweet Enough) Apple ombre pie (NYT) Cookbooks mentioned in this episode: The Book on Pie, by Erin Jeanne McDowell Baking with Dorie, by Dorie Greenspan Dessert Person, by Claire Saffitz Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 6/12/2024 most likely — thanks for your patience!): Mi Cocina, by Rick Martinez

Bryant Terry is a visionary in the vegan cooking world, and we tried out this well-known cookbook. We talk about nesting doll recipes, brilliant vegan flavor boosters and decide whether this book could ever work on a weeknight. (And yes, we know we sound a little breathy in the audio on this episode, we're working on it!) Recipes mentioned in this episode: All-green everything salad with creamy sage dressing (page 148) Cornbread muffins (page 37) Dill pickled fennel (page 44) Red rice with spring vegetables (page 74) Sweet potato, russet potato and tempeh hash (page 183) Millet, red lentil and potato cakes (page 175) Lentil soup (page 215) Creamy carrot coconut soup (page 208) Resources mentioned in this episode: Spotify dinner playlist Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 6/12/2024 most likely — thanks for your patience!): Mi Cocina, by Rick Martinez

We love to bake — so today, we talk about some favorite recipes for these easy go-to bakes. Sara won a prize for quickbread at the Oregon State Fair, Emily brings us tips on making these treats gluten free, and Renee, as always, loves Melissa Clark. Recipes mentioned in this episode: ⁠Carrot loaf cake with tangy lemon glaze (NYT) Banana bread (Weeknight Baking) Spiced banana brown bread (Now & Again) Gluten free zucchini muffins (Sprouted Kitchen) Pumpkin bread (Smitten Kitchen) Most adaptable one-bowl cornmeal pound cake (NYT) Pumpkin maple muffins (NYT) Caramelized brown butter rice krispies treats (NYT) Perfect blueberry muffins (Smitten Kitchen Every Day) Blueberry muffins (Grand Central Baking Book) Cranberry crumb muffins (NYT) Morning glory muffins (NYT) Toasted oat & apple muffins (Small Victories) Sled dog muffins (Simply Julia) Lunchbox harvest muffins (NYT) Figgy buckwheat scone (Good to the Grain) Cookbooks mentioned in this episode: Weeknight baking, by Michelle Lopez Good to the Grain, by Kim Boyce Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Our guest: Emily Pagliarulo, @ejmaletz on Instagram Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 5/15/2024): Vegetable Kingdom, by Bryant Terry

This book grabbed Renee's eye over the summer when she was traveling in the UK, so she brought it back and we dove in to this ingredient-focused, easy weeknight book from our neighbor across the pond. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Persian saffron chicken, fennel & barberry stew (Persiana) Harissa & lemon roasted chicken thighs (page 80) Bloody Mary spatchcocked chicken (page 58) Butternut, cardamom & tahini soup (page 27) Tahini cinnamon swirls (page 222) Halloumi, bacon, date and apple salad (page 31) Spicy nutty roasted cauliflower (page 160) Zucchini, apple, peanut and feta salad (page 46) Persian flatbread (Persiana) Yogurt, marjoram & pul biber flatbreads (page 209) Cheat's dhal (page 144) Zesty mackerel pate (page 24) Pistachio feta dip (Persiana) Cookbooks mentioned in this episode: Persiana, by Sabrina Ghayour Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Our guest: Emily Pagliarulo, @ejmaletz on Instagram Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 5/15/2024): Vegetable Kingdom, by Bryant Terry

There are very many things you can put on buns. Make your own buns, buy some at the grocery store, make a thing on a bun! We give you a whole list of ideas you can use for a meal on a bun! Recipes mentioned in this episode: ⁠Beautiful burger buns (King Arthur Flour) English muffins (King Arthur Flour) Crispy oven pulled pork (Smitten Kitchen Keepers) Turkey burgers (Food Health & Happiness) The ultimate veggie burger (NYT) Jamie Oliver's vegetarian black bean burger (NYT) Potato chip fish cakes (Simply Julia) Homemade merguez with herby yogurt (Small Victories) Superiority burger's crispy fried tofu sandwich (NYT) Cookbooks mentioned in this episode: Mooncakes & Milk Bread Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, ⁠@cookbookclubshow⁠ E-mail us: ⁠cookbookclubshow@gmail.com⁠ Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: ⁠@hipchickdigs⁠ and ⁠@realtor_saragray⁠ Our sponsor: ⁠Dropcloth Samplers⁠ Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 4/17/2024): Persiana Everyday, by Sabrina Ghayour

Season three of our podcast and we're finally cooking from the Barefoot Contessa! We talk about our fabulous cookbook club dinner, and whether we like cooking Ina Garten's classic, entertaining-friendly recipes. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Warm spinach & artichoke dip Ultimate bloody marys Green salad vinaigrette Creamy tomato bisque Split pea soup with crispy kielbasa Charred carrots with orange and balsamic Baked rigatoni with lamb ragu Brussels sprouts pizza carbonara Salted pistachio meringues Chocolate dipped brown sugar shortbread Bittersweet chocolate cake Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 4/17/2024): Persiana Everyday, by Sabrina Ghayour

We make a lot of cakes! In this episode, we weigh the pros and cons of cake mixes vs. homemade cakes, kid cakes vs. adult cakes and talk about decorations and give you some of our best birthday cake strategies. Recipes mentioned in this episode: ⁠Pineapple upside down cake (Snacking Cakes) Strawberry summer cake (Smitten Kitchen) Devil's food with salted milk chocolate frosting (Smitten Kitchen Keepers) Chocolate Midnight cake (Salt Fat Acid Heat) Toasted coconut cake (Now & Again) Cookbooks mentioned in this episode: Momofuku Milk Bar Mary Berry's Baking Bible Resources mentioned in this episode: Erin McDowell's rainbow frosting The Kitchn's funfetti cake recipe roundup Unicorn cake topper Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, ⁠@cookbookclubshow⁠ E-mail us: ⁠cookbookclubshow@gmail.com⁠ Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: ⁠@hipchickdigs⁠ and ⁠@realtor_saragray⁠ Our sponsor: ⁠Dropcloth Samplers⁠ Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 3/20/2024): Modern Comfort Food, by Ina Garten

One of the most famous cookbooks of all time, Mastering the Art of French Cooking was a revelation at the time, bringing French cuisine to American cooks. This huge collection of recipes is a little intimidating — but in this episode, we break it down to share the things we've made and loved along the way. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Pissaladière niçoise (Vol 1, page 151) Salade niçoise (Vol 1, page 542) Eggs En Gelee (Vol 1, page 547) Meringue-nut layer cake with butter-cream frosting and filling (Vol 2, page 497) Cream puffs (Vol 1, page 177) Baked cucumbers/parslied cucumbers (Vol 1, page 500) Fondue de poulet a la creme (Vol 1, page 262) Scrambled eggs (Vol 1, page 125) Chocolate souffle (Vol 1, page 619) Oeufs en Cocotte (Vol 1, page 123) Resources mentioned in this episode: Killing It, by Camas Davis Gordon Ramsay cooking scrambled eggs Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 3/20/2024): Modern Comfort Food, by Ina Garten

We are coming off the holidays, entering a new year, battling winter weather and sitting down to share how cooking is going in our homes these days. Freezer clean-outs, fresh new year recipes and more! Recipes mentioned in this episode: ⁠Indecision grilled chicken (Small Victories) Shepherd's pie with a sweet potato crust (Whole30) Roasted red pepper sauce (Whole30) Roasted pork shoulder with butternut squash and tomatoes (Whole30) Cinnamon rolls (NYT) Bacon and egg spaghetti (Dinner in One) Cranberry-orange “snow” scones (Alexandra's Kitchen) Slow-roasted salmon (Salt Fat Acid Heat) Recipes from In Bibi's Kitchen Tangy braised short ribs (NYT) Recipes from Evolutions in Bread Recipes from Elements of Pizza Vanilla meringues (NYT) Pavlova wreath (Leigh Ann Wilkes) Chewy pumpkin chocolate chip cookie bars (NYT) Coconut curry chickpeas with pumpkin and lime (NYT) Pumpkin crumb cake (NYT) Baked pumpkin donuts (NYT) Seeded nut loaf (Mary Berry's Baking Bible) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, ⁠@cookbookclubshow⁠ E-mail us: ⁠cookbookclubshow@gmail.com⁠ Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: ⁠@hipchickdigs⁠ and ⁠@realtor_saragray⁠ Our sponsor: ⁠Dropcloth Samplers⁠ Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 2/21/2024): Mastering the Art of French Cooking, by Julia Child

We loved Andrea Nguyen's first book, “Vietnamese Food Any Day.” How does her new release stack up for us? Renee and Sara talk about building block recipes, too-long-descriptions, eating cake until our stomachs hurt and more. Recipes mentioned in this episode: 10-10-10 Perfect Rice (page 65) Umami tofu crumbles (page 50) Nuoc Cham dipping sauce (page 32) Fast-fried shallots (page 46) Chicken-vegetable pho (page 161) Pressure cooker beef pho (NYT) Char siu pulled jackfruit (page 229) Baked char siu pulled-jackfruit bao (page 121) Gingery vegetable and beef stir fry (page 254) Char siu roasted cauliflower (page 227) Greens with magical sesame salt (page 201) Vietnamese mocha cake (page 266) Spice-citrus marble cake (page 269) Egg coffee (page 287) Resources mentioned in this episode: David Chang on MSG & umami (YouTube) MSG as a misunderstood ingredient (CNN) MSG's bad rap (Five Thirty Eight) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 2/21/2024): Mastering the Art of French Cooking, by Julia Child

The holidays are over and weeknight cooking is back. If you're like us, maybe you're feeling a little overwhelmed and worn out on it — in that case, tune in for some easy weeknight dinner inspiration to get your dinner mojo back. Recipes mentioned in this episode: ⁠Shakshuka (Dinner in an Instant) Shakshuka (Dinner in One) Green shakshuka with avocado and lime (NYT) Rao's meatballs (NYT) Pasta alla Gricia (NYT) Curried chicken with cauliflower, apricots and olives (Sheet Pan Suppers) Lemony chicken with potatoes and oregano (NYT) Garlicky chicken with lemon-anchovy sauce (NYT) Spicy honey chicken thighs (Cooking Light) One-pot turmeric coconut rice with greens (NYT) Oven-baked polenta (NYT) Spiced chickpea stew with coconut and turmeric (NYT) Turkey burgers (Food, Health & Happiness) Beautiful burger buns (King Arthur Flour) Furikake salmon (Japanese Cookbook for Beginners) Reverse seared steak (Serious Eats) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, ⁠@cookbookclubshow⁠ E-mail us: ⁠cookbookclubshow@gmail.com⁠ Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: ⁠@hipchickdigs⁠ and ⁠@realtor_saragray⁠ Our sponsor: ⁠Dropcloth Samplers⁠ Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 1/24/2024): Ever-Green Vietnamese, by Andrea Nguyen

This week we're coming back for more Deb Perelman with her newest book, Smitten Kitchen Keepers. Are they keepers? How do we like these compared to her other books? Tune in to find out. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Devil's food cake with salted milk chocolate frosting (page 267) Luxe s'mores bars (page 235) Carrot cake with brown butter and no clutter (page 263) The blondie chipwich (page 237) Tomatoes with cottage cheese and bagel seeds (page 32) Blueberry pancake cobbler (page 41) Endive salad with apple matchsticks (page 53) Double shallot egg salad (page 59) Carrot tarte tatin (page 119) Winter squash soup with red onion crisp (page 77) Cozy chicken and dumplings soup (page 85) Braised winter squash wedges (page 111) Deepest dish broccoli cheddar quiche (page 145) Honey thyme baked feta (page 284) Spicy crushed olives with pistachios (page 287) Toasted sesame almonds (page 288) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 1/24/2024): Ever-Green Vietnamese, by Andrea Nguyen

Have you ever made a babka? We tried a number of recipes for this enriched-dough bread with a ribbon of flavor, and we came up with very mixed results. Listen in on to see what we baked and our favorite babka recipe! Recipes mentioned in this episode: ⁠Babka (America's Test Kitchen Family Baking Book) Cinnamon babka (Claire Saffitz, NYT) Savory babka with ricotta and herbs (Melissa Clark, NYT) Better chocolate babka (Smitten Kitchen) Chocolate babka (Melissa Clark, NYT) Sprinkle butter babka loaf (Nadiya Hussein) Birthday cake babka (What Jew Wanna Eat) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, ⁠@cookbookclubshow⁠ E-mail us: ⁠cookbookclubshow@gmail.com⁠ Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: ⁠@hipchickdigs⁠ and ⁠@realtor_saragray⁠ Our sponsor: ⁠Dropcloth Samplers⁠ Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 12/27/2023): Smitten Kitchen Keepers, by Deb Perelman

Inspired by a classic Pacific Northwest bakery, this book tells us how to make those beloved treats at home. This week we talk about the bakery and the cookbook, and which recipes we enjoy (or maybe not so much!) Recipes mentioned in this episode: Grand Central Bakery jammers (page 22) Pecan sticky buns (page 46) Rough puff pastry (page 176) Tarte tatin (page 194) Dutch babies (page 39) Artisan pizza (page 111) Ben's pan pizza (page 113) Blueberry muffins (page 27) Old-fashioned spice cake (page 168) Oatmeal chocolate chip cookies (page 56) Classic buttery shortbread and royal icing (page 78) Sesame cookies (page 75) Pumpkin bread (page 33) Cranberry orange pecan bread (page 34) Megan's apricot almond granola (page 51) Savory hand pies (page 106) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 12/27/2023): Smitten Kitchen Keepers, by Deb Perelman

It's not a cookbook, but the New York Times Cooking section is a huge source of recipes for both of us. In this episode, we break down some favorites for fall and Thanksgiving. Recipes mentioned in this episode: ⁠Pumpkin maple muffins (Alison Roman) Pumpkin crumb cake (Yossy Arefi) No-bake pumpkin cheesecake (Yossy Arefi) Pumpkin bundt cake with maple brown-butter glaze (Yossy Arefi) Red wine pear cardamom cake (Melissa Clark) Pumpkin-butterscotch with spiced whipped cream (Melissa Clark) Mango pie (Samin Nosrat & Hrishikesh Hirway) Cranberry curd tart (David Tanis) Dry-brined turkey with sheet pan gravy (Alison Roman) Roast spatchcock turkey (Mark Bittman) Buttered stuffing with celery and leeks (Alison Roman) Brussels sprouts with pickled shallots and labneh (Nik Sharma) Vegan green bean casserole (Gena Hamshaw) Green beans and greens with fried shallots (Alison Roman) Vegan mushroom make-ahead gravy (Melissa Clark) Roasted cauliflower (Amanda Hesser) Spicy caramelized squash with lemon and hazelnuts (Alison Roman) Cranberry sauce (Sam Sifton) Buttermilk-brined turkey breast (Samin Nosrat) Citrus and persimmon salad (David Tanis) The perfect herby salad (Alison Roman, Nothing Fancy) Brussels sprouts slaw (Nik Sharma, The Flavor Equation) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, ⁠@cookbookclubshow⁠ E-mail us: ⁠cookbookclubshow@gmail.com⁠ Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: ⁠@hipchickdigs⁠ and ⁠@realtor_saragray⁠ Our sponsor: ⁠Dropcloth Samplers⁠ Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 11/29/2023): The Grand Central Baking Book, by Piper Davis & Ellen Jackson

We dig in to Freddy Bitsoie's ode to Indigenous cuisine and ingredients on this episode, with a recap of a delicious meal we shared together with our in-person Cookbook Club. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Hominy with bacon bits (page 76) Alaskan King Salmon with crushed pecans (page 226) Spice-rubbed pork tenderloin (page 214) Chocolate bison chili (page 160) Three sisters salad with shallot vinaigrette (page 90) Red potato soup (page 50) Pumpkin bread pudding (page 262) Chocolate and piñon nutcake (page 254) Cookbooks mentioned in this episode: Cedar & Salt Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers & Eat Your Books (use code CC2023) Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 11/29/2023): The Grand Central Baking Book, by Piper Davis & Ellen Jackson

Cooking is one thing, but it takes a whole lot of logistics to plan, shop, organize and keep track of the groceries, recipes and cookbooks in our kitchens. Today we're joined by Kirsten Collins to chat about how we organize our kitchens and our deeply personal ways of organizing cookbooks. Resources mentioned in this episode: ⁠Google Calendar Reminders app Eat Your Books Our Groceries app Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, ⁠@cookbookclubshow⁠ E-mail us: ⁠cookbookclubshow@gmail.com⁠ Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: ⁠@hipchickdigs⁠ and ⁠@realtor_saragray⁠ Our sponsor: ⁠Dropcloth Samplers⁠ Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 11/1/2023): New Native Kitchen, by Freddy Bitsoie

We return to Melissa Clark in this episode, to dig in to her one-pan, one-pot, one-skillet, one-sheet-pan wonder. Joined by our friend Kirsten Collins, we go through the recipes we are loving from this collection of weeknight dinners. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Spiced pearl couscous with jammy eggplant and tomatoes (page 126) Full English breakfast (page 34) Cheater's chicken and dumplings (page 203) Caramelized carrots with pancetta, olives and crispy parmesan (page 50) Lemony turkey and white bean soup with winter greens (page 182) Smoky lentil stew with kielbasa and potatoes (page 214) Turkey and bean tamale pie (page 143) Tamale pie (Simply Julia) Spicy tomato white beans with sage, pecorino and garlicky crostini (page 216) Pizza beans (Smitten Kitchen) Parmesan white beans and kale with crunchy, garlicky breadcrumbs (page 82) Quick sausage, kale and crouton saute (Smitten Kitchen Every Day) Tender chicken in a pot with pearl couscous, lemon and mint (page 135) Crispy, spicy lamb with greens and avocado (page 72) Creamy peanut chicken with charred snowpeas (page 63) Miso-glazed salmon with roasted sugar snap peas (page 40) Spiced pork chops with buttery peas, radishes and mint (page 64) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsors: Dropcloth Samplers & Eat Your Books Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 11/1/2023): New Native Kitchen, by Freddy Bitsoie

Let's talk about pancakes and waffles! They're a classic breakfast food, but spoiler alert, we eat them for dinner very frequently. We'll share our favorite recipes and give you some tips for making these delicious treats. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Dutch baby (Grand Central Baking Book or NYT) Sour cream pancakes (Small Victories) Buttermilk pancakes (NYT) Waffles (NYT) Almond flour pancakes (King Arthur Flour) Buckwheat buttermilk flapjacks with maple bourbon butter (The Campout Cookbook) Multigrain pancakes (Super Natural Every Day) Fluffy pumpkin pancakes (NYT) Gingerbread pancakes (NYT) Confetti cookies (Smitten Kitchen) Resources mentioned in this episode: Cuisinart waffle iron with removable plates Rainbow sprinkles (Nuts.com) Whole wheat pastry flour (Azure) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsor: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 10/4/2023): Dinner in One, by Melissa Clark

An elevated but health-focused book with a Paleo bent, this cookbook is different from a lot of other books we've cooked from, as well as being extremely personal. In this episode, we talk about entertaining people with dietary restrictions, which recipes we like from this book and the game-changers it gave us. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Spicy pineapple turmeric smoothie Sticky chicken wings with spicy honey and fish sauce Fish sauce wings (Pok Pok) Gravlax with lemon pepper and dill Sauteed spinach with golden raisins and pine nuts Lots of roasted veggies with ginger chile Cauliflower puttanesca Sour coconut cream ranch dip with raw veggies Chocolate and nut butter tart with sea salt and chipotle Ginger shrub with carrot and orange Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsor: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 10/4/2023): Dinner in One, by Melissa Clark

It's been two years of Cookbook Club! On today's episode, we tie up loose ends from the season, talk about what's coming next and take some listener questions. Recipes, authors and cookbooks mentioned in this episode: Julia Turshen Melissa Clark Samin Nosrat Yotam Ottolenghi Deb Perelman Heidi Swanson Alison Roman In Bibi's Kitchen, by Hawa Hassan Nothing Fancy, by Alison Roman Dining In, by Alison Roman Labne with sizzled scallions (Nothing Fancy) Spicy marinated anchovies with potato chips (Nothing Fancy) Fancy citrusy olives (Nothing Fancy) A very fine spritz (Nothing Fancy) Smashed eggs and fancy fish on crackers (Nothing Fancy) Baked eggs with crushed chickpeas, chorizo and bread crumbs (Nothing Fancy) Decidedly not-sweet granola (Nothing Fancy) Smashed cucumbers and scallions over garlicky yogurt (Nothing Fancy) That Cheese Plate Will Change Your Life, by Marissa Mullen The Moosewood Cookbook, by Mollie Katzen Mastering the Art of French Cooking, by Julia Child Everyone's Table, by Gregory Gourdet Burma Superstar, by Desmond Tan New Native Kitchen, by Freddy Bitsoie Super Natural Simple, by Heidi Swanson Resources mentioned in this episode: Eat your Books “Girl dinner” Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsor: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 9/6/2023): Everyone's Table, by Gregory Gourdet

This cookbook feels like an embodiment of Priya Krishna's sunny disposition, and serves as a love letter to her mom's “Indian-ish” cooking which she ate growing up. We talk about what we made from this book, including a dump cake and some other very interesting recipes! Recipes mentioned in this episode: Black pepper and chile baked goat cheese (page 57) Dad's yogurt (page 43) Spicy olive tapanede (page 51) Lima bean & basil dip (page 52) Matar paneer (page 70) Priya's dal (page 152) Raita (page 49) Kachumber (page 107) Garlic ginger chicken with cilantro and mint (page 187) Spinach and feta cooked like saag paneer (page 83) Tomato rice with crispy cheddar (page 170) Quinoa kheer (page 199) Anvita's dump cake (page 207) Cardamom chai (page 210) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsor: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 9/6/2023): Everyone's Table, by Gregory Gourdet

Grilling is a laid-back kind of summer cooking where you can sip a cold beverage and cook outside. This week we talk about our favorite things to grill and why we love grilling. Get outside with us! Recipes mentioned in this episode: Lamb arayes (Simply Julia) Ginger lime chicken (NYT) Spicy honey-brushed chicken thighs (Cooking Light) Huli huli chicken (NYT) Grilled za'atar chicken with garlic yogurt and cilantro (NYT) Chicken skewers with three marinades (Zahav) Molasses barbecue sauce (Small Victories) Barbecue chicken in the oven (The Kitchn) Ribs with gochujang, fish sauce & honey (Small Victories) Salmon with lemon-herb marinade (NYT) Slow-roasted salmon (Salt Fat Acid Heat) How to Grill (NYT) Artisan pizza (Grand Central Baking Book) Pizza crust (Evolutions in Bread) Grilled summer vegetables with tahini dressing (NYT) Grilled cabbage with paprika-lime butter (NYT) Grilled branzino with lemons all the ways (Dining In) Cookbooks mentioned in this episode: The Green Barbecue, by Rukmini Iyer Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsor: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 8/9/2023): Indian-ish, by Priya Krishna

This vibrant, beautiful cookbook celebrates Colombia and its flavors, women, music and more. We talk about how beautiful the food is, and whether the flavors kept up with that beauty. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Refajo a la Brooklyn (page 124) Coquito mio (page 152) Alegrías de coco y anis (page 201) Lentejas ahumadas con chorizo (page 95) Ceviche de palmito y pomelo (page 238) Ensalada de aguacate y cilantro (page 94) Plátanos en tentación (page 78) Arepas con queso (page 33) Arepas de maiz trillado (page 30) Pastel “gloria” (page 210) Almojabanas con agua de azahares (page 51) Perro caliente con todo (page 230) Paletas de avena y canela (page 285) Helado de suero (page 82) Merengón de fresa y crema de diente de león (page 128) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsor: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 8/9/2023): Indian-ish, by Priya Krishna

Sometimes in the summer, it's just too hot to bother with applying any heat. This week we share our best ideas for preparing no-cook dinners to keep everyone cool, fed and happy. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Don't call it a crudité (Nothing Fancy) Marinated goat cheese with lemony za'atar (Nothing Fancy) Hummus (Dinner in an Instant) Hummus tahina (Zahav) Cowboy caviar (NYT) Lentil soup dip (Simply Julia) Meatloaf sandwich (Now & Again) Sicilian chicken salad (Salt Fat Acid Heat) Niçoise-inspired summer salad (Real Simple) Niçoise salad (Mastering the art of French cooking) Pasta salad with marinated tomatoes and tuna (NYT) Broccoli salad (NYT) Bahn mi salad (Salad for Dinner) Tuna mayo rice bowl (NYT) Poolside sesame slaw (Smitten Kitchen) Cookbooks mentioned in this episode: Superfood smoothies, by Julie Morris Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsor: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 7/12/2023): Colombiana, by Mariana Velasquez

French recipes brought to life by our old friend Melissa Clark. Renee thinks this book feels more intentionally complex than others Melissa Clark has written and we remember a lovely meal shared from its pages. Pretty sure it's our only episode with a truly surprised gasp in it. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Classic salade niçoise (page 82) Sweet potato aligot with fried sage (page 44) Classic fromage fort with chives (page 50) Campari olive oil cake (page 262) Sweet potato and bacon quiche with parsley (page 119) Scalloped potato gratin (page 245) Roasted beet, caraway and creme fraîche salad with arugula (page 69) Chicken liver mousse with bourbon (page 191) Savory gruyere bread with ham (page 55) Poule au pot pie (page 185) Classic tarte flambée (page 126) Lentil stew with garlic sausage and goat cheese (page 208) Delicate pea and lettuce soup with ricotta and tarragon (page 92) French-rye chocolate cake with spiced crême anglaishe (page 265) Rustic buckwheat apple ginger cake (page 259) Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsor: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 7/12/2023): Colombiana, by Mariana Velasquez

Camping and cooking go together — but it all gets a little more complicated when we add kids to the equation. Sara and Renee share their camping strategies and menus to get everyone fed while you're in the woods this summer. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Skillet weeknight chili (NYT) Cowboy beans (Hello, My Name is Tasty) Mac & Beer cheese (The Campout Cookbook) Vegetarian chili (Cook for Love) Mushroom fajita mix (Cook for Love) Tri-tip sandwich bar (The Campout Cookbook) Pudgie pies (The Campout Cookbook) Nut brittle (The Campout Cookbook) Cowboy cookies (The Campout Cookbook) Resources mentioned in this episode: Rome pie irons Camp Chef stove A Scout's guide to camp cooking Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsor: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 6/14/2023): Dinner in French, by Melissa Clark

To Eric Kim, these recipes taste like home. We both had tender feelings toward his vulnerability throughout this cookbook, as he writes a very personal love letter to his family. But the real question is: did the recipes work for us? Recipes mentioned in this episode: Scorched skillet rice with raw spring veggies (page 145) Crispy lemon pepper bulgogi with quick-pickled shallots (page 241) Sheet pan bibimbap with roasted fall vegetables (page 151) Yangnyeom roast chicken (page 211) Crispy yangnyeom chickpeas with caramelized honey (page 198) Kimchi-braised short ribs with pasta (page 93) Jean's perfect jar of kimchi (page 67) Roasted bo ssam (page 227) Sheet-pan LA Kalbi with Sprite (page 233) Sesame-soy deviled eggs (page 215) Gem lettuce salad (page 190) Cheesy scallion stuffing (page 212) Chewy black sesame rice cake (page 268) Milk bread with maple syrup (page 251) No-churn ice cream with dalgona butterscotch sauce (page 261) Korean pear galette (page 259) Charred cauliflower with magic gochugaru dust (page 200) Resources mentioned in this episode: Kid-Friendly Bibimbap (Serious Eats) Mooncakes and Milk Bread, by Kristina Cho Evolutions in Bread, by Ken Forkish Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsor: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 6/14/2023): Dinner in French, by Melissa Clark

We are always looking for new inspiration in the kitchen, and always facing the challenges of everyday life with kids, families and work demands. In this episode, we talk about what we've been cooking in our kitchens in the hopes that it'll inspire you. Recipes mentioned in this episode: Raisin pecan bread (Evolutions in Bread) Chewy earl grey sugar cookies (NYT) Apple & toasted oat muffins (Small Victories) Big cluster granola (The Smitten Kitchen cookbook) Eleven Madison Park granola (NYT) White bean tomato (Dinner in One) Miso-marinated salmon (Dinner in One) Pork chop skillet (Dinner in One) Orzo minestrone soup (Dinner in One) Italian roast potatoes (NYT) Sesame, cucumber and avocado salad (NYT) Rao's meatballs (NYT) Jennie's chicken pelau (Small Victories) Caribbean kidney bean pelau (Simply Julia) Potato chip ricotta fish cakes (Simply Julia) Sour cream pancakes (Small Victories) Chicken and black-eyed pea chili (Now & Again) Chili non carne (Linda McCartney's family kitchen) Caramelized shallot pasta (NYT) Steak fajitas (NYT) Hummus tehina (Zahav) Marinated goat cheese (Nothing Fancy) That Cheese Plate will change your life Resources mentioned in this episode: Melissa Clark interview on NPR Caro Chambers Join our Cookbook Club! Our Instagram, @cookbookclubshow E-mail us: cookbookclubshow@gmail.com Find Renee and Sara on Instagram: @hipchickdigs and @realtor_saragray Our sponsor: Dropcloth Samplers Cook along with us! Next cookbook episode (releasing 5/17/2023): Korean American, by Eric Kim