Elaina Friedman
School
University Of Puget Sound, University Of Washington
Expertise
Food Industry Labor Movements, Climate Change And Global Food Insecurity, Food In Film
- Elaina's passion for environmental justice and her extensive coverage of the impact of climate change on global food insecurity has predictably given way to an obsession with public greenspace. Her conversation with Linnea Westerlind, the author or "Discovering Seattle Parks," was one of her first (and most memorable) interviews.
- When she wants to edify herself without thinking too hard, she turns to food YouTube. Like everyone else, she loves J. Kenji Lopez-Alt, who has, for better or worse, introduced terms like "Maillard reaction" into her vocabulary. She's still reeling from the time she thought she maybe saw him at a grocery store.
- While her repertoire as a home cook tends to favor the ease of routine over experimentation, she will eat literally any dish placed in front of her. Except for clams casino.
Experience
Elaina began her writing career at Seattle Magazine in 2016 and later served as an editor for the calendar division of the Seattle alt-weekly The Stranger for five years. Her versatility as a writer is informed not only by her eclectic background, but also by her passion for food, film, poetry, and social justice. She joined Static Media as a freelance news writer in 2021.
Education
Elaina has a bachelor's in English from the University of Puget Sound, where she also minored in politics. She also holds a certificate in editing from the University of Washington.
The Daily Meal’s content comes from an authoritative editorial staff that is dedicated to current and comprehensive coverage. With an aim to provide only informative and engaging content, our writers, editors, and experts take care to craft clear and concise copy on all things food-related, from news in the food service industry to in-depth explainers about what’s found in readers’ refrigerators, original recipes from experienced chefs, and more.
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Stories By Elaina Friedman
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Sometimes you want a hearty pasta meal but you don't have time to waste. One solution is transforming frozen ravioli into a simple, satisfying lasagna bake.
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Have you ever heard of caramel potatoes? Here's everything you need to know about these sugary spuds, including how they're traditionally eaten.
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Common wisdom would dictate that all cake requires cake flour for baking. But when it comes to pumpkin cake, it seems the rules are made to be broken.
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The next time you visit the golden arches, order fries with a side of Big Mac Sauce and pour it on top. You can even melt a slice of cheese on the fries, too.
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When life gives you lemons, you can make a lot more than lemonade. Case in point? Fried lemon slices can really up the ante when it comes to your basic salad.
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If you're looking to make an ice cream cake, you might assume that all you need is any ice cream and any cake. Here's why that's not exactly the case.
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According to a TikTok confession from a former employee, McDonald's shakes can take on syrup from other flavors that haven't been cleared out of the machines.
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You can take your tasty desserts to the next level with creative garnishes. And all you need to make some unique chocolate ones is a sheet of basic bubble wrap.
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What would you do for a complimentary brew? If the idea of bringing an orange to your local bar sounds appealing, you can score a free Blue Moon.
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Never heard of crash hot potatoes, the delightful Australian dish? You have now! So what are they, how do you make them, and what sets them above the rest?
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Do you really want to have it your way over at Burger King? Then it's time to weigh in and decide which ghost pepper menu item to bring back!
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When you want to lend your food a particular note of richness, all you need is a hard-boiled egg and a grater. It can enhance all kinds of dishes.
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There might be a number of iconic breakfast combos throughout history, but for many, eggs and syrup isn't one of them. Even so, don't be quick to discount it.
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In the mood for something from The Cheesecake Factory but can't make it out of the house? No worries -- you can recreate some the chain's iconic dishes at home.
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From Buffalo mac and cheese to corn dogs, brothers Scott and Brian Wilson ate their way through every food item at the Indiana State Fair so you don't have to.
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Tired of limp and soggy pickles? There's an exceedingly simple secret that will give you the crunchiest preserved vegetables around. Here's what to know.
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The quintessential image of a mound of cottage cheese on a bed of lettuce is long gone. Here's one more way this ingredient is perfectly versatile.
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Forget all that time-consuming and fancy knife work and embrace the sheer convenience of using kitchen shears to make your next chopped salad.
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While it might not be a common protein found in your local supermarket aisle, raccoon meat as a culinary staple has a longstanding history in the South.
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If you find yourself in a rut while attempting to maintain your daily apple habit, there's still hope. Give this salt and pepper trick a shot and find out.
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If you're peeling potatoes, you really shouldn't throw away the scraps. Instead, consider using them to make a seriously flavorful vegetable broth.
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Ben & Jerry's is a beloved ice cream brand for fans of unique flavor combinations, as well as traditional. But why did it discontinue the classic blueberry?
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Season 13 of "GBBO" was full of drama, but Season 14 may be a welcome change. The new episodes are rumored to premiere in the U.K. on September 12.
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Everything tastes better cooked in fat. If you’ve recently enjoyed a home-cooked roasted duck, you can repurpose its fat to create decadent duck butter.
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A downside of tomato season is figuring out myriad ways to use the fruit (yes, fruit) as an ingredient. Here's a simple Southern staple you shouldn't discount.
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"Anafre" means both "clay pot" and "portable oven." In addition to its small holes, a typical anafre is equipped with hot coals to keep the food inside warm.
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Trying new foods is an exciting and satiating way to experience the world. If you've never heard of periwinkles before, here's what to know about them.