Riya Anne Polcastro
Location
La Paz, BCS, Mexico
School
University Of Oregon
Expertise
Celiac-friendly Foods, Street Food Staples, Fridge Cleanout Meals
- In 2017, Riya released a book about her experiences with undiagnosed celiac and how she used food to heal her gut.
- As a writer for TriplePundit, she has covered the relationship between the food system and the environment extensively.
- She thoroughly enjoys the challenge of cooking while traveling as well as replicating the meals she has eaten abroad after returning home.
Experience
Riya has been writing since she could hold a pencil — longer than that if the stories she dictated to her great-grandmother count. She has also been a big foodie for just about as long. While an autoimmune disease limits her gastronomic choices, she has learned to make the most out of the foods that are available to her. Because of this, she often makes restaurant-quality meals at home. It doesn't hurt that she has also worked in numerous restaurants, steakhouses, bistros, and bars where she learned a variety of techniques and new uses for ingredients. She loves to play around with new foods, take deep dives into the history and culture of her favorite dishes, and be among the first to try recently released gluten-free versions of old favorites.
Education
Riya has a bachelor's degree in sociology and history from the University of Oregon.
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Stories By Riya Anne Polcastro
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No need for fancy contraptions like milk frothers and steamers. Instead, all you need is a microwave to achieve a frothy cup of coffee.
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When you're looking to craft a homemade salad dressing that is nice and balanced, try using some canned pumpkin to complement the other ingredients.
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Who isn't looking for a new secret ingredient for their mac and cheese recipe? The right combination of cheeses will improve your fave comfort food.
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When using any canned good, it's important to know how long you have to use whatever's inside once opened. In the case of canned potatoes, it's a short window.
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Perhaps pot roast is in your regular dinner menu rotation. Next time you're making it, try incorporating new ingredients to keep everyone on their toes.
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Did you know there is a right and a wrong way to clean your cast iron skillets? While you can use soap to start the process, avoid making these mistakes.
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Achieving the crispiest Korean-style fried chicken can be challenging. But here, Chef Ji Hye Kim reveals her batch cooking secrets for the best results.
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It might seem like the best chocolate fudge would take hours of work to get right. In truth, you really only need two ingredients for a luxurious rendition.
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Whether you're canning your own pickles for the pantry or making a quick batch for the refrigerator you don't want to make this common mistake.
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In a scary turn of events celebrity chef and TV star Duff Goldman reported via social media that he was involved in a car accident on his way home.
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Ditch the age old crouton and replace it with something flavorful and crunchy -- the mighty cheese crisp! It's a tasty, carb-free alternative.
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Chocolate ganache turns hard when it meets cold ice cream, but a bit of corn syrup makes it so silky and flowing, it essentially turns into easy hot fudge.
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Have you ever wondered why you can't get your homemade french fries to taste just like those at a fast food restaurant? You might be missing one step.
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Not all kitchen tools are created equal. And the more temperamental the ingredient you're working with, the more important it is to have the right equipment.
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Weeknight dinners always feel rushed. This cooking technique will give you more quality time with family and less time spent cooking and cleaning.
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There are so many sauces made from chile peppers that it's easy to miss one of the most popular and easiest to make. You don't want to miss this one, trust us.
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Morton salt has a built-in salt shaker. You just need to know one tip to make the salt shaker hack work -- and that's peeling the paper off of the metal spout.
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The Super Bowl is arguably the biggest football game of the year, for the food as much as the game itself. This year, here are the food deals you need to know.
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While plain old macaroni and cheese is a time-honored comfort food, when you want to amp things up, look no further than the mighty sweet potato.
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Snacks at a Super Bowl party are arguably the most essential aspect of the wintertime event. Be the star of the party and serve dip in a football bread bowl.
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Borrow a tip from Persian-style grilled corn and you'll end up with perfectly salted ears: simply dunk the corn in salt water immediately after grilling.
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There's a lot to know about whiskey when you want to choose the best. So start by getting to know what it means for it to be bottled-in-bond.
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If you're hosting a Mexican night, chiles toreados can be a great addition to the table. Just be sure to reach for a cast iron pan to cook them in. Here's why.
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This viral TikTok egg boil features a delicious Cajun-flavored sauce that is sure to be your next favorite snack -- and it's super simple to make, too.
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The best way to increase the flavor of canned tomatoes is to drain them, remove the seeds, pour a little olive oil on top, and put them in the oven.
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Instead of being topped with meringue, this lemon pie has a top crust that gets a layer of super sweet chocolate frosting on top. This makes it unique.
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Take this cocktail glass hack: freeze juice in a glass at an angle, then use the glasses to create gorgeous mimosas that stay cold down to the last drop.