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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If you've been looking for new and creative ways to take your meatloaf to new heights, then you need to get your hands on some sweet honey BBQ sauce.
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Making fruit leather can be a rewarding activity, but you don't want all your hard work to go to waste due to uneven portions. A pizza cutter can help.
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If you appreciate the way Caesar dressing elevates a simple plain lettuce, just wait until you see the many things it can do for asparagus.
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While making ice cream from scratch might seem complicated, you can whip up a frozen peanut butter and jelly treat with just three ingredients.
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Using weights can help prevent vegetables from floating during a brining recipe, but this paper towel hack will work fine if you don't have any.
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Looking to create perfectly circular eggs right at home? All you need is an onion to make patty-sized eggs like a pro. Here's how it works.
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When it comes to seasoning steak, just how much is too much? Fortunately, the meat can handle quite a lot and still come out perfectly flavorful.
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Crispy fish skin can be a delicious part of a cooked filet. But not all dishes need it. So here's a simple hack to remove fish skin using only a carving fork.
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Utilizing every part of an ingredient is thrifty and lets you think outside the box. Unfortunately, that vanilla bean-flavored sugar hack doesn't really work.
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Milk pie is so easy to make, requiring only a few ingredients. But does it actually contain milk? The answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no.
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When you're looking for a particularly flavorful cut of meat to smoke, you might not think of sirloin steak at first, but that would be a huge mistake.
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Tuna salad is a delicious, nutritious meal that's easy to put together -- and easy to get too watery. If your tuna is swimming, try adding this dry ingredient.
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Explore the ingredients used in a traditional egg roll wrapper, as well as alternative gluten-free and vegan options for this crispy-yet-chewy snack.
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Smoking ribs can be challenging, especially if you don't have access to a grill or smoker. So, here's the best ingredient tip for making smoky ribs in the oven.
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Who says tuna salad has to be boring? Elevate this lunchtime classic by adding pomegranate seeds for a sweet-and-sour blast of flavor and crunch.
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Planning the perfect cocktail party is hard enough without worrying that you don't have enough glasses. Save yourself some time and trouble by renting them.
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The next time you are craving a chili cheese dog, do yourself a favor and give the corn dog version a try instead for a much more delicious experience.
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When choosing between various kinds of sweet pickles, there are a few key flavor differences to note to find the perfect pickle to cater to your unique tastes.
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This is how to use seltzer to prevent your apple slices from turning brown, without altering the fruit's flavor like lemon juice or sugar would.
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There are plenty of occasions where a glass of water is the best beverage to sip on. But when you're eating a steak dinner? Well, that isn't one of those times.
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Everyone loves mashed potatoes. But even the classics deserve a little shake up now and then. We take a look at what ingredients work and how to use them.
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Brussels sprouts aren't a very popular veggie, and one reason is because they often cook unevenly. This simple hack ensures tenderness throughout your sprout.
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You've heard of using Coke or Dr Pepper as a recipe hack for tenderizing meat. But did you know Sprite is all you need to make shrimp dishes sweet and juicy?
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If you've ever dreamt of making McDonald's steak bagels at home, there's one ingredient in particular that will give you the best results. Here's what to know.
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If you've never heard of a Spanish potato omelet before, you might think that it's similar to the diner classic. It's not. In fact, it's unique.
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Meatballs can be paired with pastas, rice, and potatoes or can stand all on their own. Make your meatballs stand out with a glaze that's both sweet and kicky.
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There are several reasons to score potatoes before roasting them. Here's how to make sure you do it right to get the perfect results every time.