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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There's nothing that can't be made better with peanut butter, and the same is true for baked goods. For next-level banana bread, add some peanut butter.
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If you're a fan of McDonald's hash browns in search of a substitute for your breakfasts at home, Aldi's Season's Choice hash browns come close.
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If you enjoy a creamy dip but you're swearing off dairy for whatever reason, then it's time to take a gander at some tofu. Just make sure it's the right kind.
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Why get sloppy when you can use a turkey baster to bypass the mess? This handy kitchen gadget does more than flavor your turkey -- here's why you need it.
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Instant mashed potatoes might not be much of an enticement to come to dinner -- unless you use a common kitchen appliance to take them from dull to delightful.
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Some might find it hard to resist slices of pizza from Costco's food courts. But if you'd like to recreate the pie at home, here's how to get the dough.
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Have a lot of dishes to transport to your next holiday party? There's an easy way to carry them all at once, as long as you have a cooling rack and storage bin.
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Aldi is used to creating house-label versions of popular brands. This holiday season, it released a festive hard seltzer pack that's strangely close to Truly.
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Everyone seems to have their favorite recipe for this nostalgic dessert. If you're looking for a secret ingredient for your next apple pie, try applesauce.
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German food discount store Aldi is becoming a major player in the US, following its recent acquisition of Winn-Dixie and Harveys supermarkets in the Southeast.
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If you're a fan of warm winter drinks, it turns out that Starbucks is giving customers free hot chocolate and the promotion runs through the end of December.
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Cultures the world over add cinnamon to meaty recipes, giving them an undertone of warmth and spice. Find out how to add this tasty spice to your savory meals.
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When FryAway appeared on "Shark Tank" looking for a $250,000 investment, two Sharks took up the opportunity. But how did the company fare after the show aired?
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Coffee cake is a delightful sweet treat to have on hand for guests or just for yourself, so make sure to take care when freezing it for later use.
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Holiday tables often give pride of place to a large, juicy ham. Give your classic holiday ham a sweet lift by serving it alongside sauce with a tropical twist.
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Waffles are a delightful breakfast dish, especially when they are perfectly crispy on the outside. Find out why you need cornstarch for your waffles.
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In this version of grilled cheese, the fluffy scrambled eggs will add a soft, pillowy texture and savory flavor that will make the sandwich unbeatable.
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Step up the wow-factor of your next charcuterie board by following these simple organizational tips. Remember that even tiny ingredients can pack a punch.
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Fun, fancy cheeses are great on charcuterie boards and melted over various snacks. This holiday season, make your raclette in the air fryer.
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Before the season is up, you might want to check out Costco's beer Advent calendar. Here's what you need to know about this festive count down to Christmas.
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While it's true that the bulk retailer has sold sushi in the United States, Costco Japan's sushi offerings are making us as green as wasabi with envy.
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From glasses to decanters, corkscrews, and even an electric wine set, the budget grocery store has everything you'll need for a spirited evening in.
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Caulislaw is a flavor-packed variation on coleslaw that's easy to make and customize. Discover how to whip it up and what to include for a tasty result.
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You might think there's no way to improve your favorite cookie recipe, but we have a surprise ingredient that makes cookies better than you thought possible.
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Pizza dough comes in many different styles. But if you love a fluffy crust, try using carbonated water to create the spongiest dough you've ever tasted.
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If you like to enjoy sweet potatoes as a dessert or sweet snack, follow our tips for adding cinnamon butter and enhancing their flavor and sweetness.
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Chef Roberto Santibañez is an expert on Mexican cuisine who originally hails from Mexico City, and he tells Today Meal what to avoid when making elote.