Recipes w Mal

One of the biggest things I’ve learned through food equity work is that sometimes the food pantries do have enough to share, it’s just not always the easiest to cook with. That’s what inspired Recipes w Mal. I wanted to create simple, healthy recipes using the kinds of pantry items people already receive, so nothing goes to waste and families can still enjoy meals that feel nourishing and fun.

A lot of what I make comes from donated basics, like turning canned garbanzo beans into hummus or even fudge brownies, or baking overripe bananas into gluten-free muffins instead of letting them get tossed. My recipes focus on allergy-friendly, low-cost options that can be made with just a few ingredients and minimal kitchen tools. The goal is to make cooking approachable and doable for anyone, no matter what their situation looks like.

I regularly drop off printed recipe cards to local food pantries like Seeds of Hope and UMACC so families can try them out right away. And if you’d like more, you can always request my full recipe book by emailing me at thedancingbakerpa@gmail.com.

At the end of the day, Recipes w Mal is about showing that with a little creativity, even the most basic ingredients can become something delicious, comforting, and good for you.