Hello!
Welcome to Portobello80
Hi, I’m Samantha, the recipe developer and content creator behind Portobello80. I’m so happy you’re here! This blog is a celebration of the food that helps me thrive and feel my best. My recipes are inspired by seasonal, local produce, the vibrant Southern California coastal cuisine, and the Mediterranean diet—recommended by nearly every doctor I’ve seen in the past 15 years.
Living in Los Angeles, I’m incredibly lucky to be surrounded by diverse international cuisines. From Oaxacan restaurants to Japanese supermarkets, Ethiopian cafés, and Thai street food markets, I’m always discovering new ingredients and flavors that inspire me to get creative in the kitchen.
Many of my recipes are gluten-free and dairy-free—or easily adaptable—without compromising on flavor. I’m all about delicious food that everyone can enjoy, regardless of dietary restrictions.
My Food Journey
I’m not a chef by training, but it’s fair to say that I’m a curious and enthusiastic home cook who loves to teach and share. Growing up, I was obsessed with food shows—Jacques Pépin, The Urban Peasant, and Yan Can Cook were my after-school staples. I was wreaking havoc in my grandma’s kitchen with my ambitious cooking “experiments” before I could even reach the stove without a chair!
In my teenage years, Bon Appétit and Martha Stewart Living were always stacked up alongside my issues of Seventeen and Sassy. By the early 2000s, I was following the earliest food blogs religiously, eagerly awaiting new posts from my favorite creators, and eventually being inspired to register the domain name for my own very first food blog.
Every trip I’ve ever taken has been designed around food—planning out what I’ll eat along the way. And one of my favorite hobbies is visiting new grocery stores and markets to find unique ingredients to bring into my recipes.
My Health Journey
For years, I worked in a high-pressure career, racking up long hours, constant work travel, and never-ending stress. From the outside, it looked like I was living the dream, with impressive job titles and milestone achievements. But the reality? My health was deteriorating.
I was battling stomach issues, food intolerances that seemed to appear overnight, constant fatigue, and overwhelming anxiety. After spending thousands on doctors, dietitians, and wellness programs with little progress, I knew it was time for a change.
I stepped back from my career to focus on rebuilding my health and happiness. I started experimenting with my diet—cutting out inflammatory foods and focusing on gluten-free, dairy-free meals that still tasted amazing. These recipes became the foundation of my journey to feeling better, and I hope they help you on your journey too.
There’s no food fear-mongering here—just delicious, balanced recipes designed to help you feel good. While I’m not here to give health or diet advice, I encourage you to listen to your body and take care of yourself, just like I’ve learned to do.
Recipe Notes & Substitutions
I know how frustrating it can be to run around to multiple stores to hunt down ingredients or to realize the avocado you planned on using has passed its peak. That’s why I aim for flexibility in my recipes! I often include notes on ingredient swaps to make things easier, and I encourage you to get creative in the kitchen.
It will be helpful for you to know that when I call for salt, I’m using Diamond Crystal Kosher salt in my own kitchen unless I’ve noted otherwise. It’s important because different salts have varying levels of saltiness so you might have different results with your preferred brand of salt. You know your own tastes and preferences best so always feel free to taste and adjust your seasonings as you see fit.
Thank you for stopping by Portobello80. I hope you find inspiration, joy, and plenty of delicious meals to share with your loved ones.