Seattle Sounders FC goalkeeper and captain Stefan Frei enjoys being in his kitchen when he’s not on the field. One of his specialties is Zopf, Swiss braided bread. Frei’s Zopf recipe uses flour, instant yeast, butter, milk and other ingredients to create a soft bread with a golden crust. “It is kind of like a brioche-type bread, and if you prefer it sweeter, you can add a little bit of sugar,” Frei said. Frei uses his Thermador oven to steam lock in moisture when baking Zopf. “We’re lucky because we have amazing Thermador ovens here, and I have a steam oven that has a proof setting,” he said. Another favorite recipe of Frei’s is “Dad's Elbow Casserole,” which has veggies, bacon and a béchamel sauce. It all gets made on the stove and finished in the oven. “Especially if I make a meal before a game, I need some substance,” Frei said. “Usually it’s a pasta dish.” Frei has a minimalist aesthetic, so he appreciates the appearance of Thermador appliances, as well as their innovative features and superior function. “I’ve been very, very fortunate teaming up with Albert Lee and Thermador to get such amazing appliances,” he said. Frei has been learning to use all of the features on his Thermador appliances. He considers his kitchen the heart of his home, and cooking and food are important parts of his life. “I think food reaches across language barriers and culture barriers,” Frei said. “Everybody loves a good meal.” He also says the right appliances can make life easier and help cut down on cooking time. Special offer: Purchase a Thermador kitchen appliance package and receive up to three free complimentary products or upgrades. Shop appliances and learn more on the Albert Lee website. Sponsored by Albert Lee Appliance Segment Producer Rebecca Perry. Watch New Day Northwest 11 a.m. weekdays on KING 5 and streaming live on KING5.com. Contact New Day.