All Posts By Olivia

  You know those days when dinner just needs to be easy, full of flavor, and you kind of want to pat yourself on the back for eating something healthy? That’s exactly how this Greek Roasted Vegetables recipe landed on regular rotation in my kitchen (and if you peek inside my fridge, there’s usually some stashed in a container for impromptu lunches… or, let’s be real, midnight fridge raids). Maybe it’s my stubborn Midwest roots, but a good veggie medley that actually tastes amazing—not just “I-should-eat-this” healthy—is something I get wildly excited about. Think colorful bell peppers, hearty eggplant, zucchini …

  Let me tell you, there’s just something about a Greek Chicken Bowl that always feels like a little vacation in a bowl—even if I’m shuffling around my messy kitchen in slippers, madly searching for the feta cheese. Every Sunday, I do a little meal prep party for myself (sometimes with an assist from my always-hungry teenage daughter), and these Mediterranean-inspired bowls make me feel like I’m actually nailing the adulting thing. They’re fresh, cozy, packed with flavor, and fill you up without weighing you down. Plus, if you’re anything like me and crave a big old toss-everything-in-there salad situation, …

  Is there anything more tempting than a golden, pillowy donut stuffed with your favorite sweet, creamy (or chocolatey!) filling? Honestly, just the thought of homemade stuffed donuts brings me back to lazy Sunday mornings, bustling-around-the-kitchen with coffee in hand, powdered sugar everywhere, and my girls sneaking tastes before breakfast. Store-bought will never compare! Making stuffed donuts at home is a little messy, sure, but so wonderfully comforting and totally worth every second. A sweet treat like this? Absolutely swoonworthy—and hey, if you eat them fresh out of the fryer, that’s practically self-care in my book. Why You’ll Love This …

  There’s just something magical about a homemade tart crust, isn’t there? I still remember the first time I baked with semolina, years ago, on a rainy afternoon when the regular all-purpose flour bin was running sadly low. The kids were (of course) “starving” for dessert and my sweet tooth wasn’t exactly saying no, either. What I ended up pulling together was a golden, crisp, and downright craveable semolina tart crust—sturdier than my usual, but tender and flaky in all the right places. Since that happy little accident, this comfort-food-worthy crust has become my secret weapon for everything from zesty …

  When I was little, fruit cake always seemed like the “grown-up” dessert you politely nibbled at Grandma’s during Christmas, right? One taste, though, and you’d do your best to sneak it to the family dog under the table. But let me tell you, over the years I’ve discovered that a well-made, homemade fruit cake can be absolutely craveable—moist, packed with juicy dried fruits, cozy spices, and crunchy nuts. (None of that lead-brick stuff or mysterious neon fruit bits, promise!) I learned to love fruit cake after making it myself, and now it’s one of my absolute favorite Christmas desserts. …

  Let me tell you, there are a few desserts that feel as sentimental and downright comforting as classic Hungarian Walnut Rolls. Maybe it’s the smell of sweet pastry baking (oh my goodness, that aroma fills the whole house…), maybe it’s because my own grandmother made something like these around the holidays when I was a kid, or maybe it’s just the magic of buttery dough and cozy walnut filling. Whatever it is, one bite and I’m transported right back to her kitchen, “helping” by licking crumbs off the counter and sneaking tastes. If you’re looking for an authentic, old-school …

  If there’s one thing that makes a roasted turkey or chicken dinner feel downright magical, it’s a big ol’ boat of homemade gravy made from drippings. I still remember the first Thanksgiving I hosted — both my oven and my nerves were running hot, but when I poured those savory, golden drippings into my trusty saucepan and whisked up a silky gravy, it felt like pulling off an edible party trick. My kids begged for “extra sauce,” my husband licked the spoon, and suddenly, all those cooking jitters felt worth it. Gravy just brings everyone to the table — …

  You ever have one of those days where it’s so chilly outside that all you want is something warm, comforting, and full of fall-ish flavors? That was me last week—in cozy socks with a mug of coffee, daydreaming about apple pie but not (honestly) wanting to put in all the work. Instead, I reached for my little jar of homemade apple pie spice mix. You know, the kind of magic sprinkle that makes oatmeal, pancakes, French toast, or even your morning yogurt taste like you just baked a pie. No peeling apples, no worrying about pie crust drama. Just …

  When the sun is heavy and the peaches at the farmers’ market smell like pure summer, I know it’s time for one of my favorite kitchen projects: homemade peach preserves. Honestly, there is something about the ritual of peeling and slicing ripe, fuzzy peaches—sticky juice dripping down my wrists, the kitchen warm from simmering fruit—that just makes the world feel right. Some people crochet or garden for therapy; me, I reach for my saucepan and a basket of peaches. (And if you nab a slice or two “for testing,” I’ll never tell.) My grandmother used to keep a jar …

  If you’ve never tried baked mochi donuts before, oh my goodness, you are in for the most delightful treat. I still remember the first time I sunk my teeth into one—chewy, sweet, a little bit bouncy, and honestly just plain fun to eat. Every year, I search for those pillowy Japanese desserts at little bakeries or festival stands, but it’s gotten to the point where I just had to make my own. Turns out, homemade is not only doable, it’s dangerously easy (ask my family how fast they disappeared last weekend). There’s something wildly comforting about having a batch …