All Posts By Jennifer

The kind of dessert that hushes a room mid-bite. You ever make something so simple, so quietly perfect, that you surprise even yourself? That was this pie for me. A few summers ago, I brought it to a family reunion—you know, the kind with kids doing cannonballs in the pool, aunts gossiping under patio umbrellas, and at least five crockpots plugged in near the garage. I had just enough time that morning to toss this together and pray it’d chill in time. Well, turns out it stole the show. Folks were skipping over peach cobbler and banana pudding for a …

A saucy, meaty, peppery classic straight from the heart of the Midwest You know those recipes that just stick with you? Not the flashy, Pinterest-perfect ones—but the real, dependable dishes. The ones that show up on your table on a random Tuesday night, or during a snowstorm, or when your cousin unexpectedly brings her new boyfriend to dinner. The ones that feel like a hug without making a big fuss about it. This is one of those recipes. Chicago Spaghetti isn’t fancy. It doesn’t come with shaved truffle or 47-minute YouTube instructions. But what it does have is soul. It’s …

Let me tell you something — the first time I made this dish, I wasn’t expecting anything fancy. It was one of those humid late-July evenings when the last thing you want to do is crank up the oven. I had some cherry tomatoes on the counter, basil growing like wildfire out back, and a box of angel hair that had been hanging around the pantry a little too long. Then I remembered Ina. You know Ina — calm, unbothered, with her signature chambray shirt and that peaceful East Hampton kitchen. I pulled out her Summer Garden Pasta recipe, and …

Let me tell you something right now: if you put a platter of these Italian pinwheels on your table, you better grab one for yourself before the guests show up—because they will be gone. I’ve learned that lesson the hard way. More than once. I started making these little roll-ups years ago for my son’s soccer banquet. Back when I was still trying to impress the PTA moms with “something other than brownies.” Turns out, all it took was some salami, cheese, and cream cheese in a tortilla. Go figure. They’ve been part of my appetizer rotation ever since—and for …

aka the one thing everyone grabs before the football even starts. You ever show up to a get-together and think, Please, Lord, let there be something besides sad chips and grocery store cookies? I have. Too many times. So a while back, I started bringing these Italian Sub Bites to potlucks, tailgates, even my neighbor Carol’s backyard wine night (don’t ask, she gets real rowdy with rosé). Let me tell you—these things disappear. Every. Single. Time. And the best part? You don’t need an oven. You don’t need fancy tools. Heck, you barely need a reason to make them. They’re …

So let me paint the picture: it’s one of those gray, chilly evenings — the kind that makes your bones feel older than they are. I was staring down a half-wilted bunch of spinach in the fridge, wondering if I could stretch it into something warm and comforting without making another boring salad. And then I remembered this creamy, cheesy enchilada dish I had years ago at a friend’s potluck. It was rich, it was green, and it had that perfect little zip of heat that kind of snuck up on you. I’ve been tinkering with my own version ever …

You know those evenings when you’re staring into the fridge, wondering what on earth you’re going to make for dinner — again? That’s exactly how this recipe was born. I had a half-used tub of French onion dip from the weekend (hello, football snacks), a pound of ground beef thawing on the counter, and a big ol’ bag of egg noodles just waiting for their turn. I didn’t plan to make a casserole, but sometimes the best dinners aren’t planned — they just happen. Well, friends, this one turned out so creamy, savory, and downright comforting, I had to write …

It was one of those early fall afternoons where you’ve got laundry half-folded, emails halfway answered, and a very loud craving for something sweet. Not a full pie, mind you—something easier. Less commitment. I peeked into the fridge and saw one lonely sheet of puff pastry, a couple apples sitting pretty in the fruit bowl, and a bottle of honey I forgot I had. Next thing I knew, my kitchen smelled like an orchard met a bakery, and I was standing over the oven thinking, Okay, these are ridiculous—in the best way. They’re not fancy. They’re not fussy. But good …

Let me tell you a little secret. One evening, I found myself staring at a sack of baby potatoes and wondering—What haven’t I done to you yet? I’d roasted them, boiled them, smashed them, even air-fried them. But I wanted something bold. Something different. And frankly, I wanted to use what I had on hand, because I wasn’t about to run to the store in slippers and wet hair. That’s when I spotted a jar of mayonnaise. Now, I know what you’re thinking—Mayo? In the oven? Won’t that be weird? But I’d heard whispers about mayonnaise-roasted vegetables and decided to …

Okay, I’ve got a confession: I didn’t invent this recipe. But I have made it so many times that I could slice the cheese with my eyes closed (though I don’t recommend that). The first time I put this plate out was at our neighborhood holiday potluck. You know the one — someone brings crockpot meatballs, there’s always two broccoli casseroles, and everything disappears way too fast. I walked in with this platter of cheese — soaked in a garlicky red pepper vinaigrette — and plopped it down without much thought. Well, within ten minutes, people were hovering like bees …