All Posts By Jennifer

You know, sometimes when that Midwest wind starts howlin’ through the cracks in the windows, all I can think about is something warm simmering away — filling the whole house with that smell that makes you sigh and say, “Well, that’s better.” This Poor Man’s Stew isn’t fancy — and honestly, that’s the whole point. I’ve been making this version for years, and my mother did before me, and probably hers before that. It’s the kind of meal that shows up when money’s tight but you still want to gather your people ‘round the table for something that sticks to …

I swear, if my family had a motto, it’d be “Is there any more?” — and nine times out of ten, they’re talking about this Amish Chicken and Noodles. This is the kind of meal you make on a day when your to-do list is longer than your patience. You know those days — work emails pinging, the dog tracking mud through the kitchen, and you still have to figure out what’s for supper. This is it, friend. This is what’s for supper. Why You’ll Love This Recipe No babysitting the stove. Throw it in the slow cooker and walk …

You know those nights when you swear you’re done eating sugar for the week — then suddenly you’re on the couch, wrapped in your softest blanket, wishing you had something chocolatey to dig into? Yeah. Been there. This little chocolate lava cake saved me more than once. I remember the first time I made it — I’d promised my grandkids a “special dessert” after dinner, but forgot I was out of half the stuff I usually bake with. So I poked around the pantry, found a lonely box of cake mix, a packet of instant pudding I’d meant to use …

You know, there’s just something magical about a big pot of creamy pasta waiting for you at the end of the day — especially when all you had to do was toss a few things in the slow cooker and go about your business. I still remember the first time I made this slow cooker creamy Alfredo pasta. It was one of those weeks — you know the ones — when the laundry’s never done and everyone’s asking, “What’s for dinner?” on repeat. Well, this dish shut that question right up in the best way. It’s rich, comforting, and just …

A Cozy Bowl of Amish Comfort I don’t know about you, but when the leaves start tumbling down and that first chilly snap hits my old bones, I want something simple and soul-soothing bubbling away on my counter. This Amish Corn Chowder does just that. Funny enough, I first scribbled this recipe on a sticky note stuck to my fridge after a little road trip through Pennsylvania years ago. We’d stopped at this tiny Amish diner — you know the kind, mismatched chairs, homemade pies cooling on the counter — and they served me a steaming bowl of corn chowder …

A Cozy Night and a Crock Pot Revelation Ever have one of those days where you traipse through the door, drop your keys in the bowl, and realize you’ve basically survived on coffee and takeout all day? Yeah, me too. Just last week I got home, stared blankly at the fridge, and thought, “Ugh, dinner. Again?” Then I remembered my trusty slow cooker baked ziti, and friends, it saved my sanity (and my stomach) in the coziest way possible. I first discovered this miracle of a recipe years ago when my son’s soccer team friends invaded our house after practice. …

You know that moment when you open the fridge — you see that pack of chicken, and you’re like… sigh. Because, honestly, plain chicken is kinda boring, right? But also, you don’t really want to mess around with a big complicated thing when you’re already tired from… well, life. So here’s my “save the evening” trick: Baked Garlic Parmesan Chicken Cutlets. They’re crispy-ish, cheesy, full of garlicky flavor — but they’re baked, not fried, which means less mess and you can probably pull it off without having to wash your hair twice from oil splatters. A Bit Like Chicken Parm …