It's Not About Nutrition

You ever get into one of those lunch ruts where you’re staring at your fridge like it’s gonna hand you a sandwich? Yeah. That was me, not too long ago. I’d spent the morning writing up recipes and testing cookies, but when it came time to feed myself? Nada. So I pulled together a few odds and ends—some leftover quinoa, a half-used bag of coleslaw mix, and those cute little mandarins my grandkids always steal out of the fruit bowl. Fifteen minutes later, I had something that felt like sunshine in a bowl. And let me tell you—I’ve made this …

I don’t remember the first time I made this soup. I just remember it being there — in a big pot on the stove, bubbling away while the wind rattled the windows and the kids ran through the house in sock feet and muddy jeans. It’s the kind of meal that shows up when life’s a little chaotic and dinner needs to be hot, hearty, and easy. No fluff, no tiny portions. Just real food, good cheese, and enough flavor to make you forget about whatever mess is waiting in the laundry room. We call it Cowboy Soup, but honestly, …

You know how some recipes feel like they’ve been handed down not just through families, but through time itself? Well, Mamie Eisenhower’s fudge is one of those. I first made it because of the name — “Million Dollar Fudge” just sounds like something you need in your life, right? But after that first batch, I wasn’t just hooked. I was loyal. I’ve since made it for cookie exchanges, holiday trays, church bake sales, and once for a neighbor who was having a very bad Tuesday. This fudge doesn’t just satisfy a sweet tooth — it comforts. It’s familiar. It tastes …

You know those days when the idea of making a whole pizza sounds good, but the reality is: your kitchen’s already clean, you’re in your comfy pants, and the last thing you want is to flour up the counter? Yeah, I’ve had more than a few of those. That’s how these Pepperoni Pizza Crackers were born. One part laziness, one part genius, and a whole lotta cheese. I first whipped these up during a Sunday football game—we had unexpected guests (the kind who show up “just to say hi” and somehow stay for kickoff and dinner). I rummaged around the …

Let me tell you, the first time I made this Layered Dublin Salad, it wasn’t even for a holiday—it was a random Tuesday, I think. I’d stumbled on an old Irish cookbook at a flea market (you know the kind, soft pages, no pictures, just honest food), and tucked in the corner was a scribbled version of this beauty. Now, I’m not saying it changed my life… but it sure made that week’s leftovers a lot more exciting. It’s crisp, colorful, and hearty, but not fussy. It’s got those old-fashioned Midwestern vibes—like the layered salads my Aunt Peggy used to …

Let me tell you something—if you’ve never had an onion fritter, the kind that crackles when it hits the hot oil and smells like Saturday night at Grandma’s house—well, you’re in for a treat. These aren’t your average onion rings or anything you’d find in a drive-thru. No ma’am. These are rustic, golden, Amish-style onion fritters, made with love, pantry staples, and a good cast-iron skillet. I first stumbled across this little gem of a recipe while flipping through an old church cookbook I found at a yard sale. You know the ones—plastic spiral binding, faded photos, lots of Jell-O …

Salty. Sweet. Buttery. Gooey. Chocolatey. Lord have mercy, y’all—these are dangerous. Okay. So here’s the truth: these little candies should come with a warning label. I’m serious. You’ll eat one and go, “Oh wow, that’s good,” and then next thing you know… the whole batch is gone. Vanished. Like they never existed. I’ve been makin’ Georgia Browns since way back—probably the first “candy” I ever tried making without help. My mama used to say, “They’re just fancy turtles with more charm,” and I think she was right. They’re easy, crowd-pleasin’, and just fancy enough to make people think you really …

Rich, savory, and ridiculously tender — this is the kind of meal that makes you want to lick the spoon and call it a day. You know how some recipes just feel like a big ol’ hug from someone who loves you? This is one of those meals. I’ve been making a version of these beef tips for years—usually on Sundays when the house is quiet, something’s bubbling away on the stove, and I’ve got time to slow down just a little. But here’s the kicker: with an Instant Pot, you don’t need all day. This recipe takes all the …

I can’t even begin to tell you how much I adore this meal. It’s one of those recipes that happened kinda by accident… one of those “hmm, what can I throw together with what’s in the fridge” situations. You know the ones. The kind that start with, “I don’t feel like making a real chicken pot pie,” but somehow still turn out better than expected? Yep—that’s this dish. I had some leftover rotisserie chicken (bless those little grocery store lifesavers), a half-bag of frozen peas and carrots, a sweet onion rolling around in the drawer, and a pack of egg …

You know what? Some flavors are just soulmates. Not dramatic, rom-com soulmates… I mean the steady kind — the “I’ve got your back on a Tuesday morning” kind. That’s cinnamon and apple. The other day, I was digging through my pantry and found the tail end of a bag of walnuts I’d meant to toss on oatmeal (which, let’s be honest, rarely happens anymore). I had one apple sitting all lonely in the fruit bowl and thought, “Well, we’ve got the start of something here.” Fifteen minutes later, this cinnamon apple cake was in the oven — and my whole …