It's Not About Nutrition

Let me tell y’all something — when I was growing up in East Tennessee, summer always meant two things: the smell of fresh-cut grass and baskets of peaches from my aunt’s orchard. Sticky fingers, warm sunshine, and that soft fuzz on the skin… we’d eat them standing right there in the field, juice dripping down our arms. But the real magic happened when Mama pulled out her big stoneware dish and made peach pudding. Not cobbler — pudding. A warm, cakey, caramelly hug of a dessert that somehow got crispy on top and stayed tender underneath. The whole house smelled …

I still remember the first time I made these little frozen bites. It was one of those sweltering Saturdays in July where the air conditioning couldn’t keep up, and my daughter had about eight toddlers running wild through the house for her son’s third birthday. I needed a dessert that was easy, fuss-free, and could survive the heat—and I’ll be darned if these didn’t steal the show. They’re creamy, fruity, just sweet enough, and wrapped up in a nostalgic strawberry ice cream hug. And the best part? No oven. No stress. Just a big pan of freezer magic you can …

I still remember the first time I made these ooey gooey bars. It was a chilly fall evening, the kind where the oven does double duty as both heater and heart-warmer. I had a yellow cake mix in the pantry that needed using, a block of cream cheese begging for attention, and a craving for something sweet but not fussy. Thirty minutes later, the house smelled like home — buttery, warm, and sweet with the faintest whisper of vanilla. My husband wandered into the kitchen with that “what smells so good?” face, and my youngest was already dipping a finger …

Okay, listen. I’ve made a lot of casseroles in my day—some flops, some keepers, and a handful that downright saved my week. But this Amish Country Casserole? It’s the kind of dish that sneaks its way into your regular rotation before you even realize what’s happening. The first time I made it, I’d just come home from running errands all afternoon—hadn’t even thought about dinner. It was hot, I was cranky, and I was this close to handing everyone cereal and calling it a night. But I poked around the pantry, saw some pasta, a can of soup, and ground …

You know what’s funny? For years, I thought cauliflower was just… boring. A filler. Something you steamed into oblivion and plopped next to a chicken breast when you were trying to “be good.” But then one chilly Sunday afternoon, with a glass of wine in hand and a craving for something crispy but guilt-free, I tried searing cauliflower before roasting it — and let me tell you, my oven’s never been the same. The edges caramelized beautifully, the inside stayed tender (but not mushy), and that golden crust? Irresistible. It was one of those rare moments in the kitchen when …

You know those recipes that feel like they’re wrapped in memories? The kind that don’t just feed your belly, but also feed your soul? This is one of those. I can’t tell you how many times we had this bread pudding when I was growing up. Snow tapping on the windows, the hum of chatter after dinner, and then — as if on cue — Grandma would pull this bubbling beauty out of the oven. The top golden and crisp, the inside all warm and soft, and the smell… oh lord, the smell. Cinnamon, butter, vanilla… just pure comfort. Even …

Now I don’t say this lightly, but this fried chicken recipe might just be the best thing I’ve ever pulled out of hot oil — and I’ve been cooking longer than some folks have been alive. It’s the kind of fried chicken that stops conversation at the dinner table. All you hear is crunchin’ and happy sighs. I still remember the first time I made it for my husband. He looked at me, eyes wide, grease on his chin, and said, “You could sell this.” I didn’t. But what I did do was keep making it every single week — …

You know how some recipes just feel like they’ve always been in your life, even if you only found them a few years ago? This one’s like that for me. It reminds me of the kind of meal my mama used to pull together on busy weeknights — nothing fancy, but it always made the kitchen smell like love. I stumbled on this smoked sausage and potato bake when I was rummaging through the fridge, hungry and tired after a long day. There wasn’t much in there — a pack of smoked sausage, some baby potatoes, half a bell pepper, …

Let me tell y’all something: fall baking just hits different. The minute the weather hints at sweater season, I’m digging through the pantry for cinnamon, brown sugar, and my apple peeler. And this year? Oh honey, I’ve got something real special for you. These Apple Fritter Bites might just be the best thing to come out of my oven since I figured out how not to burn banana bread. I first stumbled on this little gem of a recipe thanks to my friend Courtney — you might know her as the fabulous Baker Mama. Her cookbook Brilliant Bites landed in …

You know how every family has that one dish? The one that shows up at potlucks, church suppers, and new baby drop-offs — and without fail, someone pulls you aside and whispers, “Did you bring the casserole?” Well, for me, this is that casserole. Chicken hashbrown casserole is one of those “ugly delicious” meals. You don’t make it to show off — you make it because it’s comforting, rich, and frankly, ridiculously easy to throw together. I first made it on a whim after a snowstorm when the fridge was looking a little sad, and let me tell you — …