It's Not About Nutrition

You ever have one of those nights where you open the fridge and just stare like something gourmet’s gonna materialize on the shelf? Yeah. That was me last Tuesday. I was sweaty, tired, and this close to declaring it cereal-for-dinner night… again. But there it was—some sausage I’d forgotten about, a zucchini that needed using yesterday, and two ears of corn I meant to grill on Sunday. And just like that, this little Sausage Summer Skillet was born. And oh honey, it was so good I made it again two days later—on purpose this time. It’s got smoky sausage, sweet …

You know how some recipes start off as a happy accident? Well, these chicken katsu fingers were exactly that. I had a couple of chicken breasts defrosting, a bag of panko sitting in the pantry looking neglected, and a house full of hungry kids who’d already rejected sandwiches for the third day in a row. So I mashed up a few of our favorite flavors, tossed everything together with what I had on hand… and magic happened. Now? These crispy little strips are a full-on request at sleepovers, weeknights, Sunday lunches—heck, I’ve made them cold for road trip snacks. And …

Fast. Flavorful. Feels like a win. So here’s the thing. I wasn’t planning anything fancy. Just needed dinner on the table, something warm, and something I could feel kinda proud of—without losing steam halfway through cooking. You know that feeling? There were two chicken breasts in the fridge. Not much else. I found a half-used jar of capers shoved behind the mustard, a lone lemon rolling around the drawer, and that was enough to jog my memory. Piccata. I’ve made this dish a hundred ways since that night. It’s quick, it tastes like you cooked with purpose, and it all …

A little messy, a lot nostalgic, and completely satisfying You ever eat something and it just takes you back? That’s what this is for me. Spoon burgers. I don’t even remember what we called them growing up — sometimes “sloppy burgers,” sometimes just “that good meat stuff on a bun.” But I do remember that feeling: tray in hand, cafeteria line moving slow, and the smell of that sweet-savory beef filling the air. And when it was your turn? Oh honey, that was a good lunch. Now, I make ’em at home. My way. With real garlic, a little bell …

Comfort food, weeknight ease, and Brussels that’ll actually get eaten. So the first time I made this, it was one of those days. You know the kind—nothing in the fridge looked inspiring, I was tired, and somehow everyone was still expecting dinner. All I had was a bag of Brussels sprouts, some chicken tenders, and a pack of bacon that I’d been “saving for the weekend,” which—let’s be honest—never actually means anything. Anyway, I got a little creative. Tossed the Brussels into that glorious bacon fat (because life’s too short not to), seared the chicken, built a creamy little sauce …

(A humble dinner that somehow feels like a big ol’ hug) I don’t know about you, but some nights I just want a meal that doesn’t make me think too hard. Nothing wild, nothing trendy—just warm, familiar food that fills the house with that cozy “someone’s cookin’” smell. These hamburger cream steaks? Oh, honey. They are exactly that. The first time I made them, I didn’t even mean to. I had some ground beef that needed using, and I was tired and hungry and just sort of threw stuff together—breadcrumbs, onion, cream, the usual suspects. But when I tucked those …

Cheesy, beefy, and not trying to be fancy—just ridiculously good. You ever look at a loaf of bread and a pack of ground beef and think, well… this is either dinner or a cry for help? That was me last week. I’d planned tacos, but realized (after 4 p.m., of course) I was out of tortillas. What I did have was this big, crusty French loaf staring at me like it wanted to be part of something greater. So I went with it. And let me tell you—what came out of the oven was pure gold. Melty, cheesy, taco-stuffed goodness …

I don’t know what it is about this stew, but it’s the kind of meal that just settles you. Like, deep in your bones. Maybe it’s the smoky pulled pork. Maybe it’s the sweet corn and that tiny kick of heat. Or maybe it’s just the memory of it simmering away on the stove while someone you love is shuffling around the kitchen barefoot, humming to the radio. For me, Brunswick stew has always felt like fall. Like flannel shirts, football in the background, and that golden hour light coming through the windows. My first taste was at a church …

I remember the first time I made these—it was a Sunday morning that felt more like a Tuesday. You know those days? Quiet, a little weird, coffee didn’t quite hit right. I wasn’t craving anything in particular—just… something warm. Something soft. I looked at the eggs on the counter and thought, Let’s do something silly. Let’s make pancakes that bounce. And oh, did they bounce. They’re delicate, yes, but not precious. You don’t need a culinary degree or fancy ingredients. Just a whisk, a bowl, a pan—and a little patience. What you get is something between a pancake and a …

A sweet little taste of summer… even if it’s the middle of February. You ever just want dessert without having to work for it? That’s how this cobbler came into my life. It was one of those “what do I have in the pantry” nights — you know the kind. I wasn’t about to go peeling fresh peaches or digging out my mixer. I wanted something warm, sweet, buttery… and done in under an hour. This recipe came from my aunt, handwritten in that slanted cursive on an old index card with a peach juice stain in the corner. She …