It's Not About Nutrition

A Cozy Classic Just Like Grandma Used to Make Let me tell you — some days call for fancy meals with fresh herbs and five different pans, and other days… well, you just need something warm, simple, and made with love. That’s where this Slow Cooker No Peek Chicken & Rice comes in. This recipe brings me straight back to Sunday afternoons in my grandma’s farmhouse kitchen — the smell of something savory bubbling away, and the sound of the back door creaking open as the kids come in from playing. It’s humble, it’s hearty, and it hits the spot …

There’s just something about a pot of chili. You smell it before you even walk into the kitchen, and the smell kind of wraps around you like an old sweater. This isn’t fussy food. It’s the “come on in, grab a bowl, sit down” kind of food. This Chili Con Carne is big on flavor — a little smoky, a little spicy, rich enough that it feels special but still something you could make on a Tuesday night. It’s got Texas in its bones, but I’ll be honest, it’s traveled well. Once you’ve got the base recipe down, you can …

You ever have one of those days where the house is chilly, your feet are sore, and you’re just craving something warm, cheesy, and a little bit nostalgic? That’s what these sweet potatoes are for. I don’t know about you, but around here in the Midwest, we don’t need fancy to feel fed. We need something that smells like home, tastes like comfort, and doesn’t make a big fuss. This recipe? It checks all the boxes. The first time I made these, I just wanted something simple — I threw some sweet potatoes in the slow cooker before heading out …

There are some recipes that aren’t fancy, but they just stick. You make them once, everyone eats them without saying much (except maybe “pass me another one”), and then they’re in your regular rotation forever. These chicken fritters are like that. They remind me of the kind of cooking my grandma did — practical, not fussy, but still somehow perfect. In the Midwest, canned chicken isn’t just “a shortcut,” it’s a pantry hero. It’s what you use when you want something quick, filling, and warm without starting from scratch. And that’s exactly what these fritters are — warm little golden …

You know, I’ve made meatloaf a hundred ways — in the oven, in a cast iron pan, even once in a Dutch oven on a camping trip (don’t ask — it almost worked). But the first time I tried this Slow Cooker Meatloaf, I was hooked. There’s something about letting that loaf bubble away all afternoon while you get on with your day — errands, laundry, or maybe just putting your feet up with a good book — that feels so downright comforting. My mom used to make a version of this on Sunday afternoons while we all drifted in …

It was a few years back, during one of those potluck Super Bowl parties where everyone brings something — and nine times out of ten, it’s chips and store-bought salsa. I was running behind (because of course I was), rummaging through my fridge like a woman on a mission, when I saw three bricks of cream cheese just sitting there. Then, tucked in the deli drawer: half a pack of pepperoni and a jar of pepperoncini I forgot I bought during a “let’s spice things up” phase. Something clicked. I tossed it all together, said a little prayer to the …

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 ever make something for a get-together and suddenly you’re the “casserole lady” from then on? That’s how this recipe got me. I brought it to a baby shower potluck years ago, not thinking twice about it. I mean, I’d just thrown together some leftover rotisserie chicken, a bag of spinach I swore I was gonna use in smoothies (ha!), and half a block of cheese that needed a purpose. By the time dessert rolled around, I had three women asking for the recipe and someone handing me their paper plate saying, “More of that, please.” Now? It’s a staple. …

Potatoes and I go way back. Growing up in the Midwest, they weren’t just a side dish — they were the backbone of most dinners. Mashed, fried, roasted… you name it, my mom made it. And she had that uncanny ability to make a 10-pound bag disappear in just a few days. These mustard potato poppers are my little love letter to those Midwest roots, with a modern kick. They’ve got the cozy familiarity of roasted potatoes, but the mustard coating gives them this tangy, zippy personality that makes you want to eat them straight off the pan. And honestly? …