It's Not About Nutrition

Around here, loaded baked beans aren’t just “something to go with the main dish.” They are the dish people talk about. I can’t remember a family reunion, church picnic, or neighborhood barbecue where they didn’t show up in some big, heavy pan — still warm from the oven, with a serving spoon sticking out, just begging you to take a scoop. My Aunt Georgia’s version is the one I grew up with. It’s the kind of recipe you don’t really need to write down after you’ve made it once, because the smell of bacon and onions frying will tell you …

Easy. Crowd-pleasing. Sticky-sweet with a little heat — and yes, made in your trusty crockpot. Let me set the scene: It’s game day, or maybe you’re hosting friends, or maybe you just needed an excuse to eat a whole bunch of mini sausages dipped in glossy, sweet-savory sauce. No judgment here. I’ve made these for Super Bowl parties, backyard BBQs, New Year’s Eve spreads — even as a lazy dinner when no one felt like cooking. They’re effortless. But they taste like you ordered them from one of those hip fusion places that charge $14 for three skewers and call …

I remember the first time I made these crispy little beauties at a potluck — folks circled back not once, not twice, but three times. And every single time, someone would whisper, “Did you say these were… egg rolls?” Yep. But not just any egg rolls. These are Southern-style—stuffed with seasoned pork, tender cabbage, and carrots, then fried to golden perfection. They’re everything we love about comfort food, wrapped in one handheld, crackly bite. Think of them like a little party in a roll: part classic, part unexpected, and all the way delicious. Why You’ll Be Fryin’ Up a Second …

It was one of those early fall afternoons where you’ve got laundry half-folded, emails halfway answered, and a very loud craving for something sweet. Not a full pie, mind you—something easier. Less commitment. I peeked into the fridge and saw one lonely sheet of puff pastry, a couple apples sitting pretty in the fruit bowl, and a bottle of honey I forgot I had. Next thing I knew, my kitchen smelled like an orchard met a bakery, and I was standing over the oven thinking, Okay, these are ridiculous—in the best way. They’re not fancy. They’re not fussy. But good …

You know, some nights I just don’t want to cook. There, I said it. At 50, I’ve cooked more dinners than I care to count — some fancy, some flops, some that saved my sanity when life got chaotic. This slow cooker ground beef casserole? It’s one of those sanity-savers. I started making it back when my kids were in soccer, piano, and every after-school thing you can imagine. I needed dinner to basically cook itself while I played chauffeur, referee, and snack lady all at once. I still make it today — only now it’s more about warming my …

You know how sometimes a restaurant dish sticks with you long after the bill is paid? That’s exactly what happened to me with Longhorn’s Parmesan Crusted Chicken. My husband and I were on one of our rare date nights (the kind where you linger over the bread basket like it’s a vacation). I ordered the chicken, not really expecting much, and—oh my word. Juicy, perfectly seasoned, then topped with this cheesy crust that had just the right amount of crunch. I remember thinking, I’m going to have to figure out how to make this at home. And I did. Honestly? …

Alright, sugar — if you’ve never had Southern shrimp dip before, bless your heart, because you’re about to meet your new go-to dish. This stuff is ridiculous in the best way. It’s creamy, just a touch spicy, and loaded with tender chunks of shrimp. It’s one of those things that seems fancy but takes barely any effort, which honestly makes it even better. We’ve had this at everything from baby showers to backyard BBQs — and no matter the crowd, there’s always someone hovering near the bowl, scooping up “just one more bite.” You know the type. (Sometimes it’s me. …

There’s something about this dish that takes me right back to my grandma’s kitchen. The smell of browned sausage wafting through the house, the old wooden table covered in mismatched napkins, and that worn Pyrex dish steaming with goodness — it was always bread pudding on Sundays. Now, this version here isn’t the sweet kind you find topped with cinnamon and raisins (though I love that too). This one’s savory, hearty, and full of down-home comfort — packed with sausage, melty cheese, and just enough herbs to make your kitchen smell like you’ve been cooking all day (even if you …

You know those evenings when you’re staring into the fridge, wondering what on earth you’re going to make for dinner — again? That’s exactly how this recipe was born. I had a half-used tub of French onion dip from the weekend (hello, football snacks), a pound of ground beef thawing on the counter, and a big ol’ bag of egg noodles just waiting for their turn. I didn’t plan to make a casserole, but sometimes the best dinners aren’t planned — they just happen. Well, friends, this one turned out so creamy, savory, and downright comforting, I had to write …

A Little Sticky Chicken Story You know, some recipes just stick with you — pun fully intended. Sticky chicken has been that for me for years. I first stumbled on it when my kids were still young enough to think my slow cooker was magic (honestly, sometimes I still do). I remember throwing this together on a rainy Tuesday when the fridge looked sad and takeout menus were calling my name. Four ingredients, a quick stir, and I crossed my fingers. A few hours later, the house smelled like sweet garlic heaven and the kids were already hovering by the …