It's Not About Nutrition

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 …

A soft, sweet, not-too-serious loaf that tastes like holiday mornings, potlucks, and maybe just a little bit of nostalgia. Can I tell you something? This is one of those recipes I almost didn’t try because I thought it looked too… green. I know. That sounds silly now. But years ago, someone brought pistachio bread to a bake sale at the school — wrapped in plastic wrap, tied with a bit of yarn, looking festive as all get-out — and I smiled politely but didn’t buy it. Then someone else bought it, sliced it, and passed me a bite. I took …

Let me tell you — I didn’t plan on this one being a hit. I was trying to clean out the fridge one afternoon, found some heavy cream I needed to use up, a pack of chicken breasts, and a half-used thing of Cajun seasoning tucked in the back of the spice cabinet. You know the drill — the usual, “What can I throw together that doesn’t involve standing at the stove for an hour?” This dish came out of that moment. It’s creamy, a little spicy, and hearty enough to make everyone at the table happy. It’s also a …

  If you’ve ever tried wrangling hungry kids after soccer practice—or hey, just wanted a seriously craveable, golden batch of homemade chicken tenders for yourself—you’re in good company here. My family is absolutely hooked on these oven-baked delights. They’re warm, crispy, and way healthier than “drive-thru” chicken, but still check all the comfort food boxes. Plus, I swear they make the whole house smell like every good memory from my childhood (especially if someone sneaks a tenders straight off the pan—looking at you, Mark). Why You’ll Love This Family-friendly and super kid-approved (no mysterious nuggets in sight) Crispy coating, thanks …

  I have to tell you, I’m a little obsessed with Jojo potatoes these days. There’s something about thick, golden, seasoned potato wedges—crunchy on the outside, impossibly fluffy on the inside—that takes me right back to Sunday suppers at my grandma’s house. Hers always showed up alongside roast chicken or pork chops, still steaming from the oven (plus plenty of ketchup, much to her horror). This recipe for Jojo potatoes is pure comfort food, just like the classic from your favorite roadside diner or local market, but with a homemade twist that makes them even better. Crispy potatoes for dinner? …

  You know those times when a single bite of something can launch you straight into “happy dance in the kitchen” territory? That’s exactly what happened the first time I made these pistachio cream cookies. I’d promised to bring dessert for a book club, and (bonus points for me) managed to whip these up using odds and ends from my pantry. There’s just something magical about the creaminess of pistachio, tucked into a soft, chewy cookie. My husband grabbed two the second he walked in the door—and threatened to “test for quality assurance” on the rest before dinner. Ha! Trust …

It’s 1995. I’ve got two toddlers in a double stroller, one of ’em sticky from a half-melted lollipop, the other yelling about a Pokémon toy he saw in Sears. I’m exhausted. I’ve got exactly twelve dollars to my name that day and no intention of cooking dinner when I get home. So, where do we end up? The food court. Always. And you know what caught my nose before anything else — that sweet, garlicky, caramelized chicken smell. The guy with the red apron handing out toothpicks like he was Oprah giving away cars. One bite of that sticky, glazy …

I can still picture it: my mom standing at the kitchen counter in her soft pink apron, a bowl of shredded zucchini by her side, and a twinkle in her eye like she knew she was getting away with something. “You won’t even taste it,” she’d say, folding that mountain of green into the batter like it was no big deal. And she was right — we never did. What we did taste was the moistest, richest, most chocolatey cake you can imagine. This Chocolate Zucchini Cake isn’t just a dessert — it’s a bit of kitchen magic. A sneaky, …