It's Not About Nutrition

There’s something about egg foo young that just feels like a warm hug on a plate. It’s part omelet, part fritter, and one hundred percent comfort. I can still see my grandma at the stove, whisking eggs in the biggest bowl she had, tossing in whatever leftovers were hanging around — a bit of chicken from Sunday dinner, some bean sprouts she swore made it “fancy,” a handful of mushrooms if she had them. She never fussed over exact measurements. “Just enough,” she’d say, “until it looks right.” When the patties hit the oil, the kitchen came alive — a …

Some days just beg for comfort food, don’t they? I’m talking about the kind of meal that fills the whole house with that “mmm, something smells good” vibe — the kind that makes everyone drift into the kitchen before you even call them to dinner. Well, friend, this Mongolian Ground Beef Chow Mein? That’s exactly that kind of meal. It’s warm. It’s savory. It’s got that takeout-style sauce you secretly crave after a long day — but it’s made with ground beef (easy and affordable!), coleslaw mix (hello, shortcut!), and tossed together in a slow cooker that does most of …

You know those meals that just stick with you — the kind you remember not just for how they taste, but for how they made you feel? This is one of those. These Alpine Cheese Delight Pork Chops aren’t just cozy — they’re downright comforting. I first made them on a blustery evening when the kids were crabby, the dog had tracked mud into the kitchen, and I was already wearing my “I give up” sweatshirt. I needed dinner to feel like a hug — and this did the trick. The name sounds fancy, but don’t let that fool you …

You know those days when all you want is something warm, creamy, and just a little indulgent? That’s this dish. Mushroom Stroganoff is one of those classic recipes that always feels a little extra — like you fussed, even when you didn’t. Traditionally, stroganoff is made with beef, but I’ll tell you what — when you lean into mushrooms and a slow, cozy cook, you don’t miss it one bit. Mushrooms bring all that deep umami flavor, the sauce turns velvety and rich, and your kitchen smells like something worth gathering around. And the best part? The slow cooker does …

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 — …

Let me tell you something. The first time I made this Moroccan Beet Salad, it was a chilly Tuesday in March, and I was aching for color. Not just on my plate, but in my day. I stood in my kitchen with the windows cracked open just a bit — enough to catch a whiff of the neighbor’s firewood, enough to remind me that spring wasn’t quite here yet. But then I grated those beets — that deep, ruby-red hue practically sang out, and suddenly I was transported. Not to my cluttered kitchen, but to a sun-washed Moroccan courtyard, full …

Okay, let’s be honest… this ain’t health food. This is Tuesday-night-after-a-long-day, the-kids-are-starving, your-back-hurts, and all-you-want-is-something-warm-and-cheesy food. And let me tell you — this dish delivers. It’s simple. It’s hearty. It smells amazing. And it’s made in the slow cooker, so by the time dinner rolls around, it’s already done and just waiting on you. I don’t know about you, but that right there feels like a small miracle some days. This Is Why We Love It: You throw it together and forget it. Your slow cooker does the heavy lifting. Cheese. Pasta. Beef. Do I even need to say more? …