It's Not About Nutrition

Let me tell you a little something — I used to loathe Brussels sprouts. I mean, really loathe. Back in the ‘80s, they were the soggy, stinky little green things that showed up on your plate when your mama was trying to be “healthy.” And bless her heart, she’d boil them until the kitchen smelled like someone left a gym sock in the Crockpot. Fast forward a couple of decades (and more than a few kitchen experiments), and now? Oh honey, they’re one of my favorite veggies — if they’re roasted right. Golden and crispy, with those little charred bits …

You ever have one of those days where all you want is a big ol’ bowl of something warm, simple, and made with love? That’s what this soup is. No bells and whistles. Just tender chicken, slurpy glass noodles, and a broth that tastes like someone gave you a hug and said, “You’re okay.” I first had this soup at a backyard potluck in Maui. There were folding tables, paper plates, kids running barefoot, and this one quiet auntie in the corner stirring a big pot. She didn’t say much—but honey, her soup spoke. I’ve been trying to recreate that …

You ever have one of those days where you just want something warm, hearty, and comforting—but not too complicated? That was me last week. It was chilly outside, leaves doing their crunchy thing on the driveway, and I had a head of cabbage in the freezer (don’t ask why—it’s just a thing I do now). That’s when it hit me: cabbage rolls. Now listen, I’m not trying to sell you on some glamorous, over-the-top recipe here. These are humble, saucy, meaty little bundles that taste like something your grandma might have made… if she was in a hurry but still …

You know those days when the weather can’t decide what it’s doing, and your bones feel a little tired, and maybe — just maybe — you need dinner to feel like a sweater you can eat? That’s when I pull out my old pot and make Ribollita. I didn’t grow up with this soup. The first time I made it, I had no idea what I was doing — I just had a stale baguette, some kale wilting in the crisper drawer, and a deep craving for something simple and honest. I threw everything into a pot, said a quiet …

Okay, picture this: it’s a Tuesday night, your feet are tired, the fridge looks like a crime scene, and honestly? You’re just over it. That’s exactly the kind of night this recipe was born from. I had a pack of ground beef, a wilting bunch of dill, and zero energy for anything remotely complicated. So I did what I always do when dinner feels like a chore — I made something warm, creamy, and comforting that didn’t require much thinking. And y’all… these Hamburger Cream Steaks hit the spot in ways I didn’t expect. They’re rich but not heavy, savory …

You know how some recipes just happen in your life? You didn’t mean to make them 47 times, they just kept showing up — on birthdays, weeknights, snow days, the Tuesday when the power went out and you lit the gas stove with a match. These meatballs? They’re that recipe for me. I’ve made them when my kids brought home friends last-minute, when I needed comfort in a bowl, and when I wanted to impress my mother-in-law (she asked for seconds, thank you very much). They’re hearty, honest, and full of flavor — and they taste like home. Which, let’s …

You ever have one of those dishes that stops you mid-bite — like, wait a second, what is this and where has it been all my life? That was me with this baked mac and cheese. Except here’s the twist: it wasn’t made with elbow macaroni. Nope. It was made with spaghetti. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Spaghetti? In mac and cheese? I had the same reaction — right up until I tasted it. Y’all, it was creamy, cheesy, just the right amount of spicy, and honestly… better than the classic. I said what I said. I first had …

You ever have one of those nights where you’re just staring into your pantry, hoping dinner walks out on its own? That was me last week. I had a loaf of sourdough that was going stale on the counter, a few sad onions rolling around in the bin, and a half-used box of lasagna noodles I’d been avoiding like laundry. And wouldn’t you know—sometimes necessity makes the best meals. I started playing around, and what came out of my oven was one of the coziest things I’ve made in a long time: French Onion Lasagna. Now, I’m not claiming this …

I’ll be honest with you — slumgullion isn’t the prettiest name for a dish. Sounds like something you’d feed pirates, doesn’t it? But oh honey, don’t let the name fool you. This one-pot wonder has fed generations, filled bellies on tight budgets, and warmed up more cold nights than I can count. I first had it when I was a kid, sitting at my Aunt Millie’s kitchen table — you know the kind with plastic over the cushions and a rotary phone hanging on the wall. She called it “goulash,” but it was really slumgullion — a tomato-y, beefy, cheesy …

You know those evenings where you’re bone-tired but craving something that tastes like a warm blanket? That’s how this recipe was born. I was standing in the kitchen after a long, loud day — laundry still damp in the machine, emails I didn’t answer (sorry, Susan), and all I had was half a carton of cream, some sausage in the fridge, and zero motivation to clean up a mess. So, I just threw everything into one pot and said a little prayer. And honey, let me tell you — this rigatoni came out creamy, cozy, a little spicy, and rich …