Meals

A colorful bowl of vegetables, chicken and fresh udon noodles with colorful chopsticks laying beside the bowl

How to Make Weeknight Udon Stir Fry

A quick, easy colorful dinner built on delicious homemade noodles. Some dinners are just in the rotation—you reach for them on busy nights, but they still feel special every time. This weeknight udon stir fry is one of those recipes for our family. The thick, chewy noodles (homemade if we have them, store-bought if we don’t) soak up…

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Step-by-step image showing how to make fresh udon noodles by rolling the dough on a floured surface

How to Make Fresh Udon Noodles

Some recipes create a connection to generations past—and others, and others like how to make fresh udon noodles, start a new family tradition right at our own kitchen table. Unlike heirloom recipes passed down on a yellowed index card, these noodles are a newer addition. Even so, they’ve quickly become a favorite in our house—especially because they’re something…

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Easy Roasted Salmon with Mustard Sauce: Quick and Delicious

There’s something special about family recipes passed down through generations. They carry with them memories, tradition, and a comforting familiarity. I’m excited to share a twist on one of my family’s oldest recipes—roasted salmon with a tangy, savory-sweet mustard sauce passed down through generations. Easy Roasted Salmon with Mustard Sauce : A Delicious Twist on…

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Creamy Mustard Sauce Recipe | In a bowl with a blue gingham tray and herbs

Old-Fashioned Creamy Mustard Sauce

The recipe for this creamy, zesty mustard has been in my family for as long as I can remember.  It was served as an appetizer at every summer barbecue of my childhood to accompany cocktail hot dogs and crusty bread with summer sausage and aged cheddar. It was also frequently used as a welcome addition…

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Stuffed Artichokes with Lemon and Fresh Mint

Grandma’s Sicilian Stuffed Artichokes

My beautiful Sicilian grandmother, Josephine, cooked simple, rustic foods that were full of flavor. Her kitchen always smelled of sautéing garlic and oil oil, and she had a gift for turning leftovers into something new and delicious. Some of her specialties were her scrumptious Sicilian Lentil Soup, “polpette” (seasoned meatballs), homemade manicotti, and if we…

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chicken strips and rice on a white plate with a side of green salad with carrots, berries, and purple cabbage. A blue and white checked napkin and fork are in the corner of the picture.

Easy Garlic Lemon Chicken Strips with Rice

We all have those go-to meals we can make with our eyes closed, knowing they’ll always turn out perfectly. For my mom, it was garlic lemon chicken strips with rice — tender, flavorful, and comforting in every bite. As a kid, I loved it for its bright, tangy sauce and satisfying simplicity. As an adult, I understand…

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“Snowman Stew” | Easy and Decadent Recipe for Smoky Beef Stew with Toasted Mashed Potatoes

Snowman Stew is a savory and scrumptious Beef Bourguignon that is slow-cooked with bacon, red wine, smoked paprika and fresh thyme. It is complemented by charming and decadent bites of mashed potatoes, that are toasted on the outside, but are extra creamy on the inside – thanks to the addition of unsweetened, whipped heavy cream.…

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Maria's Authentic Hungarian Cheese Spread

Maria’s Authentic Hungarian Cheese Spread

Ever since I said “I do,” this simple yet complex savory spread has been a staple during the holidays. The recipe, passed down from my husband’s grandmother Maria in Budapest, was shared with her daughter-in-law (my mother-in-law), who kindly passed it along to me. With just a short list of ingredients and easy preparation, it…

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Mini Meatball “Lizagnas”: A Delicious and Hearty Make-Ahead Meal

A scrumptious and flavorful lasagna layered with mini meatballs and caramelized tomatoes. My Aunt Liz was a very special lady and a very accomplished chef. Memories of her holiday meals and special treats are swoon worthy to this day among those of us who knew and loved her. She left many classic recipes behind but…

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Chicken Pot Pie

Weeknight Chicken Pot Pie

Weeknight Chicken Pot Pie has been a go-to in our house for years, especially during the cooler months. Comforting, nourishing, and easy to pull together, it’s also my favorite “porch drop” meal for friends in need of a little love. As I work to preserve recipes from the matriarchs in my life, this one is…

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