20+ Easy Summer Dinner Ideas Summer is the time to rely on simple and quick dinner ideas. The best thing about summer is the change in routine, the easy living, the more relaxed “summer casual” vibe. When you rely on the season’s bounty, the flavors shine through without the extra fuss. During summer, I especially…
Live Stream Cooking Classes
Hey, friends! Many of you might be here for the recipes and meal plans and not even realize that my main business is teaching cooking classes. I thought I’d take five minutes to give you some background and a quick update on my live stream cooking classes. I’ve taught cooking classes for 20 years, since…
Baked Feta and Tomato Confit
Baked Feta and Tomato Confit Here’s the inside scoop on my all-time favorite meal: it would include tomatoes. There’s a story my mom likes to tell about a family trip to Canada when I was a toddler (which I remember nothing of). As she was making dinner, I ate every single cherry tomato out of…
Weekly Meal Plan // June 21-26
Weeknight Summer Dinners Summer dinners! That means all the peaches, nectarines, berries, zucchini and heirloom tomatoes. On Instagram last week, I posted a photo of my nectarine and burrata crostini and the crowd went wild. I honestly haven’t had that much reaction from a photo in a while, so thank you. I feel seen. Maybe…
Father’s Day Menu
An Easy Father’s Day Menu + You’re Invited to a Live Stream Cooking Class What month is it? Funny how that feeling hasn’t gone away just yet. One thing I do know is that Father’s Day is this weekend and you may need some grilling inspiration! We’ve put together a delicious Father’s Day menu so…
Glazed Wild Salmon
Herbed Sweet and Spicy Glazed Wild Salmon Do you have one of those friends who’s just a force? Nothing slows them down, they operate on all cylinders, always on their game? That’s Pamela Salzman for me. She runs a successful food blog, teaches cooking classes, is dedicated to her social media following––not just through regular…
Weekly Meal Plan // June 14-19
Meal Plan: Summer Dinners So excited to be back up and running and get out my weekly meal plan! For the past couple weeks, our internet has been on and off so many times, I thought I might lose my mind. Just as I’d start to work on a blog post or meal plan, it…
Weekly Meal Plan//May 31-June 5
Happy Saturday! I have a serious question for you all. Do you plan your dinners? Do you take 10-15 minutes on the weekend to make a weekly meal plan? I promise it will make your week ahead run so much smoother. Let me know in the comments below if you’re a wishful meal planner, a…
Healthy Texas Caviar
The Best Healthy Texas Caviar Ok, ya’ll (still not used to slipping that in, hello wanna-be Texas girl). Texas caviar is something I had in college or soon after, when one of my real-life-Texas-girl college roommates whipped it up. I was immediately obsessed with the flavor and crunch and all the colors. Salty tortilla chips…
Weekly Meal Plan // May 17-22
How did we get here? The deluge of spring activity surely wasn’t the same this year, but the days flew by none the less. And suddenly Memorial Day Weekend is upon us and the school year is winding down. Our kids finish school this week, and we’re all ready to move on to summer. Here’s…
Homemade Vanilla Almond Milk
Homemade Vanilla Almond Milk Homemade vanilla almond milk is about the only kind of almond milk I like. It’s not gummy and thick like most of the store bought varieties. And when it’s sweetened with dates and scented with real vanilla, it’s rich and delicious. Start with raw, unsalted almonds and soak them overnight (or…
Ground Beef Tacos
The Easiest Ground Beef Tacos Taco ’bout a weekly staple! We LOVE Mexican food and flavors around here, and typically have various taco nights on the regular. Almost every Tuesday I add a Mexican-inspired meal to my weekly meal plan, and these ground beef tacos are a hit with everyone in my family. Leftovers can…
Weekly Meal Plan // May 10-16
SUNDAY Happy Mother’s Day! We had a late breakfast of quiche Lorraine, salad with super simple salad dressing (in today’s variation we used minced fresh garlic, grainy mustard and apple cider vinegar with EVOO) and rosemary and sweet onion breakfast potatoes. I highly suggest making these breakfast potatoes pronto! To make, dice 4 russet potatoes…
Easy Weekly Meal Plan // May 3-9
An Easy Weekly Meal Plan Let’s make this fast — it’s a beautiful Saturday afternoon in Houston, and we’re making the most of breezy spring weather. Since I’m trying to lighten up our meals and focus on vegetables instead of cookies, this is a healthy and mostly Whole30 meal plan. It felt good to get…
Gift Ideas for Mom
Gift Ideas for Mom We’ve been taking a little break from our Friday Love List, but it’s time for some gift ideas for mom! Moms right now are working harder than ever: Working from home, educating kids, entertaining families, walking the dog, cleaning the house, killing the germs and cooking non-stop. Women can seriously do…
Weekly Meal Plan // April 26-May 1
Time for a Reset Hi everyone! We’re making this weekly meal plan fast today because we’re deep in house projects. Couldn’t let quarantine go by without some attic organization and closet clean outs. It’s also my youngest’s birthday tomorrow, so we have work to do! After tomorrow, we’re starting a Whole30 reset, teenagers included, so…
What Is Natural Wine
What Is Natural Wine? Guest post by Kaitlyn Ross Chances are you’ve heard of natural wine. Whether you can describe it or not! The truth is, there’s no legal definition, which is just confusing. In her recent book Natural Wine for the People, Alice Feiring nailed it, “Natural wine is wine without crap in it.” But…
Weekly Meal Plan // April 19-25
Easy Dinners All Week Long Did you get my cooking class update? We’re hosting free live stream Smart in the Kitchen cooking classes through the month of April. I’m working on a full calendar of online cooking classes for May as well. I’ll have a set schedule of classes twice a week, as well as…
Weekly Meal Plan // April 12-18
Keep On Cookin’ I bet you feel like that’s all you do. More ideas for what to cook below, as well as one routine change that’s helping me stay sane right now. You guys have maybe heard me talk about “come and take it” night. Every Friday, I clean out the fridge and let everyone…
Easter Brunch Menu
Easter Bruch Menu Ideas It’s time. Easter brunch is upon us, and I’ve been fielding lots of texts and questions about my Easter menu. While I want to give you ALL the ideas, I also don’t want to suggest that anyone should be making all of these. I’ve given you TONS of ideas to work…
Three Bean Salad
Three Bean Salad This one takes me back. Anyone else? It’s an old school side dish my grandma used to make for lunches when I’d visit. I remember hers being deliciously sweet and almost syrupy. My variation of three bean salad uses healthy pantry ingredients and has multiple substitutions to make it work for you….
Weekly Meal Plan // April 4-11
We’re starting to understand the meaning of the phrase, “this is a marathon not a sprint.” Currently feeling like I’ve been running full bore and need to check my pace. Last Friday, we had a full deep clean at our house, with tons of laundry, vacuuming and disinfecting, I appreciate my housekeeper more than ever….
Weekly Meal Plan, Quarantine Edition
Dishes, Dishes and More Dishes Cooking at home has taken on a whole new meaning: Dishes! And lots of them!! I know many of you are cooking more than ever, but hang in there. Cooking together with your family is such a fun way to spend time together. For slightly older kids, let them pick…
Weekly Meal Plan // March 22-27
Let’s Cook! Hi everyone! Just here meal planning like always with a big old stack of my favorite cookbooks and a warm cup of coffee. A meal plan creates a sense of routine and also might help reduce stress around dinner time. When I got ready to meal plan today, I was surprised by how…
Basic Knife Skills
Basic Knife Skills I thought it might be helpful to share some oldie-but-goodie knife skills videos. These and other easy recipe videos are on my YouTube channel. Please subscribe and share with friends! Knife skills are a building block that just might make your time in the kitchen a little more efficient, a little less…
Pantry Meal Plan
Two Weeks of Pantry and Freezer Meals Now that you have a list of everything for a well-stocked freezer and pantry, you need some ideas for what to do with it! Work to start with fresh ingredients and produce stocked in your refrigerator. Make a big batch of vegetable soup and freeze it in serving…
How to Stock Your Pantry and Freezer
Perfect Your Pantry Game Stock your pantry with cooking essentials to make your weeknight dinners a breeze. Some of my favorite “faster than fast” dinners come from pantry ingredients: Penne with Rao’s, chicken thighs plucked from the freezer and cooked with a jar of salsa verde, roasted red pepper and tomato soup or my throwback…
Weekly Meal Plan // March 8-13
Happy weekend, everyone. We have a quiet Saturday around here and let me tell you, I’m so thankful. One more week until Spring Break, and we are taking it one day at a time. The world is an anxious place right now, but to stay calm I’ve tried to focus on what I’m grateful for…
White Chicken Chili
White Chicken Chili My family is full of chili aficionados. We don’t discriminate amongst turkey, beef, brisket, veggie or chicken chili. So while it’s still a little cool and crisp outside, get this white chicken chili on the stove. Full of green chilies, jalapeños and green bell pepper, it’s almost more “green chicken chili” than…
Weekly Meal Plan // March 1-6
SUNDAY I can’t believe it’s March! Two weeks until Spring Break and then buckle your seatbelt for the fast paced ride to summer. I’m teaching an afternoon cooking class today, so dinner at my house is something fast and simple. I think I’ll repeat the Spicy Ground Turkey and Green Bean Stir Fry we’re making…
Weekly Meal Plan // Feb 23-28
SUNDAY We have a full Sunday of confirmation class, National Charity League and tutoring. So much for a day of rest! Let’s make a one-pot wonder: Whiskey and lime skirt steak fajitas will be just the thing. To make it easy on yourself, stock up on store bought guacamole, pico de gallo, hot sauce and…
Instant Pot Chicken and Sausage Gumbo (Whole30)
Instant Pot Chicken and Sausage Gumbo (Whole30) Instant Pot Chicken and Sausage Gumbo –– it’s what’s for dinner! Chop the holy trinity of onion, celery and bell pepper, throw everything in the Instant Pot and seal the lid. And while it’s not a traditional gumbo that starts with a browned roux, it’s gluten-free, Whole30 and…
Weekly Meal Plan // Feb 17-21
SUNDAY If you’re cooking at home over the long weekend, I suggest super easy tomato confit pasta. Roasting the tomatoes brings out their sweetness and creates a delicious sauce. Use good quality extra virgin olive oil and your favorite pasta, whether it’s gluten-free, whole wheat or whatever floats your boat! MONDAY Monday I’m taking the…
Hazelnut Chocolate Truffles
Hazelnut Chocolate Truffles My kids have always loved the flavor of Nutella, and I can see why. The nutty combination of rich hazelnuts and chocolate combine to create a classic flavor combo. My hazelnut chocolate truffles aim to achieve that same satisfying flavor without the unhealthy oils or processed sugar. Decadent and satisfying, you can…
Weekly Meal Plan // Feb 10-14
It’s time to meal plan and look at the week ahead. The weekend was full of cooking, eating, laughing and talking with a great group of women. It was a cool and beautiful weekend in Round Top at my 5th cooking retreat and it was so great to share new recipes and some time in…
Chocolate Popcorn Bark
Salty and Sweet Chocolate Popcorn Bark I really REALLY want you to be able to make this crunchy, sweet and salty popcorn bark this weekend. Chocolate popcorn bark is the perfect dessert for your Oscars viewing party and it takes all of five minutes to put together. What Type of Chocolate Should I Use? Start…
WEEKLY MEAL PLAN // Feb 2-7
Super Bowl Meal Plan and Beyond… February is here! Super Bowl! Valentine’s Day! My birthday! So many great menus to plan. My Whole30 officially ends today. My 4th round of Whole30 wasn’t perfect by any means (honey in my tea when I was sick, and maybe a little whiskey in my tea when I was…
Coconut Red Curry Soup (Whole30)
Coconut Red Curry Soup Coconut red curry soup might be your new favorite weeknight dinner. Not only is it Whole30, dairy-free, and full of veggies, it’s also absolutely delicious. Red curry paste is such a powerful secret ingredient. This flavorful spice and aromatics mixture adds so much depth of flavor; warm tones from red chilies…
Red Cabbage Salad
Red Cabbage Salad Growing up in Southern California, we would head to the North Wood’s Inn to celebrate birthdays and gather with extended family. The fake snow on the roof, the peanut shells on the floor, and the moody lighting made a sunny Southern California day feel cozy and seasonal. Their red cabbage salad came…
WHOLE30 MEAL PLAN // WEEK 4
Are you guys still hanging tight with your Whole30? I have one more week of easy and family-friendly dinner ideas to keep you on track. If your house is anything like ours, you’ve had your fair share of cold, flu and cough. I’ve added some immunity boosting ingredients to this week’s meal plan to keep…
WHOLE30 MEAL PLAN // WEEK 3
An Easy Whole30 Meal Plan the Whole Family Will Love You may have noticed on Instagram stories that I have an intern right now. It’s a program through my children’s school called Interim Term. Lucky for me, there was a senior who wanted to cook and be in the kitchen for his three week internship….
Cauliflower Gnocchi with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto
Cauliflower Gnocchi with Sun-Dried Tomato Pesto (Whole30) Oh the glories of Trader Joe’s. By now, most of us are not strangers to their disappearing Cauliflower Gnocchi. But some of us are lost about the proper way to cook it. The first time I made Trader Joe’s cauliflower gnocchi, I didn’t read the directions and just…
Whole30 Meal Plan Week Two
WHOLE30 MEAL PLAN WEEK TWO! Here we go. It’s been so busy around here that I’m not even sure what day it is! I do know I’m on my 10th day of Whole30, and so far so good. No serious withdrawals or cravings. Cutting down on the sugar and alcohol has helped me sleep more…
WHOLE30 MEAL PLAN // WEEK 1
Whole30 Meal Plan Week One Let’s go, January. If you’re anything like me, the past couple months have been a constant stream of cookies, cocktails and carbs. Time to embrace a new year and start it off with healthy habits, lots of whole foods, vegetables, healthy fats and grass-fed meats and wild-caught seafood. There are…
Weekly Meal Plan // December 29-January 3
New Year’s Eve and Whole30 on the Horizon If you’re on vacation somewhere warm and tropical, then God bless you and just go ahead and skip this entire post. In fact, order a margarita for me and put your feet up. We’re in the mountains of Idaho and it’s COLD. Especially since our heat went…
10 Christmas Breakfast Ideas
10 Christmas Morning Breakfast Ideas Happy happy, everyone! Only two more sleeps until Christmas. And for all my friends celebrating Hanukkah or Kwanza, I hope you have a week filled with family, love and lots of good food! I’m sharing a few Christmas breakfast ideas in case you need inspiration. I’ve been to the grocery…
Winter Sangria
A Big Batch and Bubbly Winter Punch Tis the season! Invite friends over and make a pitcher of the easiest winter punch around. Big batch cocktails like sangria are your answer to stress-free entertaining. And this winter sangria couldn’t be faster to stir together when you’re in need of a party libation. Winter sangria is…
Cooking Retreat
Join Me at the Table! Exciting announcement! Tickets for my next cooking retreat are available now! We’ll gather at The Vintage Round Top February 8-9. Get ready for a weekend of cooking, laughing, eating and relaxing at one of the coziest spots in Round Top. If you’d like to join us, grab your tickets soon…
Weekly Meal Plan // December 15-20
Midterms, Send Help and Easy Recipes!! At this point my body composition is 50% sugar. Fudge, peppermint bark, date squares and toffee have been my go to holiday pick-me-up. Not good. This week I need a healthy meal plan that’s quick and easy. My older two have midterms all week long, and my youngest has…
Holiday Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers
Pint Size Favorites That Won’t Break the Bank Cotton Cocktail Napkins. Obsessed with these, from hemstitched “linen” to gingham and white. Great hostess or teacher gift! Reusable Glass Straws. I’m making up for the disposable cocktail napkins with reusable straws. It’s called carbon credit. Small Maldon Sea Salt Tins. I may or may not have…
Weekly Meal Plan // December 8-13
A Week of Healthy Meals This is our last full school week before midterms and I want my kids to stick to a routine. That means dinners at home and me trying to get them to sleep at a decent time. This week I have a big private cooking class for a local legal firm,…
Holiday Gift Guide: Hostess
Holiday gift guide for the hostess with the mostess.
Cherry Tomato Confit
A Super Easy Party Appetizer Garlic, herbs and tomatoes in a warm bath of extra virgin olive oil makes your whole house smell intoxicating. Pour the just-baked mixture over goat cheese and serve it with crostini or crackers, and it makes the perfect party appetizer. HOW TO MAKE THE CONFIT Look for the smallest size…
Weekly Meal Plan // December 1-6
An Easy Weekly Meal Plan SUNDAY I’ve decided I need a cooking vacation tonight, how’s that for a meal plan? I’ll give my husband the option to make dinner at home or we’ll go out. If you’re cooking at home and need to use up leftovers, make turkey stock with the carcass. Enchilada casserole with…
Thanksgiving Week Meal Plan // November 24-29
Thanksgiving Week Meal Plan My husband and I are in Round Top, Texas, soaking up one of our happy places. The second I turn off the highway for Round Top, my blood pressure lowers and my shoulders relax. It’s a slow pace and a beautiful setting, especially this time of year when the leaves are…
Baked Pumpkin Custard (Dairy-Free and Gluten-Free)
A Simple and Delicious Thanksgiving Dessert Do you love pumpkin pie, but can’t do dairy? Do you have gluten-free guests coming for Thanksgiving? Does the thought of making homemade pie dough give you anxiety? Make these simple dairy-free and gluten-free pumpkin custards. It’s basically the pie filling without the crust. Spicy, creamy pumpkin custard is…
Weekly Meal Plan // November 18-22
Pre-Thanksgiving Weekly Meal Plan MONDAY Make-your-own pizzas for an easy meatless Monday dinner! Today my oldest takes her driver’s test, my son gets braces and I’m catching up after a weekend away. If you want to make your own dough, check out Alexandra Stafford’s Neapolitan-style pizza recipe. Or buy Trader Joe’s pre-made pizza dough or…
Getting Organized for Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving barely gets its due. Christmas décor and ads appear before Halloween and holiday movies pop up in October. Let’s not run through Thanksgiving like it’s a race. Take the time to enjoy the week with friends and family and celebrate a season of gratitude. Let’s slow down and be thankful for the abundance of meaningful…
Weekly Meal Plan // November 10-15
SUNDAY Slow Cooker Pot Roast for Sunday supper will make your whole house smell delicious. I’ll sub avocado or olive oil for the canola and arrowroot powder for cornstarch. MONDAY Book fair family night at our school, which means half my crew will eat at home and do homework while the youngest (and mom) head…
Weekly Meal Plan // November 3-8
An Instant Pot and Slow Cooker Kind of Week This week’s meal plan is full of savory soups, family favorites and fast dinners. I have a couple new Thanksgiving recipes to upload for you guys, but keep your fingers crossed I can pull it off. It has been a busy couple weeks, and I have…
Kitchen Equipment Essentials
Kitchen Equipment Essentials How to Choose a Knife The ultimate essential. First order of business: Everyone needs a good chef’s knife for chopping, slicing and dicing. It’s such a personal preference, although I do NOT recommend those knives sold by your neighborhood college kid that come serrated and promise to never need sharpening. Just say…
Thanksgiving Menu
A Simple and Delicious Thanksgiving Menu Thanksgiving is one week away! I’m proud to partner with Memorial Hermann on this easy Thanksgiving menu that’s full of seasonal bounty. From appetizers to dessert, find your new favorite recipes and tips for a stress-free turkey day. Get everything in one beautiful booklet that you can download and…
Healthy Seven Layer Dip
Healthy Seven Layer Dip I have friends to thank for this one. Iterations of this appetizer kept showing up at casual poolside barbeques and weekend gatherings last summer. Healthy, colorful and easy to assemble, it’s definitely a crowd pleaser. To assemble the appetizer, spread out the ingredients in thin layers on a white platter or…
Meyer Lemon Cranberry Sauce
Super Easy Meyer Lemon Cranberry Sauce Meyer lemons make the perfect cranberry sauce. Slightly less acidic than Eureka lemons and full of juice, Meyers are my favorite winter crop. Tangy, bright and with a touch of cinnamon spice, this is my favorite cranberry sauce. If you don’t have or can’t find a Meyer lemon, feel…