Ava 
Crockpot Hearty Chicken and Rice Soup – the coziest, belly-filling meal you’ll prepare all winter long! Just think of soft chicken cooked low and slow with fresh veggies, pungent herbs, and light rice in a warm, luscious broth. A sprinkle of bright lemon juice at the end makes each bite taste fresh and fabulous. It’s … Read more
Sesame Peanut Chicken Katsu Ramen This is the ramen my brother begs me to make all winter long—it’s that good. Imagine a rich, creamy broth with layers of flavor from crispy bacon, two kinds of spicy chili paste (hello, Gochujang and Thai red curry!), coconut milk for sweetness, tamari or soy sauce for that deep … Read more
Creamy Tuscan White Bean Lemon SoupThis is my family’s all-time favorite quick and easy Italian-style soup. It’s got spicy Italian chicken sausage cooked with onions, shallots, garlic, and Italian seasoning—all simmered together to make the most wonderfully creamy and slightly spicy soup. We toss in carrots, celery, sun-dried tomatoes, a couple of cans of white … Read more
Creamy Lentil Sun-Dried Tomato Soup – the ultimate cozy winter soup! You can whip this up in just one pot with garlic, shallots, Italian seasoning, chili flakes, tomato paste, canned diced tomatoes, and sun-dried tomatoes for extra richness. Toss in some lentils, then make it luxuriously creamy with a splash of cream and melty Parmesan cheese. … Read more
Honestly, this fajita bowl makes it feel like fiesta time anytime. No joke—you could eat this every single day and never get sick of it. And that avocado crema? I’d happily eat it straight with a spoon. Obsessed doesn’t even cover it. Yesterday, I was fantasizing about a traffic-free LA trip (dreamy, right?), and today? … Read more
Rustic Butternut Squash GnocchiI call it “rustic” only because I couldn’t be bothered to add those little ridges (you know, the ones called rigagnocchi) to each piece. But trust me, if you love gnocchi, you’ve gotta try this. Sure, you could stick with plain old potato gnocchi—it’s fine, no judgment. But why not switch things up … Read more
Pretzel Chicken Fingers with Spicy Honey Mustard Sauce—a total hit with my family, loved by everyone! Crispy baked chicken coated in salty pretzel crumbs—that’s the magic trick. But the real star? My spicy honey mustard cheese sauce. It’s melty cheddar mixed with mustard, honey, and a kick of cayenne for heat. Perfect for game-day munching … Read more
These Bacon-Wrapped Date and Goat Cheese Pastry Twists are super quick and easy to make—and trust me, everyone goes crazy for them! They’re the perfect mix of salty-sweet and savory. Imagine flaky puff pastry twisted with creamy goat cheese and sweet dates, all wrapped up in salty bacon, then coated in a spicy rosemary brown … Read more
Caramelized Honey Baked Brie with Warm Olives Creamy brie baked until melty with garlic, rosemary, and honey, then topped with warm, spicy olives cooked in butter, chilies, lemon, and thyme. The brie practically melts in your mouth—it’s the ultimate holiday appetizer. Festive, super easy to make, and always a crowd-pleaser. The minute I got back … Read more
Spinach and Artichoke Dip RollFlaky puff pastry rolled up with a creamy, cheesy spinach and artichoke dip filling, then baked until the pastry turns golden and the dip inside gets all melty and perfect. Finish them off with a drizzle of brown butter and crispy sage over each roll—they’re seriously delicious and super easy to … Read more