No BBQ is complete without Carolina Mustard BBQ Sauce and Vinegar Sauce. One is slightly thick and creamy, the other bright with a little kick. At our house Cade handles the pulled pork and I take care of the sauces. Over the years I tested many versions and learned what works. The mustard sauce took … Read more

Jump to the Recipe When my daughters were little we took them to see the animated film Chicken Run and they loved it. The story about clever chickens plotting an escape made them ask for pot pie for dinner that night. That evening we grabbed takeout, but at home we prefer to make comfort-food favorites … Read more

If you want perfectly cooked basmati rice, this simple method delivers every time—whether you’re using an electric pressure cooker (Instant Pot) or the stove. No sticky, gluey, or clumpy grains—just light, fluffy rice ideal for plain sides or fried rice. It requires only two ingredients and about 30 minutes. Stove-top instructions are included. For another … Read more

This weekend I tackled the fourth Zestuous Challenge. What I love about these events is the creative pressure: fans suggest ingredients and I have to make something delicious from them. Although the items this time were common, the combination pushed me out of my comfort zone. The first suggestion came from Jackie Bacom Stone: salmon … Read more

I love essential oil diffusers and use them throughout my home. But placing a traditional electric diffuser in every room isn’t always practical. For small spaces like bathrooms, reed diffusers are an ideal alternative — they’re inexpensive, low maintenance, and provide a subtle, continuous scent. Reed diffusers are simple to assemble and make thoughtful homemade … Read more

Chocolate Covered Cherry Brownies combine the rich flavor of chocolate-covered cherries with a moist, fudgy brownie base. This simple, crowd-pleasing recipe delivers triple chocolate and bright cherry bites in every square—perfect for holiday gatherings or any time you crave a nostalgic, fruity chocolate treat. Table of contents 🔑 Key to Success #1 – Two Kinds … Read more

It took me a little while to write this, but I had a good excuse — I was recovering from surgery. This is the story of my hysterectomy at age 29. (I’ll be 30 this Friday!) If you’re new here, you can begin with my earlier post “Girl Talk in Too Much Detail” and follow … Read more

These Chocolate-Covered Strawberry Mini Cakes combine moist chocolate cake, vibrant strawberry buttercream, glossy chocolate ganache, and fresh chocolate-dipped strawberries for an elegant, romantic dessert perfect for special occasions. 🍫 Fall in love with Chocolate-Dipped Strawberry Cakes Imagine a chocolate-dipped strawberry transformed into a petite layered cake. These mini cakes start with a rich, tender chocolate … Read more

Wonderfully disguised as a treat, these vegan and gluten-free orange and walnut cookies are packed with flavour and nutrition. Zesty and rich, they make an ideal snack with hidden benefits and are a great way to get kids to enjoy walnuts—full of healthy fats and texture (see also my easy air fried candied walnuts). I’m … Read more

Ingredients: 1 lb mild Italian sausage 1 medium green bell pepper, chopped 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped 1 cup chopped onion 2 cloves garlic, minced 1 1/4 cups light cream 1/4 cup snipped fresh parsley 1 teaspoon dried marjoram, crushed 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 10 … Read more