Just Chatting: Why I Keep Coming Back to Blackened Chicken Alfredo Okay, so: you ever crave something that’s creamy but also has a real kick? That’s when I reach for my slightly battered skillet and whip up this Blackened Chicken Alfredo recipe. The first time I made it, I’d just moved into my first flat …

This Stuffing Has a Story For You Right, let me tell you—the first time I whipped up this butternut squash, date & apple stuffing, it was mostly by accident. I’d totally forgotten to buy breadcrumbs (yep, classic me) for my regular stuffing, so I thought, “Eh, why not throw in what I’ve got?” Turns out, …

So, You Fancy Some Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars? Right, no kidding—I first made these Healthy Pumpkin Oatmeal Bars while procrastinating on actual work. It was one of those drizzly October afternoons where you stare out the window, mug in hand, and think: surely a snack would improve everything. Mum used to bake something like these, …

Hey you! So if you’ve ever wondered what I make when I want everyone at the table to sit up and pay attention (and maybe forget they were arguing over who lost the remote), it’s this roast rosemary leg of lamb. The first time I made it, I honestly thought I’d burned it because the …

If you’ve ever tried to impress dinner guests with both color and flavor on the dinner table, let me tell you about these balsamic purple potatoes—they’re a total conversation starter. I first made them after seeing a pile of purple spuds at the farmers’ market and thinking, Huh, those look too pretty to just mash. …

Alright, so picture this: It’s a Sunday afternoon, I’m halfway through a mug of tepid tea (because I always forget it gets cold), and the whole house smells like what I’d imagine a cozy bistro in the English countryside might. That’s probably overselling it, but honestly, making this herb-crusted prime rib is one of those …

How I Fell in Love With Four-Cheese Sausage Rigatoni Honestly, this recipe is my answer to cold feet and empty bellies. First time I made it, I was trying to impress my in-laws (no pressure, right?), and I somehow managed to splatter cheese sauce everywhere but the actual pasta. They still raved about it. Maybe …

Straight from My Oven (and Heart): Let’s Talk Duck If you’ve ever wondered what to cook when you want to make the whole house smell like the holidays (even if it’s mid-June—guilty as charged), this Cranberry-Orange Roast Ducklings recipe is my secret weapon. My first attempt caused a minor smoke alarm incident and I swore …

The First Time I Made This… What a Ride So, first time I tried this pressure-cooker mushroom pork ragout, I was running late. Picture me—coat half-on, cat winding around my ankles, and a toddler in full meltdown mode over lost crayons. And suddenly I think, ‘This is the night for something hearty.’ I won’t say …

Let’s Talk Pork Tenderloin with Wild Rice (and a Little Nostalgia) Okay, real talk—every time I cook pork tenderloins with wild rice, it’s like the universe gives me an easy win. The smell alone pulls my family into the kitchen like moths to a porch light. Once, I tried making this during a power outage …