The baby name Scottie has quickly become a favorite for girls in recent years. Today’s Baby Name of the Day is inspired by a recent list highlighting fastest-rising girl names of 2025. WHAT DOES THE NAME SCOTTIE MEAN? Scottie is closely tied to the name Scott, which in turn points to Scotland. The surname Scott … Read more

The question “Can you ganache a fruit cake?” often sparks a lively debate. There are three common responses. The traditionalist will reply: “Of course not—blasphemy! Fruit cakes are covered in marzipan and then fondant. End of story.” A slightly less rigid view says: “No—use almond icing (almond-flavoured fondant) and then cover with fondant.” My view … Read more

Individual Chicken Pot Pies are the ultimate comfort food—simple to make and perfect for a family dinner that both adults and kids will enjoy. This week I made individual chicken pot pies after remembering a conversation on a recent family vacation where everyone raved about pot pie. I usually use my homemade all-butter pie crust, … Read more

Green tahini: what happens when tahini gets herbaceous. Think classic Middle Eastern tahini sauce — sesame paste, garlic, lemon, and salt — brightened with plenty of fresh green herbs. This is an open invitation for parsley, cilantro, mint, basil, dill, spinach, scallions, or any mix you like to join the tahini party. Classic tahini becomes … Read more

If there’s one rule in baking it’s “don’t burn.” Yet this Basque (or burnt) cheesecake breaks that rule to brilliant effect. This easy, crustless version — made with a touch of Greek yogurt for extra tang — bakes quickly at high heat to develop a deeply caramelized, dark golden top while keeping a soft, creamy … Read more

When your family is hungry, satisfy them with a hearty Meat Lovers Pasta that combines three meats and three cheeses for a filling, budget-friendly meal. Hearty, comforting, and easy to prepare, this pasta bake stretches your grocery budget while delivering big flavor. It’s perfect for cold evenings and feeds a crowd—or provides leftovers for another … Read more

My heart is pounding as I begin to type this. Mainly because this is the most open and honest I’ve ever been on my blog. Here we go… Like many people in college and afterward, I drank alcohol — sometimes too much. There were mornings I felt disgusted with myself: “Why did I do that? … Read more

There’s something special about turning late‑summer tomatoes into a Savory and Sweet Tomato Jam. Rich, tangy, and lightly spiced with a bright umami character, this jam elevates cheese boards, sandwiches, and morning toast. Best of all, it comes together in under an hour. This small‑batch jam is ideal for peak tomato season. Spread it on … Read more

This banana peanut butter oatmeal smoothie is a nutritious, filling breakfast that will keep you satisfied until lunch. This banana oatmeal peanut butter smoothie is an easy, nutrient-packed way to start the day. It combines protein, fiber and fruit, plus greens and creamy peanut butter. You can add a touch of unsweetened cocoa for a … Read more

I don’t rotate these 19 cookout sides anymore — they’ve earned permanent weekend status. They’re dependable, easy to prepare, and never add stress, which is more than I can say for some guests. People often ask if I’ve tried something new; I just smile and serve the same favorites again. If it works, I don’t … Read more