It’s all too easy to grab fast food when life gets busy, but I feel much better when I have quick, healthy options on hand. My go-to is Big Batch Greek Lemon Garlic Chicken. Tender, tangy, aromatic, and budget-friendly, this chicken is fast to prepare and perfect for busy weeknights. This recipe uses just seven … Read more

Salty and sweet — the combination that makes this dessert irresistible. Although I don’t usually crave sweets, when I do I want something exceptional. Dark chocolate, Nutella, and peanut butter are a few of my guaranteed happiness triggers, and when they come together the result is unforgettable. Last week I had a rare craving and … Read more

This recipe originally appeared in my column in the Traverse City Record-Eagle. I’m a little obsessed with soft pretzels and with tucking ham and cheese into everything. Combine the two and you get something irresistible: a soft, golden-brown pretzel filled with salty ham and melted sharp Cheddar. These Ham and Cheddar Stuffed Pretzels are perfect … Read more

Update: My friend Mary and I are collaborating on the #lovemylaughlines project to encourage people to feel comfortable in their own skin. We’d love to see your laugh lines too — tag a selfie or self-portrait on Instagram with the hashtag to share your beautiful proof with us! I’m a big believer in doing things … Read more

Roasted beets and za’atar might not be the first thing you think to start your Monday with, but these two flavors pair wonderfully. Ready to dive into some vibrant, delicious food? This dip makes me say “Yum!” out loud every time. The color is an intense magenta — all from beets, no food coloring. If … Read more

Welcome to the third installment of Dude Food Week as we celebrate snack food and gear up for The Big Game. If you share on social media, tag your photos of Dude Food with #DudeFoodWeek—I’d love to see what you make! Few things satisfy like a giant plate of fries. I cycle through cravings for … Read more

You may have noticed I make a lot of what some call “dude food.” It would be easy to blame a house full of men—“I have a husband and five sons…”—and pretend I subsist on carrot sticks and hummus. Don’t get me wrong: I do enjoy carrot sticks and hummus. But I also adore hearty, … Read more

Last October we drove sixteen hours through Pennsylvania and Ohio to the far north of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula and on into the Upper Peninsula to visit my dad and stepmom. For the trip we packed the usual snacks—pretzels, sandwiches, water, apples and bananas—and ate most of it along the way. Three days into the visit … Read more

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love pudding. I could eat pudding or ice cream every single day and be perfectly happy. There’s an almost infinite variety of both, and that’s part of the appeal. If it’s pudding, I’m in—though durian pudding is a notable exception that makes me want to … Read more

This is the culmination of all the cooking from this week; the Slow-Cooked Cuban Pork with FMC Mango Salsa and steamed jasmine rice on flour tortillas. And when you eat this life is very, very good. I’m about to share the formula for an easy, irresistible side dish: FMC Mango Salsa. It began as a … Read more