Persimmon tarts are a delightful autumn dessert that balances texture and flavor. A crunchy graham-oat crust holds a smooth maple-cinnamon cream cheese filling, finished with thinly sliced Fuyu persimmons and a brûléed sugar topping for contrast. September in Los Angeles can be unpredictable, yet the persimmon trees in my father’s garden reliably produce fruit every … Read more

Creamy Tahini-Free Hummus – a simple, delicious hummus made without tahini. A small trick gives it a fluffy, creamy texture while keeping it lower in fat. This is our favorite hummus. It disappears fast whenever I serve it — toddlers aside — and it’s great spread on spelt tortillas or used as a sandwich or … Read more

Red curry fried rice with vegetables offers a lighter, homemade alternative to takeout. This simple recipe comes together in under 30 minutes and makes a flavorful side or a satisfying main when paired with a protein. Feel free to swap the vegetables or add meat or seafood to suit your preferences. Fried rice is a … Read more

Bacon Ranch Loaded Potato Salad is a flavorful side dish that’s ideal for potlucks, cookouts, or game day gatherings. It combines classic baked potato toppings with a creamy ranch-style dressing for a crowd-pleasing dish everyone will ask about. Potato salad is a summer favorite, and when you pair potatoes with bacon, cheddar, and green onions … Read more

This Gluten Free Chocolate Snack Cake is rich, moist, and surprisingly simple to make. Ideal for birthdays, gatherings, or any time you want a dependable homemade chocolate cake, this recipe yields a tender crumb and deep chocolate flavor you’ll return to again and again. Recipe Ingredient Notes Gluten Free Flour: This cake was tested with … Read more

This cheesy Beef Enchilada Skillet with ground beef is an easy, one-pot dinner the whole family will love. It delivers classic enchilada flavors—seasoned meat, tangy enchilada sauce, beans, tortillas, and melted cheese—without the fuss of rolling individual enchiladas. Ready in about 40 minutes, it’s a comforting, weeknight-friendly meal. Try variations like beef enchilada casserole with … Read more

Why I Love Pumpkin Pie Cookies What could be more charming than a pie in cookie form? I enjoy taking a familiar favorite and transforming it into something new. These treats are essentially miniature pumpkin pies, but they’re straightforward to make and forgiving in the oven. Unlike a full pie, you don’t need to worry … Read more

It’s day four of the Holiday Craft Party and I’m joining Simply Kelly Designs, Two Purple Couches, The House Down the Lane, and Where the Smiles Have Been. If you missed yesterday’s projects, check out the five mason jar crafts we shared. Before I walk you through the red berry and pinecone Christmas wreath, read … Read more

If you want reliably tender, flavorful ribs, the 3-2-1 method is a dependable choice. Once I tried this approach for smoking on a Traeger, I was amazed by how consistently it produces fall-off-the-bone pork ribs. The process is simple: smoke the ribs unwrapped for 3 hours, wrap them with liquid and cook for 2 hours, … Read more