Dirty rice is a classic Louisiana staple rooted in Creole and Cajun cooking. Traditionally, it’s made with white rice and sometimes cooked alongside finely chopped chicken livers and ground pork or beef, plus the “holy trinity” of Southern cuisine — onions, bell peppers, and celery. The dish gets its signature “dirty” color from the browned meat and livers mixed throughout the rice. In this lighter twist, I swap traditional white rice for frozen cauliflower rice, which keeps

Red snapper is one of those fish that instantly takes me back to my grandma's kitchen. It was always seasoned well, cooked simply, and served with something hearty on the side. No overthinking. Just flavor and love. Now that I’m in my 40s, I still want those comfort flavors — I’m just more intentional about how I feel after I eat. I don’t want to feel sluggish. I don’t want heavy. I want seasoned, satisfying, and balanced. This version keeps that bold, blackened Cajun flavor

I’m not giving up jerk chicken. Let’s just make that clear. I love bold flavors. I love (a little) spice. I love food that actually tastes like something. What I  am  doing in my 40s is being more intentional about how I build my plate. Not restrictive. Not extreme. Just smarter. Same juicy jerk chicken thighs. Same bold seasoning. But I am throwing it in the Air Fryer. We’re swapping heavy, mayo-based slaw for a Greek yogurt version that still gives creamy and tangy — just

Okay friends, let’s get real for a second. Y’all know I’m obsessed with Mexican food—it’s bold, it’s vibrant, it’s just life on a plate. But here’s the thing, I’ve been on a mission to remix some of my favorite dishes to make them healthier without sacrificing flavor. That’s how this Hot Honey Sweet Potato Taco Bowl was born.   I remember back in my 20s and 30s, tacos meant a heaping pile of meat, cheese, sour cream, and sometimes a side of regret. Now that I’m in my 40s, I w

Black-eyed peas have always been a part of my story. Growing up, this was a dish my grandmother made often —not just for New Year’s luck, but because it was comforting, filling, and stretched to feed everybody. I remember sitting at the table as a kid, quietly sneaking a little sugar into my bowl when no one was looking. Sweet and savory made perfect sense to me back then, and honestly… I still get it. Now that I’m grown, I still make black-eyed peas every now and again, but

We’re officially deep into sweater weather cooking, and this cheesy potato and broccoli casserole has been one of my favorite comfort meals to come out of this series so far. It’s cozy, filling, and full of flavor but without that heavy, greasy feeling some casseroles leave behind. This is Day 22 of my 30-day Sweater Weather Plates series, and at this point, I’m all about meals that feel indulgent but still make sense.   What makes this dish work is balance. Instead of relyi

There’s just something about a warm bowl of chili simmering on the stove that feels like home. This  Creamy White Chicken Chili  is one of those recipes that checks all the boxes—comforting, flavorful, and simple enough for real life. I made this during my  30 Days of Sweater Weather Plates  series as we start to wind things down and prepare for a lighter, more intentional season of eating. It’s cozy without being heavy and perfect for those nights when you want something nou

There’s just something about a bowl of chicken soup that feels like a hug in food form.  I’ve always been a fan of Panera’s Chicken & Wild Rice Soup, but I wanted to create a version that had the same cozy flavor — without the extra carbs or heavy cream. I made my own healthier twist using chicken thighs, cauliflower rice, and that  Lidl Holiday hash  (which already has butternut squash, sweet potatoes, celery, and red onion mixed together — talk about a time saver!). This s

Lasagna soup has been trending for a while…. and for good reason. It’s rich, cheesy, comforting, and perfect for cooler weather. But...

When I think of comfort food that truly warms the soul, nothing comes to mind quite like  jambalaya . Growing up, my grandmother, who was...