Honest and Truly

Hey Reader, The grill has been getting a lot more use lately, and just because the 4th of July is over doesn't mean I stop the cookouts. When the weather is this good, it makes sense to cook outside and avoid heating up your kitchen. You don’t need anything fancy to make a great grilled meal. These four go-to recipes are delicious, keep prep easy, and make dinner something to look forward to. Four Recipes to Make the Grill Worth Your Time If you've never made Beer Boiled Brats, you'll fall in...

Hey Reader, We are so deep into summer. It's hot and humid, and at least around here, it's time to go blueberry picking. Plus, the stores have blueberries on sale, so stock up! Blueberry Recipes to Put on Repeat Blueberry Pudding Cake is the best kind of dump cake for this weather. The blueberries bake down into the cake and turn it soft and almost saucy underneath the perfect cake-y crust. I'm a huge fan of crumb bars because I don't have to make batch after batch of cookies in the oven....

Hey Reader, Every year, we celebrate the Fourth of July, and this year is extra special with America's 250th birthday. That means all those BBQs need to really shine, right? I do hot dogs and hamburgers all summer long, and this weekend deserves something special. These four recipes are easy to make, so you don't have to stress about spending a ton of time on prep or cooking and can enjoy the time with friends and family. 4th of July Favorites I love deviled eggs, but Bacon Deviled Eggs?...

Hey Reader, My mom asked me last night if my kids and I were going to go strawberry picking this year. Somehow, I missed that it's strawberry season, but the answer is an emphatic yes. I love strawberries. Dip them in chocolate (or my favorite hot chocolate dip), bake them in a pie, use them for ice cream - the possibilities are endless. Sweet Strawberry Ideas for Easy Treats Strawberry curd is smooth, bright, and a little different from the usual lemon curd you may know and love. It's rich,...

Hey Reader, June is flying by, and Father's Day is this weekend already. Around here, that always means a weekend filled with cookouts and hanging with family. While my husband usually wants to man the grill (and hey - it's his weekend, he can do that!), I'm in charge of the marinades, plus all the sides and desserts. No matter who's cooking, get these faves on the menu. My Laid-Back Father’s Day Cookout Do you remember making Grilled Banana Boats when you were a kid? They are so much fun...

Hey Reader, How did it go from jacket weather to so incredibly hot so fast? I'm flat out not turning on the oven right now. That doesn't mean I'm not making dessert - something my family is grateful to hear. No bake desserts are perfect for this time of year, and these are the ones they love most. 4 Easy Desserts That Don't Need an Oven Ok, so technically I need to use my stove to make Dark Chocolate Bark with Dried Fruit, but it's on low heat and just for a few minutes, so it doesn't heat up...

Hey Reader, I LOVE a good cinnamon roll, but bakery prices are getting out of hand. It's harder and harder to justify buying them. The good news is that it's not that hard to make warm, soft cinnamon rolls. Even better, they have fun flavors and even a version that doesn't use any yeast. Before we get to the recipes, I want a quick moment of honesty. I create, develop, and extensively test every recipe I publish on my site. Now, Google tends to pull a lot of slop and websites that use AI to...

Hey Reader, A simple dessert can fix a long day faster than anything else. I don't know what it is about something warm from the oven that just makes you feel better. It's not just me, right? These are perfect because they make just one or two servings, so I don't have to figure out what to do with an entire batch of brownies or cookies. Added bonus? These tend to take just a few minutes rather than the longer time to create a full-size recipe. Your Next Sweet Fix Starts Right Here When I...

Hey Reader, Memorial Day is almost here, and it’s the perfect excuse to break out the grill. Whether you're hosting a huge backyard BBQ or just hanging with family, these recipes will ensure everything’s a hit. Yes, burgers and hot dogs are a classic for a reason, but get out of that rut and make something more fun. These are the ones I can't wait to make every year. Let’s Get the Grill Going! Lemon Chicken Kebabs are a must when you want something light and fresh. The lemon marinade keeps...

Hey Reader, I don’t know if you celebrate those quirky food holidays, but I love using them as a reason to indulge. May 15 is National Chocolate Chip Day, and I’m not about to let that go by without baking something sweet. Chocolate Chip Stars When the craving hits but you don’t want to make a whole batch, try this Microwave Chocolate Chip Cookie. It’s gooey in the middle, crisp around the edges, and ready in just a couple of minutes. I lean on Double Chocolate Muffins when I want something...