My Favorite Kind Of Hot Chocolate

Whenever I’m craving a warm mug of hot chocolate, this Mexican-inspired version is my personal favorite. ♡

It takes inspiration from traditional Mexican hot chocolate, adding a light touch of chile to the classic cinnamon-chocolate base. It’s not overly sweet, and I love how the subtle extra layers of spices, vanilla, plus a pinch of salt (important!) balance the richness of the chocolate.

It’s easy to make in just a few minutes, and you can easily customize yours with whatever type of milk or sweetener you prefer. So the next time you’re craving hot chocolate, grab some cinnamon and chili powder and give it a try!

Breakfast Made for Sharing

If you’re looking for a breakfast casserole that’s full of flavor, easy to make ahead, and guaranteed to please a crowd, this is the one. ♡

I’ll admit I have very little patience for egg casseroles that are bland, and this one is anything but! It’s layered with crispy browned hash browns, savory sausage, lots of sautéed veggies, sharp cheddar, and a fluffy egg base seasoned with my favorite secret ingredient — a touch of Old Bay for that irresistible, zesty kick. Each bite is full of savory flavors, plus a good boost of protein to start the day too. I served it to my extended family this holiday season and everyone agreed this recipe was a winner!

I also love that it’s easy to prep up to 24 hours in advance, making it a great option for weekend guests, meal prep, or any morning when you want something cozy and satisfying ready to go. We love serving slices of creamy avocado on top too, which I highly recommend.

Alright, let’s make a casserole!

Yes, You Should Make Split Pea Soup

This cozy split pea soup is one of my all-time favorite ways to use up leftover ham. And honestly, the broth alone is reason enough to make it. ♡

As the soup simmers, the ham hock (or leftover ham bone) slowly releases all of its smoky, savory goodness into the broth, adding sooo much flavor to every bite. Simmered together with tender split peas, chopped veggies, and a few simple seasonings, everything comes together into a deeply flavorful soup that always tastes like so much more than the sum of its parts.

It’s the kind of low-fuss, ultra-cozy, back-pocket recipe I love to make whenever we have leftover ham in the fridge. I know you’ll love it too!

The Easiest, Yummiest Glazed Ham

Say hello to my favorite glazed ham recipe. ♡

I’ll be honest — I often find glazed hams to be overly sweet, so this version is all about striking the right sweet-and-savory balance. The glaze starts with a classic brown sugar and honey base for that rich caramelization we all love, then layers in orange and lemon juice, whole-grain Dijon, soy sauce, garlic, and thyme for extra depth and savoriness. The result is a glaze that’s bold and balanced, without tipping into sugar overload — the perfect complement to good ham!

And since you’re starting with a fully cooked spiral-cut ham, the process couldn’t be easier. It’s really just a matter of gently warming the ham, basting generously, and letting the oven do the heavy lifting while your kitchen fills with the coziest holiday aroma.

It’s honestly one of the easiest main dishes I know, and it’s always such a hit at the table. So the next time you’re planning a holiday meal or special gathering, I highly recommend giving it a try.

Prime Rib, Perfected.

This prime rib is such a showstopper. ♡

And since I’m well aware that it’s also a splurge, I promise this recipe is extra flavorful and foolproof too — thanks especially to a reverse-sear method that locks in your ideal doneness and creates the most irresistible savory crust!

From the garlic-herb butter to the slow roast to the richly caramelized pan drippings that turn into the dreamiest au jus, I’ve tested and retested every step of this recipe with one goal in mind: to keep the process legit low-fuss while delivering the incredibly rich flavor this special cut deserves.

So whether you’re preparing this prime rib roast for a holiday feast or a celebratory dinner, you’re in for such a memorable treat. Let’s make some prime rib!

My Favorite Use For Leftover Turkey

If you’re staring down a fridge full of Thanksgiving leftovers, this turkey tortilla soup is hands-down my favorite way to enjoy leftover turkey. ♡

This recipe is a turkey twist on my longtime favorite sopa azteca, featuring crispy tortilla strips and the most delicious tomato-chile broth. (I always joke that I could drink a mug full of this broth each day instead of coffee, I honestly love it so much.) Its rich and smoky chile flavor tastes like it has simmered all day, but the whole soup actually comes together surprisingly quickly.

If you have an extra 5 minutes, I highly highly recommend frying your own tortilla strips to layer in, which add the best texture and flavor to each bite. But if you’re in a pinch, crumbled tortilla chips work great too. Load it up with all of your favorite toppings and enjoy! I know you’re going to love this one!

The Secret to a Juicy, Flavorful Turkey!

I’ve tried just about every turkey-roasting method out there, and dry brining simply is the best. ♡

Seriously, nothing comes close to the flavor, juiciness, and beautifully crisp golden skin that a dry brine delivers. It deeply seasons the turkey all the way through (not just the skin!), helps the meat stay super tender, and dries out the skin so it can roast up incredibly crisp without any fuss. All you need is a simple mix of salt and spices and some hang time in the fridge and you’ll be good to go — no basting, no soaking, no complicated steps required!

I’ve gathered all of my best tips and tricks below to hopefully take all of the guesswork out of the process. And I’ve also put together a turkey timeline, a step-by-step carving guide, plus instructions for making turkey gravy from the drippings. (Or my favorite mushroom gravy is a fantastic option if you’d like to make the gravy ahead of time!) My hope is that this guide gives you everything you need to walk into your turkey day feeling calm, prepared, and genuinely excited about the feast ahead.

Let’s do this!!

The Coziest Drink Of The Season

Nothing kicks off the holidays quite like a creamy glass of homemade eggnog! ♡

If you’ve only had the grocery store stuff before, you’re in for such a treat because homemade eggnog tastes so much better and takes less than 30 minutes to prep! This classic stovetop version comes together with just a handful of simple ingredients — eggs, milk, cream, sugar, vanilla, and a few warm spices — which are all gently heated until thickened into a custard-like base.

The result is rich without being heavy, sweet without being too cloying, and perfectly delicious served either chilled or warm. Enjoy it plain, spike it with bourbon or rum, top it with whipped cream, or finish each glass with a festive dusting of nutmeg. However you serve it, this homemade eggnog is guaranteed to bring a little extra holiday magic to the season!

The Perfect Pear Salad

Our family is a bit over-the-top obsessed with pears this time of year. ♡

We pick up a big bag a few times a month when we’re at Costco — which means we go through a lot of pears — and lately this salad has become one of our favorite ways to enjoy them. I threw it together a few weeks ago when we happened to also have some pomegranate arils in the fridge, and my husband and I absolutely couldn’t stop going back for more. It’s just so good.

The sweet, juicy pears pair perfectly with the tangy goat cheese and tart pomegranate, while the toasted walnuts add just the right amount of crunch. Then everything gets tossed together with a light white balsamic dressing that ties the flavors beautifully. It’s fresh, balanced, and elegant enough for holiday gatherings, yet easy enough to whip up for a weeknight dinner. You’re going to love it!

Tomato Soup, Meet Chicken Stew ♡

I could happily eat tomato soup any day of the year. But when I’m craving something a little heartier (with more protein!), this one-pot tomato basil chicken stew is such a winner.

It’s loaded up with tender chicken, potatoes, mushrooms, and carrots all simmered together in a rich, thick and creamy tomato-basil broth. We love serving it with a loaf of crusty bread for dipping, but it would also be delicious served over egg noodles, rice or your favorite grains. Whatever sounds good!

I actually first shared a version of this recipe over a decade ago, but reworked it recently to make it even heartier and more flavorful and I’m so pleased with the results. It’s one of those soul-warming stews that I’m certain we’ll be making in our kitchen for many more years to come. I think you’re going to love it!