Chicken Tamales from Scratch (Mostly!)

These delicious tamales verdes are proof that not every batch of tamales has to be an all-day, totally-from-scratch affair. ♡

This recipe is built around a few easy shortcuts, starting with shredded rotisserie chicken and tossing it with my favorite quick salsa verde (or you can use store-bought). That way, you can focus your energy where it really matters — making perfectly fluffy masa and assembling the tamales!

As I’ve mentioned with my red pork tamales recipe, I always prefer my tamales with a generous filling-to-masa ratio, so each bite is packed with plenty of saucy, vibrant flavor rather than just masa. The result is a batch of green chicken tamales that’s cozy, flavorful, and surprisingly approachable. Perfect for a weekend cooking project or stocking the freezer with lots of easy meals ahead. Let’s make some tamales!

Red Pork Tamales (Tamales Rojos)

This December, some friends and I spent the day making a huge batch of Mexican tamales — these red pork tamales alongside green chicken tamales — and they turned out so incredibly good. Tamales are always a labor of love, but the process is surprisingly easy and fun, especially when you’ve got plenty of helping hands. ♡

You’ll find versions of tamales across many cultures and regions, but this recipe is specifically for Mexican red pork tamales, made with fluffy corn masa and a shredded pork filling simmered in a richly flavored blend of dried chiles and seasonings. I like to make my tamales with a generous amount of filling, so that you’re not left with bites that just taste like masa. And while I typically steam tamales on the stovetop, I’ve included options below if you’d like to make yours in the Instant Pot or slow cooker instead.

Over the years, I’ve made (and learned from!) many batches of tamales, so I’ve updated the recipe below to include tips to make the process smoother and the results more consistent. I really think you’re going to love these tamales!

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!

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.

Perfect Peppermint Bark

Mint chocolate chip anything has always had my heart, so it’s no surprise that classic peppermint bark is always a favorite this time of year. ♡

With its rich layers of chocolate, cool peppermint flavor, and sweet candy cane crunch, it’s one of those quintessential Christmas treats that’s always such a crowd pleaser!

That said, working with melted chocolate can be surprisingly finicky, so I’ve included my favorite method (plus a few helpful tips) to make sure this peppermint bark turns out perfectly every time. And since it’s quick and easy to make, it’s ideal for busy December days, last-minute gifting, or sneaking a few festive bites straight from the fridge. Let’s make some!!

The Best Buckeyes (Peanut Butter Balls!)

Raise your hand if you grew up loving these chocolate peanut butter balls! ♡

These nostalgic treats are always such a crowd favorite, but I’ve found that the traditional version can lean a bit too sweet for my taste. So over the years, I’ve started mixing a little cream cheese into the peanut butter filling and have found that its subtle tang balances the salty peanut butter and sweet chocolate perfectly. Each bite is rich, creamy, and totally irresistible!

Best of all, buckeyes are easy to make (no oven required), easy to store (a great treat to have ready the fridge for busy holiday seasons), and of course, easy to love (who can argue with chocolate and peanut butter?) — let’s make some!

Meet Your New Favorite Dinner Rolls

These cottage cheese dinner rolls are about to steal the show! ♡

If you’ve never baked with cottage cheese before, prepare to be pleasantly surprised. It adds such a lovely softness and richness to homemade rolls! These little guys bake up perfectly tender, lightly sweet, and irresistibly fluffy. Plus, the cottage cheese adds extra protein, with each roll clocking in around 7g — not bad!

Best of all, this dough is wonderfully easy to work with. No complicated steps, no fussy shaping — just mix, knead, rise, and roll. Whether you’re serving them for a weeknight dinner, a cozy holiday meal, or saving extras for slider buns (highly recommend!), these warm and buttery rolls are always a treat.

Let’s bake a batch!

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!

Our 4-Year-Old’s Favorite Cookies

Our son, Teo, currently thinks that mini M&Ms are the best candy “on the whole entire planet.” So this fall when I surprised him with a batch of warm chocolate M&M cookies one day after school, he could hardly believe his eyes. 😉

Honestly, though, what’s not to love? These cookies bake up perfectly soft and chewy with colorful M&Ms in every bite. The dough comes together quickly with simple pantry staples and whatever M&Ms you love best (we used a mix of mini and regular in the batch shown here). And if you happen to also have tiny sous chefs at home, you should definitely enlist them to poke the final M&Ms on top — it’s adorable, and delightfully foolproof.

I decided to make our cookies “bakery-sized“, to fit the maximum amount of M&Ms into each cookie. But you’re more than welcome to bake these up as standard-sized cookies if you’d prefer. This recipe is always a winner!

Toffee Time!

There are few sweet treats I adore more than a really good homemade toffee. ♡

The sweet-and-salty crunch, the melty chocolate on top, the way it breaks into those satisfyingly snappy little pieces — it’s absolute dessert perfection, if you ask me.

After making lots of toffee over the years, this is the recipe I’ve happily landed on as my personal favorite. It starts with a simple buttery toffee base, gets topped with chocolate chips that melt into a glossy layer, and finishes with a sprinkle of nuts (totally optional) and flaky sea salt. And I have to say — one of my favorite things about this version is that it doesn’t stick to your teeth!

If you’re new to toffee making, I definitely recommend using a candy thermometer to help everything cook to the proper temperatures. I’ve also included lots of tips below to ensure the process goes smoothly. It’s not difficult, and all you need are a few simple ingredients to make it happen. So let’s do it!