Here's Where to Find My Published Work
Freelance writing is one of my favorite things to do, and I'm lucky enough to have a few regular gigs. I'm always available for more.
Need an editor for your own work? I'm a stickler for clean copy and an organized essay, and I'd love to help.
Graceful Day Drinking in Southern Living
“Graceful Vacation Day Drinking” is how Southern Living describes my non-patented method for enjoying a cocktail (or several) on vacation without cutting your day short. They included that method as one of 50 Reasons to Love Summer in the South, and I agree! Southern Living, June 2019
Mix metaphors and get...free ricotta!
When life gives you spoiled milk…make ricotta. This is one of my favorite ways not to waste milk that’s gone slightly off, because it’s easy and leads to delicious lasagne. Good Life Blog, June 2019
Deviled eggs! Plus: A bonus recipe if you screw them up.
No matter how many times I read about the perfect method for peeling hard-boiled eggs, they don’t always come out just right. But I love deviled eggs (and this super easy recipe), and I have a back-up plan in case they come out ugly. Cool Mom Eats, April 2019
The Easiest Fruit Bread Pudding
Got some bread? How about a few pieces of fruit that are a little past their prime? There’s a solid chance you already have all the ingredients for this super simple bread pudding with fruit. And if you have ice cream to serve with it, that’s even better! Cool Mom Eats, April 2019
Mirepoix is awesome and here's how to make it, and use it.
Whether you chop it yourself or save even more time by buying it already chopped at Trader Joe’s, mirepoix is a great start to so many dishes. This is how I make it, store it, and use it. It may sound fancy, but mirepoix is something any cook can use to save time and add flavor. Cool Mom Eats, February 2019
The Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken You Need in Your Life
My Pilates instructor shared a version of this recipe with me a while ago. It’s the perfect recipe for anyone who likes food, doesn’t have a lot of time, and wants something to eat for a few days in a row without getting bored. I tweaked it to make it super easy. (Instructions: Throw stuff in slow cooker. Leave. Come back and eat.) You need this chicken. The chicken is so easy, so delicious, and so versatile. It’s like magic. Cool Mom Eats, January 2019
Be a good neighbor and buy the wonky tomato, okay? Thanks!
Buying the ugly produce among the more perfect goods saves everyone money, because it cuts down on what the stores tosses or gives away at the end of the day. Here’s why you should do it, and how you can use the ugly stuff. For the record, monetizing ugly produce doesn’t seem to be helpful (even though in this country we monetize everything, don’t we?). Amanda Mull’s recent piece for The Atlantic is a good read about macro treatment of ugly produce. Good Life Blog, January 2019
Tips for Healthy Holiday Eating from Patricia Moore-Pastides (Plus a Recipe!)
Patricia Moore-Pastides, first lady of the University of South Carolina, has figured out a thing or two about staying healthy and throwing a heck of a party. After a visit with her at home, I shared Moore-Pastides’ tips for staying healthy during the holidays — and she gave us a recipe to include, which I’ve made and eaten three times since getting it. Free Times, December 2018
Contest Alert! Alt. Title: The Easiest Damn Holiday Cookies You Will Ever Make.
My recipe for salted lavender shortbread is one of my favorites, and one of the easiest things I make. (Besides, it was once approved by a chef friend, who asked for my “secret recipe,” which charmed me beyond belief.) It’s on Cool Mom Eats and is featured as part of this year’s Pinhole Press holiday baking contest. Hooray! P.S. Head on over to that contest, because you can win serious prizes, like a dang 5-quart KitchenAid mixer. Cool Mom Eats, November 2018
Au Revoir to the Breadcrumbs of 2018
All year long, I turn everything that’s almost stale and also remotely bread-like (this includes potato chips, of course, because I will not eat stale chips, unless it’s an emergency) into bread crumbs. I store them in the freezer in a bag marked “Breadcrumbs 2018 (or whatever year)” and use as needed. Read my latest for the Good Life Blog to find out why I’m breading everything right now. And learn how to make easy baked and breaded cutlets, with any kind of meat, fish, tofu, vegetables, or whatever you feel like breading and baking. The Good life Blog, November 2018
Oyster pie, y'all.
Are you southern? Was this pretty much on your table every holiday meal? Even though I’m told we can eat oysters year-round now, since farmed oysters are actually good for the environment, November is when it gets just cold enough to bring on a mad craving for oysters. Add butter and saltines, and you have one delightful (and super easy) oyster pie! Cool Mom Eats, November 2018
Back on schedule for fall: The easiest lasagna the kids will actually eat.
When Cool Mom Eats asked for a recipe for easy, kid-friendly lasagna, I went to the back of the box. This recipe is combination of recipes from the boxes of various brands of oven-ready lasagna noodles. (But I couldn’t resist telling you how to incorporate a couple vegetables, just to use them up. But they’re optional!) Cool Mom Eats, September 2018
Here's what to do with that leftover rice dish from last night.
You know, that rice dish you made out of previous leftovers? Keep the party going with these delicious rice balls, which I made for years before I found out they were called arancini in Italy. Buon appetito! Or, you know, as we say around here, “Eat up, y’all!” These are so easy, it’s not even really a recipe, just a list of instructions. The Good Life, September 2018
New Gig Alert: Cool Mom Eats!
I don't know if I'm cool, but I'm a mom and I eat (like, a lot). This is my first post for Cool Mom Eats, and it's one of my favorite tips. We love Trader Joe's dijon mustard, and this is how I use every last bit. Cool Mom Eats, April 2018
Leftover doughnuts or sweet rolls? This is the only recipe you'll ever need.
Y'all know I love to do a little #scrapcooking, right? This simple dessert, made with leftover doughnuts or sweet rolls, only requires two other ingredients, three if you count whatever you use to grease the dish. And it's pretty enough for a dinner party! The Good Life Blog, April 2018
Hannah Jane's Breads and Spreads
I've wanted to do this piece forever. Many thanks to Chef Rob Patterson, formerly of Hannah Jane's and Saluda's in Columbia, South Carolina, for sharing his recipes for spreads and breads. Photography by Carter Wade. Columbia Living, Charleston Living, Wilmington Magazine, November, 2017
Why Cheap Vodka is the Key to Mastering Pie Crust
In my latest blog post for Southern Living, I explain exactly why I'm the one dodging people I know while buying the cheapest vodka at Morganelli's. Southern Living, July, 2017
Here's How to Throw a Party for One (or More) With Tea Sandwiches
I love a tea sandwich. Who doesn't? You can make them in any quantity, with ingredients to please any guest. Here are a couple of my favorites. Southern Living, May, 2017
Mason Jars Are Literally the Best
Kidding. They aren't. And I hate Pinterest, but here's why I love mason jars. The Good Life Blog, July, 2017
Southern Living
I was recently asked to write a post for Southern Living once a month, linking back to a recipe here. Which means I'll have to post here at least once a month, so hooray! This is what I told SL readers about that tex-mdx casserole. Southern Living (web), April 2017
Ariel Knutsen likes to party. Apparently.
Somehow her photo always ends up accompanying my posts about entertaining on The Kitchn. This is how I learned to love Halloween, which spawned my micro-famous pumpkin chili. The Kitchn, October 2016.