Nonna Betty Harpe 
This slow cooker hot chocolate recipe is my favorite solution when I need to serve warm drinks to more than a handful of folks. I remember the first time I made hot chocolate in a Crockpot for my grandson Tommy’s 8th birthday party in January. No more standing at the stove stirring individual mugs while … Read more
Easy peppermint bark is the ultimate festive dessert that transforms just three simple ingredients into a stunning homemade gift. I remember the first time I made peppermint bark in my farmhouse kitchen – the smell of melted chocolate mixed with cool peppermint filled the air, and my grandchildren couldn’t wait to help crush those candy … Read more
Peppermint Bark is a classic Christmas candy that brings back memories of Nonna Betty’s holiday kitchen, where the scent of melted chocolate and crushed peppermint filled the farmhouse every December. This simple three-ingredient treat became her go-to gift for neighbors, teachers, and anyone who needed a little holiday cheer. There’s something magical about making candy … Read more
Soft gingerbread cookies are the cookie that signals the holidays have truly arrived in my kitchen. There’s something magical about that first batch coming out of the oven – the warm spice filling the air, the way they stay perfectly soft and buttery, never dry or crumbly like so many gingerbread recipes can turn out. … Read more
Christmas Sugar Cookie Recipe season is here, and there’s nothing quite like the smell of freshly baked sugar cookies filling your kitchen. After years of testing different recipes in my Midwest kitchen, I’ve discovered the secret to sugar cookies that actually hold their shape – no spreading, no disappointment, just perfect cookies every single time. … Read more
Stove Top Beef Stew transforms tough chuck roast into melt-in-your-mouth tender bites swimming in rich, savory gravy alongside perfectly cooked vegetables. I still remember the first time I made this recipe on a chilly October evening – the way the aroma of simmering beef and herbs filled every corner of my kitchen, drawing my family … Read more
There’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of easy chili recipe simmering on the stove when the weather turns cool. Growing up in the Midwest, Betty learned early that the best comfort foods don’t have to take all day; sometimes the simplest recipes become the ones we reach for again and again. I still remember … Read more
French onion soup transforms simple ingredients into restaurant-quality comfort food. This vegetarian recipe proves you don’t need beef broth to create incredible depth and flavor. I still remember the first time I made this soup for my grandkids on a blustery January afternoon at the farm. They came rushing in from the cold, noses red … Read more
This Easy Chicken Tortilla Soup brings authentic Mexican flavors right to your kitchen with tender chicken, hearty beans, and warm spices that’ll have everyone asking for seconds. I remember the first time I tasted tortilla soup at a little family restaurant in Texas. The aroma of cumin and smokiness from the paprika filled the air, … Read more
Easy chicken tortilla soup has become my secret weapon for busy weeknights when I want something that tastes like it simmered for hours but actually comes together in just 30 minutes. I still remember the first time I made this at home, and my family asked if I’d ordered from their favorite Mexican restaurant because … Read more
Chicken tortilla soup is the perfect weeknight dinner that comes together in one pot and fills your kitchen with incredible Mexican-inspired aromas. After years of perfecting this recipe, I have learned that the secret to an unforgettable bowl lies in taking time to build layers of flavor from the very first saute. I remember visiting … Read more
There’s nothing quite like a steaming bowl of the best lentil soup to warm you from the inside out on a chilly evening. I’ve been making this particular version for years now, and it’s become one of my most-requested dishes at family gatherings, which tells you everything you need to know about how delicious and … Read more