Olivia Hartwell

A Little Macaron Story My first try at macarons was a funny mess. They were flat and stuck to the pan. I felt so disappointed. But my grandson said they looked like funny little spaceships. I still laugh at that. It taught me that kitchen mistakes can still be sweet. Why We Make Them…

The Story Behind the Soup My grandson calls this my hug in a bowl. I first had a soup like this on a very chilly day. A friend from Louisiana brought it over. I still laugh at that. I had to have the recipe right away. It makes the whole house smell so good…

A Happy Kitchen Accident I first made this casserole for my grandson’s birthday. I was in a hurry and mixed up two recipes. I still laugh at that. It turned into the most popular dish at the party. Everyone asked for the recipe. Sometimes the best things come from simple mistakes. That is why…

A Sweet Little Secret I want to share a secret with you. You can put carrots in cookies. My grandson did not believe me at first. He thought I was being a silly grandma. Then he tried one. He asked for three more. I still laugh at that. These cookies are soft and perfectly…

A Sweet and Spicy Start Let’s talk about that honey sriracha marinade. It is the heart of this dish. The honey brings a sweet, gentle warmth. The sriracha gives it a little kick that makes you smile. I love watching the sauce turn a beautiful, glossy red. Doesn’t that smell amazing? Mixing it is…

A Pie With No Oven Needed This pie is a cool kitchen miracle. You do not even need to turn on your oven. I love that. It is perfect for a hot summer day. Your kitchen stays nice and cool. The filling is fluffy and sweet. It tastes like a peanut butter cloud. The…

The Heart of the Kitchen My kitchen always smells like garlic and warm bread. It is my favorite smell in the whole world. It feels like a big, cozy hug. These rolls are a special treat. They are soft and fluffy on the inside. The savory meat and garlic butter make them a perfect…

A Little Story About My First Apple Rose I tried making these pastries for the first time years ago. I was so nervous. I thought my roses looked more like messy cabbages. But you know what? They still tasted wonderful. My grandson ate three of them. I still laugh at that. It taught me…

A Cozy, Sunny Supper This dish feels like a warm hug from a Greek grandmother. It is bright, cozy, and all made in one pot. I love how the lemon makes everything taste sunny. Doesn’t that sound nice for a busy weeknight? My grandson calls this “the chicken that tastes like vacation.” I still…

My Grandmother’s Secret My grandmother taught me to make meatballs. Her hands moved so fast. She said the secret was a gentle touch. Over-mixing makes tough meatballs. We want them soft and tender. I still laugh at how serious I was, trying to be so gentle. Why We Chill the Meatballs Putting them in…