Olivia Hartwell

A Little Story About My First Popper I made these for the first time years ago. My grandson dared me to try one. I was so nervous about the heat. I took one tiny bite. The creamy cheese hit me first. Then the smoky bacon. The jalapeño gave just a little kick. I was…

The Best Kind of Lazy Cooking I love my slow cooker. You just toss things in and walk away. The whole house starts to smell wonderful after a while. It feels like a warm hug from your kitchen. This cheesy chicken spaghetti is one of my go-to recipes. It is so easy. You just…

My Apple Cake Secret I have a little secret for a great cake. You must use Granny Smith apples. They are a bit sour. This balances the sweet, sugary cake. It makes every bite perfect. I learned this from my own grandma. She always said a good cake needs a surprise. The tart apples…

A Drink That Tells a Story My granddaughter calls this my “pink sunshine tea.” I love that name. It makes me smile every time. I first tried hibiscus tea on a very hot summer day. A friend brought some over, and I was hooked. This recipe is special because it mixes old and new.…

A Cozy Kitchen Memory My grandson calls this my “magic pot” recipe. I just laugh. It’s really just my old slow cooker. I love how it makes the whole house smell wonderful. It feels like a warm hug on a busy day. I first made this for my book club years ago. They all…

A Cake That Feels Like a Hug This chai cake is my favorite thing to bake in the fall. It fills the whole house with a warm, spicy smell. It feels like getting a big, cozy hug from the inside. I first made it for my book club years ago. They went quiet after…

A Memory from My Kitchen My grandson Leo tried this dish last summer. He was not sure about shrimp at first. But he took one bite and his eyes got wide. He asked for a second helping right away. I still laugh at that. It is a good lesson. Sometimes the best foods are…

A Sweet Start Making gum at home feels like magic. You start with simple sugar and water. Then it turns into something you can chew for fun. I love watching the sugar dissolve. The clear syrup is so pretty. It reminds me of a clean window on a sunny day. Doesn’t that smell amazing?…

My First Dumpling Disaster I remember the first time I made dumplings. I was so nervous. I thought they would all fall apart in the pot. But you know what? They puffed up so nice and fluffy. I still laugh at that. I was worried for nothing. It taught me that good food doesn’t…

The Magic of Semolina Flour I love the feel of semolina flour. It is like fine, yellow sand. You mound it on your counter. Then you make a little well in the middle. It looks like a tiny volcano. I always smile when I do this. This flour is special for pasta. It makes…