Olivia Hartwell

The Story Behind My Skillet My grandson, Leo, gave me this big oven-safe skillet. He said my old one was too small. I still laugh at that. I was not sure what to make in it at first. Now, it is my favorite pan for easy dinners. This recipe was my first try in…

My First Bowl of Magic I had my first real ramen in a tiny shop in Tokyo. The steam fogged up my glasses. I took one sip of the broth. It was so rich and creamy. I knew I had to learn how to make it at home. It took me many tries to…

A Little Story About Apples My grandson once tried to eat a whole apple pie by himself. I still laugh at that. His face was so serious and covered in crumbs. These cookies give me that same happy feeling. They are like tiny pies you can hold in your hand. Perfect for sharing, or…

A Recipe from a Friend I got this recipe from my Amish friend, Sarah. She shared it with me after a long day of quilting. We were both tired and hungry. This dish was the perfect answer. It fills your kitchen with a wonderful smell. It makes everyone gather around the table. That is…

The Best Smell in the World There is nothing like the smell of garlic cooking. It fills the whole house. It makes your stomach say hello. I learned to cook garlic from my own grandma. She said to watch it closely. You want it soft and golden, not brown and bitter. I still follow…

A Pot Full of Memories I first made this soup for my grandson on a rainy Tuesday. He said it tasted like a warm hug. I still smile thinking about that. It’s become our special meal. This soup matters because it brings people together. Sharing a meal is about more than just food. It’s…

A Little Patience Makes Perfect Let’s start with a simple step. Pat your steaks dry with a paper towel. Then let them sit on the counter for about 30 minutes. This brings them to room temperature. A cold steak on a hot grill will not cook evenly. I learned that the hard way many…

A Name That Makes You Smile I call this my Bang Bang Chicken Bowl. The name makes me laugh. It sounds so exciting. It comes from the sound of a pestle pounding spices. Isn’t that fun to imagine? This dish is a flavor bomb in a bowl. It has creamy, spicy, and sweet tastes…

The Secret is in the Sizzle Let’s start with the short ribs. You want to get a good, brown crust on them. Do not rush this part. The sizzle is the sound of flavor being born. I remember my first time. I was so impatient. I crowded the pot. The ribs steamed instead of…

A Happy Kitchen Mistake I first made these by accident. I had leftover apple pie filling and some tortillas. My grandson said, “Grandma, make a pie taco!” So we tried it. I still laugh at that. We rolled the filling up and poured a sweet sauce on top. The result was magic. It reminds…