Olivia Hartwell

A Salad with a Surprise I want to share my favorite salad recipe with you. It has broccoli, bacon, and cheddar cheese. But the secret is a handful of sweet raisins. I know, it sounds a little funny. My grandson made a face the first time he saw it. Now he asks for it…

Why I Love This Easy Curry My grandkids call this my “magic pot” dinner. I just toss everything in the slow cooker. Then I can go about my day. The best part is walking back into the kitchen. The whole house smells like a cozy, spicy dream. This recipe matters because it gives you…

A Little Magic in a Pot Making cheese at home feels like magic. You start with simple milk. Then you add a little lemon juice. Suddenly, it changes right before your eyes. I love watching the curds form. They are the solid parts that become our cheese. The liquid left behind is called whey.…

A Happy Little Accident I first made these pancakes by mistake. I was trying to make soup. My lentils were too thick. So I poured them on a hot pan. I still laugh at that. The result was a crispy, golden pancake. It was so good. Now I make them on purpose all the…

A Sweet Start My kitchen smells like autumn right now. It is warm and sweet. I am making my Walnut Maple Roasted Sweet Potatoes. This is a simple snack. It feels like a treat. I love how the maple syrup glazes everything. Doesn’t that smell amazing? A Little Story for You My grandson tried…

My First Stovetop Cookies I first made these cookies during a hot summer. My old oven had broken. I felt so sad. I really wanted a sweet treat with my tea. Then I remembered my grandma’s trick. She used a big pot on the stove. I decided to try it. The cookies came out…

A Little Sunshine in a Scone Hello, my dear. Come sit with me. I want to tell you about my favorite morning treat. These lemon blueberry scones are like a little hug from the sun. The lemon zest makes the whole kitchen smell fresh. The blueberries promise a sweet, juicy surprise. I just love…

A Taste of Sunshine I first had this dish at a friend’s backyard party. The sweet pineapple and savory chicken made me smile. I asked for the recipe right away. I still make it when I need a little sunshine on my plate. This meal is more than just food. It brings people together…

The Magic of a Good Sauce My kitchen smells like heaven when this sauce is bubbling. The onions get sweet and soft in the butter. Then you add the garlic and spices. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It fills the whole house with love. Letting the tomatoes simmer for twenty minutes is important. It makes…

The Best Kind of Kitchen Mix-Up I first made these by accident. I was trying to make cinnamon rolls. But I grabbed the wrong dough from the fridge. I decided to just go with it. I still laugh at that happy little mistake. That is how my famous Cheesy Garlic Cruffins were born. A…