A Week (Plus a Few Delicious Days) at Our Table
The meals we made, the groceries we gathered, the recipes we loved (or didn’t), and the little lessons we learned along the way.
Let’s just say the fridge has seen some things lately. Things like a turkey breast in May, pineapple salsa that doubled as a side and a snack and a midnight decision, and enough orzo to keep my carb-loving heart deeply satisfied. It has been a week of comfort food, sunshine flavors, and that kind of everyday magic that starts with, “What if we just stay in tonight?” and ends with someone licking the spoon.
Here’s what I’ve been serving at our table:
Mrs. Gail’s Fettuccine Alfredo
from Magnolia Table Vol. 1
Rich, creamy, and the culinary equivalent of wrapping yourself in a buttery cashmere blanket. This dish is everything good about pasta and a reminder that sometimes simple ingredients make the most magical meals.
Lemon Herb Turkey Breast
from I Heart Eating
Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes
from Love & Lemons
An ode to comfort food. A little fancy, a lot easy. The Instant Pot did the heavy lifting while I pretended I was on a cooking show and added fresh herbs like I knew what I was doing.
Copycat Starbucks Thanksgiving Crescents
(I need to share my recipe)
Flaky, melty, and gone in a flash. These buttery little bundles made lunch feel like a win and snacking feel like self-care. They showed up warm, cozy, and crowd-pleasing—and disappeared faster than you can say, “Is there another one left?”
Friendsgiving Casserole
from Magnolia Table Vol. 2
Because sometimes you want all the holiday flavors without waiting until November. This one is a warm hug in a baking dish. Extra cranberry sauce, obviously.
Do you ever find yourself making a “Thanks Again” meal mid-year turkey, mashed potatoes, the works? Tell me I’m not the only one who gets the craving for a little November magic in May.
Lemon Orzo Salad with Chicken
from Salt & Lavender
This one was bright, breezy, and gave me “Yes, I meal prepped!” energy all week long. Light but filling. Tangy but cozy. Basically the Ina Garten of pasta salads.
The Big Dilly
from Papa’s Pizza in Galveston
Mozzarella cheese, garlic butter, loaded with crunchy dill pickles, fresh dill, and finished with a swirl of house-made ranch. It’s unhinged in the best way. Salty, tangy, briny bliss.
Basic Tacos with Homemade Taco Seasoning
(seasoning recipe below)
“Is it against your religion to have plain tacos?” — Chad, mid-request, dead serious. And listen, I took the hint. No packets, just a custom spice blend that’s equal parts smoky and satisfying. These tacos were simple, nostalgic, and exactly what we needed.
Pineapple Salsa
Adapted from Red, White & BBQ
Equal parts sweet and sassy, just how I like my fruit and my friends. We devoured it with chips and may have eaten some straight from the bowl when no one was looking.
Homemade Taco Seasoning
What You Will Need:
1 tablespoon chili powder
2 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
What You Will Need To Do:
Make Seasoning: Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and stir until well combined. Use 2 Tbsp of the mixture in place of 1 package taco seasoning.
Simple & Scrumptious Kitchen Tip:
Double or triple the spice mix while you’re at it; future you will thank you when dinner just needs a little shake, pour, or drizzle. Bonus points if you label it!
To the brilliant recipe creators who inspired my meals this week, thank you. Your work turned my fridge into a celebration and our table into something sacred and silly and full of flavor. That’s no small thing. Need a playlist while you prep leftovers or stir those mashed potatoes? I recommend something equal parts jazzy and nostalgic. Or just whatever makes you feel like the main character in a Nora Ephron movie. You’ve earned it.
With full plates and even fuller hearts,
Food, faith & a little chaos—where spills happen, laughter is required, and grace is always on the menu. Let’s connect — visit my bio site. Affiliate links may be included, thanks for supporting my work (and my coffee habit).
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