Believing in family dinners since 1991
Hi! I'm Leora. I am married to a fire captain (who is also the man of my dreams!), a mom to five grown kids, and a nana to five darling grandkids! I firmly believe in the importance of putting distractions away and sitting down together for family dinner, and doing so has been a tradition in our home ever since my husband and I got married 30 years ago. In fact, my children still come home often for family dinners, even though most are moved out of the house. My goal is to provide you with delicious recipes that you can share with your loved ones around the table. So, join my family for dinner, and pass your plates!
I first learned to make Shepherd’s Pie from Georgina. A wonderful British woman who my husband had befriended when he lived in Great Britain. She taught me to always make extra mashed potatoes, so that you could turn leftovers into Bubble and Squeak. I still do that, to this day. This dish has become a …
This humble ingredient has made a huge comeback! Cauliflower is a top choice in so many dishes. In this soup, it is pureed to a silky perfection, combined with creamy cheeses, and seasoned with the perfect amount of dijon. On a cold day, this provides a warm, comforting dish that your family will love! If …
The Philly Cheesesteak sandwich is one of my family’s favorites! Turning it into a sloppy joe version makes it an easy weeknight meal. Tender ground beef, sauteed peppers and onions, and sweet garlic, thickened and served with melted provolone cheese, on toasted, buttery brioche buns. This will bring your family to the table in a …
Macarons are truly a form of art, and it has taken me years to get a good batch of macarons. Don’t be hard on yourself if a batch doesn’t turn out! Keep at it, and try again. 🙂 This particular batch was fun to make! I gave the classic pink and white animal cookies new …
My husband grew up on casseroles and loves anytime I come up with a new one. This dinner combines his love of casseroles and my love of Mexican flavors! You can adjust the heat level to your liking, and either make the cornbread from scratch or use a box mix. This is an easy weeknight …
Meatloaf seems like the ultimate comfort food, and my mother used to make a delicious classic meatloaf. I used her method of adding cooked vegetables (read, super tender meatloaf), and updated it with cheeseburger flavors! This combination of meatloaf and cheeseburger is comforting and familiar with bursts of melty cheese studded throughout. Serve with my …
This take on mac & cheese may be one of the best versions I’ve ever made! Combine the addicting flavor of smoked cheese in an outrageously creamy sauce, and you have an irresistible comfort food! Made entirely on the stove (no baking this one), and you can have this on the table in no time. …
These brownies are super fudgy, and the sugared topping is taken to the next level with a peanut butter drizzle. Perfect for your chocolate cravings!
Anything with the word “stuffed” is immediately a huge hit at my house. Stuffed crust, stuffed pasta, stuffed vegetables… You name it. These stuffed jalapenos were no exception. I had barely taken them out of the oven when they were devoured! Perfect for parties, holidays, or just a fun appetizer to hold people over before …
I love entertaining, and one of my very favorite things to create for entertaining purposes is a charcuterie board! I’ve made several in the past, for holidays, birthdays, parties, or even just family get togethers. They’re easy and fun to display! I created this Chicken Taco Platter for Super Bowl Sunday and it was a …