Author: Ava Smith

Hi, I'm Ava Smith! I'm a self-taught home cook who loves creating simple, tasty recipes anyone can make. My blog is where I share the meals I make for family and friends—nothing fancy, just real food made with love. Follow along for easy, feel-good recipes straight from my kitchen!
  • Halloween Margaritas

    I’ve always been a sucker for themed drinks — especially around Halloween. There’s just something about serving up a blood-red margarita in a black-rimmed glass that instantly turns a regular night into a full-blown spooky celebration. These Halloween Margaritas are my go-to party cocktail: creepy, colorful, and dangerously delicious. I started making them a few…

  • Creepy Deviled Eggs

    I’ve always loved deviled eggs — they’re that perfect mix of creamy, tangy, and just a little fancy for something so simple. But every Halloween, I like to give them a spooky twist that makes everyone at the party grin (and sometimes squirm) before they take a bite. These Creepy Deviled Eggs are fun, easy,…

  • Homemade Corned Beef Recipe

    There’s something really nice about the aroma of corned beef that is gently simmering on the stove, as it gradually fills the kitchen with delightful smells of warmth, spices, and even a slight feeling of nostalgia. Personally, I consider the preparing of corned beef at home to be one of those cooking projects that are…

  • Classic Shrimp Scampi Recipe

    Shrimp scampi has a certain kind of magic to it. For me, it’s the combination of the upsides of both to the extremes of the deliciousness factor—the skimping, the garlic, the lemon’s refreshing touch, and the pasta that binds everything. Sometimes, the aroma coming from my kitchen reminds me of the best of gastronomy, inviting…

  • Classic Eggplant Parmesan

    There’s definitely something about Eggplant Parmesan that just does it for me. Could be the crispy, golden layers or the rich, bubbling marinara beneath a melting cheese blanket. It’s all very cozy, very tasty and very satisfying like only Italian comfort food can be. The very moment I am cooking this dish, my kitchen turns…

  • Cuban Ropa Vieja

    There is something truly enchanting about a dish that narrates a tale — and Cuban Ropa Vieja is one such. The very first day I cooked it, an intense, smoky smell enveloped the entire kitchen and, in a moment, I was in a cozy Havana night. The tender, shredded beef, stewing in a tomato sauce…

  • Crispy Chilli Beef

    There’s always something about Crispy Chilli Beef that excites me. It might be the process of the beef turning all golden and crunchy, or it might be that first bite when the sauce that is sweet, spicy, and tangy at the same time touches your tongue—it’s just pure happiness on a plate. This is one…