This week I'm talking with Nico Vera, freelance writer, photographer, and vegan Peruvian cook about the incredible diversity of Peruvian cuisine. We also talk about his current project of developing a cookbook, The Vegan Peruvian Kitchen, that is aimed at vegan home cooks and will feature 100 plant-based recipes inspired by Peru’s Indigenous, European, African, Chinese, and Japanese culinary cultures.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is partially inspired by my conversation with Nico. We're cooking up flavorful Sopa de Lima as well as an easy No-Boil Feta Pasta Bake. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #89.

We've been talking a lot about the lost love of cooking (I just did a whole workshop about it!) and, while I'm on vacation this month, I revisit my interview with Gabriela Ahlqvist, who is a busy homeschooling mom of four, about how to feed her family despite not loving cooking as much as she used to. We talk about how choosing familiar recipes can help you to enjoy the cooking and meal-planning process.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is based on recipes that go really well together. We're cooking up one of my favorites, Brown Sugar Chicken, which you can then use for Burrito Bowls later in the week. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #88.

This week I'm talking with plant-based food blogger and certified vegan nutrition coach, Amy Katz of Veggies Save the Day, about how to make plant-based food more flavorful and delicious. Amy shares her Four-Part Flavor Formula for putting together tasty vegan meals.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode is, not surprisingly, vegetarian. There are a few optional vegan recipes too! We're cooking up flavorful and nutritious Sweet Potato Quesadillas and easy Vegan Rice Bowls. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #87.

This week I'm talking with Beth Lee, author of The Essential Jewish Baking Cookbook and blogger from OMG! Yummy, about how writing a cookbook helped her overcome her fear of baking. We also talk about how daunting it can be to cook recipes from another culture and she shares some suggestions to make it more approachable and fun.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode features light and summery food. 15-Minute Gazpacho is a quick and refreshing summer soup, and BBQ Salmon and Zucchini Skewers cook up on the grill in no time. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #86.

Was cooking once your favorite hobby, your passion? But somewhere along the way, it started to become a chore, something you were required to do every day, something that no longer feels appreciated and that no longer brings you joy? I hear you! This is exactly what happened to me. In The Chore of Cooking Workshop, happening live on Zoom tomorrow, we dig into why and how this happened to us and we'll see that we're not alone. More importantly, you'll learn how to take back your passion and reclaim your favorite hobby. I have strategies that worked for me and will work for you to fall back in love with cooking. I can't wait to see you there. Sign up at COOktheSTORY.com/JOY

This week I'm talking with Cheryl Knecht Muñoz, one of the inspiring founders of the Sugar Beet Food Co-Op, River Forest Kitchen (an incubator space) and School House Kitchen + Studio (family cooking school). We talk about what food co-ops and incubator spaces are, and about the benefits of getting involved in your local food community.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode features delicious and easy recipes that kids can help with. We're cooking up yummy One Pot Spaghetti and Meatballs and quick and simple Shrimp Fried Rice. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #85.

This week I'm talking to Dawn Mancuso, the head recipe developer and photographer for my own websites. Among her many accolades, Dawn has won the Crisco National Pie Contest in the Apple Pie Category. We sat down to chat about the kind of recipe-testing that goes into winning that level of championship. Dawn also shares with us what it's like to compete on a Food Network contest show, or two, and to win them!

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode features recipes mostly created by Dawn herself. We are cooking a simple and hearty Burrito Soup and some easy Air Fryer Stuffed Pork Chops. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #84.

This week on Jump to Recipe I'm talking to cookbook author Paula Shoyer about what kosher cooking and baking is and how to make your life easier when cooking this way. We talk about how the Instant Pot, despite our mutual apprehension, has been an amazing way to simplify life in the kitchen for both of us.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode features kosher-inspired recipes. We are cooking Instant Pot Chicken Shawarma, which Paula and I both agreed cooks up beautifully in the Instant Pot, and Italian Cauliflower and Quinoa Bake.  Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #83.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode features kosher-inspired recipes. We are cooking Instant Pot Chicken Shawarma, which Paula and I both agreed cooks up beautifully in the Instant Pot, and Italian Cauliflower and Quinoa Bake. Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #83.

This week I'm talking to Life Coach Tracy Pruzan-Roy about how to separate the chore from the joy in cooking so we can feel inspired to cook again. Turns out  feelings of overwhelm and exhaustion are extremely common amongst those in charge of meal planning - you're not alone!

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode features recipes that are both easy and well-loved. This week we are cooking Chicken Cordon Bleu Stacks that we will use twice, as well as the easiest shrimp tacos ever.  Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #82.

This week I'm talking with Roger Anderson, host of the cooking podcast The Kitchen Counter, about how he got into podcasting and our mutual love of podcasts as a form of passive learning. Roger also has a robust private group on Facebook, The Kitchen Counter Coffee Break, for home cooks to share cooking tips and recipes.

The meal plan that I walk you through in this episode features recipes that use Easter leftovers. This week we are cooking up Spaghetti Carbonara to use up some of that leftover ham and the BEST Egg Salad (spoiler alert: it has bacon in it!).  Head over to COOKtheSTORY.com/MealPlans to get the meal plan with links to recipes, and the printable grocery list that goes with it. This one is Meal Plan #81.