Recipe of the Day - Cure Your Dinner Indecision

Think oysters are only for fancy restaurants or fearless eaters? Lisa Lotts from Garlic and Zest is here to show you why oysters deserve a spot at your New Year’s Eve table, and how easy they can be to enjoy at home.Lisa is the creator of GarlicandZest.com, where she shares bold, approachable recipes that make cooking feel exciting but doable. In this episode, we talk about why oysters are such a classic celebration food, how to buy and store them with confidence, and what makes them perfect for ringing in the new year.She walks us through how to serve oysters at home in a way that feels special, fun, and totally doable, whether you’re hosting a crowd or celebrating quietly. It’s all about starting the new year with something a little indulgent and a lot delicious.Lisa's Links:Oysters RockefellerLisa's Indispensable Oyster GuideRappahannock Oyster CompanyOld Fashioned Sausage and Oyster DressingClassic Oyster StewCut-Resistant Oyster Gloves (#ad)Oyster Shucking Knife with Cut Gloves Kit (#ad)Lisa on Instagram @garlicandzestLisa on YouTubeChristine's Links:Air Fryer Chicken TenderloinsBroccoli Cheddar Pickle DipGarlic and Red Pepper Baked Brie12 Days of DipChampagne Punch (Ginger Basil)Cranberry Champagne PunchCOOKforTWO Gift Membership with Adorable Wooden Spoon :)Email Me! CookTheStory@gmail.comSubscribe to the PodcastJoin the ROTD Facebook Group, TikTok, or InstagramWebsites: CookTheStory.com and TheCookful.comChristine's NewsletterThe All New Chicken Cookbook (#ad)

If you’re a garlic lover, this Garlic Roast Pork is for you. Coated with a simple blend of garlic, herbs, and olive oil, this pork loin roast is delicious! Recipe: Garlic Pork Roast from COOKtheSTORY.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adGarlic Pork RoastHow to Brine Pork LoinHomemade Pork GravyJuicy Pork Loin RecipePork Butt RoastRoasted Pork ShoulderPerfect Pork Rib RoastHow to Make a Pork Crown RoastBaked Pork Tenderloin That Isn’t DryThe All New Chicken CookbookHere's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.Join my COOKforTWO Community here!Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comHave a great day! -Christine xo

This Christmas Coffee Blend is easy to make and tasty to drink. It’s ground coffee flavored with cinnamon and other spices. Recipe: Christmas Coffee Recipe from COOKtheSTORY.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adChristmas Coffee RecipeMulled Wine RecipeThe All New Chicken CookbookHere's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.Join my COOKforTWO Community here!Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comHave a great day! -Christine xo

What do a vegan cookbook author and a New Yorker cartoonist have in common? More than you might think! Listen as Nava Atlas and The Bob join forces in a conversation that is creative, cozy, and yes, a little bit purrfect.Nava is a longtime vegan author and illustrator, while Bob Eckstein is a celebrated cartoonist whose work you have almost certainly seen. Together, they've created the charming illustrated book Inspired by Cats: Writers and Their Mews(es). In this episode, we talk about how this unexpected partnership came together, why it actually makes perfect sense, and how cats, creativity, and friendship weave through their work.Of course, we also talk about food! Nava shares a warming and fun Vegan Taco Soup from her cookbook Vegan Soups and Stews for All Seasons, and Bob talks about one of his favorite Nava recipes, a bright and satisfying Pear Couscous Salad. It's a conversation about inspiration, collaboration, cats, and good food, all on the Recipe of the Day podcast this week.Taco Soup Photo by Theresa RaffettoInspired by Cats: Writers and Their Mews(es) by Nava Atlas and Bob EcksteinBob's Links:The Bob (Bob's substack)Footnotes from the World's Greatest Bookstores by Bob EcksteinFootnotes from the Most Fascinating Museums by Bob EcksteinNava's Links:Nava's Literary Ladies GuideLiterary Ladies Guide newsletter on SubstackThe Vegan AtlasThe Vegan Atlas newsletter on SubstackNavaAtlasArt.comVegan Soups and Stews for All Seasons by Nava AtlasVegetariana: A Rich Harvest of Wit, Lore, & RecipesVegan Holiday KitchenChristine's Links:Buffalo Chicken Stuffed PeppersShould You Poke Holes in Sausages?Homemade PierogiesCabbage Rolls (Ukrainian Holubtsi)Easy Homemade Borscht RecipeHomemade Mushroom Gravy12 Days of Dips12 Days of Roasts

These Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers give you that buffalo wing taste in a delicious bell pepper. So much flavor and really easy to put together. Recipe: Buffalo Chicken Stuffed Peppers from TheCookful.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adBuffalo Chicken Stuffed PeppersClassic Stuffed PeppersDifference Between Hot Sauce and Wing SauceFancy Buffalo Wing SauceHomemade Buffalo Wing Sauce RecipeThe All New Chicken CookbookHere's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.Join my COOKforTWO Community here!Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comHave a great day! -Christine xo

Do you think poking holes in sausages before cooking them makes them dry out? We tested it and the results might surprise you. Recipe: Poking Holes in Sausages from COOKtheSTORY.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adPoking Holes in SausagesAir Fryer SausagesAir Fryer Breakfast SausagesThe All New Chicken CookbookHere's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.Join my COOKforTWO Community here!Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comHave a great day! -Christine xo

I threw my back out last week, so this episode isn't the one I thought I'd make. I planned to talk about creative pivots and following new sparks of inspiration, but instead I found myself needing something simpler. Walks. Water. Rest. It turns out those basics can be their own kind of inspiration because they remind you what support really looks like.This week I talk with Jenni Field of Pastry Chef Online. Jenni's been spending more time painting than baking, and her shift toward art feels like a reminder that listening to yourself matters, whether you're chasing a new idea or just trying to feel better in your body. We get into how interests evolve, why it's okay to follow the pull toward something different, and how small steps can spark momentum again.If you're craving creativity or care or both, this conversation meets you right in that overlap.Pastry Chef Online (Jenni's blog)Auntie Ev's TrifleJenni's Personal Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jenni.fieldThe Pastry Chef Online Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PastryChefOnline/The Pastry Chef Online Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onlinepastrychef/?hl=enThe layered pistachio pudding dessert that Jenni and I talk about.Sketch Box monthly art and craft subscription boxSktchy online art classesCome see my improv show! Sak Comedy, Downtown Orlando, Tuesday September 16th at 7pm12 Days of Dips12 Days of RoastsInstant Pot Chicken DrumsticksCOOKforTWO Gift Membership with Adorable Wooden Spoon :)Email Me! CookTheStory@gmail.comSubscribe to the PodcastJoin the ROTD Facebook Group, TikTok, or InstagramWebsites: CookTheStory.com and TheCookful.comChristine's NewsletterThe All New Chicken Cookbook (#ad)

The great taste of pizza with pepperoni and mushrooms, but stuffed into a healthy bell pepper. It’s a whole new twist on pizza night! Recipe: Pizza Stuffed Peppers from TheCookful.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adPizza Stuffed PeppersClassic Stuffed PeppersHow to Pre-Cook Peppers for StuffingThe All New Chicken CookbookHere's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.Join my COOKforTWO Community here!Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comHave a great day! -Christine xo

Want juicy, evenly-cooked Instant Pot drumsticks? Leave the skin on, even if you’ll take it off before serving, and stand them up while they cook. I’ll explain why below! Recipe: Instant Pot Chicken Drumsticks from TheCookful.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adInstant Pot Chicken DrumsticksThe All New Chicken CookbookHere's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.Join my COOKforTWO Community here!Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comHave a great day! -Christine xo

Forget everything you thought you knew about frying potatoes! Beth Lee is here with smart, doable tricks for making perfectly crispy latkes just in time for Hanukkah.This week, I kick things off with a summary of my recent trip to Miami (the sun, the food, and the fun), and then I sit down with Beth Lee @omgyummy, creator of OMGYummy.com and author of The Essential Jewish Baking Cookbook. Beth shares her go-to techniques for achieving golden, lacy-edged latkes, and even a surprising simplification of the process that makes life so much easier!Beth also tells us about a sweet and savory dinner recipe that goes perfectly with latkes. Don't miss it!🔗 You can find Beth’s recipes and tips at OMGYummy.com, and follow her on Instagram @omgyummy and on Substack for more Hanukkah inspiration.And don't miss joining my new COOKforTWO community with discount coupon code in show, only for podcast listeners! We have another live event coming up, new quick wins up, and over 75 recipes for two people, all ad-free and ready for you. Join COOKforTWO here.Potato LatkesApricot Jam ChickenThe Essential Jewish Baking CookbookInstagram: @omgyummyFacebook: @omgyummyPinterest: @omgyummyOMG! Yummy SubstackChristine's Links:Pizza Stuffed PeppersSmothered Chicken ThighsSmothered Pork ChopsCOOKforTWO Gift Membership with Adorable Wooden Spoon :)Email Me! CookTheStory@gmail.comSubscribe to the PodcastJoin the ROTD Facebook Group, TikTok, or InstagramWebsites: CookTheStory.com and TheCookful.comChristine's Newsletter

Want lasagna without the giant pan or endless prep? This small-batch version bakes right in a loaf pan, no noodles or sauce to cook first. Mix, layer, and pop it in the oven for a cozy, low-effort dinner for two. Recipe: Lasagna for Two from TheCookful.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adLasagna for TwoCOOKforTWO.usThe All New Chicken CookbookHere's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.Join my COOKforTWO Community here!Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comHave a great day! -Christine xo

Juicy pork chops. Spicy, creamy onion gravy. These smothered pork chops are Southern comfort in 35 minutes. Recipe: Smothered Pork Chops from COOKtheSTORY.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adSmothered Pork ChopsThe All New Chicken CookbookHere's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.Join my COOKforTWO Community here!Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comHave a great day! -Christine xo

Support my small business and give a gift that truly feels personal this year. Since it's Small Business Saturday, I'm sharing the sweetest idea to surprise the home cook in your life. A full year of COOKforTWO for the cost of just ten months, only 99.99, and it even comes with an adorable carved wooden spoon so you have something to wrap and give on the day. It's thoughtful, useful, and supports a creator you love.I'm also talking about a simple Italian themed dinner that's perfect when you have people coming over. This idea actually started in an email exchange with podcast-listener Sharon, and it turned into one of those easy meals that feels warm and inviting without asking much of you in the kitchen.And then my guest today is my good friend and recipe developer extraordinaire, Jill Hough. She's sharing her Herbed Pumpkin Risotto, a dish that has become one of my go-tos at this time of year. She talks us through using a fresh pie pumpkin to make this delicious dish, and she tells us about her informative and helpful newsletter too.It is a cozy, food filled episode with gifts, good ideas, and a truly delicious recipes you'll want to make as soon as possible.Jill's Recipe: Herbed Pumpkin RisottoJill's WebsiteJill on InstagramSubscribe to Jill's NewsletterChristine's Links:COOKforTWO Gift Membership with Adorable Wooden Spoon :)15+ Ways to Use Leftover Cranberry Sauce21+ Ways to Use Leftover GravyEasy Lasagna CasseroleAmbitious Kitchen Garlic BreadMy Air Fryer Garlic BreadThe Mediterranean Dish Prosciutto and MelonRoasted Asparagus and Parmesan AppetizerEasy Pork and Beef MeatballsClassic Mulled WineEmail Me! CookTheStory@gmail.comSubscribe to the PodcastJoin the ROTD Facebook Group, TikTok, or InstagramWebsites: CookTheStory.com and TheCookful.comChristine's Newsletter

This classic mulled wine makes your house smell like Christmas. It’s made the traditional British way but with a peppery twist. It’s so festive and cozy! Recipe: Mulled Wine Sangria from COOKtheSTORY.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adMulled Wine SangriaThe All New Chicken CookbookHere's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.Join my COOKforTWO Community here!Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comHave a great day! -Christine xo

These pork and beef meatballs use just three ingredients and come together in 36 minutes from start to finish. They’re super juicy, flavorful, and perfect for busy nights. Recipe: Pork and Beef Meatballs from TheCookful. Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adPork and Beef MeatballsGround Beef StroganoffBaking MeatballsPan-Fry MeatballsAir Fryer MeatballsMeatballs StroganoffThe All New Chicken CookbookHere's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.Join my COOKforTWO Community here!Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comHave a great day! -Christine xo

A headline on Facebook grabbed my attention this week. It was from a big national grocery chain running a Thanksgiving promotion that feeds ten people for five dollars per person. It made me pause, partly because the idea is tempting, but also because it raised a few questions in my mind about scale, ingredients, and what we really want on our holiday tables. If you cook for a smaller group, or you are thinking creatively about Thanksgiving this year, I have thoughts to share!Then I talk with today’s guest, Dee Rotman from deesweets.com. Dee focuses on helping people make impressive desserts without losing the whole day to the kitchen. She builds recipes that feel special but stay friendly for tight schedules. She also seriously loves almonds, which shows in the recipe she is sharing with us today. It's for Almond Croissant Cookie Bars that are inspired by those classic bakery almond croissants. Yum!Dee's Recipe: Almond Croissant Cookie BarsDee's website: Dee & Sweets WebsiteDee on Instagram: @dee_and_sweetsChristine's Links: Join the COOKforTWO membership community!Headline that stopped my scroll: Kroger Thanksgiving Meal Bundle InfoRecipes:How To Roast Turkey PerfectlyTurkey GravyPancakes for TwoLasagna for TwoBroccoli Cheddar Pickle DipEmail Me! CookTheStory@gmail.comSubscribe to the PodcastJoin the ROTD Facebook Group, TikTok, or InstagramWebsites: CookTheStory.com and TheCookful.comChristine's Newsletter

Want fluffy homemade pancakes without a mountain of leftovers? This small batch makes just enough for two stacks, perfect for a cozy morning together. Recipe: Pancakes for Two from TheCookful.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adPancakes for TwoThe All New Chicken CookbookHere's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.Join my COOKforTWO Community here!Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comHave a great day! -Christine xo

This tangy, cheesy dip will finally break your Spinach Artichoke rut. It’s the same creamy base but with broccoli, cheddar, and dill pickles! Recipe: Broccoli Cheddar Pickle Dip from COOKtheSTORY.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adBroccoli Cheddar Pickle DipThe All New Chicken CookbookCOOKforTWOHere's the Recipe Of The Day podcast episode page with all of our recipe links, and you can subscribe to the show there too.Join my COOKforTWO Community here!Follow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comHave a great day! -Christine xo

Cooking shouldn’t feel this hard anymore, and that’s exactly why COOKforTWO was born. In this episode I talk about how C42 is shifting the way empty nesters cook by making meals simpler, more intuitive, and way less stressful. It’s about letting go of the pressure to cook like we used to and finding new rhythms that fit the lives we have now. And then I talk with Jill from @cookingupmemoriesinsta about her own different cooking shift. That ones about condensed soup, y'all. So many changes, but always tasty food. Listen now!Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adGround Turkey and Potato SkilletHow to Cook Ground TurkeyPoultry SeasoningAir Fryer Turkey BreastTurkey GravyAir Fryer BroccoliThe All New Chicken CookbookHere's the Recipe Of The Day page with all of our recipe links!If you want to make sure you always find out what today's recipe is, do one or all of the following:Subscribe to the PodcastFollow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook Group, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comCourses: Free Mini Cooking CoursesGuide: Free Rotation Ready Meal Planning GuideHave a great day! -Christine xo

Craving stuffed peppers but want something easier? Make Stuffed Pepper SOUP! It has ground beef, chopped peppers, rice, and a rich tomato broth, ready in 45 minutes, mostly simmering away. Recipe: Stuffed Pepper Soup from TheCookful.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adStuffed Pepper SoupClassic Stuffed PeppersEasy Chicken Stuffed PeppersHow to Cook Ground TurkeyThe All New Chicken CookbookThis episode was published in November, 2025.Here's the Recipe Of The Day page with all of our recipe links!If you want to make sure you always find out what today's recipe is, do one or all of the following:Subscribe to the PodcastFollow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook Group, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comCourses: Free Mini Cooking CoursesGuide: Free Rotation Ready Meal Planning GuideHave a great day! -Christine xo