Hilary PARKER

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An overhead shot of two bowls of dairy-free fettuccine alfredo on a light surface. A gold fork rests in the main bowl, and a pink linen napkin is placed nearby.

I have to be honest, for years, I thought “Dairy-Free Alfredo Sauce” was an oxymoron a sad compromise. I mean, the original is literally just butter, cream, and cheese. How could you possibly replicate that decadent, silky, cling-to-the-pasta richness? I tried all the “healthy” versions that tasted… healthy. But I wasn’t looking for a light … Read more

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An overhead shot of a white square baking dish filled with hot, bubbly baked goat cheese dip. The golden-brown cheese is topped with a generous amount of red tomato bruschetta and fresh basil, served alongside grilled crostini on a wooden board.

Let’s be honest: finding the perfect party appetizer can be a stressful task. You want something that looks impressive and sophisticated, tastes absolutely divine, but doesn’t chain you to the kitchen for hours. I was in this exact spot a few holidays ago, staring at a log of goat cheese and a container of bruschetta … Read more

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An overhead shot of a festive Christmas antipasto wreath on a round wooden cutting board, made of skewers with cherry tomatoes, mozzarella balls, cheese cubes, salami, and olives, and garnished with fresh rosemary.

Let’s be real: the holiday season is a whirlwind. Between decorating, shopping, and endless wrapping, who has time to prepare a complicated, multi-hour appetizer? I always feel the pressure to bring that “wow” dish to a Christmas party, but I’m usually scrambling for time. That’s where this Christmas Antipasto Wreath became my absolute secret weapon. … Read more

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A collage showing a hot, baked spinach artichoke dip in a white oval dish. The top image features a close-up of a tortilla chip pulling a cheesy strand of dip from the dish. The bottom image shows the full dish surrounded by tortilla chips.

Is it really a party without a Hot Spinach Artichoke Dip bubbling away in the center of the table? I didn’t think so! For years, I had been strangely intimidated by it. Mine always seemed to come out too watery, or the cheese would get oily, or it just tasted… flat. But this… this is … Read more

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A wooden cutting board holds nine golden-baked puff pastry Christmas tree appetizers, each on a skewer and topped with a small pastry star. The trees are filled with pesto and cheese, and sprinkled with red pepper flakes. Christmas greenery with fairy lights and red ornaments decorate the background, with a small bowl of pesto visible at the bottom right.

The holiday season hits, and suddenly you need a “festive but easy” appetizer for tomorrow. The panic is real! I’ve been there so many times, staring into my fridge, wishing a platter of something impressive would appear. That’s exactly how I landed on this Puff Pastry Christmas Tree Appetizer. Now, you might have seen the … Read more

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A baked, cheesy butternut squash casserole in a white dish, with a serving scooped out to show the creamy, layered interior.

Let’s be honest: the holiday side dish table can sometimes feel predictable. For years, my go-to butternut squash contribution was roasting it with some spices. It was fine! But it never really wowed anyone. I was on a mission to create a butternut squash casserole recipe that would truly steal the show, something that felt … Read more

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A platter of crispy, golden loaded tater tot bites, filled with sour cream, crumbled bacon, and fresh chives, ready to be served.

Friends, let’s talk about party food. I am always on the hunt for that perfect appetizer. You know the one; it’s the first thing to disappear. It looks like you spent hours on it, but it secretly came together in a flash. For years, I struggled with “loaded” snacks. Loaded nachos or “totchos” are fantastic, … Read more

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A speckled white bowl filled with swirled, orange pumpkin whipped feta dip, topped with chopped walnuts and fresh thyme, with two slices of toasted bread resting in the bowl.

Okay, let’s be real. We’ve all had that moment of mild panic. You’re invited to a fall gathering, a Friendsgiving, or maybe just hosting a cozy night in, and you’re asked to “just bring an appetizer.” The pressure! You want something that looks impressive, tastes incredible, and (secretly) doesn’t take you all day to make. … Read more

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A stack of light-colored almond flour pancakes topped with fresh blueberries, slivered almonds, a sprig of mint, and a drizzle of honey.

Okay, let’s have a real chat about almond flour pancakes. If you’re anything like me, your journey into gluten-free or low-carb baking has probably involved at least one… let’s call it disappointing… pancake experience. You were promised “fluffy,” but you got flat. You were promised “delicious,” but you got dry, crumbly, and vaguely sad. I’ve … Read more

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A close-up shot of an easy turkey meatloaf muffin on a wooden board, topped with a shiny ketchup glaze and fresh parsley. More muffins are blurred in the background.

Friends, let’s have a real chat about the 5 PM scramble. You know the one. You’re tired, everyone’s hungry, and the idea of making a “real” dinner feels like climbing a mountain. For the longest time, I avoided ground turkey meatloaf. Why? Because, let’s be honest, it’s so often dry, bland, and just… sad. I … Read more