Hello, beautiful souls! 👋
I’m Jodie Chen, and this is my delicious story
Born in Portland, raised in three different states, and currently cooking up magic in Austin, Texas with my husband Mike and our rescue pup, Basil.
“Every recipe tells a story, and every meal creates a memory worth savoring.”
My culinary journey began in my grandmother’s kitchen, where the aroma of fresh herbs and spices first captured my heart. Today, I’m passionate about sharing recipes that bring families together and create those special moments around the dinner table.
From Software Engineer to Spice Whisperer
For eight years, I lived in the world of code, debugging applications by day and debugging family recipes by night. My Taiwanese grandmother’s handwritten recipe cards (in a beautiful mix of Mandarin and broken English) became my escape from the digital world.
The turning point? When my husband Mike (bless his patient soul) ate my 47th attempt at Nai Nai’s beef noodle soup and said, “This one tastes like love.” That’s when I knew I had to share these stories, these flavors, and these moments that make a house feel like home.
In 2022, I traded my laptop for a ladle (okay, I still use the laptop for this blog!) and haven’t looked back since. Every recipe I share has been tested in my Austin kitchen, approved by Mike, and enthusiastically taste-tested by Basil (our golden retriever who thinks he’s a food critic).
My Kitchen
Food is the universal language of love, but it doesn’t have to be complicated to be meaningful. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or someone who considers cereal a food group, my recipes are designed to bring joy to your kitchen and smiles to your table.
Accessible Comfort
Every recipe uses ingredients you can find at your local grocery store, with simple substitutions when needed.
Real-Life Friendly
Most recipes take 30 minutes or less, because I know you have a life outside the kitchen too.
Made with Stories
Every recipe comes with the story behind it, because food is so much more than just ingredients.
When I’m Not Cooking (Spoiler: That’s Rare!)
Urban Gardening
Growing herbs and tomatoes on our Austin balcony (with questionable success but unwavering enthusiasm).
Food Photography
Taking 47 photos of the same dish until the lighting is “just right” (Mike’s patience is legendary).
Dog Park Adventures
Following Basil around Austin parks while he makes friends and I get recipe ideas from other dog parents.
Vintage Cookbook Collecting
Hunting for gems at estate sales and trying to decipher recipes that assume you know what “a pinch” actually means.
Let’s Cook Together!
Ready to join our kitchen family? I’d love to hear about your cooking adventures, answer your recipe questions, or just chat about the magic that happens when we cook with love.
“Life is too short for bland food and empty tables. Let’s fill both with flavor and laughter!”
With love from my kitchen to yours,
Jodie ❤️