The NeighborFood Newsletter

Now on to this week’s recipes!

Monday: Creamy Sun Dried Tomato Chicken Pasta

This easy 30 minute meal is packed with enough flavor, that you’ll wonder if you really need to go to olive garden ever again… (Endless salad and bread sticks makes a compelling case though.)

Tuesday: Chicken Tortilla Soup

Developed as a tribute to our favorite defunct fast-casual dining spot, this Max & Erma’s copy cat tortilla soup is loaded with chicken, cheese, veggies, and has the perfect amount of spice.

Wednesday: Portobello Mushroom Sandwich

This is not a replacement for a beef burger. *whispers (it’s actually better!) This marinated portobello mushroom sandwich stands fully on its own with rich zesty flavors and a dynamite special sauce.

Thursday: Ground Beef and Potatoes Skillet

The sales pitch for this recipe is short: One pan, with everything you need, topped with cheese, ready in 30 minutes. These types of skillet casseroles are what built America.

Friday: Italian Bow Tie Pasta Salad

Why should pasta salad just be considered a side dish? We include enough ham/salami, veggies and cheese to make this a main course. In the summer, nothing is better than mixing up a bowl of this stuff in just 20 minutes, and having meals/lunches at the ready for days after.

This Week's Meals: May 11 - 15

Will — Sat, 09 May 2026 12:08:59 GMT

Is there an emoji that’s sort of smiling, but has an eye-twitch, flared angry nostrils, and accordion mouth? If so, it should be the official mascot of May.

This month has held so much assembled joy, so much to be proud of and to celebrate… And yet behind this truly authentic smile, is an overwhelmed introvert who is grinding their molars and screaming on the inside.

Hoping that this week you find the most graceful path through the school year, and that this weeks meal plan can help.

Here is your printable grocery list for all of this week’s meals!

Grocery List May 2

62.6KB ∙ PDF file

Now on to this week’s recipes!

Monday: 30 Minute Korean Sloppy Joes

Sweet, savory, sloppy and simple. This spin on a classic sloppy joe recipe adds some interesting flavors to a classic family favorite.

Tuesday: Asian Chicken Marinade

Honey, sesame, garlic, ginger and soy come together to make the perfect marinade that doubles as a brush-on glaze for outstanding grilled chicken that’s packed with flavor.

Wednesday: Asian Sesame Chicken Salad

Originally a copycat Panera recipe, this salad makes great use of leftover grilled chicken and give us an excuse to whip up some more of this delicious homemade sesame vinegar dressing.

Thursday: Margarita Shrimp Tostadas

Don’t sleep on tostada shells. This often overlooked tortilla-isle item has a CROuuNCH that is sooo satisfying. In this recipe, you can make your own by baking some corn tortillas or just buy the pre-made shells. I can’t think of anything better to top them with than refried beans, marinaded chili lime shrimp and fresh avocado.

Friday: Creamy Italian Sausage Pasta

Creamy, peppery and delicious, you’ll love how easily this 30 minute recipe puts a meal in your belly and a smile on your face.

Setting a Table in the Middle of the Hunger Games

Courtney Rowland — Wed, 06 May 2026 13:57:31 GMT

Reading Suzanne Collin’s latest prequel, published in 2025, hits different. It’s impossible not to read parallels into every corner of this book.

I read the first Hunger Games book as a newlywed. It was 2010 and Barack Obama was President. This was before we had ever heard the words Covid or Polymarket. Before Donald Trump told us he could shoot someone in the middle of Fifth Avenue and not lose a single vote. The Hunger Games felt like the best kind of dystopian fiction—close enough to reality that it was believable, but not so close that it made your skin crawl.

This morning I scrolled through images from the Met Gala, which is a thing we are apparently still doing. The red carpet was bursting with outlandishly wealthy people in extravagant costumes featuring extra arms (?!), dollar bill blindfolds, and gowns that took 761 hours to complete. Are we really that far off from the Capitol citizens, with their glass hats swarming with live bees or embedded jewels on artificially colored skin?

Met Gala or Hunger Games? The only difference I see is that Capitol citizens are still allowed to have wrinkles.

And then there’s the betting. Oh, the heartbreak of the betting. I would love to feel distantly horrified by the citizens of Panem betting on the odds of children dying in a game of their own creation, but instead I feel only a dreadful knowing. This year, Americans have placed over 1 billion dollars in bets on the war in Iran.

Are we not living in a world that feels like a reality show, obsessed with spectacle and entertainment over the needs of the common citizen? Are we not seeing, in the starkest terms, the suffering of the least of these juxtaposed against the increasing wealth of the few?

What do you do when the odds aren’t in your favor, when the powerful aren’t servants, but self-obsessed? What do you do when celebrities attend galas while children suffer in wars and deportation camps and homes without enough groceries to last the week?

What, my friends, do you do in the middle of the hunger games?

In Sunrise on the Reaping, the prequel to the Hunger Games trilogy, a young Haymitch Abernathy is sent to the 50th annual Hunger Games. It is an unjust reaping; his name is called as a replacement for another district 12 kid who flees and is killed by peacekeepers. But of course, there is no “just” reaping in a system designed to terrorize and oppress the many for the benefit of the few.

In the arena, an abundantly beautiful place filled with hidden poisons, Haymitch hopes to break the games, overthrowing the symbol of the Capitol’s power, indifference, and cruelty once and for all.

Of course, we know he won’t succeed. He tries. He makes a stir. But he ultimately fails. The reader knows it will take another 24 years before Katniss Everdeen finally wrecks the Hunger Games.

My heart aches when I think of those 24 years and of the 50 years of terror that proceeded them. The victory at the end of the story can’t erase the pain of those years. Haymitch’s story is so brutal that if I hadn’t read the other books, I might think Suzanne Collins was trying to drive us all to the white liquor.

Instead, I’d rather assume this is the story she thought needed to be told in this moment. A story not about one person who changed everything, but of a thousand tiny stitches woven into a tapestry of resistance.

So, what do we do when we’re in the middle of the Hunger Games?

Maybe it’s as simple as following the path of Haymitch and Maysilee, an unlikely pair of allies in the arena.

“What a luxury, to wake up to a breakfast of fresh cornbread, buttermilk, and peaches instead of having to scrounge for stale leftovers. Maysilee had the food all laid out on a tarp, like a party. She folded a pair of handkerchiefs into flowers for napkins, and even filled the bowl of the wineglass with some kind of pink blossom, likely poisonous, but undeniably decorative.”

We set a table. We spread a picnic blanket out in the wilderness, with whatever meager rations the day affords. We feed each other.

We take what we are given and make it beautiful, folding handkerchiefs into flowers and turning poisoned blossoms into a centerpiece.

We share what we have. We make unlikely allies. We drop chocolates on our enemies. We look out for the little guy.

We protect each other, care for each other, turn neighbors into family.

We remind each other of our dignity as human beings. We refuse to abandon each other, to turn on each other, or to harden our hearts. We resist the temptation of bitterness and despair.

We lament, remembering each of our losses, giving them all the space they need and deserve. We hold onto our humanity, together. We resist. We resist. We resist.

The slave trade existed in the United States for 246 years. Two hundred forty six devastating, vicious years. I wish it were different. It should haunt us that it took so long. I think one of the best questions we can ask God is “How long, Oh Lord?”

And yet, I refuse to believe those years were wasted. I refuse to let history forget all the big and tiny ways Black people resisted over those years: the meals they shared, the wounds they tended, the books they learned to read, the freedom songs they sung. For every Harriet Tubman there were a thousand Maysilee Donners imagining a different future for their children, setting tables, feeding people, making something beautiful in the midst of so much cruelty. Every tarp spread on the ground of the arena matters.

Of course, we all wish we could be Katniss Everdeen, the brave, self-sacrificing hero of the story, the one who leads the revolution. But this mom in middle America with her two kids and her small business is a lot more like Haymitch Abernathy. I might not be able to blow up the arena, but I can set a damn good table. And I’ll keep doing it until the whole thing finally crumbles.

“You were capable of imagining a different future. And maybe it won’t be realized today, maybe not in our lifetime. Maybe it will take generations. We’re all part of a continuum. Does that make it pointless?

“I just don’t know. But I do know you need someone different from me.”

“No, Haymitch. We need someone exactly like you.”

If any part of this resonated with you, would you do me the biggest favor and share it with someone? And if you’re interested in the connections between food, community, and justice, please subscribe and join our community!

Your May Meal Plan is Here!

Courtney Rowland — Sat, 02 May 2026 12:08:55 GMT

Last night, my son broke down in tears before bed. It had been a long week, filled with good things, but filled nonetheless, and as he caught his breath between the tears, he told us “it just feels like one thing after another. There’s no time to just chill.”

Phew, can I ever relate. May is a month of one thing after another, a sprint to summer filled with musical performances and award ceremonies and field days and teacher appreciation and on and on it goes. It can be tough to catch your breath.

I hope this meal plan can take one thing off your (figurative) plate, and when dinner is just “one more thing,” I hope you order take out.

Your FULL MONTH, downloadable plan is at the end of this post.

Here’s the week’s Grocery Shopping List:

May Week 1 Grocery List

57.4KB ∙ PDF file

Now on to this week’s meals!!!

Monday: Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breast

I shared in our last Snack Chats that I finally learned how to cook goood chicken breast. Roast some veggies (I recommend this roasted carrot salad or roasted zucchini and peppers)while the chicken cooks for an easy dinner. Make an extra piece of chicken to have with the Chicken Bacon Salad later this week!

Tuesday: Crock Pot Barbacoa Tacos

You gotta love when Cinco de Mayo falls on Taco Tuesday! This crock pot barbacoa makes enough for a party so invite some friends to join you! Save the juices to make the Mexican Stew on Thursday.

Wednesday: Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps

You can’t go wrong with this combo. Fry up some bacon to go with the leftover chicken and you’ll have an easy delicious dinner in less than 30 minutes. If your kids are iffy about wraps, you can also serve these deconstructed. Ours love eating their plain tortilla, bacon strips, cheese, and lettuce. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Thursday: Mexican Beef Stew

You can thank the leftover barbacoa juices for giving this stew the richest, savoriest broth. Filled with potatoes and corn and topped with avocado and fresh lime juice, this feels comforting and fresh at the same time.

Friday: Creamy Shrimp Pappardelle

Finish the week with a restaurant style pasta dish you can easily create at home. Silky, creamy, and finished with fresh basil, it’s a lovely way to finish the week.

Grab your customizable full month meal plan printable at the Canva link below, or download it as is and get cooking!

Your plan to customize (You’ll need a free Canva account to make changes): Customizable MAY Meal Plan

Or download the PDF as-is:

May Monthly Meal Plan

185KB ∙ PDF file

A Super Speedy Spring Pasta Recipe

Courtney Rowland — Wed, 29 Apr 2026 11:03:33 GMT

For today’s adventure, we’ll be seeing how many green things we can pack into one pasta recipe! This is a super speedy, spectacularly springy pasta that’s full of herbs, asparagus, and peas, and finished with a light lemon sauce. Save it for those busy Maycember weeknights!

I just finished syncing our home calendar with the end of school year calendar and am

This Week's Meals! Apr 27-May 1

Will — Sat, 25 Apr 2026 15:42:12 GMT

As we close out April, late, hurried, and haggard evenings are swirling together with lazy summer-like patio nights, so this week’s meals are a mix of FAST easy favorites and grill-night staples so that you’ll be ready for whatever kind of dinnertime life has served you.

Here is your printable grocery list for all of this week’s meals!

Grocery List Apr 4

60.6KB ∙ PDF file

Now on to this week’s recipes!

Monday: Simple Creamy Pasta with Peas Recipe

Tender small shells cradle bursts of sweet peas, all wrapped in a silky Parmesan cream sauce with crispy pancetta. It’s rich but not heavy, indulgent but easy, and best of all, it comes together in just 30 minutes.

Tuesday: Grilled Cheese in the Oven

A sheet pan and the oven is the secret to serving up toasty gooey grilled cheese sandwiches to up to 1-16 people. Bookmark this one for the summer when you need to feed a crowd of hungry kids.

Wednesday: Fish Taco Bowls

Fish Taco Salad Bowls combine flaky seasoned fish with shredded cabbage, lettuce, avocado dressing, and all your favorite taco toppings for a healthy and delicious meal.

Thursday: Ham and Cheese Frittata

For a true 30 minute meal, this Ham and Cheese Frittata is the ultimate pinch hitter. You can adapt it upscale for a fancy brunch or dumb it down for a quick dinner with a just a few ingredient swaps (arugula, shaved parmesan, pancettta swapped for ham, scallions, you get the idea).

Friday: Ranch Burgers

These cheesy burgers are seasoned with dried herbs like dill and parsley to give them that characteristic garden zing. But we also add a few crisp veggies and a drizzle of our favorite ranch dressing (from Jet’s Pizza) to make these burgers memorable.

Snack Chats #5: How to cook chicken that doesn't suck, friendship gifts, and a screaming audiobook deal

Courtney Rowland — Wed, 22 Apr 2026 13:34:54 GMT

This spring I began a journey to learn how to cook chicken breast that does not suck. I have mostly avoided cooking chicken breast in my 15+ years of recipe development, because, frankly, I usually find them dry, under-seasoned, and tough. Plus, chicken thighs exist. And crock pots, where chicken breast can be easily turned into a pile of shredded chicken for say, enchiladas.

But I decided any food blogger worth her salt should know how to cook a chicken breast in an emergency. What if, for example, the chicken thighs are all recalled due to dark meat fever? (Us older millennials know we can count on any “once in a lifetime” events happening in our lifetime).

In any case, I needed to be ready. The process was arduous. My family was subjected to a lot of wildly mediocre chicken these last few months.

Recipe development, so glamorous.

Friends, I’m happy to say, I finally nailed it, and now you can also be prepared for the chicken-thigh-pocalypse with these banger recipes.

First, Cast Iron Skillet Chicken Breast. Ok, the sear! the juiciness! the seasoning! It gives any restaurant chicken dish a run for its money, and it only takes 25 minutes to make. Enjoy it on it’s own or in a giant Chicken Bacon Ranch Salad.

Second, a Crispified Chicken Cutlet that’s perfect for sandwiches, on top of pasta or salads, or by itself. The kids thinks these are fancy chicken nuggets. What a rush! I’ve finally arrived.

Alright, on to the other good stuff of spring!

I have become a trash hoarder, but it’s for a good cause, I promise! These drink dispenser gifts are simple to put together and are just so CHEERY! Love this for a friendship gift or an “I see all you’re carrying” reminder.

🥹 I have not yet found the mental fortitude to watch Andrea Gibson’s documentary “Come See Me In the Good Light,” as it appears the original song from the film is enough to make me ugly cry. I would pay more cash money than my financial advisor would recommend to see Brandi Carlisle and Sara Bareilles live together.

😦 Speaking of Sara Bareilles, this video of her discovering a dead…something…in her walls was the most unexpected thing I watched on the internet this year. Equal parts horrifying and empowering.

🐴 This mini therapy horse playing the keyboard (badly) made me laugh out loud, and I would like to invite him to distract me from all unpleasant tasks from here on out.

🪐 Will and I saw Project Hail Mary and I cried and laughed and felt my heart grow three sizes. Pairing that with the successful moon launch? PERFECTION. I would like the words of Astronaut Jeremy Hansen cross stitched on a pillow.

🚡 I was DELIGHTED by this SNL sketch of the least popular and most popular emojis. It’s going in my dopamine folder for life. 🟧➗🤿🏤 IYKYK

Fantastic Audiobook Recs + A Very Good Deal

Zero Stars, Do Not Recommend 1- A comedy satire about a couple who is enjoying a low cost vacation at an island resort when the sun explodes. It’s offbeat and funny, with a surprising amount to say about masculinity, class, and the choices we make when everything we love is at stake. You won’t want to miss the Southern accent of Lilyanna, the fitness MLM influencer who becomes the de-facto dictator of the post-apocalyptic resort.

Little One by - A compelling, gentle thriller (yes, I think this is a thing) about a woman raised in an isolated wellness cult run by her charismatic father. This was dark without feeling scary, and it had me listening late into the night. AND THAT ENDING. I immediately hopped over to the Bad on Paper podcast to listen to the author discuss her writing process and get her take on the ending.

Libro.fm is running great deals on audiobooks this week only. I picked up The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, which has been recommended to me multiple times, for only $2.99(!) and How to Walk Into a Room, which is a book I revisit often when I’m struggling with a decision or transition in my life. New members also get two free audiobook credits when they sign up and use code BOOKSTOREDAY.

Stuff You Might’ve Missed:

If you enjoyed this post, it would mean the world to me if you tapped the heart button and shared it with a friend! Thanks for reading!

Snack chats are more fun when you join in. Leave a comment and share your wins of the month!

All links to audiobooks are affiliate links. I am happy to support Libro.fm, where every purchase benefits local booksellers.

This Week's Meals! April 20-24th

Will — Sat, 18 Apr 2026 12:08:34 GMT

I hope that the last week of warmer weather has healed you as much as it has me, and restored some of the optimism and hope that winter always seems to squash.

That said, as we enter the “outdoor months” I want to share a reminder (for you and for my myself) that you are more than what you produce. You matter all on your own regardless of your productivity level, or how many times you volunteered, or how many of the to-do list items you checked off (or not).

Soak up any moments you can during these warm breezy days, and try to not to let the weight of the spring hustle get you feeling behind.

Here is your printable grocery list for all of this week’s meals!

Grocery List Apr 3

58KB ∙ PDF file

Now on to this week’s recipes!

Monday: Potsticker and Tangy Cucumber Salad

A 30 minute quick meal that’s fresh, satisfying and loved by kids and grown ups alike.

Tuesday: Spicy Chipotle Marinated Chicken

This spicy grilled chicken is easy to make and can be customized to your preferences, whether you like it HOT or want to dial it down to mild. There's no better way to introduce some heat to your meat for your next cookout.

Wednesday: Creamy Salmon Linguine

Another great 30 minute meal, this pasta is bursting with bright lemon and garlic flavors for a perfect easy spring dinner.

Thursday: Turkey Avocado Sandwiches

A classic Turkey Avocado Sandwich gets an upgrade with smoky chipotle mayo and crisp sprouts! You’ll love this easy take on a deli classic!

Friday: Cheesy Baked Tortellini Casserole

This Cheesy Tortellini Bake with ground beef is made with just four ingredients (plus salt and pepper!). It takes only 20 minutes to prep and is full of easy-to-love flavors and ingredients so it’s perfect for a sleep-over/movie-night recipe.

What's the Point?

Courtney Rowland — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:01:02 GMT

“What’s the point of going to the moon?” my youngest asks.

“We’re planting seeds for the future, “ I say, more confident than I feel.

We’re looking at photos from Artemis II. A woman, like me, braid floating around her head, is staring out a too-small window at the spinning earth below.

“Maybe,” I go on, “it gives us a different perspective. Maybe it helps us see how connected we are, how small we are in this great big universe.”

Later, another child asks if we have to go church tomorrow.

“Yes,” I say, more confident than I feel. There is a question behind his question. What’s the point of going to church?

“It gives me a different perspective,” I try to explain, “and reminds me that I’m small in a good way. It helps me to see other people wondering and wandering, wrestling with the thing that’s bigger than them. It reminds me I’m not alone, that we’re loved, that someone is Love.”

After church, I go out to my small raised garden bed. I drag my finger through the dirt, carving a path through the vast, dark galaxy of soil. I fill my hands with the teensy seeds of arugula, snap peas, radish, and scallions, then drop them gently along the path.

What’s the point of planting seeds? I wonder. These seeds are three years old. They might not sprout or be strong enough to survive the curious squirrels. It would be easier, cheaper even, to buy my greens from the grocery store.

But here I am, with nothing but stubborness and dirty fingernails, plunging seeds into the dark. The smallest hope for the future. Faith, perhaps, in what cannot be seen.

I bend down to pick a few weeds. They’re already five inches tall, tearing their way through the protective shield and the rocks on top. I know they’ll be back by next week. I pluck them anyway.

What’s the point of pulling weeds? I wonder. To make space for something good to grow.

Thanks for reading along with me. If this post spoke to you, I’d love for you to share it, comment, or tap the heart button to let me know.

This Week's Meals: Say Hello to Spring!

Will — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 12:08:25 GMT

We are just finishing up a week of spring break around these parts. We didn’t travel this year, which meant a lot of play dates, four square, basketball, and the meals I make when the plan falls apart. To be fair, I had no plan, so it was more accurately, “the meals I make when there’s no plan to begin with.”

To be honest, words have been hard to come by lately, what with *waves hand around* well, everything. It is strange to toss a ball around with the kids while your president is threatening to wipe out an entire civilization. I feel uneasy about sending you a happy little list of recipes when so many people are suffering and scared.

I hope you believe, as I do, that we can make space for both and that both matter. Our joy and our grief matter. Big belly laughs matter. Crying in the shower matters. Good food and gatherings and showing up for your people still matters. My challenge for this week is to give as much attention to the joy and beauty as I do the grief. I wish the same for you.

Here is your printable grocery list for all of this week’s meals!

Grocery List Apr 2

61.1KB ∙ PDF file

Now on to this week’s recipes!

Monday: One Pot Ravioli Soup

A quick and lovely little soup with ground beef, plenty of veggies, and frozen ravioli.

Tuesday: Sheet Pan Roasted Veggie Pasta Primavera

When I’m craving the taste of summer, but the garden is still empty, I make this pasta. The key is a slew of roasted veggies—which turns not-quite-in-season tomatoes into perfectly sweet and juicy bites.

Wednesday: Puff Pastry Vegetable Quiche

Use your leftover roasted veggies to make a super quick puff pastry quiche. Do I enjoy this even more than regular pie crust quiche? I think I do!

Thursday: Foil Packet Grilled Lemon Dill Tilapia

What’s not to love about a full dinner cooked in a single foil packet? You can cook this tilapia on the oven or the grill, so if spring rains get in the way, you have a built in back up plan.

Friday: Walking Tacos

I’m proud to carry on the tradition of portable tacos to the next generation. Do you like to pair them with Fritos or Doritos? I’m a Fritos girl myself. I love making this for a casual Friday movie night!

Your April Meal Plan is Here!

Courtney Rowland — Sat, 04 Apr 2026 12:08:41 GMT

This Saturday has felt like a giant exhale after a very busy week. My oldest son finished out his very first musical, and this former theater kid couldn’t be prouder. We’re all exhausted, and ready to head into a much slower paced spring break ahead.

Your meals for April are a mix of warmer weather favorites sprinkled in with the last vestiges of winter comfort food. I’m betting on having at least one day a week that’s warm enough to grill!

If you’re still working on your Easter plans for tomorrow, you can see my brunch plans here. And of course, you can never go wrong with a Carrot Sheet Cake (one of our most beloved recipes!). If you’ve got kiddos at home, these Resurrection Rolls are a sweet way to share the Easter story with children.

Your FULL MONTH, downloadable plan is at the end of this post.

Here’s the week’s Grocery Shopping List:

April Week 1 Grocery List

82.9KB ∙ PDF file

Now on to this week’s meals!!!

Monday: Creamy Ham and Potato Soup

A comforting home style classic: this hearty soup uses up any leftover Easter ham, and is the perfect warming meal for a rainy April evening.

Tuesday: Crock Pot Sloppy Joes

Just 15 minutes of prep gets this dinner off and running. This recipe is our go-to for a patio party where rain is possible in the forecast. Not that we’re being pessimistic…

Wednesday: Italian Dressing Chicken

Juicy delicious chicken with just TWO INGREDIENTS!? Praise the Lord! If you want to get fancy, you can make your own homemade Italian dressing, but it’s not necessary (Newman’s Own Italian is excellent, or Garlic Expressions). Grill these beauties if you can or I’ve got instructions for baking the chicken as well.

Thursday: Cheesy Baked Ziti

If you’re all about that crispy chicken skin, this recipe is the easiest way I know to get a chicken dinner on the table in 30 minutes. Using our homemade chicken seasoning, and the air fryer, this chicken goes perfectly with a wing-man of our sweet honey & thyme glazed carrots.

Friday: Fluffy Buttermilk Pancakes

I go into it in the post, but the secret to these perfect diner pancakes is separating the egg. These airy, golden, buttery flapjacks are a family fav for an easy brinner, or use this recipe and follow our guide to host an EPIC PANCAKE BAR PARTY!

Grab your customizable full month meal plan printable at the Canva link below, or download it as is and get cooking!

Your plan to customize (You’ll need a free Canva account to make changes): Customizable APRIL Meal Plan

Or download the PDF as-is:

April Monthly Meal Plan

531KB ∙ PDF file

What I'd Make For Spring Brunch 🌷🍳

Courtney Rowland — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 11:03:22 GMT

Well hello, and welcome to a new series here on the NeighborFood newsletter: What I’d Make For!

This series will feature doable menu ideas for all kinds of gatherings. These aren’t just aspirational ideas. They’re the recipes I actually make when I host or bring something to a gathering.

Today we’re starting with one of my all-time favorite kinds of gatherings: Brunch! 🍳

Spring has always felt like brunch season to me. As soon as the weather starts to warm up, I long to be on a patio with a mimosa in hand. Brunch is my preferred meal for Easter gatherings, but it’s also a great choice for a casual friend hang, a baby or wedding shower, or a book club get together.

Here’s a quick formula you can use for any brunch gathering:

1 Egg Dish
1 Savory or Sweet Baked Good (or one of each, if you’re feeling extra)
1 Salad or Veggie
1 Signature Beverage

That’s it, really! It does not have to be any more complicated than that. Of course, you can add dessert or extra sides, but we’re here to make hosting feel DOABLE, not daunting. I’m also always a fan of delegating. Considering asking a few guests to pitch in! I find people like being told something specific to contribute, so don’t be afraid to ask for help! ❤️

Now, without further ado…

Here’s What I’d (Actually) Make For A Spring Brunch!

I’m sharing a personal favorite from each category, plus an alternate or two that you can swap depending on your own tastes.

For the eggs: A Crustless Quiche Lorraine

This is a classic for a reason, and going crustless makes it gluten free AND half the work. This can easily be made ahead of time and can be served warm or at room temperature.

Alternate pick: Ham and Cheese Frittata

For the greens: A Simple Lemony Arugula Salad

I will sing the praises of this salad until my dying day. You can make it in five minutes. It holds up well, and it goes with almost everything. I love to serve it with egg dishes to bring a little brightness and greenery to the plate.

Alternate pick: If I’m feeding a bigger group or want something more substantial, I’d go for a 7 Layer Salad. For something a little fruity, try this Strawberry Spinach Salad with Sweet Lemon Dressing.

For a savory baked good: Cheddar Chive Scones

I am obsessed with these scones. They are so ridiculously fluffy and tender and buttery, and I would really like to have one for breakfast every single morning. These can be assembled and frozen ahead of time, then baked off when you’re ready!

Alternate pick: Puff Pastry Asparagus Ricotta Tart- a perfect appetizer, side, or “girl dinner.”

For a sweet baked good: Lemon Blueberry Crumb Bread

This Lemon Blueberry Crumb Bread is bright with fresh citrus and bursting with blueberries. You could easily swap our raspberries or blackberries here if you prefer, but don’t miss the crumb topping and glaze. It really puts these over the top!

Alternate pick: Orange Poppy Seed Muffins- Oh, these are just delightful! Moist, citrusy, and in a perfect single-serve portion.

For a signature beverage: White Wine Sangria

It’s light, it’s fruity, it’s bubbly. You can definitely have some before noon.

Alternate (non-alcoholic) pick: Orange Julius. Yes, like the one from the mall. My kids (and me!) still love this drink!

If you found this post helpful, please consider sharing it with a friend!

This Week's Meal Plan

Will — Sat, 28 Mar 2026 12:08:15 GMT

As we transition into a new month and season, please forgive that our 4 week meal plans don’t align nicely with our calendar.

This week is a gap filler that doesn’t quite fit on the monthly printable schedule, but here is what we’re eating none the less!

Monday: Italian Bowtie Pasta Salad

This fresh zesty classic pasta salad is a great light dinner or makes a good side dish if you can’t resist throwing some burgers on the grill. It gets even better as the leftover marinade in the dressing, which means you’ve got at least one lunch covered.

Tuesday: Grilled Flank Steak Tacos

When the first warm weather hits we can’t resist grilling, and this flank steak recipe scratches that itch perfectly. This lean flavorful cut of beef loves to soak up the flavors of the marinade, and it’s fairly forgiving on high heat, so even if yours is a tad over cooked, it won’t be too chewy as long as you slice THIN. Save a few leftovers for tomorrow…

Wednesday: Black and Blue Cheese Salad

A crunchy bed of lettuce is stacked with tender strips of steak, sharp red onions, homemade blue cheese dressing, and a tangy sweet balsamic tomato bruschetta for a fresh herby meal that’s best enjoyed on a patio.

Thursday: 30 Minute Wonton Chicken Soup

I’m over here trying to manifest warm days, but just in case of rain (or if mother nature remembers that it’s barely April), I’m leaving this recipe here as an alternate.

Friday: Fluffiest Ricotta Pancakes

I also used to think that buttermilk was the key to the fluffiest pancakes. Then I discovered ricotta pancakes. Berries are just now starting to get good again at the store so top generously with your favorite fruits and maple syrup.

Crock Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup

Courtney Rowland — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:02:57 GMT

Perhaps one of the most Midwestern things about me is that I believe the weather is a valid topic of conversation. This has been even more true these last few weeks, as we’ve swung wildly from warm sunny days to two inches of snow, then watched the wind rip trees out by their roots, and then, perhaps most bizarrely, ended an 80 degree day with an absolute pounding of hail and a dramatic thunderstorm, which then ushered in a 30 degree morning.

If that sentence felt like a lot to read, IMAGINE HOW WE FEEL. Spring keeps trying to enter, and winter just shoves a dresser against the door and says, “Not so fast, missy, try again next weekend.”

It makes sense, then, that our dinner plans each week have included both grilling burgers and making cauldrons of soup. This is March in Ohio, which is why I’m bringing you the springiest soup I could imagine, a Crock Pot Lemon Chicken Orzo Soup.

March Highs and Lows

Will — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 12:08:50 GMT

From the thrill of victory to the agony of defeat, March really has a way of putting us through the extreme highs and lows. This year, it’s not just the weather, the NCAA tournament, and Easter, but it seems like the feeling is pervasive.

This week my hope for you is that meal time can be a place to celebrate the wins, grieve the losses, and find stability being with those you love.

Here’s the grocery list:

Mar Week 4 Grocery List

64.4KB ∙ PDF file

Now on to the meals!

Monday: 30 Min Foil Packet Lemon Dill Tilapia

This Grilled Tilapia is cooked in a foil packet for fool-proof, flaky, flavorful fish fillets every time. Paired with vegetables and a lemon butter sauce, this is an easy dinner you’ll come back to over and over again.

Tuesday: Slow Cooker Sloppy Joes

This big batch sloppy joes recipe is perfect for potlucks, tailgating, or just getting a jump on cookout vibes even though there’s still snow in the forecast. Make a big ol crock pot full of this savory sweet classic for your March Madness party.

Wednesday: Panko Crusted Chicken Piccata

Comfort meets sophistication in this Panko Crusted Chicken Piccata! With lightly fried, crispy chicken breast and a buttery lemon caper sauce, this classic chicken dinner is simple to prepare and extremely satisfying to eat.

Thursday: Cheesy Baked Rigatoni

This shareable pasta casserole recipe is easy enough for a weeknight dinner, but fancy enough to make for dinner parties and holiday events. Stretchy cheese hides tender baked pasta that’s stuffed with a rich meaty sauce.

Friday: GF Crustless Quiche Lorraine

This naturally gluten free quiche Lorraine can be whipped up and in your oven in less than 20 minutes. I love serving it with fresh fruit and simple salad greens for a gorgeous brunch or with air fryer potatoes for a kid-pleasing dinner.

What if your messy house makes people feel at home?

Courtney Rowland — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 10:02:21 GMT

About ten years ago, I was a new-ish mom who had just moved to a new neighborhood and had recently started attending a new church. We were invited to attend a community group at someone’s home, a person we didn’t know well.

It was a vulnerable time for many reasons, not the least of which was that I felt deeply insecure about almost everything. My faith, my parenting, my work—all of it felt unsteady. I was juggling full time self-employment with full time parenting, and when I had enough brain space to think thoughts, they were mostly of the “am I absolutely screwing this up?” variety.

About halfway through that first group gathering, I tucked myself into the half bath for a quick breather and social anxiety scan. I was busy analyzing every conversation I’d ever had when I noticed a dust bunny in the corner. Now, this was not a small crumb of dust, but a rather robust fellow, one who looked like he’d had some time to really work on himself, perfect that fluffy bunny tail aesthetic.

In an instant, I felt my body relax. My response wasn’t judgment and it certainly wasn’t disgust. I only felt relief—an expansive, bubbly almost giddy wash of relief. I distinctly remember the feeling in my body shifting from anxiety to safety.

When I traveled out from the cocoon of the restroom, I noticed other things. Stacks of papers on the counters, evidence of homework and bills. Random items on the stairs, waiting in purgatory to be transported up or down. Fingerprints and snooty dog noses smeared across the windows.

To me, it was all a flashing green light, a signal that perhaps I could belong here. Perhaps I could be myself here. Perhaps I could be not-perfect here.

Our very organized and curated collection of fancy cardboard.

The Week of St Pat's Meals

Will — Sat, 14 Mar 2026 12:08:42 GMT

Recipes are like living legends. They seem to get embellished the more they are passed along. This week’s meals celebrate that tradition of discovering something good and adding our unique take on it before passing it along. Hope you can enjoy a meal with others this week, and have a Happy St. Patrick’s Day.

Before you bounce, be sure to grab the grocery list below, and check the bottom of this post for a message about how you can help us improve recipe search results, and keep “AI slop” from taking over Google.

Here’s the grocery list:

Mar Week 3 Grocery List

64.4KB ∙ PDF file

Now on to the meals!

Monday: Guinness Beef Pot Pie

Puff Pastry Beef Pot Pie features a slow-cooked Guinness beef and vegetable stew topped with an EASY flaky puff pastry crust. Transport yourself to an Irish pub with this serious comfort food recipe that will make your house smell amazing!

Tuesday: Loaded Shrimp Taco Salad

This fresh and citrusy Shrimp Taco Salad is loaded with black beans, bell peppers, queso fresco, and a creamy avocado dressing. Packed with protein and make ahead friendly, this is a great recipe to keep on hand for busy weeknights and meal prepped lunches!

Wednesday: Creamy Chicken Sausage & Tortellini Soup

This rich colorful soup is another all-star when it comes to shortcuts, because we’re using canned tomatoes & tomato sauce, plus sliced chicken sausage links (thanks Costco free sample ladies for getting us hooked on these…), and frozen cheese tortellini. There’s a few ingredients to chop, but otherwise this is a dump and go one-pot meal that’s ready in about 40 minutes.

Thursday: Sheet Pan Pesto Chicken & Veggies

This easy sheet pan meal is here to help clean up any carrots and red potatoes that might be leftover or unused from the corned beef. Though, if you’re tired of that formula, it’s easy to swap in whatever veggies you’d prefer. (We also really like onions, mushrooms, and broccoli). Either way, you know that cleanup is gonna be a breeze.

Friday: 30 Min Leek & Mushroom Pasta

This quick vegetarian meal perfectly bridges the gap between winter and spring. With just enough of the savory creamy richness that helped get us through those frigid winter months, and a preview of garden freshness that’s about to explode onto the spring scene, this recipe rocks.

A.I. is not a good cook…

A.I. doesn’t have a real kitchen, test its recipes, or have real mouths to feed. We do.

There’s a new button at the top of every one of our recipe blog posts that can help us, help improve Google search results, and might just save the internet from A.I. slop.

Clicking this button tells Google that our site and our recipe content is “Human tested, human approved.” Google can then prioritize these trusted sources the next time you search for recipe content. Just login to your Google account, check the box next to our site name “neighborfooblog.com” and click “Take me to Google Search” to save your preferences.

Thanks for helping us keep real recipes relevant!

When in Doubt, Make a Casserole

Courtney Rowland — Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:02:24 GMT

Something about a big ol’ 9 x 13 inch pan covered in aluminum foil just screams “I love you, please let me feed you.” The casserole is the embodiment of all our most generous Midwestern tendencies—to comfort, to warm you up, and to make food in portion sizes that only made sense when you were raising five boys on a farm.

The humble casserole was made for gatherings and meal trains. They’re perfect for a casual dinner parties but can also be packaged up and delivered to a family who could use a break. They make enough to feed your own family AND someone else’s, without a lot of extra work.

The casserole is pure, nostalgic comfort food. We’re talking saucy pasta bakes and blankets of cheese. Creamy chicken paired with buttery Ritz crackers. Crispy tater tots over cheesy ground beef. Did I mention all the cheese?

It’s really too much, and that’s the hilarious beauty of it. We might not know what to say or how to fix things, but we sure do know how to make enough food to feed you for a week.

Now, please here me when I say this. No one who is struggling needs 4 weeks straight of casseroles. Their hearts will explode (and not just from the generosity). If I check out a meal train and it’s all casseroles, I try to pivot to a big salad or grilled chicken or any of these other meal train dinner ideas. But when you need to feel mothered by a generous and warm Midwestern grandmother, nothing compares to a casserole dinner. Here are my favorites to give (and receive)!

Tater Tot Casserole

This was my favorite dinner as a kid, and my kids are finally coming around to its humble, delicious ways. When someone says “hot dish,” this is immediately what I think of.

Company Casserole

I mean, it’s in the name! This casserole is made for sharing. This is a classic ground beef and pasta casserole with a super creamy marinara sauce. I made this for my college roommates, and now they’re indebted to me for life.

Hamburger Zucchini Casserole

This is a newer favorite that includes a big serving of veggies! Hooray! Casseroles aren’t my go-to for the summer months, but this one is perfect when the garden is overflowing with zucchinis.

Walking Taco Casserole

This is all the best parts of the taco-in-a-bag you might remember from your high school football games transformed into an easy to share casserole. Serve it with lots of fresh, crisp taco toppings.

Tortellini Bake

Just five ingredients is all you need to make this super quick pasta bake that my kids really love!

Easy Cheesy Baked Rigatoni

I developed this recipe with Ohio Beef last year, and it quickly became my oldest son’s favorite dinner. Pair it with garlic bread and a Caesar salad for an Italian feast.

Cottage Cheese Lasagna

What’s a casserole list without lasagna? This one is fully Midwestern, subbing cottage cheese for the more traditional ricotta and adding just a little Swiss cheese. Don’t knock it till you try it! The five star reviews don’t lie!

Easy Cheesy Pizza Casserole

Cube up some day old bread and combine it with your favorite pizza toppings for a quick and family friendly casserole dinner.

Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Bacon

Brinner is always welcome in this house, and this bacon, spinach, and egg casserole is one of the best! Deliver it to a friend with a giant bowl of fresh cut fruit, and they’ll love you forever.

Creamy Ritz Cracker Chicken Casserole

Canned soup and Ritz crackers, we’re doing this, baby! If you’ve got leftover rotisserie chicken, this casserole can be in your oven in less than 20 minutes!

Do you have a favorite casserole from your childhood? Share it in the comments!

Alley-oop!

Will — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 13:08:40 GMT

This week, we’re not only HYPED about the start of March Madness just around the corner, but our boys are finishing off their winter basketball season which has been a blast.

…And since we’re in the basketball spirit, this week the meals are dishing out assists left and right. That means we’re taking one meals leftovers and executing the perfect pass on to the next night’s recipe. That’s easy points!

Here’s the grocery list:

Mar Week 2 Grocery List

63.7KB ∙ PDF file

Now on to the meals!

Monday: Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce

We were tired of jarred sauces that were too expensive, too sweet, too acidic, and too meatless, so Courtney got to work dialing in this recipe that stews in the slow cooker all day to let that perfect blend of flavors really sink in. This freezer-friendly big ol batch of sauce is delicious, so eat some tonight on spaghetti, and then enjoy the rest later. Perhaps in some… (*alley-oop)

Tuesday: Italian Nachos

This easy sheet pan meal uses some leftover spaghetti sauce and various no prep ingredients. The fusion of Italian ingredients in a Mexican-inspired format is the definition of recipe SYNERGY. (Makes the fingers meshing hand motion). These colorful beauties taste amazing, and have awesome textures (on some garlic-y pita chips). I mean, just look at that stretchy MAAAHHHHZZZZ! It defies logic that there isn’t a whole nacho fusion restaurant category.

Wednesday: Rotisserie Chicken + Cheesy Potatoes + Green Beans

“Just grab a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store.” It’s one of our favorite meal shortcuts, and for tonight’s dinner, it let’s us focus on two of our favorite simple sides. Easy cheesy potatoes is a rich baked casserole that makes enough for a potluck, but the recipe is easy to halve (and have) for any ol weeknight. Paired with some simple garlic sauteed green beans to round things out, that’s good eatin. Plus, save whatever chicken leftovers you might have for… (*bounce pass)

Thursday: Creamy Ritz Chicken Casserole

Ritz Chicken Casserole combines a creamy chicken filling with a crisp, buttery Ritz cracker topping for a satisfying and easy dinner! This one hits all of the classic Midwestern casserole notes. Golden buttery crunch topping? Check. Bubbly savory filling? You betcha! Pass the scooper dere!

Friday: Salmon and Asparagus Linguine

This Salmon Asparagus Pasta is the first time I’ve sauteed lemon zest in butter with garlic, and MY LORD, I would like that smell in a candle, please. This simple but brilliant sauce combines with asparagus and salmon roasted on a sheet pan for a true 30 minute meal. The asparagus is just entering it’s prime season, so get some while it’s… uh… asparagussy?

Neighbor Notes #3: A Love Note for Your Inbox

Courtney Rowland — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:01:22 GMT

Hello, and welcome to Neighbor Notes (the email formerly known as Snack Chats)! Think of this as a little love note from me to you, a collection of good stuff to savor.

This note is coming to you a bit later in the week than I had planned, because frankly the plan this week went hilariously awry. My kids each took turns being home sick, weekend plans were tossed out the window, and then we spent a day in an emergency room with another family member. And somewhere in the middle of it all, I tried to follow the news and process our country entering a war with Iran.

(Psst, I wrote you a poem about how I’m coping. 😮‍💨 I’m committed to staying at the table.)

In the coming days, we’ll celebrate my husband’s 40th birthday. We’ll make time to laugh, eat good food together, and remind each other that every day we get is a gift, even if that gift feels sort of like a hot mess. We’ll make space for joy even when life feels heavy, because our joy matters too.

Today, I’m sharing my favorite reads and listens of the last few months. It’s a humble offering that I hope can be a bright spot for you to carry through whatever surprises, good or bad, this week might hold.

And please, if you’ve got some good stuff to share, let us know in the comments! Tell me about a great movie you watched or your new baby niece or the first tiny buds in the garden. And might I recommend impulse buying some flowers for your table? It’s a little reminder that spring is coming.

Treats of the Month:

Alysa Liu’s gold medal winning skate- Normally, I watch figure skating with sweaty palms and clenched butt cheeks, but watching Alysa Liu was something else entirely. Her performance didn’t feel like a zero sum game where there can only be winners and losers. Instead, it felt like an invitation to her joy. It felt expansive! It felt like something new, and I’m going to be thinking about that and celebrating it for a long while.

This jealous koala made me laugh out loud.

Carol Burnett was interviewed on the Good Hang podcast, and it was such a delight. I especially loved hearing about her friendship with Lucille Ball, one of my childhood heroes.

This episode of Everything Happens with and is so tender and lovely. Funny people talking about grief might be my favorite genre.

Neighborly Notes:

Everyone is talking about community lately! (Thank you, Minnesota, for inspiring us and leading the way).

🔨 Loved this article about how the smallest act of neighborliness, like borrowing a drill, can slowly transform communities and economies.

🍽️ with Katherine Goldstein shared 8 Ways to Embrace Deep Casual Hosting, and it’s filled with practical tips!

👯 I have really been loving Kat Vellos’ newsletter, We Should Get Together, that’s all about building friendships as adults. She uses the acronym VEES for being Vulnerable, Earnest, Exuberant, and Sincere, and I’ve now got that on a sticky note above my desk.

💭 Trevor Noah thinks progressives’ rejection of religion might’ve left them without the faith required to imagine better futures. I’m inclined to agree. This is a FASCINATING look at how religious imagination has fueled some of the most successful political movements of the past, and how tapping into the power and imagination of faith communities could make a difference in the present.

😮‍💨 What We Defend Reveals What We Worship- Speaking of imagination, Darryl Harrison Ford argues that Christians are lacking in it too. This was a heavy read, but incredibly powerful.

👚 I can’t wait to host a Stuff Swap with my people this spring. All the dopamine of some new things, with the added bonus of good company and zero dollars spent.

That’s all for me! What goodness has come your way this month? Share it in the comments?