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By Meka Parker
As an avid home cook, mother of a teenage daughter, wife, and business consultant, life can get pretty busy. Most people are surprised to hear that I happily cook dinner at home six, sometimes seven, days a week, and my family almost always eats together. When I go grocery shopping, I consider it my time. The store is my happy place to browse the aisles and get creative and inspired for family dinners. And, of course, I always get excited to see the next edition of Savory magazine perched each time it comes out.
Don’t get me wrong, I have always enjoyed cooking and have seldom met a cookbook I didn’t like. But Savory is special because the recipes are for practical, everyday meals. I can trust that the recipes have been tested, they’re not difficult, and I can find the ingredients at my local store. Thanks to Savory, it’s easy to find something good to cook. Whether I need a quick weeknight suggestion, fun and festive appetizers, or an elegant menu for a dinner party, Savory never disappoints. There is something for everyone in Savory.
The four reasons I cook at home every night
For my family’s health. There’s no mystery or worry about what ingredients are in something we’re eating. I can select ingredients that make me feel good about what’s going into our bodies and be intentional about what recipes I choose.
For my family’s budget. I find it to be significantly cheaper to cook and eat at home than it is to eat out or order delivery. Plus, I can choose recipes based on store deals or select ingredients at a price point I’m comfortable with.
For the quality and taste. I find that choosing my own ingredients and recipes leads to recipes that taste better than most of what we would eat out and the quality of the food is so much better.
For family time. I love getting my family involved in the kitchen to prepare a meal. When we sit down to eat together, it fosters family togetherness and conversation that is truly invaluable.
My tips for cooking at home more regularly
I tend to stick to our family favorites and staples from Savory, and I always introduce one new recipe a week to keep dinners interesting. Each week, I select a few staples from my Savory stash with a goal to use ingredients I have on hand or buy regularly. This helps cut down on a lot of prep and planning and ensures I can make a meal in under an hour my family will actually enjoy. Then, I’ll reserve one new recipe to experiment with—usually on the weekend. I love that there are new Savory recipes available throughout the year so there’s always something new to try, which keeps things fresh and interesting in the kitchen.
If you’re looking to cook more in your home, I suggest starting with ingredients you already have on hand or that you are familiar with. Savory is an excellent resource for interesting ways to create meals with these ingredients.
Try some of Meka’s favorite recipes
From Black-Eyed Pea Salad, Peruvian-Style Drumsticks with Spicy Green Sauce, and Buffalo Cauliflower Bites, to Crunchy Turkey Tacos with Avocado Salsa, Grilled Potato Salad with Herbs, and Sweet Tea-Glazed Ham I have too many favorite Savory recipes to list them all. Here are my recent top three I turn to again and again.
Brown Sugar and Coffee Holiday Brisket
My family loves a good brisket, and this recipe was a slightly sweeter change from the typical BBQ-style brisket I normally make. It is perfect comfort food and the brown sugar and coffee base makes a delicious au jus. I paired it with mashed potatoes for a delicious meal on a fall day.
Get the recipe: Brown Sugar and Coffee Holiday Brisket
One-Pot Shrimp & Coconut Rice
This is a quick and simple meal that reminds my family of some of our favorite Thai dishes. The coconut milk and sweet chili sauce give this a rich velvety texture. The peas brighten up the dish and it’s done in a flash so I can get this meal on the table in under 30 minutes.
Get the recipe: One-Pot Shrimp and Coconut Rice
Air Fryer Spiced Chicken
I love the Mediterranean flavors of this meal and the ease and speed of air fryer cooking makes this a real winner! The air fryer has become my go-to way to prepare chicken since discovering chicken (even bone in) cooks and browns faster than in the oven. The chicken in this recipe gets nice and crispy and pairs beautifully with the quinoa for a light and healthy meal.
Get the recipe: Air Fryer Spiced Chicken
I hope my story will inspire readers that are intimidated to cook or don’t know how to get started. Savory offers simple and easy recipes for every kind of cook, and it can impact how you feel, your happiness, and your wallet like it has changed mine.
Meka Parker is a mother, wife, and small business owner that lives in Chevy Chase, MD. She is an avid and adventurous home cook that loves to entertain and try new recipes. In her spare time she is writing a cookbook as a family memoir.
