I’ll make a dish once, exactly as written, and by the time I’m doing the dishes, I’m already thinking about what I’d change next time. Maybe I’d swap the protein, use up the peppers that are about to go bad, or use the sauce that’s already open in the fridge. That’s just how my brain works in the kitchen.

It got wired that way for a real reason: picky kids. One wanted the chicken plain, the other wanted it with sauce, and dinner turned into three versions of the same meal every night. I stopped looking for one recipe that would make everyone happy and started thinking in pieces instead: protein here, sauce there, vegetables on the side, and swaps wherever I needed them.

Mix and match wasn’t a content idea. It was simply how I got dinner on the table without losing my mind.

That’s the idea behind Simple and Savory. I’m not here to just give you another recipe. I’m here to help with the real problem: I’m here to help you stop wondering what to make and start making the most of what’s already in your kitchen.

Instead of relying on a recipe every night, I’ll show you how to think more flexibly so you can make simple, healthy dinners with the ingredients you already have.

Here’s What That Looks Like in Practice

Less deciding.
Instead of scrolling through hundreds of recipes, you’ll have a simple way to put meals together.

Less waste.
Use what’s already in your refrigerator before buying another ingredient for just one recipe.

More flexibility.
Swap the protein, vegetables, or sauce without starting over.

Keep it simple.
No fancy techniques or specialty equipment. Just practical dinners that fit real life.

A Little Bit About Me

I grew up on a farm, so fresh food has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. Every summer I keep a small garden and love bringing home produce from local farms to inspire whatever ends up on our dinner table.

I’m also a certified Integrative Nutrition Health Coach and certified in Culinary Nutrition, so healthy, balanced meals aren’t guesswork for me. I care about using quality ingredients and creating meals that work in real life, not following rigid food rules. Every family is different, and I believe dinner should be flexible enough to fit yours.

I live in New Jersey with my husband and our two black labs, Ethel and Lucy (also known as my food labs). When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll usually find me outside, tending the garden, or curled up with a good book.

Around Here You’ll Find

• Easy, wholesome recipes made with everyday ingredients
• Flexible Dinner Builders that help you mix and match meals
• Practical ingredient swaps so you can cook with what you have
• Tips that make cooking feel less stressful and more enjoyable
• Plenty of inspiration for simple dinners without starting from scratch every night

Everyone’s Favorite Recipe

Chicken Murphy: A Spicy, Hearty One-Pot Wonder

If there’s one recipe I never get tired of making, it’s Chicken Murphy. It’s been a family favorite for years and has become one of the most popular recipes on Simple and Savory.

It’s also the perfect example of how I cook. Change the vegetables, swap the protein, adjust the sauce to your taste, and you’ve created a completely different dinner without starting from scratch.

About My Photos

Every recipe you see on Simple and Savory is cooked and photographed by me in my own kitchen. No food stylists, no production team, and no tricks, just real food made by a real home cook.

I want you to see what these recipes actually look like, because that’s exactly what you’ll be making in your own kitchen.

If you’d like to cook this way on purpose, instead of figuring it out from scratch every night, check out my dinner builders. They’re not a new concept or technique to learn. They’re a shortcut to the way I already think about dinner, so you can borrow the system instead of building it yourself. Take a look at the full collection and see which ones work for you.

Let’s Cook

Take a look around and try a recipe or two. If you have a question, want to request a recipe or advice to change up a recipe, you can reach me at anne@simpleandsavory.com.

You can also find me on Facebook, and Pinterest!

👉 Visit the Recipe Index to browse all recipes.

Happy cooking!

-Anne

If you love salads and appetizers, check out Savory Bowls N Bites, for your favorite first-course recipes!