Meredith Kruse's Surprise Recipe of the Day

A brand new cookbook inspired by America’s most beautiful places, sweet cornbread blueberry muffins, and clever weeknight cooking hacks. Melissa Knific is here with fresh kitchen inspiration you’ll want to try right away.Melissa is a food editor and recipe developer with two decades of experience shaping some of the country’s most beloved food brands. In this episode, she shares quick, practical strategies to make weeknight cooking smoother and more enjoyable. From smart prep moves to simple flavor boosts, these are real-life hacks that work.She walks us through her Blueberry Corn Muffins, a tender and lightly sweet recipe that’s perfect for breakfast, a lunchbox treat, or a simple dessert. And we chat about her upcoming National Geographic’s National Parks Cookbook, which she co-authored with Nina Elder, bringing the flavors of the parks to your own kitchen.Also in this episode, I give a gentle early reminder that holiday planning doesn’t have to be overwhelming. If you want a calmer Thanksgiving and holiday season, the key is to start planning for that calm now.Melissa's upcoming cookbook (available for pre-order): National Geographic National Parks Cookbook: Dishes Inspired by America's Great Outdoors (#ad)Melissa's websiteMelissa's Blueberry Corn MuffinsInstagram: @melissaknificMelissa is a Brand Ambassador for Challenge Butter Cubes. Get a coupon for the cubes here.Christine's Links:Cooking Challenge and Amazon $50 Gift Card GiveawayPasta e Fagioli for TwoClassic Pork and Beef MeatloafPanko Fried ChickenButtered Egg Noodles RecipeQuick PicklesMost Flavorful Turkey Brine RecipeRoasted Turkey In PartsRoasted Boneless Turkey BreastTurkey GravyEmail Me! CookTheStory@gmail.comSubscribe to the PodcastJoin the ROTD Facebook Group, TikTok, or InstagramWebsites: CookTheStory.com and TheCookful.comChristine's NewsletterThe All New Chicken Cookbook (#ad)

18 Okt 34min

Perfect for when you’re cooking for a small household, this version of the classic Italian soup is quick, full of flavor, and just the right amount, no big pot required. Recipe: Pasta e Fagioli for Two from TheCookful.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adPasta e Fagioli for TwoThe All New Chicken CookbookThis episode was published in October, 2025.Here's the Recipe Of The Day page with all of our recipe links!If you want to make sure you always find out what today's recipe is, do one or all of the following:Subscribe to the PodcastFollow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook Group, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comCourses: Free Mini Cooking CoursesGuide: Free Rotation Ready Meal Planning GuideHave a great day! -Christine xo

16 Okt 8min

This juicy beef and pork meatloaf has the perfect mix of rich beefy flavor and tender, moist texture. It’s a true classic done right. Recipe: Classic Pork and Beef Meatloaf from TheCookful.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adClassic Pork and Beef MeatloafOne Pound MeatloafAir Fryer MeatloafThe All New Chicken CookbookThis episode was published in October, 2025.Here's the Recipe Of The Day page with all of our recipe links!If you want to make sure you always find out what today's recipe is, do one or all of the following:Subscribe to the PodcastFollow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook Group, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comCourses: Free Mini Cooking CoursesGuide: Free Rotation Ready Meal Planning GuideHave a great day! -Christine xo

14 Okt 8min

I used to fail at making ghee every single time, until Padma taught me how! A couple of months ago, Padma Kumar from My Good Food World joined me to talk about her Mung Bean Soup recipe. During that chat, I admitted that I’d always failed at making ghee. So I invited her back, and in this glorious episode, Padma walks me through her exact method. She explains how to make this golden elixir, why it matters, and she shares plenty of helpful tips along the way.In this episode, I also talk about the a fun challenge that I have for you on COOKtheSTORY.com right now. It's the Turkey Brine #WEMadeItChallenge where you can test out my turkey brine recipe on some chicken breasts to see if you want to use it for your Thanksgiving turkey. If you give the turkey brine a try, you can enter to win one of two $50 Amazon gift cards. Details at https://COOKtheSTORY.com/challenge.Follow Padma on Instagram here: @mygoodfoodworldThis episode is sponsored by Coleman All Natural Meats. Thank you, Coleman!Christine's Links:Sausage-Stuffed Apples (featuring Coleman's Mild Sweet Ground Pork Sausage)How to BrineBest Turkey BrineAir Fryer Brussels Sprouts with BalsamicChicken Breast BrineWhole Chicken BrineChicken Thigh BrineHomemade PierogiesHomemade Cabbage RollsRoasting Turkey PartsShepherd's Pie for TwoPasta e Fagioli Soup for TwoChicken Noodle Soup for TwoBlackened Salmon RecipeThermoworks Chart for Chicken-Cooking Safety Temperature with Chart Email Me! CookTheStory@gmail.comSubscribe to the PodcastJoin the ROTD Facebook Group, TikTok, or InstagramWebsites: CookTheStory.com and TheCookful.comChristine's NewsletterThe All New Chicken Cookbook (#ad)

11 Okt 36min

A faster, tastier turkey brine! This clever method blends fresh ingredients right into the brine so every drop is infused with the onion, garlic, and herb flavors that get drawn into the turkey meat. Recipe: Most Flavorful Turkey Brine Recipe from COOKtheSTORY.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adMost Flavorful Turkey Brine RecipeCooking Challenge and Amazon $50 Gift Card GiveawayRoast TurkeyGravy Without DrippingsHow to Make GravyTurkey GravyTurkey Tenderloin RecipeRoasted Boneless Turkey BreastThe All New Chicken CookbookThis episode was also published in October, 2024.Here's the Recipe Of The Day page with all of our recipe links!If you want to make sure you always find out what today's recipe is, do one or all of the following:Subscribe to the PodcastFollow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook Group, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comCourses: Free Mini Cooking CoursesGuide: Free Rotation Ready Meal Planning GuideHave a great day! -Christine xo

9 Okt 7min

Sweet baked apples. Savory sausage stuffing inside. A festive, flavorful side dish that will steal the show. Recipe: Sausage-Stuffed Baked Apples from COOKtheSTORY.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adSausage-Stuffed Baked ApplesColeman All Natural MeatsThe All New Chicken CookbookThis episode was published in October, 2025.Here's the Recipe Of The Day page with all of our recipe links!If you want to make sure you always find out what today's recipe is, do one or all of the following:Subscribe to the PodcastFollow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook Group, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comCourses: Free Mini Cooking CoursesGuide: Free Rotation Ready Meal Planning GuideHave a great day! -Christine xo

7 Okt 11min

Soup for two isn’t always as simple as cutting everything in half. When you try to scale recipes down, you run into all kinds of little quirks, like half cans of beans, pasta that soaks up all your broth, or enough leftovers to feed an army when you only wanted dinner for two. In this episode, I share some of my own tips for making smaller-batch soups and recipes that truly work without waste.Then I’m joined once again by one of my favorite food podcasters, Becky Hadeed, host of The Storied Recipe Podcast. Becky is such a thoughtful interviewer who goes deep into her guests’ food memories and passions. In our conversation, she shares one of her family’s all-time favorite dishes, beef stroganoff. and talks about why it holds a special place in her kitchen.If you’ve ever struggled to scale recipes down, or if you just love hearing about the dishes that bring families together, this episode has something for you.🔗 Here's Becky Hadeed's recipe for an easy beef stroganoff without mushrooms, and her podcast, The Storied Recipe Podcast.Christine's Links:The #WEMadeItChallenge - Try out my extra-flavorful turkey brine recipe on some chicken this month, and let me know how it went, and you'll be entered to win one of two $50 Amazon Gift cards. Not in the mood for chicken/turkey/brining? No problem! You can instead join our challenge by making the air fryer balsamic Brussels srouts. All details are at COOKtheSTORY.com/challengeLeftover Roast Beef StroganoffBeef Stroganoff with Mushroom SoupMeatball StroganoffBeef Stroganoff BurgerChicken Noodle Soup for TwoEmail Me! CookTheStory@gmail.comSubscribe to the PodcastJoin the ROTD Facebook Group, TikTok, or InstagramWebsites: CookTheStory.com and TheCookful.comChristine's NewsletterThe All New Chicken Cookbook (#ad)

4 Okt 28min

Air Fryer Orange Chicken is quick and easy. It uses pantry staples to make this Chinese takeout dish at home in about 20 minutes. Recipe: Air Fryer Orange Chicken from TheCookful.Here are the links mentioned in this episode: #adAir Fryer Orange ChickenThe All New Chicken CookbookThis episode was also published in January, 2022.Here's the Recipe Of The Day page with all of our recipe links!If you want to make sure you always find out what today's recipe is, do one or all of the following:Subscribe to the PodcastFollow me on social media TikTok, Instagram, Facebook Group, or PinterestNewsletter: CookTheStory.comWebsites: COOKtheSTORY.com and TheCookful.comCourses: Free Mini Cooking CoursesGuide: Free Rotation Ready Meal Planning GuideHave a great day! -Christine xo

2 Okt 5min