Hey friendsā£ļø If I had to pick a favorite comfort food, meatballs would be at the top. And now that the evenings are cooling off, theyāre exactly what I want on the table. Easy Weeknight Dinner Ideas š¤ The Meatball Edit Meatballs are always welcome at my dinner table, here are some of my favorite creative meatball recipes to inspire your next mega hit family meal. From the most famous of all Italian meatballs to unique Greek meatballs served in a silky lemon sauce, you'll find your next...
about 15 hours agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hey friendsā£ļø A brand new recipe for a brand new week. We all absolutely loved it on our end, hope you do too! Lemon Poppy Seed Ricotta Cake I must be in the right business, because sometimes I bake just to unwind. (And honestly, the kitchen counter feels a little bare without a cake on it.) Snack cakes are my sweet spot ~ the easygoing side of baking. Lemon poppy seed? Thatās a no-brainer. And baking with ricotta? Total genius, and Iāve been onto that one for a while. I have a feeling you're...
1 day agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hey friendsā£ļø Sunday dinners have become a tradition in our house now that both daughters ~ and a new granddaughter ~ live nearby. The only hitch? Pulling off a meal that feels special without missing out on the fun. Thatās where these clever Sunday dinner recipes come in ~ with some earlier prep they practically cook themselves while you pour a glass of wine and enjoy the chaos. OVEN These meals can be prepped during the day and slid into the oven timed exactly to when you want to serve...
3 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
Hey friendsā£ļø If you haven't made a fruit pie this summer, this is your wake up call! Blueberry Pie One of the highlights of my summer is the one afternoon I set aside at least once a year to make a full on fruit pie. This year it's blueberry and it turned out so great. It's literally bursting with berries, and the lattice crust was so easy, I even made a video to show you how. I freely admit I've never been a pie crust person ~ I've always found it fiddly to make and I avoided it whenever...
4 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
Hey friendsā£ļø Omg I cannot find a good scone in town. And that goes for most places I've lived over the years. Restaurant and bakery scones are usually too dry, too crunchy, flavorless, or all of the above. What's up with that? All they have to do is go to the Great Island site and follow instructions!! Coconut Cherry Scones Scones have a rustic/luxe vibe I love. I'd say they sum up the kind of baking I do best. In fact so many of the earliest recipes published from the Great Island kitchen...
5 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hey friendsā£ļø Summer 2025 has been the summer of cheesecake for me. I didn't plan it that way, but I never do with recipes. It started with my Almond Cheesecake which was so incredible (almond lovers take note!) that I stocked the fridge with little cream cheese bricks at the ready for more experiments. My No Bake Chocolate Cheesecake came next and that sealed the deal. Cheesecake really is the ultimate summer dessert, nothing can touch that cool silky experience! Lemon Cheesecake My lemon...
6 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
Hey friendsā£ļø I have no problem eating gluten, but honestly some of my favorite desserts are gluten free ~ go figure! (I love the rich textures and unique flavors.) Today's cake is a gf version of a fan fave and just right for celebrating the end of a great summer season. Gluten Free Peanut Butter Cake The fact that this luscious Southern style peanut butter cake is gluten free is almost beside the point! š„ It's every bit as good as my original pb sheet cake. š„ The old fashioned Southern...
7 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 2 min read
Hey friendsā£ļø If thereās ever a month to focus on cheap dinner ideas, itās August. Hot muggy days leave me a little sluggish and not all that hungry ~ definitely not the time to be splurging on steak and lobster! (70!) Cheap Dinner Ideas I dug through the Great Island archives for cheap dinner ideas and found so many winners. Getting back to basics not only stretches your dollar, it also brings back those simple, classic meals you might have forgotten. Some of the best dinners cost just...
8 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hey friendsā£ļø This brand new cornbread recipe is every bit as rich, nutty, and melt-in-your-mouth tender as youāre imagining. Butter Pecan Cornbread Any recipe that starts with the words butter pecan has my complete attention and this one doesn't disappoint. It's gently sweet but still a savory side for all those late summer into fall (and right up to Thanksgiving) meals. I want to hear from you guys on this one, it's one of those potential signature recipes that only comes around every once...
9 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read
Hey friendsā£ļø Most of the time, cooking is practical ~ weāre just trying to get a good meal on the table. But other times it can be a creative escape. Some people love tackling a complicated sourdough or an elaborate dessert, but I gravitate toward the super simple stuff ~ especially if I can play with new flavors and techniques. Apricot Curd APRICOT CURD IS OFFICIALLY A THING. š Peak-season apricots bring that same bright, tangy punch we love in lemon curd š Silky-smooth texture makes it...
11 days agoĀ ā¢Ā 1 min read