And simpletastydishes is my little corner of the internet!
I launched simpletastydishes in March 2019 while I was still working full‑time as a software engineer in Portland. I’d been scribbling recipes in a battered notebook for years, but it wasn’t until a rainy weekend in 2018—when I finally nailed a caramelized onion jam—that I felt compelled to share the results online. The first post was a simple roasted‑red‑pepper soup, and I posted it from my kitchen table with a shaky phone photo.
Fast‑forward to today, the site gets about 150 000 unique visitors each month and has a newsletter list of 5 300 food‑loving friends. In June 2022 I added a “Seasonal Pantry” guide, which has been downloaded over 12 000 times. I’ve also collaborated with three local farms for the “Farm‑to‑Table” series, and the videos from those episodes have collectively racked up 250 000 views on YouTube.
I now call Asheville, North Carolina home, where I live with my partner, Maya, and a mischievous rescue dog named Basil. When I’m not whisking together a new sauce, you’ll find me hiking the Blue Ridge, experimenting with sourdough starters, or spinning a vinyl of classic jazz while the kettle whistles. My favorite kitchen tools are a well‑seasoned cast‑iron skillet, a sturdy wooden spoon, and a trusty kitchen scale that never lets me guess.
One thing I’ve learned along the way is that the best meals are the ones that bring people together—whether that’s a quick weekday pasta or a slow‑cooked stew for a Sunday crowd. That’s why I keep the recipes straightforward, the photos bright, and the stories honest. Thanks for stopping by; I hope you’ll find something that feels like a warm hug on a plate.