top of page
Find Every Recipe + My Guides All in One Place
Welcome to your one-stop search hub for all things homemade! Browse our full collection of cozy soup recipes, quick and easy weeknight dinners, step-by-step from-scratch how-tos, and sourdough bread recipes. Whether you’re looking to master sourdough, whip up a healthy family meal, or explore DIY kitchen tips, you’ll find inspiration and easy-to-follow guides right here.
Search


The Ultimate Sourdough Starter Guide
Let’s bust a myth right now: Sourdough is not hard. It’s slower, yes... but slower doesn’t mean complicated. If you can stir flour and water together, you can start a sourdough starter. The rest comes with time and repetition. There is no “perfect” starter... just your starter. How to Start Your Own Sourdough Starter (The Easy Way) This is a simplified, beginner-friendly guide, perfect if you’re starting from scratch today.(And if you want the original day-by-day breakdown,
Kristina DeRobertis
5 hours ago2 min read


Southern Collard Greens Recipe (Smoky, Silky, and Never Bitter)
These Southern collard greens will change your mind if you think you don’t like collard greens. They’re slow-simmered with bacon, onions, garlic, vinegar, and just enough sweetness to balance the natural bitterness resulting in tender, smoky, silky greens that taste like true comfort food. This is a classic Southern collard greens recipe, made approachable and reliable for home cooks. Perfect for New Year cooking, Sunday dinners, or anytime you want a cozy, from-scratch side
Kristina DeRobertis
Dec 313 min read


Cozy Up to Fall: 3 Must-Make Soups to Warm Your Soul This Season
There’s nothing quite like soup season — the moment when the air turns crisp, the leaves start to fall, and the kitchen becomes the coziest place in the house. At 491 West Main St. , we believe soup isn’t just a meal — it’s a whole experience. It’s the smell of onions caramelizing on the stove, the steam that fogs up the windows, and the first spoonful that tastes like comfort in a bowl. This fall, I’ve created three brand-new soup recipes that I know you’re going to love. T
Kristina DeRobertis
Oct 21, 20253 min read


Classic French Onion Soup with Crispy Roasted Pumpkin
If you’re craving a rich, comforting soup that feels straight out of a Parisian bistro but with a cozy autumn twist, this French Onion Soup with Roasted Pumpkin is it. Slow-caramelized onions, a deeply savory broth, and gooey melted cheese come together then topped with golden, crispy pumpkin cubes for a hint of sweetness and the most delicious fall crunch. This is the kind of dish that instantly turns a chilly evening into something special. It’s classic comfort with a seaso
Kristina DeRobertis
Oct 19, 20253 min read


Overnight Apple Butter (Crockpot Recipe You’ll Fall in Love With)
If fall had a scent, it would be a slow cooker full of apples, cinnamon, and cloves gently simmering overnight. This Overnight Apple Butter recipe is one of those cozy kitchen traditions that feels like a warm hug — and it’s almost entirely hands-off! With just a few ingredients and your trusty crockpot, you’ll wake up to a home that smells like a country orchard and a batch of golden-brown apple butter ready to slather on everything from sourdough toast to buttermilk biscui
Kristina DeRobertis
Oct 13, 20253 min read


Autumn Harvest Chicken & Wild Rice Soup
If fall could be captured in a bowl, this soup would be it: earthy acorn squash, nutty wild rice, and a creamy broth that wraps you up...
Kristina DeRobertis
Oct 8, 20254 min read


Cheddar Potato Leek Soup (Comfort in a Bowl)
There’s something magical about a soup that’s equal parts rustic and indulgent. This Cheddar Potato Leek Soup is exactly that — silky...
Kristina DeRobertis
Oct 3, 20253 min read


Butternut Squash and Apple Soup (Chunky & Cozy Edition)
If fall had a flavor, this would be it. Sweet roasted butternut squash, a tart pop of granny smith apple, and a little caramelized onion...
Kristina DeRobertis
Sep 27, 20253 min read


How to Make Pumpkin & Squash Soup Bowls
Fall soups deserve a fall stage—and nothing beats serving them in edible bowls made from pumpkins or squash. Not only do they look...
Kristina DeRobertis
Sep 20, 20252 min read


4 Cozy Pumpkin Soups You Need This Fall
There’s just something about fall that makes a warm bowl of soup feel like a hug in a bowl. This season, I’ve been leaning heavily into...
Kristina DeRobertis
Sep 18, 20252 min read


How to Garnish Soup with the Perfect Cream Swirl
Soup is cozy enough on its own—but want to know the secret to making it look like it came straight from a café? A cream swirl. With just...
Kristina DeRobertis
Sep 17, 20252 min read


Black Bean & Sweet Potato Soup
One of my favorite things about this Black Bean & Sweet Potato Soup is how incredibly easy it is to make... thanks to Stahlbush Island...
Kristina DeRobertis
Sep 14, 20253 min read


West Main Picks: August Favorites (+ another Giveaway!)
Because life’s too short for things you don’t love. Hey friends! Last month’s very first edition of West Main Picks was such a huge hit!...
Kristina DeRobertis
Sep 11, 20253 min read


How to Prep for Soup Season: My Favorite Tips to Get Ahead
Soup season is almost here and if you’re anything like me, you’ve been counting down the days until the first crisp evening calls for a...
Kristina DeRobertis
Sep 7, 20252 min read


Homemade Beef Broth: A Nourishing Kitchen Staple
There’s something deeply comforting about a pot of beef broth simmering away on the stove. Today, I snagged a bag of beef bones from my...
Kristina DeRobertis
Aug 24, 20252 min read


10 Soups You Need to Try Before Summer Ends
Soup isn’t just for the cold months — in fact, summer is one of the best times to enjoy fresh, vibrant bowls made with seasonal...
Kristina DeRobertis
Aug 20, 20253 min read


Lemon Blueberry Sourdough Bread with Lemon Glaze
There’s something magical about slicing into a fresh loaf of sourdough. The tangy aroma, the golden crust, that soft, airy crumb… it’s...
Kristina DeRobertis
Aug 14, 20253 min read


West Main Picks: July Favorites (+ a Giveaway!)
Because life’s too short for things you don’t love. Hey friends! Welcome to the very first edition of West Main Picks , my new monthly...
Kristina DeRobertis
Aug 7, 20253 min read


Easy Sheet Pan Steak & Veggie Dinner (Perfect for Busy Weeknights)
There are nights when dinner needs to be fast, delicious, and stress-free —and this easy sheet pan steak and vegetable dinner is here to...
Kristina DeRobertis
Aug 5, 20252 min read


Rich & Creamy Lobster Bisque (with a Shortcut or Two)
There’s something wildly luxurious about lobster bisque, like a bowl of soup decided to get dressed up for date night. But don’t let the...
Kristina DeRobertis
Aug 2, 20253 min read
bottom of page
