I love being a neighbor. If you moved into the house next door to me, I would soon be at your front door, laden with a care package of homemade banana muffins, fresh from the oven. The aroma of home cooked meals would waft from my home to yours. Over our fence, I would share homegrown vegetables and fresh herbs from my garden. And, if you were out for a stroll on a Friday night, I would extend an invitation to you to enjoy a delicious meal filled with love and laughter at one of the many gatherings I host for friends and family.

But, before you call your realtor and start packing, here’s full disclosure: those deliciously tantalizing spices of Moroccan chicken drifting through your open window? They may very well be accompanied by the frantic sounds of me chasing my three screaming kids down the hallway. And, before I lovingly draped that checkered napkin over the basket of banana muffins? Be sure that I just spent twenty maddening minutes searching for a missing sixth-grade homework assignment, a matching sock, or a deodorizer for the latest present from my puppy. The truth is, I’m not a perfect neighbor. What I am is a real momma who works to balance the everyday chaos of raising three boys (12, 8, and 5) with my culinary creativity.

I have always found sanctuary in the kitchen and have loved cooking for as long as I can remember. From my early college “gourmet” specialty of caramelized French toast (Step one: drench French toast in sugar; Step two: add more sugar) to today’s healthier options, I have discovered a way to make dishes that all of my family members love by developing easy, quick recipes. Friends and family kept asking me for my culinary secrets, so I started the Momma Chef blog to help busy people like me serve fabulous meals with little effort and few ingredients.

The joy of the internet is that you and I can be virtual neighbors. Here, there are no worries about property taxes, keeping our lawns mowed, or making sure our kids aren’t running outside half-naked. Here, it is all about taking care of each other. With the help of Momma Chef, your family and friends will always find a delicious meal waiting for them at your table.

Welcome to my neighborhood. I’m so glad you’re here.