About Linda
I’m Linda, and this is my kitchen
Mom of three grown kids, wife to Tom for more than thirty years, and the one who still gets the phone call when somebody wants Grandma’s casserole recipe.
For most of my life I cooked for a full house. Five plates every night, a second pan for the friends who always seemed to stay for dinner, and a freezer stocked for ball games and busy weeks. Then our youngest packed up for college, the house got quiet, and I found myself making a whole pan of lasagna for two people. Tom was happy. Our freezer was not.
Outside My Nest started as my notebook for figuring out that new season. I learned to scale recipes down without losing what made them good, and I kept the big family favorites ready for the weekends when the kids and grandkids pile back in the door.
What you will find here
You will find easy weeknight dinners that work for two, soups and stews that freeze beautifully, slow cooker meals you can start before work, casseroles for Sunday dinner, and plenty of baking for the holidays. I also gather my favorites into roundups, so you can plan a week of suppers or a whole Thanksgiving menu in one sitting.
How I write my recipes
- Grocery store ingredients. No special trips. If something is hard to find, I give you a swap.
- Honest timing. Prep and total times are real kitchen times, and I point out what you can make ahead.
- Scaling help. Many recipes include notes on halving for two or doubling for a crowd.
- Safe temperatures. I list the internal temperatures for meat and poultry, because a thermometer takes the guessing out of dinner.
Say hello
Tell me what you cooked, what you would change, or what you want to see next. You can always reach me at hello@outsidemynest.com. Thanks for spending a little time in my kitchen.