Author: Jeff Smeker

Hungarian Goulash with Buttered Spätzle

A bowl of Hungarian goulash served over buttery spätzle. Tender chunks of paprika-braised beef sit in a rich reddish sauce with carrots and peppers, topped with fresh parsley.

Hungarian Goulash with Buttered Spätzle (Authentic, No Potatoes) If you grew up thinking goulash was elbow macaroni, tomato sauce, and ground beef… welcome to the truth. Hungarian goulash (Gulyás) is a slow-simmered beef stew loaded with sweet paprika, onions, carrots, and aromatics. It’s rich, comforting, and pretty much perfect on a cold night. And instead […]

The Best Upgrade I’ve Made All Year Took Four Hours

Auto-generated product images from Autodesk Inventor displayed in a Microsoft Access form alongside part data.

What started as a slow afternoon turned into one of the most useful upgrades I’ve made all year. In about four hours, I wired our Microsoft Access system to automatically pull 3D part images from Autodesk Inventor—so now every quote, BOM, and shipping doc shows the actual part. Proof that “old” software can still outsmart the new stuff.

Spicy Cajun Chicken Salad with Dan-O’s Seasoning

Grilled Cajun chicken slices over fresh greens with colorful peppers, avocado, and creamy dressing drizzle.

This spicy Cajun chicken salad hits that perfect mix of smoky, zesty, and fresh. It’s tossed with seasoned grilled chicken, crisp veggies, and a creamy-spicy dressing that’ll light up your Sunday lunch. Built around Dan-O’s Cajun seasoning — because flavor shouldn’t be optional.

Ultimate Lasagna

A golden-brown lasagna just out of the oven, layers of rich red meat sauce and creamy white béchamel visible beneath melted cheese, finished with fresh chives and a drizzle of olive oil.

Four meats. Red wine. Bone broth. And a butter-rich béchamel that takes patience, not shortcuts. This is the kind of lasagna you make when you want to cook like it’s your last meal of the weekend — slow, deliberate, and unapologetically rich.

Raspberry Mint Lemonade — Fresh, Simple, and Kid-Approved

A glass of pale pink homemade raspberry lemonade over ice with a few mint leaves floating on top, sitting on a kitchen counter in soft natural light.

This one started with Tommy asking if we could make a cooking video for lemonade and noodles for dinner. I’ll admit—I was too lazy to film the noodles part, but the lemonade came out too good not to share. It’s technically a summer drink, but we made it in the middle of fall — and […]

Orange Chicken with Fresno Chilies

Homemade orange chicken glazed in a glossy orange sauce with sliced Fresno chilies and orange zest on top, served over jasmine rice in a white bowl.

Some nights, takeout just doesn’t cut it. This orange chicken hits all the same notes — crispy, sticky, sweet, and tangy — but with fresh orange juice, Fresno chilies, and just enough kick to keep it interesting. The egg-white and soy marinade gives the chicken that light, crisp coating that holds up perfectly under the […]

Jeff’s Fiery Chili

A steaming bowl of Jeff’s Fiery Chili topped with melted cheddar, sliced green onions, and a dollop of sour cream — rich, smoky red color with visible bits of beef, sausage, and peppers.

Some recipes warm you up.This one nearly lit the place on fire. I used two habaneros — including the seeds — and learned my lesson fast. Next time, I’m taking it down a notch to one. Still plenty of heat, just less “question your life choices” territory. It’s smoky, meaty, and full of flavor that […]

Sunday Sauce & Ricotta Meatballs

A plate of spaghetti topped with tender beef, veal, and pork meatballs simmered in a rich tomato and shallot sauce. Fresh basil and grated Parmesan are scattered over the top, with steam rising from the glossy, deep-red sauce.

Sometimes the best meals are the ones that take a little time. This one’s slow, simple, and absolutely worth it.Beef, veal, and pork meatballs — lightened with ricotta and cream — simmered in a sweet shallot and garlic tomato sauce. No peppers, no spice, just pure flavor that the kids devoured without hesitation. The Meatballs […]

Gourmet French Bread Pizza

A crispy French bread pizza topped with spicy Italian sausage, dollops of ricotta, melted mozzarella, and a drizzle of golden hot honey, finished with fresh basil leaves.

This isn’t the French bread pizza you grew up with. We’re talking garlic butter toasted to perfection, spicy Italian sausage with real bite, creamy ricotta, and a drizzle of hot honey that ties it all together. It’s the perfect mix of comfort and heat — fast enough for a weeknight, bold enough for Sunday dinner.

Spicy Cajun Chicken Alfredo

A skillet of creamy spicy Cajun chicken Alfredo pasta topped with fresh parsley and Parmesan, with a rich, golden sauce coating every noodle.

There’s something about a big bowl of creamy pasta that just hits right — especially when it brings the heat. This Spicy Cajun Chicken Alfredo takes the classic comfort of Alfredo and turns it up with bold Cajun seasoning, tender chicken, and a sauce that clings to every bite. It’s quick enough for a weeknight […]