About Kelly

I create recipes that you can get on the table even when you’re tired and in a hurry. And, that's coming from a working mom of five!

From breakfast casseroles to crockpot or sheet pan dinners, appetizers to easy breezy desserts, I know some recipes you'll find recipes you'll just love to try.

Read more to learn about the different places I've actually lived at, and the amazing food I have learned to cook while living there!

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My Culinary Adventures

I'm a pretty uncomplicated cook. My biggest cooking style influence hinges on the fresh ingredients and flavors of California where I was born and lived until I was a teen.

Filipino Influences

But, living in the Philippines is where our housekeeper taught me to cook Filipino dishes like Lumpia, and Ube Leche Flan, as well as pancit, kare kare, and more, that she prepared for our family.

Korean Cooking Influences

When I joined the Army, they sent me around the world, where I lived off post whenever possible, learning to cook my favorite New England, Korean, and Hawaiian dishes.

I loved Korea! I could walk around the corner to the market, or a small grocery. Both were and adventure, as my Korean was pretty limited. I shopped by the photos on the packaging.

I love the spicy kimchi soups, the kimbap, and so much from my tour in Korea.

Influences From Hawaii

I worked at a Jewish bakery before joining the Army. When living in Hawaii, I learned to adapt my Challah bread recipes to the Hawaiian breads.

Hawaiian cuisine is like a melting pot of tropical and Asian cuisines, all with a unique twist. I enjoyed that melting pot cooking style.

Southern Cuisine Influences

The military finally dropped me of at Fort Bragg, NC and there I stayed and absorbed the distinct flavors of the south for another 22 years!

My Southern collard greens are a lighter, fresher California style, and my biscuits are influenced by the Filipino bakery at Subic Bay, Philippines.

Indian Cuisine Influences

While stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, my family hosted an Indian Army Officer while he attended JSOC (Joint Special Ops Command).

I owned a spice business at the time, and he taught me some basic Indian recipes, and how to mix common Indian spice blends. He was literally in heaven when he visited my spice warehouse and used my seasoning blends.

Why I Love Copycat Recipes

Last, but not least, I love to reverse engineer and create copycat recipes. Much less expensive than taking five kids to a restaurant! I have recipes for Cracker Barrel, Crumbl cookies, Panda Express, as well as much more!

I currently live in the Pacific Northwest in Washington state with my three cats Aslan, Link, and Pippa. My mom and sister run Savor The Best, which actually inspired me to make Smells Like Delish!

I really love easy recipes, and some of my favorite delicious AND easy recipes are:

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