EXCLUSIVE: Natasha Kravchuk Talks Her First Cookbook’s Release

natasha's kitchen cookbook

When Natasha Kravchuk says she loves cooking, she truly means it. Her passion for developing recipes, cooking, and serving dishes to others has helped her build a successful online blog with hundreds of recipes that have connected over 13 million users all over the world through food. Her latest culinary venture is a premiere cookbook named eponymously after her blog, Natasha’s Kitchen.

Though you’d think Natasha’s journey is just beginning, her history with food goes a long way back. Growing up as a Ukrainian refugee, Natasha watched her mom’s work in the kitchen closely. With a handful of simple ingredients, she could create such satisfying traditional dishes.

As time went on, Natasha found herself craving the same meals. She wanted to recreate them, but hit a few roadblocks when she tried to find actual recipes.

“There wasn't anything really online, and the books that were available were like textbooks and they were outdated – not very helpful. So [my husband and I] decided, let's start a blog.”

And thus, Natasha’s Kitchen was born.

“We got recipes from my mom and from my husband's mom. It initially started out as the Ukrainian things that we love to eat, and people loved it, too,” Natasha said. “I guess they loved having that resource of familiar flavors and it just kind of grew and grew from there. Now we have a little bit of everything, just because America is so much of a melting pot.”

Though some cookbooks contain hours-long recipes with ingredients you may have never even kept in your kitchen, Natasha’s aims to be totally simple and straightforward.

“My recipes are approachable,” Natasha said. “You won't open the pages and find saffron, because most people don't cook with saffron. It's the same with pretty much all of the recipes in here. It's not intimidating – it's approachable.”

Between the pages, you’ll find recipes for everything from nourishing breakfasts, cheesy pastas, refreshing salads, and harmonious desserts. One thing they all have in common is how easy they are to prepare and share.

“What I love the most about [the cookbook] is I know that it's going to help other people and bless families to be able to try a recipe that works that everyone's going to love,” Natasha said. “I think that's why people come back to our site – because they can trust that the recipes will work.”

You can pre-order Natasha’s Kitchen now, or you can buy the book starting October 3 via major book retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target.

Zuppa Toscana Recipe From Natasha's Kitchen

This Zuppa Toscana recipe was crafted to emulate Olive Garden's famed soup, but Natasha insists making it yourself will be so much more satisfying.

"Sometimes, when you go to the restaurant, it seems like [this dish] is something that was from the bottom of the pot," Natasha said. "But when you make it at home, you know everything that went into it. You can use the best, freshest ingredients."

If you do one thing while making Zuppa Toscana, follow this tip from Natasha:

"It seems like there's a lot of garlic in the soup, but don't skimp on the garlic," Natasha said. "It is like a whole head of garlic, about 10 big cloves, so it's a generous amount, but it really flavors the broth and makes it taste like authentic Olive Garden soup. And don't don't substitute it with pre-minced garlic. It's a big no.”

Ingredients:

  • 6 slices regular-cut bacon, chopped
  • 1 pound bulk spicy Italian sausage
  • 1 medium yellow onion, diced
  • Extra-light olive oil or vegetable oil, as needed
  • 1 medium head of garlic (about 10 large cloves – don’t skimp!), peeled and minced
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (optional if you’re eating gluten-free)
  • 8 cups Homemade Chicken Bone Broth (page 126 of Natasha's Kitchen) or store-bought low-sodium chicken broth or stock
  • 2 cups filtered water
  • 5 medium Yukon gold or russet potatoes (about 1½ pounds), unpeeled and sliced into ¼-inch-thick pieces
  • 1 bunch (6-7 cups) of curly kale, leaves stripped, rinsed, and chopped
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
  • Freshly grated Parmesan cheese, for serving

Instructions:

  1. In a 5½-quart Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat, add the bacon and cook for 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently, until browned and crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel–lined plate.
  2. Pour off all but about 2 tablespoons of the bacon fat from the pot and return the pot to medium-high heat. Add the sausage and cook, breaking it up with the back of a wooden spoon or spatula as you stir, for 6 to 8 minutes, until it has browned. Transfer the sausage to the paper towel–lined plate with the bacon and set aside.
  3. Add the onions to the pot, reduce the heat to medium, and cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until soft and golden. If the pan begins to look dry, add the oil as needed. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Sprinkle the flour (if using) over the onions and garlic and stir constantly for 1 minute. Stir in the broth and 2 cups water, and bring to a boil.
  4. Add the potatoes and cook for 12 to 14 minutes, until the potatoes are just tender. Add the kale and the reserved sausage and bring the soup back up to a gentle boil. Stir in the cream, salt, and pepper, adding more if needed.
  5. Remove the pot from the heat. Ladle the soup into bowls and top with the bacon and a sprinkling of Parmesan.
  6. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Pro Tips & Tricks:

  • Using hot Italian sausage is the closest to the restaurant version and adds a pleasant spiciness to this soup, but if you want to make it more kid-friendly, use a mild Italian sausage.
  • To make this gluten-free, simply omit the flour.
  • To strip the kale leaves, hold the end of the stem with one hand. With the other hand, pinch just above where the leaves start and run your fingers firmly along the stem, pulling off the leaves as you go. Don’t peel the potatoes! The skins add texture to the dish and make it feel even more rustic.
  • Don’t skimp on the garlic. It might look like a lot, but the strong garlic flavor will mellow as the soup simmers, giving you an even richer-tasting broth.

Blueberry Galette Recipe From Natasha's Kitchen

This Blueberry Galette is perfect for ending a hearty meal, or even eating for breakfast.

“You don't need any fancy tools to make this. It comes together really quickly," Natasha said. "You can make it with just about any fruit that's in-season. I think blueberries are a favorite just because of how jammy and juicy they become once they're baked. Then serve it with ice cream, of course.”

Ingredients:

For the crust

  • 1 ¹⁄³ cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into ½-inch cubes and chilled
  • 5 to 6 tablespoons ice water, plus more as needed

For the blueberry filling

  • 4 cups fresh blueberries, rinsed and well-drained
  • ¹⁄³ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
  • 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

For assembly

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water
  • 1 tablespoon coarse turbinado
  • sugar
  • 1 teaspoon unsalted butter,
  • diced
  • Vanilla ice cream, to serve

Instructions:

  1. Make The Crust: In a food processor fitted with the blade attachment, combine the flour, sugar, and salt. Pulse until well mixed. Add the butter and pulse eight to ten times, until the butter is pea-sized. Add the ice water 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing between each addition. Your dough is ready when it just begins to clump and holds together when pinched with your fingertips. If needed, add more water, 1 tablespoon at a time.
  2. Turn out the dough onto a clean work surface and form it into a disk. Don’t overwork it; just pat it into a disk shape. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 3 days.
  3. When ready to assemble, preheat the oven to 425°F. On a floured sheet of parchment paper, use a rolling pin to roll out the dough to a 12-inch circle. Dust with more flour if needed to keep the dough from sticking to your rolling pin. Transfer the dough on the parchment paper to a rimmed baking sheet and refrigerate while you make the filling.
  4. make the filling : In a medium bowl, toss the blueberries with the sugar, flour, lemon zest, and lemon juice. Stir until the flour is incorporated and starts to look a little syrupy.
  5. Spread the filling over the center of the prepared crust, leaving a 2-inch border. Fold the edges of the galette up and over the filling, pinching together the overlapping edges to form a nice seal. Try to patch up any cracks in the dough.
  6. Assemble For Serving: In a small bowl, use a fork to beat together the egg and water. Brush the crust with the egg wash and sprinkle with the turbinado sugar. Dot the top of the blueberries with the butter and bake for 25 to 28 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the berry juices are bubbling. It’s OK if some of the blueberry juices leak from the crust; that’s what the parchment paper is for!
  7. Let the galette cool for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Serve with the vanilla ice cream (if using).

Pro Tips & Tricks:

  • If your blueberries are very sweet, you may want to use a bit less sugar, closer to ¼ cup.
  • If you don’t have a food processor, you can use a pastry blender and a wooden spoon to form the dough.
  • Do not skip refrigerating the dough. Chilling hardens the butter inside the dough so that it maintains its structure as it bakes. This way, the butter won’t ooze out, turning it into a sad, flat crust.

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Brit + Co. may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

Photography by Charity Burggraaf.

Halloween can be a whole lot of spooky fun for everyone. From creating the perfect DIY Halloween costume to updating your gallery wallto indulging in boo-zy Halloween cocktails all season long, it can be a very busy time of year, too. Here's a kitchen time-saver: no-bake Halloween treats! Tackle all your Halloween plans with these easy Halloween treats that are frightfully simple to make and fun for kids and adults alike – no oven necessary!

Brit + Co

Creepy Petit Fours

Nothing says 'Halloween' quite like a smattering of bite-sized blood. Shards of sugar make a super creepy cake topper for these tiny bites. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Blood and Bones Cocktail

What could be creepier than bone-inspiredjello shots? Let them float in a blood-red cocktail. Cheers! (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Pumpkin S'moreos

Here's a crazy idea: combine summer's favorite treat with milk's favorite cookie and Halloween's favorite flavor. Yum, yum, yum. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

No-Bake Mummy Sponge Cake

Get ready to unleash your inner artist and freehand a mummy design with this delicious no-bake sponge cake recipe. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Frankengoblin Jello Shots

Oreos. Jello. Are you sensing a theme here? These cookie shooters will scare your socks off! (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Homemade Candy Bars

In case your local grocery store is all out of your favorite Halloween candy, you can make your own! (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Reese's Peanut Butter Shooters

Take your favorite Halloween candy up a notch with some chocolate vodka. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Gummy Worm Ice

Don't like creepy crawlers? Trap them in ice for the perfect Halloween cocktail garnish. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Candy Corn Popcorn

Since we can't enjoy candy corn year-round, let's go candy corn overboard this whole month. This no-bake Halloween treat doubles the fun with candy corn popcorn served in a tri-color waffle cone. (via Brit + Co)

Brit + Co

Candy Corn Jello Shots

Let your partygoers shoot back these tasty shots of festive color and scary spirit. Pro tip: always make extra shooters! (via Brit + Co)

Spooky Punch

Servings: 12

Prep time: 5 minutes

Total time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 4 cups white tea, such asPOM Pomegranate Orange Blossom White Tea
  • 2 cups vodka, tequila, or gin
  • 1 1/2 cups pineapple juice
  • 2 cups orange or mandarin juice
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 3 cups sparkling water
  • Lychees and oranges, sliced for garnish
  • Ice

Preparation:

  1. In a large bowl or pitcher, add white tea, spirit of choice, water, pineapple juice, mandarin juice and water.
  2. Stir to combine.
  3. Top with sparkling water, and garnish with lychees and orange slices.

Salt & Lavender

Halloween Pumpkin Cheesecake Dip

This is basically pumpkin spice cream cheese frosting in a bowl — the way it was meant to be eaten. (via Salt & Lavender)

Half Baked Harvest

Sweet and Salty Healthier Caramel Apples

While you do need to heat up the maple syrup, honey, cream, and vanilla to make the caramel, all you have to do after that is dip some apples into the caramel, and drizzle with chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. (via Half Baked Harvest)

Jodi Levine

Halloween Bats

Supplies:

  • Mandarins, such as Wonderful Halos
  • Food coloring markers
  • Scissors
  • Black heavyweight paper or card stock
  • Paring knife
  • Adhesive dots

Instructions:

  1. Draw jack-o-lantern faces onto the mandarins with the food coloring marker.
  2. Cut pairs of bat wings, leaving an extra bit – around ¼ inch – on the flat side to fold back and act as a tab. Add an adhesive dot to the tab to adhere each wing to the mandarin.
  3. Cut pairs of small triangles for ears. Use the knife to cut small shallow slits on the top of the mandarin and tuck in the ears. (via Jodi Levine)

Mom on Timeout

Easy Pumpkin Patties

Whip up these festive homemade candies for a treat that will put your actual Halloween candy to shame. Each bite is as buttery and sugary as the last! (via Mom on Timeout)

Something Swanky

Peanut Butter Candy Corn Bark

Just in case caramel's not your thing! Plus, you can't ever go wrong with pretzels and PB! (via Something Swanky)

Epicurean Mom

Spiderweb Cheesecake Halloween Treat

The itsy-bitsy spider... ended up on your Halloween cheesecake (that you didn't have to bake)! (via Epicurean Mom)

Homemaking Hacks

Halloween Chocolate Bars

Did you know you could make candy corn- and Oreo-filled brownies without using your oven? This is turning into the best Halloween ever. (via Homemaking Hacks)

Hungry Happenings

Black Cat Cookies

Our favorite thing about these ominous feline bites is that the cookies are pre-made and totally smothered in melted chocolate. Me-ow! (via Hungry Happenings)

A Bajillion Recipes

Butterfinger Fudge

Here's another homemade (and more adult-ish) spin on one of Halloween's staple sweets. (via A Bajillion Recipes)

Marin Mama Cooks

Homemade Almond Joy and Mounds Bars

It seems these candy bars only make an appearance come Halloween. But we're willing to bet the homemade kind will stick around all year. They're that good! (via Marin Mama Cooks)

Creme de la Crumb

Mummy Truffles

These mummy truffle bites don't have a trace of “scary," thanks to the decadent pumpkin cheesecake filling. (via Creme de la Crumb)

Healthful Pursuit

Vegan Twix Bars

Something tells us the word “healthy" never comes to mind when you're eating a Twix. That's all about to change with this no-bake vegan dessert. (via Healthful Pursuit)

Family Fresh Cooking

Cheerios and Chocolate Tart

You're never too old for a helping of Cheerios. Especially when they're looking at you from this jack-o'-lantern tart! (via Family Fresh Cooking)

Finding Zest

Halloween Monster Marshmallows

These sweet desserts are about as no-bake as it gets. Plus, you only need four ingredients: candy eyes, candy melts, oil, and marshmallows. (via Finding Zest)

The Semisweet Sisters

Halloween Spider Donuts

Here, you'll use not just one, but two donuts per treat: one traditional donut and one donut hole for the creepy-crawly spider. (via The Semisweet Sisters)

Shaken Together

No-Bake Sugar Wafer Frankenstein Cookies

For this DIY Halloween dessert, all you'll need are sugar wafers, candy melts, chocolate sprinkles, and candy eyes. Yes, if you haven't gotten the hint already: you need to buy some candy eyes! (via Shaken Together)

Sugar Spice and Family Life

Graveyard Dirt Cake Cups Halloween Treats

These layered cookie-and-pudding cups are to die for. See what we did there? (via Sugar Spice and Family Life)

Unicorn Hat Party

DIY Halloween Monster Apple Bites

This kid-friendly DIY treat is only *kinda* creepy. It's also really cute, and a surprisingly healthy Halloween snack, made from apples, peanut butter, strawberries, corn, and — you guessed it — candy eyes. (via Unicorn Hat Party)

Inside BruCrew Life

Peanut Butter Zombie Eyeballs

It may be hard to believe, but these super-cool zombie eyeballs are simple to make. Just make sure you give yourself enough time to prepare them before your big party. They'll need at least an hour or two to make, including chill time in the fridge. (via Inside BruCrew Life)

Follow us on Pinterest and subscribe to our email newsletter for more Halloween treat ideas!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.

This post has been updated with additional reporting by Theresa Gonzalez and Meredith Holser. Previous reporting by Miranda Eifler and Maggie McCracken.

Welcome to November 2024! It’s official, everyone. We are cleared of the eclipse season and approaching the holiday season and Election Day. The collective is stirring with anticipation, awaiting the next course in our journey. Breathe. Tensions are especially high due to the major polarity brought on by the collective planet Pluto's re-entry into Capricorn just months ago. The tides are expected to change as the regeneration planet regresses into Aquarius for good.

You may be thinking, “What’s in it for me?” Aligning with the cosmic flow will bring more peace, understanding, and balance in your everyday life. Scorpio season is in full swing, and it beckons you to begin analyzing your internal landscape, desires, and control. You'll improve the world by grasping the importance of revitalizing your inner self. Believe it or not, you're the main character of your story, and your light contributes more than you know. This November highlights this part of your narrative. Are you ready to learn what is in store for you this month? Read on for your sun, moon, and rising November horoscope below.

Themes For Your November Horoscope In 2024

Brian Yurasits

This month kicks off with the New Moon in Scorpio on November 1st, helping you see how you're being of service to yourself and others. Due to Scorpio's vibe of death and regeneration, this lunation will also materialize the importance of “clearing out” from the old. Remember last month’s solar eclipse?

This New Moon in Scorpio extends the path for you to turn over a new leaf and actualize your desired changes. Make a move.

The communication signals will power up as Mercury enters Sagittarius on November 2nd, manifesting a feeling of warmth and hope in our messages. The dialogue exchanged will be inspiring and educational.

Share information that will benefit others. You'll experience serendipitous moments as you give back.

Our drive and bravado will turn up as the motivator planet Mars enters Leo on November 3rd. Our self-worth will drive passion and desire. Step forward and claim your desire.

Patricia Luquet

Create your masterpiece and watch it come to life. Believe.

Love will shift to rationality and structure as Venus shifts into Capricorn on November 11. These next several weeks will help you gauge more accordingly with long-term plans and practical concerns. It will also invoke a more grounded approach to romance and dating.

Slow and steady builds stronger foundations in love.

On November 15th, the Full Moon in Taurus illuminates the sky, highlighting the importance of taking the reigns through a measured approach. With the rebel planet, Uranus, in alignment with this full moon, it will stir up massive changes involving our narrative and how we are playing our part in our storyline. It can lead to impulsive moves, so remember to be intentional. The great news is that Saturn, the structure planet, is direct today, bringing more clarity regarding our direction.

Ahmed ツ

Brilliance awaits as you hold steady.

Buckle up! On November 19th, Pluto ingresses into Aquarius, settling into this future-oriented sign. Anticipate significant technological advancements, including refined artificial intelligence, quantum computing breakthroughs, renewable energy innovations, and immersive virtual reality experiences. Side note: VR Games like Supernatural(I'm a BIG fan!) are revolutionizing workouts, allowing people to exercise in other worlds while engaging with a supportive community for weight loss, endorphins, and positive accountability. As you visualize your ideal paradigm, Pluto will guide you toward the tools or necessary changes to attract your desired results. Embrace this transformation and let go of outdated constructs, paving the way for a brighter, more interconnected future.

Vlada Karpovich

Happiness and fulfillment await those willing to adapt and grow.

This month ends with the Sun in Sagittarius on November 21 and Mercury Retrograde on November 25. Sagittarius season invokes wanderlust, adventure, and growth. Remember that you'll reign this season as you remain open-minded to new concepts and ideas.

Close-mindedness and dismissiveness of others' input lead to dead ends.

As we conclude working with Mercury’s backspin this month, steer clear of making traveling plans (like booking a ticket/itinerary), launching a business, or signing contracts. Plus, it will help you streamline your messages, think through your personal beliefs, and change your attitudes towards life. Going through reflection will help you gravitate toward your desired outcomes.

Which signs will be most affected in November?

Juliane Monari

As we journey through November 2024, Scorpio, Taurus, Aquarius, and Sagittariuswill each feel the cosmic waves uniquely. Scorpios will harness the transformative energy of the New Moon to reflect on their desires and initiate powerful changes. Taurus will be called to acknowledge new narratives during the Full Moon, prompting them to take control of their path and make intentional decisions. Aquarians will experience a significant shift as Pluto settles into their sign, inviting them to envision a brighter future and release old patterns that no longer serve them. Meanwhile, Sagittarians will be inspired by the Sun’s entry into their sign, igniting a sense of adventure and growth. However, they should navigate Mercury's retrograde carefully to avoid miscommunications and hasty decisions. Allow these energies to guide you toward a more fulfilled and intentional existence this month!

​Key Dates & Transits This Week

Griffin Wooldridge

  • 11/1 New Moon in Scorpio
  • 11/2 Mercury enters Sagittarius
  • 11/3 Mars enters Leo
  • 11/11 Venus enters Capricorn
  • 11/15 Full Moon in Taurus, Saturn Direct
  • 11/19 Pluto re-enters Aquarius
  • 11/21 Sun enters Sagittarius
  • 11/25 Mercury Retrograde in Sagittarius

​Read Your November Horoscope For Your Sun & Rising Signs

Brit + Co

Aries (March 21 – April 20)

Themes: Investments and Ambition

This month brings transformative opportunities for personal growth and ambition. The New Moon in Scorpio encourages you to dive deep into your desires and set intentions for long-term investments. As Mercury enters Sagittarius, your voice shines, sparking optimism and inspiring connections. Let love lead the way as Mars in Leo ignites your creative passion and pushes you to take bold steps in your relationships. Make a move while factoring in your happiness. The Full Moon in Taurus prompts you to let go of unwanted habits while tying loose ends with finances. The great news is that your adventurous spirit flourishes with the Sun entering Sagittarius later this month. Be mindful of impulsive trips or conversations, as Mercury retrograde calls for thoughtful reflection on your plans and communication style.

Brit + Co

Taurus (April 21 – May 21)

Themes: Connection and Identity

Expect a month filled with deeper connections and self-reflection as you reassess your values and domestic life. The New Moon in Scorpio encourages the exploration of your love life and partnerships, manifesting progress. With Mercury shifting into Sagittarius, discussions around shared resources become enriching and insightful. Consolidate your research or your internal landscape of beliefs and get to the bottom of what keeps you from attracting more abundance. Mars in Leo energizes your home life, inspiring you to create a nurturing environment. Rearrange furniture or begin visualizing your ideal home life — this new pattern will attract movement in your domestic life. The Full Moon in your sign focuses on your identity, offering a moment of self-realization and understanding about how you need to reshape your narrative. Mercury retrograde will help you retrace your steps regarding merged resources and enable you to work out your financial priorities or unresolved debts — research methods.

Brit + Co

Gemini (May 22 – June 21)

Themes: Wellness and Subconscious Needs

Prepare for a month rich in exploration and relationship review, inviting you to evaluate your connections and daily routines. The New Moon in Scorpio prompts you to reflect on health and work, paving the way for beneficial changes. Begin a new protocol and establish a sacred practice involving wellness that will reorient you with your goals. With Mercury entering Sagittarius, your focus shifts toward partnerships, enhancing the depth of your conversations. Work on listening intently to your partner or connections to find practical solutions. Mars in Leo ignites your curiosity, encouraging the pursuit of fresh ideas. Get involved in the local realms and initiate conversations — this will inspire you. Mid-month, the Full Moon in Taurus sheds light on your subconscious, urging you to confront hidden fears and clear out. The Sun in Sagittarius with Mercury retrograde will help you backtrack and analyze your relationships and their direction.

Brit + Co

Cancer (June 22 – July 22)

Themes: Happiness and Friendship Circles

This month invites you to balance your daily routines with self-care for emotional fulfillment. The New Moon in Scorpio inspires you to understand the core of your joy and what fulfills you. Mercury’s entry into Sagittarius shifts your focus to daily routines, enhancing discussions around wellness. Health is wealth. As you focus on your overall well-being, abundance will follow. The great news is that Mars in Leo energizes your financial goals, motivating proactive steps forward, so taking care of yourself this month will ensure the results. Later this month, the Full Moon in Taurus highlights your social circles, prompting a reassessment of friendships. As Pluto in Aquarius encourages transformative growth, the Sun’s ingress into Sagittarius and Mercury retrograde emphasizes health, inviting you to take self-care practices and review how you typically extend your energy to others.

Brit + Co

Leo (July 23 – August 22)

Themes: Fulfillment and Reassess Life Purpose

Get ready for a vibrant month of self-discovery and creative expression. The New Moon in Scorpio prompts you to reflect on your domestic life and family, inspiring you to cultivate a supportive environment while establishing your terms. With Mercury entering Sagittarius, your focus turns to love and creativity, allowing you to step out of your comfort zone and explore these realms of joy. Mars in your sign boosts your confidence, empowering decisive actions in your pursuits. Be yourself and ignite your fire to get things done. Mid-month, the Full Moon in Taurus highlights your professional aspirations, prompting you to reassess your career goals. Factor in what makes you happy and optimizes your energy. The Sun's entry in Sagittarius alongside Mercury retrograde will help you backtrack and align with your priorities in love and your creative potential.

Brit + Co

Virgo (August 23 – September 22)

Themes: Ideas and Past Aspirations

This month brings clarity and enriched communication, inviting you to refine your thoughts and deepen your familial connections. The New Moon in Scorpio encourages engagement with new ideas and community interactions, promoting open dialogue. Being openhearted and receptive to people's feedback will lead to breakthroughs in your development. Mercury’s transition into Sagittarius shifts your focus to home and family, enhancing emotional discussions regarding your direction. Be curious in your approach; it will heal your unresolved matters. Mars in Leo energizes your subconscious, motivating you to confront hidden fears while helping you understand your habitual patterns. Rest and reflect. Mid-month, the Full Moon in Taurus prompts reflection on your philosophical outlook and long-term goals. Look back at your old journals or past aspirations to fill the gaps in your story. Mercury's backspin entails reviewing your next steps involving your emotional security — look within yourself and align with your feelings instead of seeking external validation.

Brit + Co

Libra (September 23 – October 22)

Themes: Self-Worth and Vulnerability

You're in for a month filled with financial themes and meaningful interactions, guiding you to reassess your values and friendships. The New Moon in Scorpio inspires you to reflect on personal resources, setting intentions for more stability. This is an opportunity to revamp your approach to money and security — research new methods that will attract more abundance. As Mercury enters Sagittarius, your focus shifts to engaging conversations and learning opportunities. It is also an excellent opportunity to network locally and gain traction and confidence with the side hustles you may be working on. Mars in Leo energizes your social life, motivating you to cultivate new friendships and connections that will get you one step closer to achieving your long-term aspirations. Mid-month, the Full Moon in Taurus highlights shared resources, prompting a reassessment of intimate relationships and closing the chapter on any outmoded approaches. By the end of this month, Mercury retrograde will enable you to reflect on old ideas that may have rested on the back burner. This is your chance to let your past endeavors rest or revive once Mercury goes direct.

Brit + Co

Scorpio (October 23 – November 21)

Themes: Self-Empowerment and Commitment

Embrace a month of self-confidence and financial insight! The New Moon in your sign empowers you to set intentions for your goals and new beginnings. You're worthy, as this is your chance to establish a new seed based on what's aligned with your heart. As Mercury moves into Sagittarius, your focus shifts to finances, enhancing your ability to express your needs clearly. It can lead to frivolous spending, so be mindful of ongoing patterns that can result in retail therapy. Your hard work will pay off as Mars in Leo energizes your career ambitions, motivating you to make bold moves. You'll shine as you begin to dream bigger and aim higher. Mid-month, the Full Moon in Taurus illuminates your partnerships, prompting a reassessment of commitments and closing the chapter on past disagreements. Hold space for your heart and your past to find a solution. As this month closes, Mercury retrograde will enable you to feel more in your power as you analyze your self-worth and become intentional with your next steps in financial planning or business endeavors. Clarity will be set next month.

Brit + Co

Sagittarius (November 22 – December 21)

Themes: Revelation and Health

Get ready for a month of revelations and enriching opportunities. The month begins with the New Moon in Scorpio inviting you to assess your emotional patterns, reorienting you toward powering up your inner belief and renewal. Begin an affirmation practice because this lunation will level up your manifestation abilities. Mercury gracing in your sign will invoke clarity and enhance your ability to articulate your ideas. Traveling or seeking out new experiences will be your go-to course, as Mars in Leo fuels your adventurous spirit, motivating you to seek a new perspective. Taking a class or engaging in higher study will fulfill you. Mid-month, the Full Moon in Taurus shifts attention to your work life and health, helping you to assess your well-being. Release whatever is weighing down at work or mental patterns — focus on one thing at a time to ensure productivity. Later this month, your season begins while Mercury retrograde occurs. It will be beneficial to slow down and observe your personal goals and how you're showing yourself up for others.

Brit + Co

Capricorn (December 22 – January 19)

Themes: Community and Desires

Prepare for a month focused on community engagement and clarifying your core desires. The New Moon in Scorpio invites you to energize your social circles, sparking intentions for collaboration and shared goals. Be sure that your connections contribute to your vision — enthusiasm is vital for success. With Mercury moving into Sagittarius, you’ll gain insights into your emotional patterns, helping you navigate feelings more effectively. This is your chance to change what no longer meets your standards as Mars in Leo brings energy to transformative experiences in intimacy and with your vulnerability. Get to the root and realize what needs revamping. Mid-month, the Full Moon in Taurus shines a light on your creative and romantic pursuits, urging you to reassess what brings you joy and fulfillment. As Mercury retrograde approaches, take a moment to reflect on past experiences that shaped your emotional landscape; you might find clarity in revisiting old dreams and wishes.

Brit + Co

Aquarius (January 20 – February 18)

Themes: Professionalism and Family Roots

Get ready for a month rich in professional focus and social opportunities. The New Moon in Scorpio prompts you to define your career goals, inspiring strategic intentions for success. With Mercury entering Sagittarius, your attention shifts to building social networks and enhancing collaboration and networking potential. Love and partnerships will fire up as Mars in Leo energizes your connections, motivating you to seek mutual growth and shared ambitions. It's time to set the terms with your relationship — this will help you get answers involving its direction. The Full Moon in Taurus highlights your dynamics, prompting a reassessment of your foundational support systems. Revisit the old structures regarding your family roots and decide whether you want to implement this as your course moving forward. As Mercury retrograde sets in, consider reaching out to old friends or colleagues; reconnecting could spark fresh ideas and rejuvenate your professional aspirations and inner needs.

Brit + Co

Pisces (February 19 – March 20)

Themes: Exploration and Purpose

You're in for a month of exploring and understanding your life purpose. The New Moon in Scorpio inspires a quest for new knowledge, guiding your intentions toward education, beliefs, or travel opportunities. It is time to fall in love with life by broadening your reach. As Mercury enters Sagittarius, your focus sharpens on your life purpose and public image, enhancing your ability to articulate your ambitions. Dig deeper and understand what stirs in your zest for life. Expect vitality and endurance as Mars in Leo energizes your daily tasks, fueling your enthusiasm for tackling responsibilities. Consider a health kick or a new regimen to help you keep up with your new endeavors. Your body is a temple, and this month is the starting point in getting things done with your motivation. The Full Moon in Taurus lights up your communication skills, enabling you to reassess your old ideas and how they can be cultivated. It's time to launch your idea or make room for something better. With Mercury retrograde approaching, reflect on past career choices; revisiting old projects or connections might unveil new growth opportunities.

With 2025 just around the corner, it’s the perfect time to explore how you can power up your year ahead. Lumi Pelinku invites you to dive deeper into your journey through an extended reading that can provide tailored insights and inspiration. Click here to book your reading today!

Wanna stay up-to-date on all things astrology? Be sure to sign up for our weekly newsletter!

When Sonja and Alex Overhiser got hitched, they wanted to start hosting friends and family for dinner. But there was a problem: neither one of them really knew how to cook. “We started the A Couple Cooks blog to document our learning to cook together, and it gradually grew into both of our full-time jobs,” says Sonja. What they found in the process was that cooking together was actually fun. Also: cooking together can bring you closer and inspire new recipes that you love, and it encourages you to build community.

“For us, food has always been about people," adds Alex. "So we thought it would be especially meaningful to write a book about the joy of togetherness in the kitchen, and inspire other people to grab a partner (significant other, family member, or friend) and whip up something delicious together.”

Their new book A Couple Cooks: 100 Recipes to Cook Together releases this week and makes a great holiday, wedding, or anniversary gift for couples, new and seasoned. Here, Sonja shares a few tips for cooking with your partner, plus four comforting and delicious recipes excerpted from the book!

Tips For Cooking With Your Partner

Shelly Westerhausen Worcel

Share in the planning and prep

The holidays can be kind of stressful (and sometimes we look forward with both excitement and dread!). Having another person share in the planning and prepping can de-stress the activity and even make it fun! Plus, you can create fun memories around new dishes you try (like, remember Alex, when we made that amazing apple galette with bourbon salted caramel for Thanksgiving?).

Focus on individual tasks (over a glass of wine?)

We each have our own skills and preferences. Alex is really good at things like making bread or searing meat, so he takes the lead in those sort of recipes. I tend toward prepping soups, salads, quick breads, desserts, and overall meal planning / strategizing. But often we'll change things up depending on the recipe! It's really a kitchen dance.

Put the relationship first

We often argue over the final seasoning and how much salt to add at the end of a recipe! I generally add too much to trying to get the flavor "pop" so Alex has to hold me back. Or we spar over how to style things on a plate (that's more of a food photography argument, but it translates to meals too!).

We've learned to really listen to each other and back down if we find the other person is very passionate about something. Of course, that could end in an "I told you so" moment later, but we've found that we try to remember that relationship and the experience is more important than one person being "right".

Don’t forget the herbs!

Our favorite cooking hack: Using fresh herbs! Every recipe is a little better with a few chopped herbs. We have an herb garden and some favorites are dill, basil, thyme, mint, and tarragon, and our rosemary and sage even hang through late fall to winter. If you don't have a garden, buying fresh herbs is absolutely worth the few extra dollars for the difference in flavor.

Recipes Excerpted From A Couple Cooks

Shelly Westerhausen Worcel

Harvest Caesar Bowl

Here’s a bowl that’s endlessly customizable—a riff on a dinner we started eating on repeat around the birth of our daughter and still do today! What began as a pregnancy craving for Caesar salad turned into a weeknight main dish with a rotating topping of veggies, chicken, or shrimp. (We’ll always remember devouring a takeout version in the hospital room while awaiting the baby’s arrival!) This satisfying combination of roasted sweet potatoes, seasoned chickpeas, and shaved Parmesan cheese is topped with an irresistibly creamy, Greek yogurt–based spin on Caesar (though feel free to use store-bought dressing if you’re pressed for time). Customize the bowl by adding cooked chicken or a grain like rice or quinoa, making it a filling meal that never gets old.

SERVES 4

  • 2 lb [910 g] sweet potatoes (about 2 medium), skin on, scrubbed and cut into ¾ in [2 cm] dice
  • 3 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp chili powder
  • ½ tsp Old Bay seasoning (see Tips)
  • ¾ tsp kosher salt
  • 15 oz [430 g] can chickpeas, drained and rinsed, or 1½ cups [240 g] cooked chickpeas
  • ⅛ tsp cumin
  • Freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 bunch (about 8 oz [230 g]) Tuscan kale, washed, torn into bite-size pieces, and massaged
  • 2 romaine hearts (about 8 oz [230 g]), chopped
  • 2 cups [120 g] chopped red cabbage
  • ¼ cup [18 g] Parmesan cheese shavings
  • ¼ cup [35 g] roasted pepitas (see Tips)
  • 1 recipe Creamy Parmesan Dressing (see page 189) or 1 cup [240 g] store-bought Caesar dressing
  1. Preheat the oven to 450°F [230°C].
  2. In a large bowl, mix the sweet potatoes with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, the garlic powder, chili powder, Old Bay, and ¼ teaspoon of the kosher salt. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and arrange the sweet potatoes on it in an even layer. Bake, without flipping, until the cubes are tender and browned, 25 to 27 minutes.
  3. In a medium bowl, mix the chickpeas with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil, the cumin, the remaining ½ teaspoon of kosher salt, and several grinds of black pepper.
  4. To serve, divide the kale and romaine among four shallow bowls or plates. Top with the sweet potatoes, chickpeas, cabbage, Parmesan cheese, and pepitas. Drizzle generously with the dressing and serve.

Creamy Parmesan Dressing

  • ¼ cup [60 g] mayonnaise
  • ½ cup [120 g] Greek yogurt
  • ¼ cup [8 g] finely grated
  • Parmesan cheese
  • 1 Tbsp red or white wine vinegar
  • ½ Tbsp Dijon mustard
  • ¼ tsp garlic powder
  • ¼ tsp dry mustard powder (optional)
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper

To make the dressing, in a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, Greek yogurt, Parmesan cheese, red wine vinegar, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, mustard powder, kosher salt, and black pepper until a creamy dressing forms. If necessary, stir in 1 tablespoon of water to bring the dressing to a pourable consistency (this varies based on the yogurt brand).

Tips

Don’t have Old Bay? Substitute ½ teaspoon smoked paprika plus an additional ⅛ teaspoon kosher salt. If all you can find is raw pepitas, you can toast them yourself in a skillet over medium heat until they start to pop and become golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes.

Cooking Together

While one of you gets the sweet potatoes in the oven and chops the fresh vegetables for the bowl, the other can mix up the chickpeas and the dressing.

For Vegan

Use Lemon Tahini Sauce and omit the Parmesan shavings.

Storage

Leftovers will keep, refrigerated, for up to 3 days.

Diet Vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan option

Excerpted from A Couple Cooks: 100 Recipes to Cook Together by Sonja Overhiser and Alex Overhiser, © 2024. Published by Chronicle Books. Photographs © Shelly Westerhausen Worcel.

Shelly Westerhausen Worcel

Spiced Latte Loaf

The moist slices of this fun and funky quick bread are reminiscent of a chai latte, with notes of milky vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger. The best part is when you cut the first slice to show the beautiful spiced swirl decoration inside. There are a few components to assemble, so it’s nice to have a partner to help with this baking project. One day we had the crazy idea of slicing up leftovers into strips and baking it to make biscotti, and it’s surprisingly effective. The crunchy strips pair well with morning coffee or an afternoon snack.

MAKES ONE 9 X 5 IN [23 X 13 CM] LOAF

  • 1½ Tbsp ground cinnamon
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom
  • ¼ tsp ground cloves
  • ¼ cup [52 g] packed light brown sugar
  • 2 ¼ cups [315 g] all-purpose flour
  • 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 cup [200 g] granulated sugar
  • 1 Tbsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 cup [240 ml] milk of choice
  • ¼ cup [60 ml] neutral oil
  • ¼ cup [60 ml] unsweetened applesauce
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F [180°C]. Butter a 9 x 5 in [23 x 13 cm] metal loaf pan.
  2. In a small bowl, stir together the spice mix: cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and cloves.
  3. In a medium bowl, make the streusel topping: Add the brown sugar, ¼ cup [35 g] of the flour, and 1 teaspoon of the spice mix to the bowl and mix lightly with a fork. Continue mixing while pouring in the melted butter until a crumbly mixture forms. Set aside.
  4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the remaining 2 cups [280 g] of flour and the granulated sugar, baking powder, and kosher salt.
  5. In a large bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, oil, applesauce, and vanilla extract until completely smooth. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring with a spatula until a smooth batter forms. Pour ¾ cup [180 g] of the batter into a liquid measuring cup and stir the remaining spice mix into the measuring cup to create a darker spiced batter.
  6. Pour about half the vanilla batter into the prepared loaf pan and smooth it into an even layer with a spatula. Pour the spiced batter on top and smooth it, then pour on the remaining vanilla batter and smooth it. To swirl the batters together, insert a butter knife in the top corner of the pan so it just touches the bottom. Draw about 3 large S shapes through the entire pan, then repeat in a slightly different position. Rotate the pan 90 degrees and make 2 large S shapes in the other direction. Sprinkle the top of the batter with the streusel.
  7. Bake the loaf for 50 to 55 minutes, until the top springs back when touched and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool the bread in the pan for 30 minutes. Run a knife around the edge and invert the loaf onto a cooling rack. Let cool fully to room temperature (30 minutes to 1 hour) before cutting into slices.

Tip

Turn leftovers into biscotti! Cut ¾ in [2 cm] thick slices into 1 in [2.5 cm] wide strips, then bake at 300°F [149°C] for 45 to 55 minutes, until golden brown and mostly crisp (they will firm up as they cool). Let cool for 30 minutes. Store in a sealed container with a paper towel. Serve with coffee or tea.

Cooking Together

Have one person start with the streusel topping while the other makes the batter. Then assemble the loaf together.

Storage

The loaf will keep, wrapped in aluminum foil, at room temperature for 4 days, or refrigerated for 10 days (bring to room temperature before enjoying). To store frozen for up to 3 months, slice the loaf, wrap it in plastic wrap, and place in a freezer-safe container.

Diet Vegetarian

Excerpted from A Couple Cooks: 100 Recipes to Cook Together by Sonja Overhiser and Alex Overhiser, © 2024. Published by Chronicle Books. Photographs © Shelly Westerhausen Worcel.

Shelly Westerhausen Worcel

Apple Galette with Bourbon Caramel

This rustic French tart lets you skip fiddling with pie dough to make free-form folded layers of golden pastry. Piling the crust full of cinnamon-spiced apples is a fun fall treat, but of course you can indulge any time of the year. There are endless variations on this type of fruit tart. Serve with melty vanilla ice cream, or even better, drizzle with gooey Bourbon Salted Caramel. The mad scientist in you will love how easy it is to make a caramel sauce out of a few basic ingredients.

SERVES 8

Galette Dough

  • 1½ cups [210 g] all-purpose flour
  • 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • ¾ tsp kosher salt
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • 10 Tbsp [150 g] cold unsalted butter or vegan butter
  • 5 to 6 Tbsp [80 to 90 ml] cold water
  • 1 egg, for the egg wash
  • 1 Tbsp Demerara or turbinado sugar, for sprinkling

Filling

  • 1 lb [455 g] crisp, tart apples like Granny Smith, Pink Lady, or Honeycrisp (about 2 large), unpeeled, thinly cut into ⅛ in [3 mm] slices (3½ cups sliced)
  • 2 Tbsp light brown sugar
  • 2 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 1½ tsp cinnamon
  • ½ tsp allspice
  • ⅛ tsp nutmeg
  • ½ tsp cornstarch
  • 1 Tbsp unsalted butter, cut into very small pieces Bourbon Salted Caramel (recipe follows)
  1. To make the galette dough, in a medium bowl, mix the flour, granulated sugar, kosher salt, and baking powder. Cut the butter into small pieces, then use a pastry blender or fork to cut it into the flour mixture until mostly incorporated and a pebbly texture forms, with pea-size or smaller pieces.
  2. Sprinkle 5 tablespoons [80 ml] of the cold water over the flour, mixing gradually with a fork until the flour is mostly incorporated. Knead with your fingers until the dough comes together, adding the additional 1 tablespoon water. (If the mixture is still too floury, add ½ tablespoon more water.) Form the dough into a ball, then flatten it into a thick disk. Chill the crust in a covered container in the refrigerator for 1 hour (see Tips).
  3. Preheat the oven to 375°F [190°C] and line a rimmed baking sheet with a sheet of parchment paper. Flour a work surface.
  4. To make the filling, in a medium bowl, stir the apple slices with the brown sugar, granulated sugar, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and cornstarch until fully coated.
  5. On the floured surface, roll out the dough into an even 12 in [30 cm] circle (if necessary, move the dough around and add a bit more flour underneath to keep it from sticking). Carefully transfer the dough to the parchment paper.
  6. Fan out small handfuls of apple slices and layer them on the crust, reserving the juices at the bottom of the bowl. Leave at least 2 inches of dough uncovered around the outside edge. Fold the outside edges of the dough over the filling, overlapping the folds to form a partial top crust. Pour the reserved juice over the exposed apple slices in the center.
  7. Dot the apple slices evenly with the small pieces of butter. Whisk the egg and use a pastry brush to brush it over the crust. Sprinkle the crust and filling with Demerara or turbinado sugar (or more granulated sugar).
  8. Bake until the crust is golden brown, 38 to 40 minutes. Transfer the galette on the parchment paper to a baking rack and let cool to room temperature (about 30 minutes) before cutting into pieces and serving. Drizzle with Bourbon Salted Caramel (recipe follows) before serving, or top with ice cream.

Bourbon Salted Caramel

MAKES ⅔ CUP [160 ML]

  • ½ cup [100 g] granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup [60 ml] water
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • ⅓ cup [80 ml] heavy cream
  • ½ Tbsp bourbon (see Tips)
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, stir together the sugar, water, and kosher salt. Cook, stirring constantly with a spatula, until the sugar and salt are dissolved and it starts to boil, about 2 minutes.
  2. Reduce the heat slightly to a simmer and cook, constantly bubbling, until the sugar turns deep amber, 8 to 11 minutes. Occasionally give a gentle stir with a spatula to ensure even cooking. Watch closely toward the end of the cooking time, as the color darkens quickly.
  3. Once the sugar turns deep amber, immediately reduce the heat to low. Add the cream, which will cause the mixture to bubble vigorously; stir constantly with a spatula, until it is a rich caramel color, about 90 seconds. Stir in the bourbon and vanilla extract and cook for 20 seconds more.
  4. Transfer the caramel to a small bowl to cool, leaving any hardened bits of sugar in the pan. Let cool and thicken for 10 minutes before serving. It will keep thickening the longer it sits; if it becomes too thick, reheat gently before serving (see Tips).

Tips

Galettes are endlessly customizable! For the filling, use 3 cups of any seasonal fruit, ⅓ to ½ cup [65 to 100 g] of granulated sugar, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and ½ teaspoon of cinnamon. Taste and adjust the filling as desired based on the sweetness of the fruit. Try peaches, pears, plums, blueberries, and more.

Make the crust in advance for easy prep. The dough will keep, refrigerated, for up to 3 days. Before rolling, allow the dough to sit at room temperature for 30 minutes. Or wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and freeze for up to 3 months, then defrost overnight in the refrigerator and let stand for 30 minutes at room temperature before rolling.

You can also make the caramel sauce in advance. Refrigerate the sauce, then reheat it on the stovetop or in the microwave before serving.

Omit the bourbon in the caramel sauce if desired. It’s just as tasty!

Liqueur Pairing

After the galette, enjoy a small glass of Amaro Nonino Quintessentia or Amaro Averna. These caramel-colored liqueurs have a bittersweet, smooth finish and an herbal complexity that complements the apples’ natural tartness.

Cooking Together

After the dough is chilled, have one person roll out the dough while the other person makes the filling. Then whip up the caramel sauce together while the galette bakes.

For Vegan

Use vegan butter and, instead of using the egg wash, brush the crust with nondairy milk. Omit the salted caramel.

Storage

Leftovers will keep, refrigerated, for up to 4 days; bring to room temperature before serving.

Diet

Vegetarian, vegan option

Excerpted from A Couple Cooks: 100 Recipes to Cook Together by Sonja Overhiser and Alex Overhiser, © 2024. Published by Chronicle Books. Photographs © Shelly Westerhausen Worcel.

Shelly Westerhausen Worcel

Mini Cardamon Cinnamon Rolls

What’s a better weekend baking project than ooey, gooey cinnamon rolls? The star here is the cardamom-orange filling, inspired by a cardamom bun we had on a Sunday morning bakery run in Chicago. (We couldn’t pass up a visit to Lost Larson bakery, since it’s the name of our son, which he found wildly amusing.)

This makes a 9 x 9 pan of mini rolls, so you can eat more than one and have enough to go around! Baking is a two-day process (since who wants to wake up 3 hours beforehand?). Start the rolls the night before and refrigerate overnight, then bake them in the a.m. and enjoy the cinnamon-spiced scent wafting through your kitchen.

MAKES 16 SMALL ROLLS

Dough

  • 3 cups [420 g] bread flour
  • ¼ cup [50 g] granulated sugar
  • 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) [21 g] instant yeast (see Tips)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 4 Tbsp [55 g] unsalted butter
  • 1 cup [240 ml] milk
  • 1 egg, beaten

Filling

  • ½ cup [100 g] packed light brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp ground cardamom
  • 1 tsp lightly packed orange zest
  • 1½ Tbsp unsalted butter, melted

Frosting

  • ½ cup [60 g] powdered sugar
  • 1 Tbsp milk
  • ⅛ tsp vanilla extract
  1. To make the dough, in the bowl of a stand mixer, stir together the flour, granulated sugar, yeast, and kosher salt. In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add the milk and heat until lukewarm (warm to the touch, but not hot, or between 105° and 115°F [40° and 45°C]).
  2. Pour the butter and milk mixture into the flour mixture. Add the egg and stir with a fork until a rough dough forms. Attach a dough hook to the mixer and mix on medium-low speed for 6 minutes, until the dough is smooth and stretchy. The dough should be very sticky and will not form a ball in the mixer. (You can also knead the dough by hand; keep in mind it will be very sticky at first.)
  3. Flour a work surface, scrape the dough onto it, and knead it a few times, then shape it into a rough ball. Place the dough ball in a large clean bowl. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and let it rise in a warm location until doubled in size, 1 to 1½ hours.
  4. To make the filling, stir together the brown sugar, cinnamon, cardamom, and orange zest. Grease a metal 9 x 9 in [23 x 23 cm] baking dish.
  5. Lightly flour a work surface and scoop the dough onto it. Gently roll out the dough into a 12 x 12 in [30 x 30 cm] square. Tug the corners a bit to make them as square as possible. Brush the dough with the melted butter, leaving a ½ in [13 mm] border unbrushed at the left and right edges.

Tips

Instant yeast (rather than active dry yeast) is required for this recipe, which allows quick rise times. If using active dry yeast, the rise times will be about double.

To bake the cinnamon rolls the day of, proceed immediately to baking. Bake 20 minutes covered with foil, then uncovered about 10 minutes, checking whether they are cooked through using a food thermometer.

Cooking Together

This is a baking project that’s much easier with a partner! It’s often helpful to have one person read the recipe out loud while the other gets their hands into the dough. Trade off on tasks and enjoy the process.

Storage

The cinnamon rolls will keep at room temperature, covered with aluminum foil, for up to 2 days. Reheat, covered, at 350°F [180°C] until warmed through,10 to 12 minutes.

Diet

Vegetarian

Excerpted from A Couple Cooks: 100 Recipes to Cook Together by Sonja Overhiser and Alex Overhiser, © 2024. Published by Chronicle Books. Photographs © Shelly Westerhausen Worcel.

Thanks Sonja and Alex! Check out A Couple Cooks: 100 Recipes to Cook Together for more delicious recipes you can cook together.

Check out our Pinterest for more recipes too!

Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations

Things are heating up betweenSelena Gomez and Benny Blanco since late last year to the surprise of some, but it seems like the couple's romance is just getting started. They're not shy about PDA and posting each other on social media and pretty much telling anyone who doesn't like it to get lost. We love how fiercely supportive they are of each other, giving us so many good green flags! Here's everything we know about the lovely new couple so far.

Selena Gomez And Benny Blanco's Relationship Timeline:

Amy Sussman/Getty Images

March 2019

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco first collaborated on the song "I Can't Get Enough" along with Tainy and J. Balvin in 2019. Though they were featured in a cute scene together, there weren't any rumors about them being romantically linked then.

August 2023

They didn't work together again until late summer 2023 when he produced Selena's single "Single Soon" with Cashmere Cat.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

December 2023

Before 2023 ended, Selena started leaving comments on Instagram that suggested she and Benny Blanco were in fact together. One of the comments she left appear on this Instagram fan page and it reads, "He is my absolute everything in my heart."

Some fans weren't so thrilled to see the two together though and they weren't afraid to express their opinions. But, this only prompted Selena to leave more comments that defended her relationship with Benny.

People grabbed a screenshot of one of the comments Selena responded that revealed the couple had been together for a while. "Not mad. It’s been 6 months bb. I will always defend my friends, family and fans till the day I die," she wrote. They even shared another screenshot from Selena's Instagram Story that showed her wearing a "B" ring on one of her fingers.

Craig Barritt/Getty Images for TIME

December 15, 2023

Soon after that, Selena shared a photo carousel on Instagram that included some of her favorite moments in New York and Benny Blanco can be seen in BTS moments. The last picture of the carousel features them sharing a kiss in a black and white photo that basically confirms the responses the singer had for fans.

December 28, 2023

Before the new year began, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco spent some time at a cute art exhibit during a date. From the looks of things, it seemed like they discovered their love language of physical touch early on.

Presley Ann/Getty Images for GQ

January 2, 2024

Feeling the love of being with Selena, Benny Blanco took to Instagram Stories to officially signal that the two are dating. People grabbed a few more screenshots that Benny shared and all we can see is the happy glint that was in Selena's eyes.

Sarah Stier/Getty Images

January 3, 2024

The next day the couple were seen court side at one of the Los Angeles Lakers' game. Once again, their love language was on full display in the most intimate way. A source revealed to People that they understood why people had so many opinions about Selena's relationship with Benny. "Everyone was a fan of hers before Only Murders [in the Building], and now everyone is protective of her."

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

January 15, 2024

Later that month, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco showed up to the Emmy Awards together. They were sitting side-by-side and weren't afraid to show affection with each other.

Jesse Grant/Getty Images for AFI

March 2024

When Benny Blanco's birthday rolled around, Selena Gomez shared a sweet message to him on Instagram. She wrote, "Happy birthday baby! Your emotional endurance, positive disposition, unbelievable talent (that blows me away), undeniable humor and loving, kind heart absolutely kill me. I love you @itsbennyblanco 🎂🥹."

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images

April 2024

Although we're only four months into the new year, Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's relationship is still going strong! The Only Murders in the Building star has been seen smiling in every pic she posts which indicates she's genuinely happy in her relationship. A source hinted to People that the two are doing well. "It’s a very serious relationship, and they’re making long distance work while she’s in New York for work commitments," they said.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Spotify

April 25, 2024

In an interview with WSJ, Benny Blanco gave his POV of how his relationship with Selena Gomez began and it was the cutest revelation. "It’s crazy how your partner could just be sitting there the whole time, right in front of your eyes...And then you have a Clueless moment where you're like, Wait, I'm in love," he says.

A man who compares his relationship to that moment in Clueless where Cher and Josh admit their feelings for each other gets brownie points from us!

May 15, 2024

It looks like Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's relationship may be ready for the next step — that's if you ask Mr. Blanco. He appeared on The Howard Stern Show yesterday to chat about everything, including his relationship with Selena. When Howard Stern asked, "You want to have kids with Selena? Have you told her you want to have kids yet," Benny replied, "That’s my next goal, to check the box. I have a ton of godkids. I've got a ton of nephews. I love being around kids."

However, he's not in a rush and wants everything to happen naturally. All that matters is that the two of them are in each other's life. He said, "I just know that when I look at her, I just say, ‘I don’t know a world where it could be better than this.’ That’s what I always say to her.”

Neilson Barnard/Getty Images

May 29, 2024

Selena Gomez tells TIME just how much Benny Blanco means to her — no matter what anyone else says. "My own fans, who I adore and feel like have shaped who I am, will say the most hurtful things to me about how I live my life," she says. "But he has the strength in him that none of that noise fazes him. It’s really impressive, and I just cherish every moment with him. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know that he’s not going anywhere any time soon.”

Selena Gomez/Instagram

October 27, 2024

Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco looked amazing in their Alice in Wonderland couple's Halloween costume. "Curiouser and curiouser," Selena wrote on the post, which is totally reminding us of Taylor Swift's 1989 (hello "Wonderland"!!!).

Selena wore a corset dress in what looks like slate blue with cap puffed sleeves and a tulle skirt, along with a blonde wig, black bow, and slingback shoes. Benny went all out as the Mad Hatter with face paint, a wig, a top hat, and a waistcoat. We'd follow them down the rabbit hole!

What do you think about Selena Gomez and Benny Blanco's relationship?Follow us on Facebook for more celebrity news!

This post has been updated.

Gretchen Weiners' hair might be full of secrets in Mean Girls, but in Amanda Seyfried's new movie, her life is full of secrets. The Housemaid, based on the novel by Freida McFadden, follows Millie (played by Sydney Sweeney), who's down on her luck and in desperate need of a fresh start. When she snags a job as a housemaid in Nina's (Amanda Seyfried) beautiful home, it looks like things are finally moving in her favor. But all is not as it seems — and it doesn't take long for Millie to realize Nina's secrets are the most dangerous thing about her.

The book, which has sold over 3.6 million copies, has been on the New York Times Bestseller list for over a year and Amazon's Bestsellers list for 98 weeks (talk about popular). It was also the second-most-read title on Kindle for their 10th anniversary, so it's no surprise that the story is getting its own adaptation. Here's everything you need to know about The Housemaid starring Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, and Brandon Sklenar.

  • The Housemaid by Freida McFadden is getting the movie treatment.
  • Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney will star as Nina and Millie, respectively, while Brandon Sklenar will star as Andrew.
  • Seyfried promises fans "I'm gonna do you well."

Who's in The Housemaid movie?

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The Housemaid Cast

The cast of The Housemaid will be led by Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria, Anyone But You) as Millie, Amanda Seyfried (Mamma Mia!, The Drop Out) as Nina, and Brandon Sklenar (It Ends With Us,Drop) as Andrew. Uma Thurman, Phoebe Dynevor, and Anthony Hopkins will also star. Check back here for the rest of the official cast list!

"I hope [die-hard fans of the book] accept this casting," Seyfried jokes in an interview with Bustle. "I know Sydney's amazing...I can't wait to work with her. I think we're going to have a lot of fun. But also, like, I don't know how people see Nina, my character...I hope they like the casting because the fans are the reason it's being made. So I'm here to tell all the fans that I'm gonna do you well."

"I can’t even express how excited I am to announce that #TheHousemaidMovie is coming soon!!!" McFadden said in an Instagram post. "@Lionsgate has come up with the absolute perfect cast and director, and I am just so grateful! I mean, Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, and Paul Feig…mind blown!!!! I’m so honored and thankful to all my readers who helped make this dream come true!!!!!"

Is The Housemaid going to be made into a movie?

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Yes, Deadline announced on October 8 that The Housemaid would become a film, thanks to Hidden Pictures and Lionsgate. Paul Feig will direct, Rebecca Sonnenshine will write the script, and Todd Lieberman, Laura Fischer, and Feig will produce while Alex Young, author Freida McFadden, Sydney Sweeney, and Amanda Seyfried will executive produce.

“I’m thrilled to have The Housemaid join our upcoming slate,” said Adam Fogelson, chair of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group. “A great filmmaker and a great cast with a great script from a great book is a terrific place to start.”

“Part of the fun of the book was imagining the cast while we read it, and Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried are perfect for Millie and Nina – they’re both mysterious, nuanced, and incredibly skilled at becoming characters who don’t reveal everything right away,” said Erin Westerman, co-president of Lionsgate Motion Picture Group.

What is the plot of The Housemaid?

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The Housemaid Plot

Millie has one more chance at starting over, and taking a job as a housemaid for wealthy couple Nina and Andrew is the perfect place to start. But as she cleans, cooks, and takes care of their daughter, Millie quickly realizes her employers are far from perfect — even if they'll do anything to keep up appearances.

When is The Housemaid coming out?

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The Housemaid Release Date

We don't have an official release date for The Housemaid yet, but there's a good chance we could see it in 2025. Stay tuned for more news!

How many books are in the series The Housemaid?

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Freida McFadden has three books in The Housemaid series: The Housemaid, The Housemaid's Secret, and The Housemaid is Watching.

Is The Housemaid spicy?

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There is some sex and violence in The Housemaid, but it's not as overwhelming as some other popular books on the market. One Goodreads user compares the content to what you'd watch in Law & Order: SVU or Criminal Minds. If you're concerned about one of your preteens reading this book, you could always read it first, or start a bookclub and read it together!

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This post has been updated.