There are things all kids need to learn like how to walk, never to buy Miracle Whip, and how to drive a car are just a few. One very important skill every child needs to know is how to cook.

I taught all of my kids to cook so they wouldn’t starve when they got older. Cooking opened them up to tasting new things, learning to plan ahead, and it was a sneaky way to get them to do math, too.

They’re all grown now and I’m happy to say that none of them starved.

The recipes in these pages are a collection of the dishes we’ve enjoyed ever since the beginning of Gillaspie Household in September 1985.

There are a couple of fancy ones, but most of them are just simple, tasty eats that makes us happy.

The folks mentioned in these pages are friends and family, and are very much loved. A big ‘thank you’ goes to them for sharing their recipes.

Enjoy!