Welcome to Valerie’s Kitchen, a space dedicated to simple, flavorful recipes for busy home cooks. My goal is to help you feel confident in the kitchen and inspired to cook more at home.
I launched Valerie’s Kitchen in 2011 to document the family recipes my boys had grown to love. What began as a small collection for them has grown into an extensive library of recipes developed with the busy home cook in mind. My focus is simple, seasonal home cooking, just like in my own kitchen.
With each recipe, you’ll find step-by-step instructions and plenty of helpful tips to ensure they turn out for you the same way they do for me.
Whether you’re racing home after a late little league game or juggling work and family from home, I’ve been there, and I’ve got your back. As the mom of four grown sons, I understand the daily challenge of getting a home-cooked meal on the table, and I’m here to make that part of your day a little easier and a lot more enjoyable.
My Cooking Philosophy
I believe in balance, in food and in life. Around here, you’ll find everything from cozy, indulgent dishes to lighter options that fit a more mindful way of eating. This is how we cook and eat in our own home: a little of everything, always made with care and meant to be enjoyed. My goal is to help you create meals that fit your real, everyday life while still feeling special.
How I Test Recipes
Every recipe on Valerie’s Kitchen is developed, cooked, and tested in my own home kitchen, multiple times, until it works exactly as written. I measure carefully, note every step, and make adjustments along the way so you can feel confident your results will match mine. I want you to trust that when you make a recipe from my site, it’s been made and loved by a real home cook.
The Valerie’s Kitchen Team
It takes a great team to keep Valerie’s Kitchen running smoothly. Meet the wonderful people who help bring everything you see here to life.
Lara Clevenger
Lara is a food and travel blogger, photographer, professional bowler (yep!), and registered Ketogenic Dietitian Nutritionist. Along with her partner, Erica, she has been part of the photography team for Valerie’s Kitchen since 2019. You find more from Lara at laraclevenger.com.
Erica Acevedo
Erica is a totally self-taught/Nana-taught home cook, accomplished photographer, and food stylist. She works with Lara to ensure that my recipes look their best and are styled beautifully at each photo shoot. You can find more from Erica at her blog thecrumbykitchen.com.
Jake Brunmeier
Jake is the chief videographer, video editor, and overall tech guru for Valerie’s Kitchen. While you see my hands preparing the recipes in all of my videos, it’s Jake that is the force behind the video production. He is a graduate of San Jose State University with a degree in Animation/Illustration and is exceptionally talented, endlessly patient, and easy to work with. He also just happens to be my son! You can reach him directly with video editing inquiries at jakebrunmeier@gmail.com.
