Let’s Eat!

Fuss-free, flavorful recipes for every occasion.

Dessert, Holiday Elise Smith Dessert, Holiday Elise Smith

Cranberry Gingersnap Cheesecake Parfaits

I am ALL about a make-ahead dish when it comes to all the holiday festivities and hosting and you cannot go wrong with these incredibly delicious cranberry gingersnap cheesecake parfaits! So do yourself a favor and whip up these insanely flavorful and fun parfaits for your next event!

Read More
Dinners, Lunch, Salad Elise Smith Dinners, Lunch, Salad Elise Smith

Winter Farro Salad

This is my most requested fall/winter catering recipes and a total crowd-pleaser! Inspired by one of my favorite salads of all time, the famous Charlie Bird farro salad, this is my winter-take with juicy pomegranate, fresh mint, toasted hazelnut, creamy feta and apple cider vinaigrette.

Read More
Sides, Holiday Elise Smith Sides, Holiday Elise Smith

Herby Italian Sausage + Fennel Stuffing

Stuffing is always the first thing I reach for at the Thanksgiving table and I'm sharing my favorite way to make it! This easy recipe with Italian sausage, fresh herbs and buttery fennel is full of flavor and the perfect addition to your Turkey day spread.

Read More
Breakfast Elise Smith Breakfast Elise Smith

High-Protein Potato Basil Egg Bites

There’s nothing I love more for an on-the-go, high protein breakfast than egg bites and I’m absolutely obsessed with how delicious, moist and flavorful these turned out! Fresh basil, crisped potatoes, creamy cottage cheese and silky gruyere make for an epic flavor combo to start your day right!

Read More
Snacks, Sweets Elise Smith Snacks, Sweets Elise Smith

Banana (Chia) Pudding

There’s something so nostalgic about banana pudding. My favorite way to eat it growing up was with Nilla wafers layered in to add a crunchy sweet treat to sop up all that creamy, banana flavor! This is my healthier, gluten-free version, great for dessert or a nice afternoon snack!

Read More
Appetizers Elise Smith Appetizers Elise Smith

Pear Crostini with Honey + Thyme

I have not stopped thinking of these pear crostini since Lindsay and I made them last week and I cannot recommend these enough for your next gathering! So flavorful, so elegant and SO EASY. And an such a stunner to serve guests this holiday season!!

Read More
Elise Smith Elise Smith

Apple Cider Margaritas (or Mocktails)

If you need a festive fall cocktail for your next gathering, we've got the perfect batch cocktail for you. Even better, the mocktail version is out of this world tasty too!! Either way you play it, these apple cider margaritas are key to easy hosting this fall!

Read More
Dinners Elise Smith Dinners Elise Smith

Butternut Squash Orzo Skillet with Basil Breadcrumbs

Celebrating this new season + website with my all-time favorite food to experiment with: PASTA. It’s finally feeling like Fall in Texas and there’s no better cozy, weeknight dinner than a skillet orzo in my opinion! This one’s already a favorite in my house. This sweet savory orzo dish with sweet butternut squash, wilted spinach, creamy ricotta and finished with crunchy, fresh basil breadcrumbs. I’m telling you, this one’s a no brainer for Fall.

Read More
Dinners, Lunch Elise Smith Dinners, Lunch Elise Smith

CPK Inspired BBQ Chicken Salad

If you also grew up going to California Pizza Kitchen, then you know how incredible this salad is! This is just one of those nostalgic cravings that hit me hard the other day and I knew I had to make it: chopped romaine, fresh corn and tomatoes, tangy bbq glazed chicken, cilantro ranch and crunchy tortilla chips. Is your mouth watering yet or just me? Even better, this one is dairy-free friendly, gluten-free and lightened up a bit!

Read More
Lunch, Pasta Elise Smith Lunch, Pasta Elise Smith

Lox Bagel Pasta Salad

My love of an everything lox bagel knows no bounds. To me, it has the perfect flavor combo: salty, garlicky, seedy, creamy, umami and pickle-y, which led my brain down a flavor rabbit hole, eventually culminating into the perfect summer pasta salad. I seriously haven't been this obsessed with a pasta salad in a long time. It's one that will have you coming back to the fridge for another bite over and over again.

Read More
Dinners, Appetizers Elise Smith Dinners, Appetizers Elise Smith

Greek Inspired Lamb Meatballs + Garlic Yogurt Sauce

I don't know HOW this recipe slipped through the cracks! My Greek Inspired Lamb Meatballs + Garlic Yogurt Sauce is one of my most requested recipes and I am finally adding the recipe to the blog!! I love these meatballs because they are herby, flavorful and delicious with tangy, creamy yogurt sauce. Makes for an awesome app for your next dinner party or with lettuce cups, couscous or basmati for a weeknight dinner. Either way, you can't go wrong!

Read More
Dinners, Pasta Elise Smith Dinners, Pasta Elise Smith

Butternut Squash Stuffed Shells

I live for a squash recipe and if I had to pick my favorite, THIS is it. I have made this recipe countless times for friends and family and it is always a crowd-pleaser and also the perfect thing to make when hosting because it's hearty, oh-so flavorful and make-ahead friendly!

Read More
Dinners Elise Smith Dinners Elise Smith

One Pot Butternut Squash + Chicken Farro Pilaf

I am a sucker for a one-pot meal. A sure fire easy dinner and the easy clean up doesn't hurt either! With Fall upon us, there's no better time to have a quick, hearty, flavorful meal on hand for easy weeknight dinners and this is definitely one to add to your rotation! Spiced butternut squash and herby chicken tossed with delicious cheesy farro and jasmine rice. Deliciously filling and makes for great leftovers...or seconds :)

Read More

About Elise

What Would Ina Do?

Hi there! I’m Elise, the foodie behind Coppedge Kitchen where I share my meal prep and recipes. Raised on the Barefoot Contessa, I fell in love with cooking for others, and in 2020, followed my signature mantra (What would Ina do?).

I took a leap of faith to quit my job in Finance for culinary school and quickly found my niche cooking balanced, nourishing meals for families in Dallas, TX-my hometown. 

I view food, not just as fuel, but something that brings others together. It’s my goal to make and share memorable, flavorful meals that are accessible and fun to make. I hope that by sharing my services and recipes with you, I’m able to bring you one step closer to those special moments around the table.