Welcome to De Recipes!

Hi there! I’m Marla Jennings—most folks just call me Mar. I’m 47, born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina, where the mountains are generous and kitchens never stay quiet for long. These days, I’m lucky to still call this place home, sharing a little house with a big front porch, a backyard full of tomatoes, and a floppy-eared hound named Biscuit who thinks he runs the place.

My love for cooking started the old-fashioned way: watching my grandma stir things she didn’t measure and somehow always getting it right. She had this way of cooking that felt like storytelling, and I guess that rubbed off on me. I’ve never gone to culinary school, but I’ve spent my life learning—at potlucks, over the stove, and now, through this beautiful space called de recipes.

After years of being the “mac ‘n’ cheese lady” at every gathering and eventually hosting supper clubs out of my own kitchen, I realized something: home cooking isn’t just about food. It’s about memory, care, and creativity. It’s about burning the chicken once and laughing it off—or finally nailing a pie crust and dancing in your socks. That’s why I joined de recipes—to share that spirit with you.

What Makes De Recipes Special?

Here on de recipes, I post the kinds of meals that feel like home. Southern classics with a playful twist—grits with wild mushrooms and truffle oil, cast iron cornbread with a bit of maple heat, fried green tomatoes kissed with goat cheese. I’m not here to be fancy or flawless. I’m here to be real. To help you find your rhythm, your flavor, your joy in the kitchen.

• Simple & Delicious Recipes: No complex techniques or hard-to-find ingredients. Just great food made easy!
• Family-Friendly: Recipes that the whole family will enjoy—perfect for weeknight dinners, meal prepping, or weekend gatherings.
• Seasonal Ingredients: I love cooking with what’s fresh and in season, and I incorporate these ingredients into the recipes to make them even more flavorful.
• Personal Touch: Each recipe comes with a little story or tip to make the experience of cooking feel special. I want you to feel like you’re cooking alongside a friend.

If you’re a home cook, welcome. You’re in the right place. Whether you’ve been cooking for decades or just figuring out what “simmer” means, I’m excited to be part of your journey. Let’s keep things simple, soulful, and delicious—one recipe at a time.