Let’s Eat!

Recipes you’ll wish you doubled

Dinner Elise Smith Dinner Elise Smith

Creamy Mushroom Chicken Skillet

Taking comfort food to the next level with this dairy-free creamy mushroom chicken skillet! This easy, one-skillet dish is so cozy and flavorful and just what you need to add to your weeknight rotation.

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Holiday, Sweets Elise Smith Holiday, Sweets 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!

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Lunch, Salad, Dinner Elise Smith Lunch, Salad, Dinner 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.

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Sides Elise Smith Sides Elise Smith

Maple Butter + Thyme Braised Carrots

Braised carrots are easily one of my favorite sides to serve around the holidays for a sweet, savory punch of flavor and this particular recipe with maple butter + thyme glazed carrots is a total showstopper to serve for your next get together.

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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.

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Pork Tenderloin with Creamy Tarragon Chive Sauce

Today we are crushing any "overcooking scaries" by making this perfectly cooked pork tenderloin with creamy tarragon chive sauce! I promise this recipe is a game changer for any pork skeptics: so super simple and absolutely freaking delicious.

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Sides Elise Smith Sides Elise Smith

Hot Honey Delicata Squash with Pomegranate + Pecans

This insanely flavorful holiday side already has a spot at my Thanksgiving and Christmas table. Roasted delicata squash candied in hot honey drizzle with toasted pecans, juicy pomegranate and fresh thyme, this holiday recipe is guaranteed to be a crowd pleaser.

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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!

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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!

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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.

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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!

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Lunch, Salad Elise Smith Lunch, Salad 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.

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Bahn Mi Inspired Meatballs with Sriracha Drizzle + Sesame Slaw

Vietnamese food is just always a treat in my book, particularly Bahn Mi sandwiches and my absolute favorite place of all time for Bahn Mi is Nammi located in the Dallas Farmer's Market. They make an INCREDIBLE Bahn Mi that inspired me to make my own spin that is meal prep friendly and delicious! I hope you enjoy!

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About Elise

What Would Ina Do?

Hi! I’m Elise, the personal chef and recipe developer behind Coppedge Kitchen.

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 left my job in finance, went to culinary school, and began cooking for private clients in my hometown of Dallas, which taught me the real key ingredients— understanding what’s worth cooking on repeat, and how to simplify without sacrificing flavor or health.

My philosophy is simple: do your best to cook with what’s in season, don’t overcomplicate it, and lean into flavor. People crave the kind of recipes that feel effortless but impressive. Like that one dress in your closet that’s guaranteed to make you feel amazing and get compliments on. That, but for dinner!

That’s the heart of Coppedge Kitchen: approachable, show-stopping dinners that build confidence in the kitchen, and bring ease to even your busiest nights. Whether I’m cooking for you or you’re cooking with me, you’ll walk away with something worth sharing, and even passing down.