Do you love delicious food prepared simply with fresh ingredients? Me too. And that’s just what you’ll find here.
I’m Marissa Stevens, the cook, writer, and photographer/videographer behind Pinch and Swirl.
I believe that the best food happens at home. I love delicious food prepared simply with fresh ingredients and that’s just what you’ll find here! You can count on me for well tested, easy, mouthwatering recipes designed for home cooks.
My recipes span cuisines across the world and are simple without sacrificing flavor. I skip highly processed foods, but otherwise, nothing is off-limits. Here you’ll find only my very favorite recipes and creative techniques for making hearty pastas, soups and stews, all sorts of vegetables, BIG salads, classic comfort foods, cookies, craft cocktails, and desserts – both decadent and light.
A little bit about me…
I remember helping my grandmother can peaches from her backyard tree when I was 5 years old. She sliced a wide X through the bottom of a peach, lowered it into boiling water for a few seconds, then plunged it into a bowl of ice water. My job was slipping the skin off in one piece like a sweater. As we worked together, I learned that food is more than just sustenance—it’s a way to create moments of joy and connection.
From that day to this, I’ve had an insatiable appetite for cooking and learning about food. It’s taken me from the golden hills of Northern California, where I met my childhood sweetheart and now husband, Keith, to the wide-open spaces of Oregon.
We’ve spent years turning houses into homes, traveling to places where the food tells its own stories, and writing down our adventures along the way. From our favorite spots in the United States to the vibrant flavors of Europe and South America, and back to our cozy kitchen, it’s always been about one thing: connecting over great food.
It’s Your Story, Too
Pinch and Swirl isn’t just my recipe scrapbook; it’s a meeting place for all of us who believe that cooking is more than following a recipe—it’s about creating moments that bind us together. This blog is as much yours as it is mine. It’s where we celebrate the messiness, the triumphs, and the simple joy of making and sharing food.
More Than Just Meals
Around here, we believe in the magic of a shared table. Cooking from scratch is our way of slowing down, savoring the process, and spreading the love, one homemade dish at a time. It’s not just about the food; it’s about the laughter, the stories, and the memories we create together.
So join me in the kitchen, won’t you? Let’s roll up our sleeves, gather around the table, and celebrate the simple joy of making and sharing food. Your thoughts, your questions, your stories—they matter here. So please, be a part of the conversation, (though I reserve the right to delete hurtful or nasty comments), or send me a note, and let’s keep building this community where every recipe is an invitation to connect, to celebrate, and to remember that, no matter where we are, we’re all just people who love good food and good company.
If You’re New Here
Though I put my heart into every recipe I share here, there are several reader favorite recipes that are a great place to start if this is your first visit.
- Pork Belly – such a versatile ingredient! And once you’ve made it, here are a whole collection of Pork Belly Recipes to try.
- Same goes for Carne Asada. It’s the cut of beef and Carne Asada Marinade with not one but three fresh citrus juices that makes this one stand out from the rest.
- Lemon Garlic Pasta – one of many, delicious ~20 minute recipes that work for just about any meal.
- Tomato Bisque – a quick and easy version that’s so silky smooth, but surprisingly light.
- Shrimp Tacos – if you love shrimp and you love tacos, you have to try these. That’s all there is to it.
With love from my kitchen to yours,
Marissa
