• Skip to main content
  • Skip to header right navigation
  • Skip to site footer
Melissa K. Norris

Melissa K. Norris

5th-generation homesteader. Helping modern women live from scratch.

Log In
  • Start Here
  • Podcast
  • Articles
    • Natural Medicine Cabinet
    • Recipes
    • Food Preservation
    • Gardening
    • Homestead-Life
    • Canning Recipes
  • Shop
    • Books
    • Classes
    • General Store
  • Academy
  • Log In
  • Start Here
  • Podcast
  • Articles
    • Natural Medicine Cabinet
    • Recipes
    • Food Preservation
    • Gardening
    • Homestead-Life
    • Canning Recipes
  • Shop
    • Books
    • Classes
    • General Store
  • Academy
  • Log In

Main Dish Recipes

A bird's eye view of a freshly baked chicken and broccoli casserole in a white baking dish.

Chicken and Broccoli Casserole With Curry | Easy From-Scratch Dinner

Read moreChicken and Broccoli Casserole With Curry | Easy From-Scratch Dinner
A cooked whole chicken served on a white platter and garnished with fresh rosemary.

Instant Pot Whole Chicken  (Juicy, Easy & Flavorful Recipe)

Read moreInstant Pot Whole Chicken  (Juicy, Easy & Flavorful Recipe)
Baked chicken Alfredo pizza on a pizza stone with a slice missing.

Chicken Alfredo Pizza Recipe

Read moreChicken Alfredo Pizza Recipe
A jar filled with DIY Italian seasoning mix, and labeled with a tag.

DIY Italian Seasoning (Homemade Italian Spice Blend)

Read moreDIY Italian Seasoning (Homemade Italian Spice Blend)
A jar filled with DIY taco seasoning mix, and labeled with a tag.

DIY Taco Seasoning Mix (Better Than Store-Bought)

Read moreDIY Taco Seasoning Mix (Better Than Store-Bought)

Morel and Asparagus Quiche

Read moreMorel and Asparagus Quiche
Ham and bean soup served in a white bowl.

Old-Fashioned Ham and Bean Soup

Read moreOld-Fashioned Ham and Bean Soup
Cocktail meatballs and sauce in a white serving bowl and garnished with scallions.

Best Cocktail Meatball Recipe | Sweet & Savory Party Favorite

Read moreBest Cocktail Meatball Recipe | Sweet & Savory Party Favorite
A bowl of Delicata squash soup with a fried sage leaf on top.

Creamy Delicata Squash Soup

Read moreCreamy Delicata Squash Soup
A Mason jar of cream of bacon soup on a wooden counter.

Cream of Bacon Soup (Quick & Easy)

Read moreCream of Bacon Soup (Quick & Easy)
A jar of homemade cream of potato soup with potatoes on the counter.

Cream of Potato Soup Recipe

Read moreCream of Potato Soup Recipe
A Mason jar of cream of celery soup on a wooden counter.

Cream of Celery Soup Recipe

Read moreCream of Celery Soup Recipe

Crispy Fried Chicken - Old-fashioned Fried Chicken Recipe Homestead Style

Read moreCrispy Fried Chicken - Old-fashioned Fried Chicken Recipe Homestead Style
Pork shoulder in a tinfoil pan.

How to Roast a Whole Pig-Part 2

Read moreHow to Roast a Whole Pig-Part 2
Cream of broccoli cheddar soup in a bowl with a spoon and rolls in the background.

Cream of Broccoli Soup With Cheese

Read moreCream of Broccoli Soup With Cheese
Bowl of traditional Ukranian borscht with slices of bread.

Traditional Borscht Recipe

Read moreTraditional Borscht Recipe

Quinoa and Black Bean Salad Recipe

Read moreQuinoa and Black Bean Salad Recipe
A Mason jar with cream of chicken soup in it.

Homemade Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe

Read moreHomemade Cream of Chicken Soup Recipe
Homemade chili in a white bowl topped with sour cream, onions and cilantro.

Easy Instant Pot Chili Recipe

Read moreEasy Instant Pot Chili Recipe

Chicken Artichoke Heart Casserole and The Irresistible Table

Read moreChicken Artichoke Heart Casserole and The Irresistible Table

Homemade Refried Beans in 10 Minutes

Read moreHomemade Refried Beans in 10 Minutes
Instant Pot beef stew

Old-fashioned Beef Stew Recipe - Instant Pot or Slow Cooker

Read moreOld-fashioned Beef Stew Recipe - Instant Pot or Slow Cooker

Slow Cooker or Instant Pot Cabbage Rolls Recipe

Read moreSlow Cooker or Instant Pot Cabbage Rolls Recipe
Purple dead nettle growing in a patch.

Purple Dead Nettle - Foraging, Medicinal, and Cooking Guide

Read morePurple Dead Nettle - Foraging, Medicinal, and Cooking Guide
A cooked whole roast chicken in a cast iron skillet.

Easy Oven Roasted Chicken Recipe (Crispy & Juicy)

Read moreEasy Oven Roasted Chicken Recipe (Crispy & Juicy)

Turkey and Dumplings Recipe

Read moreTurkey and Dumplings Recipe
Close up image of salmon kale cakes served on a white platter. Text overlay says "@melissaknorris.com".

Kale and Salmon Cakes Recipe-Paleo Diet Style

Read moreKale and Salmon Cakes Recipe-Paleo Diet Style

How to Make Buttermilk Fried Chicken Strips

Read moreHow to Make Buttermilk Fried Chicken Strips
A woman in the kitchen holding up a large zucchini.

144 Best Zucchini Recipes - Ideas for Summer Zucchini

Read more144 Best Zucchini Recipes - Ideas for Summer Zucchini

How to Make Pierogies- Traditional Ukrainian Perogi Recipe

Read moreHow to Make Pierogies- Traditional Ukrainian Perogi Recipe

Pioneering Today-Dutch Oven Chicken Vegetable Bake Recipe

Read morePioneering Today-Dutch Oven Chicken Vegetable Bake Recipe
Two bowls of tomato soup with a loaf of bread and a jar of tomato sauce beside it.

Homemade Tomato Soup (From the Pantry)

Read moreHomemade Tomato Soup (From the Pantry)

25+ Cast Iron & Dutch Oven Recipes

Read more25+ Cast Iron & Dutch Oven Recipes

7 Frugal Fall Recipes for Real Food Kitchens

Read more7 Frugal Fall Recipes for Real Food Kitchens

Mafé: Traditional West African Peanut Sauce & Rice Recipe

Read moreMafé: Traditional West African Peanut Sauce & Rice Recipe

Fish Chowder Recipe- Great-Grandma's from 1931 & Keto friendly

Read moreFish Chowder Recipe- Great-Grandma's from 1931 & Keto friendly

Pioneering Today-Thin Crust No Knead No Rise Chicken Veggie Pizza

Read morePioneering Today-Thin Crust No Knead No Rise Chicken Veggie Pizza
A woman in the kitchen with jars of home canned food.

Howdy, I'm Melissa!

I’m so glad you're here. This is the place for all of us who loved Little House when we were young and thought Laura was our best friend. It's where we grow dinner in the backyard and think everything looks and tastes better when it comes from a Mason jar. Here, you'll find my favorite from-scratch recipes, herbal remedies and tutorials, and all my gardening tips from my 20+ years of growing and raising our own food.

More About Melissa
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
  • Pinterest

My Most Popular Posts

Sourdough starter in a jar with a loaf of bread in the background.

How to Make a Sourdough Starter + Tips for Success

Soft Sourdough Sandwich Bread (Beginner Friendly Recipe)

Homemade Pop Tarts From Scratch (Hand Pies)

A cooked whole roast chicken in a cast iron skillet.

Easy Oven Roasted Chicken Recipe (Crispy & Juicy)

A white plate with a helping of strawberry rhubarb dump cake and a fork. Text overlay says, "Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake Real Food Style: Homemade Cake Mix & No Jello".

Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake without Jello & Homemade Cake Mix

Bacon wrapped asparagus on a white plate.

Bacon Wrapped Asparagus (Easy Appetizer or Side Dish)

A stack of homemade graham crackers on a plate.

Easy Homemade Graham Crackers

Plated by Season: Home‑Cooked. Home‑Grown. On Your Table in 30 Minutes or Less.

75+ seasonal, from‑scratch recipes + a monthly harvest chart. Real meals. Minimal fuss.

Grab Your Copy ($20, Free Shipping)

Spring Preserving Recipes

A jar of pickled asparagus with spears on a plate.

Pickled Asparagus Recipe (Canned, Quick, or Refrigerator)

Three jars of strawberry jam hot out of the canner.

Strawberry Jam Without Pectin (Low Sugar Recipe)

Jar of fermented lemons on a counter with a bag of citrus and sliced lemons on a plate

How to Store Lemons (For a Year!) - Fermented Lemons

A jar of fermented pickles sitting on an outdoor table.

Fermented Pickles Recipe|Easy Old-Fashioned Salt Brine Pickles

A basket full of strawberries.

How to Preserve Strawberries: Keep Those Berries Fresh!

Sidebar


Melissa K. Norris

Follow me:

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • About Melissa K. Norris — Modern Homesteading ExpertStart Here
  • Classes
  • Academy
  • Contact
  • Log In

Articles

  • Gardening
  • Homesteading
  • Recipes
  • Lifestyle
  • DIY

Podcast

Herbal Remedies for Summer: Natural Relief for Sunburns, Bug Bites, Stings & Scrapes

Why Your Food Preservation Isn’t Working (And How to Fix It Safely)

Feeding a Family on a Budget

Spring Meal Planning (Without the Overwhelm)

Books

  • Everything Worth Preserving
  • The Family Garden Planner
  • Handmade
  • The Made from Scratch Life
  • The Family Garden Plan

Education

  • Organic Gardening Workshop
  • Home Fruit Preservative Canning e-course
  • Home Canning With Confidence
  • Homemade Bread & Baking Class
  • Natural Homemade Bath and Beauty
  • Pioneering Today Academy


© 2026 · Melissa K. Norris Pioneering Today LLC

  • Privacy Policy
  • Affiliate Disclaimer
  • Terms of Use
  • Accessibility

Melissa K. Norris and Pioneering Today LLC is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Manager