The Appetite for Life Cooking Club is a vibrant, paid membership community where home cooks gather to chat about recipes, learn new tips, and share their best practices. Jen Vondenbrink personally monitors the club daily, adding her insights, recipes, and sparking creativity among members. It's a fantastic place to grow your cooking skills and connect with fellow food enthusiasts!

It is easy! We have two plans. A monthly subscription of $14.99 USD per month, or an annual fee of $156 USD per year. Both plans have the same benefits, however the annual membership saves members over $25 USD and they receive access to the Basics Recipe Collection which is a bi-weekly recipe with tips, menus, and variations. You can sign-up here.

To keep your fresh herbs from wilting, treat them right! For soft herbs like parsley, cilantro, and basil, trim the stems and place them in a glass of water, just like a bouquet. Cover them loosely with a plastic bag and pop them in the fridge. For hard herbs like rosemary, thyme, and sage, wrap them in a damp paper towel and store them in a resealable plastic bag in the fridge. This way, they'll stay fresh and vibrant longer!

Getting your measurements right is key to baking success! Use dry measuring cups for ingredients like flour and sugar, and liquid measuring cups for things like milk and oil. For dry ingredients, spoon them into the measuring cup and level off with a flat edge. For liquids, place the cup on a flat surface and check at eye level to make sure it's accurate. Happy baking!

Want to cook the perfect steak? Here's the secret: Choose the right cut for your cooking method. Season it generously and let it come to room temperature. Make sure your pan or grill is hot before you start cooking. Cook to the right temperature: Rare (125-130°F) for a cool, red center, Medium-Rare (130-135°F) for a warm, pink center (the sweet spot for flavor and tenderness), Medium (135-145°F) for a pink center with a hint of brown, Medium-Well (145-155°F) for a mostly brown center with a slight hint of pink, and Well-Done (155°F+) for brown throughout. Rest the steak for 5-10 minutes to let the juices redistribute. Enjoy!

Here is a guide to cooking wild rice, but it is really easy. Cook the rice in a lot of water like you are cooking pasta for 35-50 minutes until it is al dente. Drain the rice and return it to the pot it was cooked in. Cover and let steam for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork.

Every home cook needs a few essential tools to make life in the kitchen easier and more fun! Here's my go-to list: Chef's knife, Paring knife, Cutting board, Dry and wet measuring cups, Measuring spoons, Mixing bowls, Skillet, Saucepan, Baking sheet, and a set of wooden spoons. These tools will help you tackle most recipes with ease. (Psst... the links are to the tools I use and love. They’re affiliate links, which means I earn a little without costing you extra. It helps keep the site ad-free!)

Some basic cooking techniques that every beginner should learn include chopping, sautéing, boiling, and roasting. Chopping involves cutting ingredients into smaller pieces, while sautéing is cooking food quickly in a small amount of oil over medium-high heat. Boiling is cooking food in boiling water, and roasting involves cooking food in the oven at high temperatures. Mastering these techniques will help you prepare a wide variety of dishes.

Cooking pasta to al dente means that it is just cooked so is a bit firm. The reason you cook pasta to al dente is so that it can continue to cook in the sauce. To cook pasta al dente Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and stir occasionally to prevent sticking. Cook the pasta according to the package instructions, but start checking for doneness a minute or two before the recommended cooking time. The pasta should be firm to the bite but not hard. Once it reaches this texture, drain the pasta and toss with the sauce.