About Monica Lensink
A passionate home cook, I’m all about making delicious, real food approachable for the modern family.
There’s nothing I love more than cooking for my family and friends, but as a working Mom, I know how difficult it can be to prepare nourishing meals day in, day out. I simplify recipes for the cook who wants to prepare fresh food from real ingredients, fast.
Born and raised near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, I moved to the Washington, DC area for college. Apart from a few years living in Europe, I’ve called Virginia home ever since, and work as a government analyst for my day job.
I learned to cook by reading, and through a lot of trial of error. When I began dating my now-husband, making dinner – and chocolate chip cookies! – was the best way I knew to impress not just him, but his two kids. Now we’re married and have added another little one to the mix! Food was integral to forming my own modern family, and I love sharing that with others.
About Nourish and Fete
I write the recipes on Nourish and Fete for home cooks who want to provide good food for their family, and value convenience but also love the idea of making things from scratch.
You’ll find no-fuss recipes for classics – comforting chili, hello! – as well as some special meals perfect for easy, impressive entertaining. I also love experimenting with making basics from scratch – like these crazy popular flour tortillas!
All of these recipes are tested and perfected to yield delicious results you can count on. You deserve to feel confidence and pride when your family and friends sit at your table, and these recipes are here to deliver!
Press
My work on Nourish and Fete has been featured on Brit + Co, BuzzFeed, CountryLiving, feedfeed, Greatist, Parade, and more.
Work With Me
Interested in a partnership? Me too! I am available to discuss sponsored blog content for brands that are a good fit, or freelance recipe development and photography. Email me at monica {at} nourish-and-fete.com to get my media kit and discuss current rates.
![{NEW post} Have mercy! Your weekend menu called, and it wants this Honey Chipotle BBQ Chicken. Sweet, spicy, sticky, with deep char marks, AKA the stuff your grill is dreaming of. Easy to prep ahead with about 5 minutes of “work” so you can be lazy but still have dinner covered. This heat wave has nothin’ on you! .
.
.
Link in profile [https://www.nourish-and-fete.com/honey-chipotle-bbq-chicken/]
.
.
.
#nourishandfete #food52 #f52grams #summerrecipe #scratcheats #fromscratch #instayum #thekitchn #huffposttaste #foodwinewomen #foodblogger #whatsonmyplate #getinmybelly #goodeats #thecookfeed #lovefood #tastingtable #heresmyfood #imsomartha #rscookingschool #foodtographyschool #thatsdarling #fromscratch #howisummer #damnthatsdelish #todayfood](http://scontent-ort2-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/8c3e6921e8f8a4e53b78cf8c47a41196/5DCC283C/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.112.900.900a/s640x640/67586380_110315983451017_8045878600552536454_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.cdninstagram.com "{NEW post} Have mercy! Your weekend menu called, and it wants this Honey Chipotle BBQ Chicken. Sweet, spicy, sticky, with deep char marks, AKA the stuff your grill is dreaming of. Easy to prep ahead with about 5 minutes of “work” so you can be lazy but still have dinner covered. This heat wave has nothin’ on you! .
.
.
Link in profile [https://www.nourish-and-fete.com/honey-chipotle-bbq-chicken/]
.
.
.
#nourishandfete #food52 #f52grams #summerrecipe #scratcheats #fromscratch #instayum #thekitchn #huffposttaste #foodwinewomen #foodblogger #whatsonmyplate #getinmybelly #goodeats #thecookfeed #lovefood #tastingtable #heresmyfood #imsomartha #rscookingschool #foodtographyschool #thatsdarling #fromscratch #howisummer #damnthatsdelish #todayfood")
![Oven-avoidance does not mean you can’t make an amazing dinner! This easy vegetarian Penne Alla Vodka with mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes is one you’ll want to make again and again. The only question is whether to use jarred sauce (super speedy and quality shortcut!) or go extra and make your own. 😊
.
.
.
Full recipe linked in my bio @nourishandfete [https://www.nourish-and-fete.com/penne-alla-vodka-mushrooms-tomatoes/]
.
.
.
#nourishandfete #food52 #f52grams #summertreats #summerrecipe #scratcheats #fromscratch #instayum #thekitchn #huffposttaste #foodwinewomen #foodblogger #whatsonmyplate #getinmybelly #goodeats #thecookfeed #lovefood #tastingtable #heresmyfood #imsomartha #rscookingschool #foodtographyschool #thatsdarling #fromscratch #howisummer #damnthatsdelish #todayfood](http://scontent-ort2-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/ba57558042e70ed02aa5620ffbfdcc10/5DD0869F/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.169.1349.1349a/s640x640/67055883_371001733459539_5178257036978054299_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.cdninstagram.com "Oven-avoidance does not mean you can’t make an amazing dinner! This easy vegetarian Penne Alla Vodka with mushrooms and sun-dried tomatoes is one you’ll want to make again and again. The only question is whether to use jarred sauce (super speedy and quality shortcut!) or go extra and make your own. 😊
.
.
.
Full recipe linked in my bio @nourishandfete [https://www.nourish-and-fete.com/penne-alla-vodka-mushrooms-tomatoes/]
.
.
.
#nourishandfete #food52 #f52grams #summertreats #summerrecipe #scratcheats #fromscratch #instayum #thekitchn #huffposttaste #foodwinewomen #foodblogger #whatsonmyplate #getinmybelly #goodeats #thecookfeed #lovefood #tastingtable #heresmyfood #imsomartha #rscookingschool #foodtographyschool #thatsdarling #fromscratch #howisummer #damnthatsdelish #todayfood")
![It’s tomato season and I am here for it! 🍅🍅 This Roasted Tomato and Garlic Spaghetti lands on your table in 20 minutes and the whole family will love the light, luscious flavor. 👏Sweet reader Barbara said, “What a delicious meal! You have changed my mind about cherry tomatoes for good … Wow!” Add this recipe to your menu for a quick dinner soon! ✌️
.
.
.
Full recipe linked in my bio @nourishandfete [https://www.nourish-and-fete.com/roasted-tomato-and-garlic-spaghetti/]
.
.
.
#nourishandfete #food52 #f52grams #summertreats #summerrecipe #scratcheats #fromscratch #instayum #thekitchn #huffposttaste #foodwinewomen #foodblogger #whatsonmyplate #getinmybelly #goodeats #thecookfeed #lovefood #tastingtable #heresmyfood #imsomartha #rscookingschool #foodtographyschool #thatsdarling #fromscratch #howisummer #damnthatsdelish #todayfood](http://scontent-ort2-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/92aaa0edbfbe65de505f271d80f2a7c6/5DEE5684/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/c0.112.900.900a/s640x640/65642447_2351936598411805_9149794909753000199_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-ort2-1.cdninstagram.com "It’s tomato season and I am here for it! 🍅🍅 This Roasted Tomato and Garlic Spaghetti lands on your table in 20 minutes and the whole family will love the light, luscious flavor. 👏Sweet reader Barbara said, “What a delicious meal! You have changed my mind about cherry tomatoes for good … Wow!” Add this recipe to your menu for a quick dinner soon! ✌️
.
.
.
Full recipe linked in my bio @nourishandfete [https://www.nourish-and-fete.com/roasted-tomato-and-garlic-spaghetti/]
.
.
.
#nourishandfete #food52 #f52grams #summertreats #summerrecipe #scratcheats #fromscratch #instayum #thekitchn #huffposttaste #foodwinewomen #foodblogger #whatsonmyplate #getinmybelly #goodeats #thecookfeed #lovefood #tastingtable #heresmyfood #imsomartha #rscookingschool #foodtographyschool #thatsdarling #fromscratch #howisummer #damnthatsdelish #todayfood")
