Food People, Parent Picks: Kris's Favorite Things
The chef and Healthy Mama Meals App creator shares her real-life staples, shortcuts, and weeknight wins.
Food People, Parent Picks: we ask our favorite chefs, food writers, and industry insiders who we interview in our Order Up! Series to share the products, books, and bites they can’t live without.
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We loved chatting with Kris Dovbniak, the professionally trained chef, recipe developer, and “internet big sister” behind Healthy Mama Kris earlier this week! She has a gift for making family meals feel calm, doable, and rooted in real life (not unrealistic resolutions). As we look ahead to a new year, Kris is the person we want in our corner: the one reminding us that small steps count, one hour of prep can change your week, and you don’t have to overhaul your whole life on January 1 to feel more grounded in the kitchen.
In this rapid-fire Parent Picks round, Kris shares the everyday essentials that keep her family fed and stress levels low, from the multitasking tool she uses every single day to her kitchen appliance splurge that was totally worth it. You’ll also find out the one pantry staple she refuses to run out of and the beginner meal-planning hack she shared to help you get started.
And if you missed her full Order Up! interview, definitely circle back. It’s full of warm, practical advice to help you start the new year feeling supported, not overwhelmed.
A cookbook you love?
The Lost Kitchen by Erin French. Her food is beautiful, seasonal, and always delicious. I’m a New Englander at heart, so I love her Maine roots too.
Three pantry or fridge staples you always keep on hand?
Mayonnaise, a good kosher salt, and Dijon mustard. Mayo is my secret weapon—it’s oil-based, super versatile, and makes the best dressings and marinades. I always keep Diamond Crystal kosher salt on hand (I literally travel with it), and Dijon is another go-to for quick dressings and marinades.
Your current go-to realistic weeknight dinner?
Tonight I’m making a lightened-up chicken parmesan bake; it’s one of my kids’ favorites. I sear seasoned chicken tenders, top them with marinara (homemade or store-bought), add cheese and garlicky breadcrumbs, and bake. It sounds fancy but comes together in about 30 minutes. We serve it with broccoli, any way you like it.
Favorite store-bought marinara?
Rao’s or Carbone—both have great flavor and simple ingredients.
Your busiest-night store-bought shortcut?
A combo shortcut: chicken sausage + pre-made gnocchi. We toss them on a sheet pan with veggies—usually broccoli, peppers, and onions—season everything, and roast. The sausage is already cooked, the gnocchi gets crispy, and there are never leftovers.
Fresh or frozen veggies for that sheet pan?
I usually use fresh, but frozen definitely works.
Favorite kitchen tool?
My microplane. I use it daily, not even joking, for garlic, ginger, citrus zest, nutmeg, everything. I gift them to friends because it’s so much easier than a garlic press.
Favorite healthy snack to keep on hand?
Energy balls. I make different versions using dates and nuts, but my snickerdoodle energy balls, spiced with a little ginger, are my personal favorite.
A kitchen splurge that was worth it?
A really good food processor. I use it constantly for shredding veggies, making hummus or pesto, mixing dips, even prepping baked goods. It saves so much time.
Your favorite beginner meal-planning or grocery hack?
Choose recipes with overlapping ingredients. It cuts down on food waste, saves money, and makes prep easier. I’ll start with one ingredient, such as sweet potatoes, kale, whatever’s in season, and plan two or three meals around it for the week, then switch it up the next week. And if you have extras, freeze them!