Meet Carter: The Five‑Year‑Old Chef Who Stole My Heart (and My Popover Loyalty)

Kid chef Carter in a dinosaur apron at the kitchen counter, happily declaring ‘Yummy, yummy, yummy’ during one of his cooking videos.

 

A Tiny Chef With Big Talent

I’ve made a wonderful discovery! If you like cooking, children, and British accents, have I got a treat for you. You know those kids’ baking shows where the contestants are 10 or 12 and already more skilled than most adults? Well, move over, junior chefs — I’ve fallen head‑over‑heels for a little five‑year‑old who could give the Pillsbury Doughboy a run for his money.

His name is Carter, and you have to watch his cooking videos.

Confidence, Charm, and “Yummy, Yummy, Yummy”

This tiny chef has confidence, presence, and technique that seem impossible for someone who still probably needs help tying his shoes. His signature phrase — delivered in the sweetest little British accent — is “Yummy, yummy, yummy.” And trust me, when he says it, you believe him.

He’s basically the Gordon Ramsay of the toddler set, minus the yelling. He narrates his steps like a pro, glances off‑camera to his dad for the occasional assist, and announces things like, “My Dad’s going to place this tray in the oven now,” as a pair of adult hands swoops in. It’s adorable and impressive all at once.

The Sizzle Heard ’Round the Kitchen

One of my favorite moments was when his dad poured batter into the hot tins and Carter leaned in with pure wonder and said something like:

“Ooooh, listen to that sizzle!”

It was such a small moment, but it captured everything that makes him so delightful — the curiosity, the excitement, the joy of discovery. You can’t watch him without smiling.

A Lesson in Yorkshire Pudding (From a Five‑Year‑Old!)

Believe it or not, I even learned something from him.

As you may know from previous posts, popovers are my thing. In the U.S., popover recipes often say “for popovers or Yorkshire pudding,” and I always assumed they were basically the same. Well, Little Carter set me straight. The difference isn’t the batter — it’s the pan.

In the U.S., popover pans are deep and cylindrical.
In the UK, a Yorkshire pudding tin is shallow and wide — more like a flattened muffin tin.

Carter showed how you pour the batter into smoking hot fat (his dad handled that part — safety first!) and the heat makes the batter sputter and climb the sides, forming that classic bowl shape. Same batter, different pan, totally different result.

Why You Need to Watch Him

I honestly don’t have the right words to fully describe this little chef. I’m amazed by his skill, his knowledge, and his on‑camera charm. You don’t have to like cooking shows to get a kick out of him — he’s pure joy in a tiny apron.

Do yourself a favor and check him out on Facebook.
Cooking With Carter.
You’ll be smiling before the video even ends.


 

It’s Turtle Time!

 

Oh My My! I always look forward to Monday mornings when I open my email and find another decadent dessert from Andy Anand Chocolatiers. But today’s treat was especially good — all my favorite flavors rolled into one. I have tons of “turtle” recipes, but it’s even better when I don’t have to do the baking.

Today’s Monday Special is Turtle Pecan Cake!
And even better for diabetics like me — it’s sugar‑free.

Order up your own Turtle Cake here. 

Affiliate Disclosure: Some links in this post are support‑the‑blog links. If you choose to purchase through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting my little corner of the internet.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to daydream about that Turtle Pecan Cake all over again.

 

The Annual Father’s Day Dilemma

A smiling father holding a wrapped gift while his two children kiss him on the cheeks, with a happy golden dog looking up at them and colorful hearts in the background.


Father’s Day Is Right Around the Corner

We all love our dads… but buying for them?
That’s a whole different story.

Here’s the typical conversation:

Me: “Hey Dad, Father’s Day is coming up. What would you like this year?”
Dad: “Nothing, I’m fine. Save your money. Don’t spend it on me.”

Well, that’s a bummer.
So what do you get? Another tie he’ll never wear? Something for his grill? Maybe a power tool or two?

The best gifts — for any occasion — are the ones people actually use. Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, Christmas, birthdays… it doesn’t matter. Practical wins every time.

And dads? They reliably love two things:

  1. Sleep
  2. Food

So here are two easy Father’s Day ideas that check both boxes.


1. Give Dad the Gift of Sleep

Promeed
Your dad will love the silky softness of Promeed sheets and pillows. And let’s be honest — if Mom is the one making the bed, she’ll appreciate the upgrade too. Win‑win.

Shop here


2. Treat Him to Something Sweet

Andy Anand Chocolatier
A decadent cake delivered right to the door or something differnt like Australian  Licorice candy?  No baking, no fuss, just something delicious from the pros. Perfect for the dad with a sweet tooth.

Just follow the link for easy ordering


Whatever you choose, enjoy the day with your dad — that’s the part he’ll remember most.

Affiliate disclosure

Just a heads‑up: this post includes affiliate links. If you decide to treat Dad (or yourself), I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting Arounddustyroads!


 

My Use-It-Up Dinner of Chicken Piccata

Chicken piccata in a skillet waiting to be served


Back to Basics: My Makeshift Chicken Piccata

I haven’t shared a recipe in a while. It’s not because I haven’t been cooking — I have — but nothing new has been coming out of my kitchen lately. I’ve been in one of those same old, same old phases. I always fall into that after a couple of kitchen failures. When something flops, I retreat to my old standbys for comfort.

A Couple of Cookie Disasters

Recently I had two cookie mishaps in a row.
The first one was my fault — I misread the recipe. The second one? The only explanation I can come up with is that my oven temperature was off. What should have been soft, fluffy, cake‑like molasses cookies came out flat as a pancake. The best way to describe them is a thin, chewy ginger snap.

I’ve got an oven thermometer on the way, so hopefully that mystery gets solved soon. In the meantime, I’ve been keeping things pretty basic.

The Chicken Broth and Lemon Situation

Tonight I found myself staring at a nearly full box of chicken broth and two lemons that were about to give up on life. I needed to use them — but I didn’t have any veggies for a stir fry, and all I had was chicken breast. So… what to make?

I have tons of chicken recipes, but every one I pulled out needed something I didn’t have.
This one wanted white wine.
That one wanted broccoli.
Another wanted asparagus.

And then I saw it: Chicken Piccata.
I haven’t made it in ages. It’s easy, quick, and the leftovers warm up beautifully.

So that’s what I made — my makeshift dinner to use up the broth and lemons.


Chicken Piccata

Ingredients

Chicken:

  • 4 chicken breasts
  • ½ cup flour
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (olive oil recommended)
  • Salt and pepper to taste

For the Sauce:

  • ¼ cup butter
  • 1½ tablespoons flour
  • 1 cup chicken broth
  • ½ cup white wine or additional chicken broth
  • 2 tablespoons capers
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley

Instructions

  1. Prep the chicken:
    Place the chicken breasts between two sheets of plastic wrap and pound them to an even ½‑inch thickness.
  2. Dredge:
    Combine flour, lemon zest (zest ½ the lemon), salt, and pepper. Dredge the chicken in the flour mixture and set aside.
  3. Cook the chicken:
    Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium‑high heat. Cook the chicken 4–5 minutes per side, until just cooked through. Cook in batches if needed. Remove and set aside.
  4. Make the roux:
    In the same pan, melt the butter. Add the 1½ tablespoons of flour and whisk until smooth.
  5. Build the sauce:
    Gradually whisk in the chicken broth, a little at a time, until smooth.
  6. Add flavor:
    Add lemon juice, white wine (or more broth), and capers. Simmer for 3 minutes, whisking occasionally.
  7. Finish:
    Return the chicken to the pan and simmer 2–3 minutes more. Stir in parsley and serve over pasta.


And that, my friends, was my “use‑it‑up” dinner — born from leftover chicken broth and two lemons on their last legs. If you try it, let me know how yours turns out.


 

Strawberry Cream Cake by Andy Anand

Swedish Strawberry Cream Cake

Jordgubbstårta

Mondays get a bad rap, but not around here. Andy Anand’s Monday Special always feels like a little celebration, and today’s is pure springtime joy. Strawberries. Cream. Bliss. I swear I can taste them already.

This Sugar‑Free Swedish Strawberry Cream Cake (is perfect for diabetics and anyone doing keto. Hand‑crafted, gorgeous, and bursting with strawberry flavor. A sweet treat without the sugar crash.

This Sugar‑Free Swedish Strawberry Cream Cake is perfect for diabetics

Order you sweet treat here today

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