Hi, I’m Clara—welcome.

I’m the voice, author, and brains behind Recipes By Claras. It all started as a goofy kitchen pastime in 2010, back when I was teaching 4th grade, and now it’s my full-time job that millions of home cooks use each month. The Kitchn, CNN, Pinterest, Brit + Co, POPSUGAR, Facebook, The Everymom, PureWow … they’ve all sung our recipe and storytelling praise.

Me and my husband Bjork, along with our dog Sage, call Saint Paul, Minnesota home sweet home. You can generally find me with a big plate of Pad Thai in one hand, the sun shining on my face, and my little pup running around the dog park.

I post new tasty, and for the most part, good-for-you recipes that I cook and actually eat in my real life. If I wouldn’t eat it at my own table, it doesn’t make the blog. I want to inspire you with food that is easy to make but still so very exciting to make for yourself, your family, your roommates, your friends–whoever you are cooking for. I want it to be something that you look forward to – so that 5pm is the best part of your day!

What’s Inside:

Dinners having big flavor but being friendly enough for weeknights
Bright salads and sides that put veggies front and center
Comfort classics, all lightened up
Desserts that feel special, not the fuss
How It Happened

I Started by posting recipes between lesson plans and recess duty in 2010. It wasn’t about perfection—it was about honest food, clear instructions, and ingredients you can find anywhere. A small community quickly grew into something bigger: readers cooked along, shared photos, and made the recipes their own. That sense of connection remains the heart of this site.

What I Believe

Less is more. There is no need to complicate great food.

Flavor before all else. Clean, bright, and balanced, always.

Keep it real. Directions should be clear, practical, and doable.

We are bound by food. Meals become memories, and recipes are love you can taste.

Let’s Do the Cooking Together

Looking at your dishes brightens my day. Post your photos on Pinterest and tag them with @ClaraRecipes_ we celebrate our favorites each Friday in the Reader Awards.

Have a question, recipe request, or a partnership idea? I’d love to hear from you.

Thank you for being here.
Pull up a chair, fork over, and let’s make something delicious together.