It started with a simple scroll and a TikTok from Jourdyn (@jeauxp): boil potatoes in a mix of chicken stock and water, skins on. That small shift transformed them. The broth slipped in a gentle umami warmth, while the skins gave each bite a rustic, homey texture that felt both familiar and excitingly new. It was still mashed potatoes, yet somehow more grown-up, more intentional.
From there, experimentation felt natural. Sour cream and chives turned the next batch into something almost restaurant-worthy—tangy, bright, and beautiful on the plate. Other TikTok tips followed: a pinch of nutmeg waking up simple spinach, a slice of bread rescuing hardened brown sugar. Each hack nudged my cooking a little further, without losing the comfort my family loves. Those small risks in the kitchen became tiny acts of creativity, proof that even the most traditional dishes still have room to surprise us.
