Welcome to Recipes By Step, where American cooking is made approachable, heartfelt, and truly inclusive. This is a space for everyday home cooks, busy families, and curious food lovers who want meals that are grounded in tradition, easy to follow, and always satisfying.
We believe that cooking should feel like a shared story, passed from one kitchen to another. With step-by-step guidance, clear instructions, and no unnecessary complexity, our recipes are made for real life, whether you’re getting dinner on the table after work or creating something special for the weekend.
Who We Are
We are Annie Ray and Mark DeLuca, two home cooks with different roots but a shared purpose: to bring out the best in American food while keeping it simple, balanced, and welcoming.
Annie Ray
Hey there, I’m Annie Ray. I’m 39 years old and live just outside Minneapolis, where the seasons change fast and the dinners stay warm. I’m a home cook, creative, a little bit impulsive in the kitchen, and completely in love with the magic of everyday meals.
I didn’t grow up thinking I’d be obsessed with cooking. It started slowly, learning to make boxed mac and cheese without burning it, then progressing to meatloaf and roasted vegetables that had my friends quiet with their first bite. There’s something about food that invites curiosity. Before I knew it, I was jotting down tweaks to recipes on sticky notes and collecting cookbooks like some people collect records.
My cooking style? Think comfort with a creative twist. I’m drawn to American classics, chili that gets better after a night in the fridge, baked casseroles that taste like a hug, and one-pan dinners where everything just clicks together without dirtying the whole kitchen. I like meals that work hard, taste amazing, and don’t require a culinary degree to pull off.
For me, cooking is joy in motion. It’s Monday nights made better with a bubbling skillet, or snowy Sundays that call for cinnamon rolls and too much coffee. I’ve burnt things. I’ve forgotten the ingredients. I’ve had meals turn out weirdly green. But I’ve also had moments where a simple dish made someone’s whole day, so I keep going.
Whether you’re new to cooking or a seasoned pro, I believe the kitchen should feel like a playground, not a pressure cooker. Try things. Fail a little. Taste often. And always, always save room for seconds.
So pull up a chair, my stove’s warm, and something delicious is just around the corner.
Mark DeLuca
Hi there, I’m Mark DeLuca. I’m 39 years old, living in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where the winters are long and the ovens stay busy. I’m not a professionally trained chef, but I’ve been cooking for as long as I can remember, first out of necessity, then out of passion, and now as a way to bring people together.
I grew up in a big Italian-American family where food was never just food; it was a way of expressing love, comfort, and identity. My mom made lasagna that could silence a room, and my dad grilled with the kind of patience that only comes with deep respect for the process. Those early days at the kitchen table taught me that you don’t need fancy ingredients or chef’s whites to make a meal unforgettable.
These days, I cook with a “no-fuss” attitude that still honors that homegrown wisdom. I love the kind of recipes that you can pull off after a long workday without sacrificing flavor or heart. Think: bubbling casseroles with golden cheese tops, smoky chili simmering on the stove, and one-pan chicken dinners that leave room for a little wine and conversation while they bake.
What I enjoy most is making food that feels special without being complicated. I believe anyone can cook, and more importantly, anyone can cook something amazing. I’ve made mistakes (like forgetting to salt the soup, yep, it happens), but that’s part of the adventure. Every error teaches you something, and every success is a reason to gather your favorite people around the table.
Whether you’re just learning to boil pasta or you’ve been sautéing since college, I hope my cooking reminds you that delicious doesn’t have to mean difficult. I’m all about hearty flavors, simple techniques, and meals that leave you full in every sense of the word.
So welcome to my kitchen. Let’s make something great together.
What We Believe
At Recipes By Step, we believe food is meant to be inclusive, thoughtful, and filled with care. Our recipes are built for busy schedules and thoughtful eaters. Every meal is designed to be easy to make, rich in flavor, and suited to households that value intention as much as taste.
We focus on:
Clear, step-by-step instructions that guide without overwhelming
Meals that can be made quickly, often in 30 minutes or less
Recipes inspired by American regional favorites, adapted for modern life
Clean, accessible ingredients that support a variety of eating preferences
Why It Matters
We understand that food is more than just a routine. It encompasses comfort, culture, memory, and celebration. It symbolizes a way to care for others and yourself. That’s why we take the time to test every recipe, select ingredients thoughtfully, and create content that feels supportive, not prescriptive.
Whether you’re just starting or rediscovering the joy of home cooking, Recipes By Step guides you one dish at a time, one memory at a time.
Pull up a chair. Let’s cook something meaningful together.
