May Recipe Round
Highlighting recipes I enjoyed making (and eating!) during the month of May!
May was the month we lost our sweet angel Cooper, our beloved golden retriever. It has only been 17 days, but somehow it feels like so much longer since I last kissed his floofy ears, heard the sound of his collar jingle, or watched him greet our neighbors with a big smile in the front yard.
I would love to share what I’m calling Cooper’s obituary in an attempt to honor the impact he had on our hearts and our lives (I promise I will get to the recipes).
Our Sweet Cooper
10/19/2012 - 5/15/2026
We had the most beautiful 13 years (and almost 7 months) with the most loving & gentle boy. We are heartbroken beyond words and it’s hard to imagine a single moment without him. It has been our greatest privilege getting to love him and be loved by him.
Cooper has grown with me through all of my adult years. He got to go to college, live with me & my best friends in our young 20s, he saw me meet Ryan and walk down the aisle when we were married, he’s experienced the joys of homeownership and having a yard to roll in and neighbors to force pets from. He’s survived cancer, hiked mountains, walked more miles than you would think possible, ate so much pizza crust, gone on numerous vacations, become internet famous, and received the designated title of “mayor of the neighborhood”. He’s been there for all the hard days, and especially all the great ones. He has lived the fullest life possible and we will hold on to each moment and memory always.
To everyone that has loved him alongside us, saying thank you doesn’t feel like enough but it’s a start. To his family, friends, roommates, neighbors and everything in between, please know you meant everything to him. He loved his people and I’m convinced he received more attention than any dog ever before.
To anyone that has ever experienced pet loss, my heart is with you. This is something I have tried to prepare myself for years, but it’s impossible to do so. This is a sadness I’ve never known before and it feels like a part of me will always be gone. Cooper was far more than just a dog. He taught me what genuine love is and he put into perspective what matters most in the world. He wasn’t supposed to be mine but the universe knew he was everything I needed.
To the greatest loss of my life, Coop dog I love you forever. I hope you’re with some old friends and I hope you already found no less than 25 people to pet you. I know I’ll find you again, I promise.
Grief is never linear, and it continues to sneak up on me when I least expect it. Some days, I almost feel guilty for feeling so “normal,” and then other days, I cry over the simplest reminder of him. He has already visited me multiple times in his own way, and I will continue to look for signs of him everywhere I go.
For obvious reasons, May was a slower month for recipes. I took some time off and allowed myself to cook without the pressure of filming or aesthetics. It felt nice, and I enjoyed the break I probably desperately needed.
I am someone who has always been good at hiding how I’m really feeling. I dive into distractions and adopt a “fake it ’til you make it” mentality, putting on a presentation of being fine, happy, excited, and energized. This is a reminder that social media is a highlight reel—a curated glimpse into the small portion of a person’s life that they choose to share.
I love cooking, I love developing recipes, and I love creating content to share with my audience. Coop’s Kitchen is my outlet, my creative space, and something that brings me genuine joy. Knowing that Cooper will forever be memorialized in this space is a heartwarming realization, and I plan to continue growing this platform with the comfort of knowing he was there to support me from the very beginning.
There’s no natural way to transition into sharing May’s recipes, so we’ll just cut to the chase. What I will say is that this month’s recipes definitely have a theme: fresh, vibrant ingredients that reflect the early days of warmer weather.
I hope you find something you enjoy, and as always, thank you for your unwavering support and love. It has helped hold me up when I’ve needed it most.
Want to see how this is made? Cook with me:
TikTok | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook
Note: Click on the name and it will bring you to the recipe!
1. Three-Ingredient Dog Treats
It only felt right to start off by sharing these Three-Ingredient Dog Treats. Cooper loved them as a bedtime treat. Made with oats, peanut butter, and canned pumpkin, these are a tasty treat you can feel good about giving to your pup.
2. Cold Noodle Rice Salad
My most popular recipe for the month of May! This Cold Rice Noodle Salad is fresh and surprisingly addicting dish that’s perfect for switching things up midweek or bringing something unexpected to your next get-together. Crisp vegetables and tender rice noodles are tossed in a savory sesame dressing that makes this salad one you’ll want to come back to again and again.
3. Healthy Mediterranean Coucous Salad
Pasta salad just got an upgrade with this flavorful Healthy Mediterranean Couscous Salad. It’s fresh, vibrant, and the perfect dish to bring to just about any gathering. Trust me, everyone will be asking you for the recipe.
4. The BEST Guacamole
I’ve been making this exact recipe for years, and it never fails to get rave reviews from friends and family. It’s fresh, flavorful, and comes together in under 10 minutes with just a handful of simple ingredients. No complicated steps, no unnecessary fillers - just classic homemade guacamole done right.
5. Buffalo Chicken Quesadilla
Packed with melty, spicy goodness and come together with minimal effort, making them perfect for busy weeknights or an easy weekend lunch! Grab your favorite buffalo sauce, dice up some fresh tomatoes and onions, and layer everything between pepper jack cheese, fresh cilantro, and a crispy golden tortilla.
6. Blueberry, Cucumber & Feta Spring Salad
This Blueberry, Cucumber & Feta Spring Salad is a repeat from March’s recipes (and for good reason). Crisp cucumber, juicy bursts of blueberries, creamy feta, fresh herbs, and crunchy walnuts all come together over a bed of greens for a salad that anyone will love.
7. Salsa Verde Chicken Skillet
An easy, one-pan meal that will save you both stress and dishes on busy weeknights. The beans, corn, rice, and onions simmer together in salsa verde and broth for a simple flavor hack that tastes like you spent way more time in the kitchen than you actually did.
8. Rainbow Veggie Quinoa
A bright, crisp dish that’s perfect for busy days when you need something fresh, filling, and ready to grab straight from the fridge. Since it’s served cold, there’s no reheating required, making it ideal for meal prep, work lunches, road trips, or days when a microwave isn’t nearby. It also doubles as a healthy, colorful side dish for any warm weather get-together.
9. Turkey Club Salad
Your favorite comfort sandwich just got a fresh, healthy upgrade with this Turkey Club Salad. Packed with crisp romaine, juicy tomatoes, creamy avocado, fresh parsley, crispy bacon, homemade croutons, and savory deli turkey, every bite tastes like your favorite go-to lunch in salad form. It’s all tossed in a light, flavorful dressing made with simple pantry staples, so you can skip the heavy mayo without sacrificing any flavor.
10. Turkey Burger Bowl
These Turkey Burger Bowls are one of my favorite ways to enjoy a burger with a lighter, fresher twist. Loaded with crispy roasted potatoes, fresh veggies, and a juicy, flavorful turkey burger, they’re a healthy and versatile take on a summer classic.
11. Southwest Cavatelli Pasta Salad
One of my favorite dishes to make during the warmer months is this Southwest Cavatelli Pasta Salad. It is packed with all your favorite Tex-Mex inspired flavors, including sweet grilled corn, creamy black beans, juicy tomatoes, spicy jalapeño, crisp red onion, and diced avocado, all tossed in a tangy homemade cilantro lime vinaigrette. It is fresh, colorful, and perfect for everything from backyard barbecues to quick and easy summer dinners.
12. Grilled Chicken Bruschetta
One of my summer menu staples is this Grilled Chicken Bruschetta. It’s easy enough to throw together on a busy weeknight, yet still feels fresh and flavorful enough to serve for friends and family. Loaded with fresh garlic, sharp Parmesan cheese, sweet basil, and juicy tomatoes, this is the kind of meal you’ll find yourself craving all season long.
13. Maple Blueberry Turkey Sausage Patties
These Maple Blueberry Turkey Sausage Patties were on my Mother’s Day menu! They’re incredibly easy to make and packed with flavor from warm herbs, juicy blueberries, and just the right hint of maple sweetness. The savory-sweet combination feels a little unexpected in the best way. The hardest part? Not eating half the batch straight from the pan.
14. Loaded Southwest Salad
This Loaded Southwest Salad is about to earn a permanent spot in your weekly rotation. It’s packed with all the staples - fresh, crunchy veggies, sweet corn, hearty black beans, creamy avocado, and a bold, zesty southwest vinaigrette that ties it all together. Every bite hits that perfect balance of fresh, savory, and satisfying.
15. Slow Cooker Greek Bowls
These Slow Cooker Greek Bowls have become one of my most reliable lunch preps because they’re flavorful, filling, and reheat beautifully. This recipe checks all the boxes for a solid weekday lunch. It’s high in protein, packed with vegetables, and requires very little actual cooking. Most of the work happens in the crockpot, which makes this a true set-it-and-forget-it meal.
16. Asian Turkey Burgers
These Asian Turkey Burgers make a frequent appearance in my dinner rotation! They’re easy to throw together and reheat beautifully making them great for meal prep. I paired them this time with a yummy veggie stir fry.
17. Mother’s Day Brunch
I hosted Mother’s Day brunch and tested out a new Banana French Toast Bake. I had all the intentions of coming back to the recipe to share it with everyone, but that fell to the side. This is my promise in writing to come back to this one so I can include in my June Recipe Roundup!
Thank you again for all the love and support, it means the world.
With love,
Morgan & Coop
Absolutely beautiful❤️ I think of you often since we lost our Jedi almost two years ago…and just like you said, “….This is a sadness I’ve never known before…..” Keep looking for those signs; I wish I would have thought about this when I lost my sweet baby.
Sending hugs🥰
xo
Dianne