If you’re in my life, I will cook your favorite meal when you need it most. That’s how I show up. I won’t always have the right words, and I might forget to text back. But I will be in the kitchen, apron on, recreating the dish that brings you comfort. Because food, to me, is one of the most honest love languages.

We were in Galesburg, Illinois, on a road trip when I spotted her; Judy from Judy’s Family Café. Viral on Instagram for her hilariously real videos, and now, right down the street from where we were staying. Naturally, we had to go. I ordered something safe. Chad ordered the skillet. I’m not usually one for skillets, especially not the kind with a fried egg on top, leaking yolk over everything.

But one bite of Chad’s breakfast changed my mind.

It was hot, savory, layered with flavor and memory and comfort. I knew I had to recreate it at home not because it’s now my favorite, but because it’s his. Because showing love sometimes looks like pushing past what you’d usually cook just to make someone else feel known.

CopyCat Quad City Skillet

Inspired by Judy’s Family Cafe in Galesburg, Illinois

What You Will Need:

What You Will Need To Do:

1. Dice 1 1/3 cups of potatoes, 2/3 cup each of ham, bacon, bell peppers, tomatoes, and onions. Shred 1 cup of your favorite cheese.
2. In a large skillet over medium heat, cook the bacon and ground pork sausage until browned. Stir in the diced ham and set the meats aside in a warm oven or covered dish.
3. Using the same skillet (because flavor!), cook the potatoes, bell peppers, and onions until the potatoes are fork-tender and the onions are translucent.
4. Stir the cooked meats back into the skillet and turn off the heat. Add diced tomatoes, and season with salt and pepper to taste.
5. In a separate skillet, fry 1–2 eggs (per serving) over medium, until the edges are crispy and the yolk is just set.
6. Plate the skillet mixture, top with shredded cheese and the fried egg. Serve warm, with love.

When someone in my family is hurting, stressed, or overwhelmed, I don’t always know what to say. But I do know how to sauté onions until they’re golden. I know how to crisp the bacon just right and how long to let the potatoes sizzle so they’re golden on the edges, because that’s how he likes it. This skillet isn’t fancy, but it’s generous. Hearty. Filling. Like love should be.

Love isn’t always a grand gesture. Sometimes, it’s frying eggs even when you don’t love runny yolks. It’s cooking the food someone else loves. It’s remembering, listening, recreating. It’s saying, “I made this just for you,” without saying a word.

So here’s the question for you today:

How do you show people you love them especially when words fall short?

Because sometimes it’s not the skillet. It’s the heart behind it.

Gracefully yours,

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