Christopher Michel
Christopher Michel has been the Senior Food and Gardens Editor at Country Living Magazine since March of 2021. Chris has over ten years of experience writing and editing for national magazines and websites, mostly in the food space, such as Cooking Light, The Kitchn, Rodale’s Organic Life, and Bon Appetit. Prior to that, Chris worked in a variety of food spaces in New York City. In 2022, Chris completed the Alabama Master Gardener’s Program hosted by the Alabama Cooperative Extension System.
Chris lives in Birmingham, AL, where he enjoys running, reading, and cooking for his wife and two girls.
25 New Year's Eve Cocktails to Help Ring in 2025 Right
Send the year off with a festive drink! 🥂
45 Christmas Cocktails to Warm Guests This Holiday Season
Welcome visitors this year with a fancy drink.
68 Best New Year's Eve Foods to Celebrate 2025
Give a cheers to the big calendar flip with these festive snacks, drinks, and food.
68 Christmas Side Dishes to Complete the Holiday Feast
These hearty, tasty, easy sides will make the meal extra special.
30 Non-Alcoholic Christmas Drinks and Mocktails Everyone Can Enjoy
Serve a celebratory sipper that you know everyone will feel good about.
Classic Hot Chocolate
Just like grandma used to make!
57 Festive Christmas Lunch Menu Ideas
Celebrate the season with a midday feast, or make something light to tide you over!
24 Downright Delicious Christmas Pies to Celebrate the Season
After the feast, or while opening presents, there’s no wrong time for pie!
50 Christmas Appetizers for All Your Holiday Party Needs
These easy-to-make, easy-to-serve appetizers keep the party festive!
Easy Dinner Ideas That Take 30 Minutes or Less
These 30-minute dinners are just the thing when time is of the essence!
52 Particularly Portable Thanksgiving Potluck Ideas
We've got the recipes you want—and ideas for hauling and heating them!
How Long to Cook a Turkey of Any Size for a Perfectly Juicy Bird
From a smaller 15lb turkey to a 20+lb bird, our food editors are sharing advice on oven temperatures, cooking times, and when to carve the bird before dinner—plus, tips to keep turkey moist.
Get the Crock Pot Out: It's Slow-Cooker Recipe Season
Make dinner plans that future-you will be so glad to enjoy!
72 Best Thanksgiving Desserts to Cap Off the Holiday Dinner
No matter how big the feast, there's room for dessert.
25 Best Shade-Loving Perennials to Keep Your Whole Garden Looking Great
Whether it's under a tree or by the side of your house, these beautiful plants will thrive!
87 Cheap Dinner Ideas to Stretch Your Dollars
These budget-friendly recipes taste great, are easy to make, and won't break the bank.
34 Thanksgiving Salads You’ll Actually Want to Eat at the Feast
These flavorful salads add some necessary crunch to the plate!
107 Thanksgiving Side Dishes That Everyone Wants to Eat
This impressive assembly of sides will help you fill out the side board!
40 Christmas Potluck Ideas to Bring to the Feast
From appetizers to mains to desserts, they'll make the party merry and bright!
65 Portable, Flavorful Potluck Ideas Everyone will Love
Bring home a clean plate—and some recipe requests—with these easy dishes!
89 Christmas Dinner Ideas for the Holiday Feast
Make a meal that's worth remembering—and share it with the ones you love.
33 Thanksgiving Dinner Menus to Elevate Your Holiday Meal
This year, build a theme-menu that'll get the whole crew excited!
42 Halloween Menu Ideas for a Spooktacular Party
These seasonal food ideas are both fun and nutritious, so your Halloween stays happy!
39 Halloween Cocktails to Make Your Holiday Party a Hit
These drink ideas are all treat, no trick!
23 Types of Squash and How to Use Them
From winter to summer squash, these are ones to search out and eat!
61 Tasty Kid-Friendly Dinner Ideas That Grown-Ups Can Enjoy, Too
These recipes'll ensure you've got eager members of the Clean Plate Club.
25 Garden Plans and Ideas to Inspire Your Planting
It's never too early to dream how you want next year's garden to look!
11 Spaghetti Squash Ideas So Good You'll Want to Stock Up
From pasta alternatives to casserole bakes, we'll help you make the most of this fun veggie!
45 Favorite Sweet Potato Recipes That Taste Amazing
Make these sweet, nutritious spuds the centerpiece of your dinner, feast, or dessert!
93 Easy Fall Recipes for Celebrating Cozy Season
These smart, simple recipes will warm your home and fill your family's bellies!
35 Easy-to-Make Delicata Squash Recipes
It's the tenderest winter squash, and there's so much you can do with it.
55 Fall Dinner Recipes for All Your Cool Weather Eating
Don’t let the busy fall season keep you from eating well! These recipes are fast and tasty.