Jo's Faves
Familiar dishes can bring a sense of ease to the kitchen, creating an opportunity for connection any day of the week. In this episode, Jo celebrates two of her favorite things—food and design. She shares her all-time favorite recipes tied to some of her treasured memories while simplifying the art of hosting, step by step.
First up, dessert! She starts by whipping up Peanut Butter Pie with Chocolate Crust, a delicious combination of chocolate cookie crumbles and creamy peanut butter filling. Next, Jo makes a Gruyère Potato Casserole to side one of her go-to main dishes, Chicken Cordon Bleu. Last but not least, she shares her tried-and-true salad recipe, peppery arugula topped with pickled tart cherries and Gorgonzola cheese.
Read on for Jo’s tips on creating an intentional tablescape, complete with a simple, fresh floral arrangement made with blooms from her backyard.
baked chicken breast stuffed with ham and Swiss cheese, coated in a savory breadcrumb mixture and dipped in a homemade honey Dijon sauce
baked russet potatoes layered a creamy cheese sauce and flavorful seasonings, topped with grated Gruyère cheese
Arugula and Dried Cherry Salad
fresh arugula salad tossed with almonds, crumbled Gorgonzola, homemade dressing, and tart cherries
Peanut Butter Pie with Chocolate Crust
creamy peanut butter filling baked in a rich chocolate cookie crust and garnished with a light whipped topping
On the Table
Expression and intention can go a long way—in a meal, but also on the table. In this episode, Jo explains how she approaches hosting, first setting a place using a textured placemat to ground and warm the scene. Blending old with new, she then tops each mat with scalloped white dishes sided with vintage flatware—something she likes to always have on hand.
Next, she adds cloth napkins as a simple way to tie in color and pattern. Tip: If you don’t have napkin rings, try loosely knotting them for an easy, effortless look.
Finally, Jo centers the table with an arrangement of fresh flowers (like ranunculus and anemones) from her garden. Using fresh blooms can be a simple, thoughtful statement that says…this time together is worthy of a celebration.
Watch Magnolia Table with Joanna Gaines on Magnolia Network—or stream episodes on Max and discovery+.
We hope this guide helps you feel confident reclaiming the season and inspires you to delight in every moment. See you in the kitchen (or the greenhouse)!
