Jennifer Garner smiling   Getty / jayk7 | Credit: Getty / jayk7



Jennifer Garner smiling   Getty / jayk7 | Credit: Getty / jayk7

Jennifer Garner smiling Getty / jayk7 | Credit: Getty / jayk7

Jennifer Garner smiling

Getty / jayk7 | Credit: Getty / jayk7

| Credit: Getty / jayk7

Jennifer Garner’s “Pretend Cooking Show” has been a true bright spot during the past two years. Part culinary inspiration, part comic relief, we’ve adored following along with her adventures whipping up her pal Ina Garten’s Skillet-Roasted Lemon Chicken, her grandma’s cornbread, Garten’s Crispy Chicken with Lemon Orzo and more.

Recently, the 48-year-old actress has been getting more into the baking game, showing off her skills at everything from impressive homemade cinnamon rolls to perfectly crinkly gingersnap cookies—all of which have us wondering when this “pretend” show will become real!

Besides having her gourmet guru friend Garten on speed dial and calling in reinforcements by way of family recipes (Exie Mae’s sweet potato pudding is destined for our Thanksgiving table this year), what keeps the mom of three’s kitchen skills so sharp when delivery is just a few clicks away?

Considering the meaning behind each dish certainly helps, Garner revealed to Good Morning America.

“Cooking connects me to my family because my mom was such a steady, solid, really great cook,” she told GMA. “Whenever I smell a roast chicken or fresh bread baking or my neighbor Marge’s gingersnaps in the oven, it connects me to my childhood. And I feel like I’m passing that on, and that comfort and coziness, as much as I can to my kids.”

Sharing food also connects Garner to family, near and far, including during this holiday season.

“We’re gonna do a holiday version, of course,” she told GMA. “I love cooking with my family, my sisters, and mom and dad…I could really see us just setting up a screen somewhere and having it on while we cook together for Thanksgiving.” (Sounds like a safe and sentimental way to celebrate the holidays during the pandemic!)

Proper kitchen equipment makes her frequent food experiments much easier, Garner shared, including one item that has recently rekindled her love of cast iron.

That strategy sounds right on track, and in case you, too, need a refresher on all things seasoning and cleaning, we have your complete guide to cast-iron skillet care here.

ringer cast iron cleaner

ringer cast iron cleaner

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