NaTaya Hastings

NaTaya Hastings is a food and recipe writer for Beauty Eval. She’s an educator, boy mom, dog mom, and whatever-stray-enters-the-yard mom. As a result, she's constantly cooking for both humans and animals.

Luckily, she enjoys it!

Though born, raised, and still living in Alabama, her specialty is NOT down-home Southern cooking. Instead, she loves to experiment with Asian, Mexican, Italian, and other ethnic cuisines. She has two mottos when it comes to cooking. “The more spice, the better!” and “There’s no such thing as too much garlic!”

She’s also pretty good with desserts. Especially the easy, no-bake ones.

Her favorite things are cuddling with her four giant dogs, traveling, reading, writing, and hanging out in nature. She’s also pretty excellent at Dominoes.

A tray of orange creamsicle dream bars, each square perfectly cut to display the orange and vanilla layers.

No-Bake Orange Creamsicle Dream Bars

These no-bake orange creamsicle dream bars feature layers of tangy cream cheese and vibrant orange flavor on a delicious graham cracker crust.

Sweetly spicy hot cross buns

Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Forget Easter, these soft, lightly spiced hot cross buns with a tender, fruity interior and a hint of citrus are perfect for any occasion.

A platter of lemon yogurt cake in loaf bread with glaze.

Lemon Yogurt Cake Recipe

This lemon yogurt cake is moist, tender, and full of fresh citrus flavor. It’s tremendously tart and tangy, with just enough sweetness to satisfy a sugar craving.

Chocoflan cake sitting on a cake tray.

Chocoflan Recipe

Need something to impress? This delicious chocoflan recipe is a unique mix of tender chocolate cake and rich, creamy flan – all baked in one go!

Caramel Apple Dump Cake

With tender apples, gooey caramel, and a buttery cake topping, this 4-ingredient caramel apple dump cake is the perfect way to welcome fall.

Orange frosting coated cake in a cake tray garnished with orange slices.

Pig Pickin’ Cake Recipe

Pig Pickin’ Cake is a light, fruity dessert made with yellow cake, mandarin oranges, and whipped pineapple frosting. It’s moist, sweet, and refreshing!

A deep skillet filled with chicken, mushrooms, dried thyme and onions.

Chicken Fricassee

Classic Chicken Fricassee is a comforting French stew of tender chicken and mushrooms in a creamy, garlic and white wine sauce.

Clean slice of orange creamsicle with whipped cream and orange slice on top.

No-Bake Orange Creamsicle Pie

This quick and easy, no-bake orange creamsicle pie is the epitome of sunny days and sweet memories. It’s rich, creamy, and to die for.

Angled view of skillet apple crisp with a scoop of ice cream on top.

Skillet Apple Crisp

The next time you need something warm, sweet, and comforting, try this quick and easy cast iron skillet apple crisp. It’s fruity, crunchy, and to die for.

Classic homemade creamy orzo risotto in a plate.

Orzo Risotto

Forget standing at the stove and make this quick orzo risotto with garlic, parmesan and truffle oil instead! It’s just as flavorful, without any fuss.