“I’ve two children, and I’ve at all times tried to instill the significance of not losing meals,” she says, including that stats present practically 40% of meals within the US isn’t put to make use of. “We are able to actually change a minimum of a small portion of that right here at dwelling—and that’s sort of the explanation for the cookbook.”

Resurrecting the previous—even within the type of salvaging leftover cheese—is fittingly consistent with Thiessen’s ever-evolving standing from ’90s teen queen to tv host to mother to writer to a lot extra. And whereas catching the occasional SBTB or Beverly Hills 90210 rerun would possibly spark her nostalgia, she’s extra prone to get into her feels over meals—particularly soups and stews.

“Each time I used to be dwelling alone as a young person, or I wanted one thing comforting, or it was chilly outdoors, I’d seize Campbell’s Bean with Bacon soup,” she says. “I wished to make a model of that by myself that was slightly more healthy and slightly extra ‘me’ in my stage of life now, in order that’s why I created Sausage, Beans, ‘n’ Greens.”

This recipe, which is featured in Right here We Go Once more, is a modernized model of the basic consolation meals, she tells SELF, and one she finds herself turning to when she’s in a comfy frame of mind. It’s flavorful, customizable, and certain to deliver again much more recollections than a Bayside Excessive reunion. Learn on for the complete recipe—and a few tips about methods to make the hearty meal precisely what your thoughts and physique is craving.

1. Set the vibe within the kitchen.

Regardless of the meal Thiessen is whipping up, you possibly can wager she’s asking Alexa to drop a beat. “I at all times hearken to music once I’m cooking—at all times, at all times, at all times!” Thiessen says. “It’s a cross between David Grey and Amos Lee to full-on ’90s hip hop. It simply will depend on what sort of temper I’m in.”

Simply as she’s handed on an affinity for Bayside Excessive to her children, she’s additionally fostered a love of ’90s tunes. “Now my daughter’s sporting Infamous B.I.G. and Snoop and TLC shirts,” she says. “The ’90s are so in proper now; it’s simply so cool the way it’s come full circle.”

2. Decide and select the elements that be just right for you.

Thiessen’s Sausage, Beans, ‘n’ Greens recipe isn’t too prescriptive with its ingredient record, calling merely for a big bunch of greens—whether or not that’s kale or collard greens or the rest in between is totally as much as you. Even the meat and legume choices are open to interpretation.