This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

I like to extend that feeling.

The soup with some bread and maybe a salad and some ice cream is so easy and delicious.

Portrait of Julia Turshen alongside bowls of tomato, white bean, and fennel soup

Simply Recipes / Natalie Chitwood / Andrew Bui

Kids love it; everyone loves it.

That’s something I can put out while I figure out what to make.

I make theChickpeas and Spinach Ricefrequently.

Skillet of chickpea and spinach rice, surrounded by a cutting board of feta and chopped dill, wine glasses, and serving plates

Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

It uses a can of chickpeas and frozen spinach, and it’s so good and comforting.

Its affordable, nutritious, has no fancy ingredients, and is quick and easy.

When that hasnt happened, I keep things separate.

A coffee table with a bowl of carrot salad, cell phone, candles and matchbook, uno cards

Simply Recipes / Photo by Andrew Bui / Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

Like the Chickpeas with Spinach Rice recipe, I say to sprinkle it with feta cheese before serving.

Not combining everything makes it work.

When I’m a guest, I ask if theres anything I can do.

Afterward, I will insist on helping clean up.

I was just talking to my best friend, who has two little kids, about this.

Kids' birthday parties have a beginning time and an ending time.

As adults, we’re allowed to do the same thing.

Its a nice way to handle it.

you might be even more explicit by offering a start time and an end time.

Say, Come over from six to eight or six to nine.

Set the end time a little earlier than you actually want.