Step 1: Wash as many apples as you need and remove the core.

My new book approaches the topic of "funeral food" in a comedic, lighthearted manner. If someone passes away, food is really what the family needs. It's a Southern tradition that few people discuss, but is so necessary. I've compiled easy recipes that can be prepped in little time with ingredients common to most household pantries. Even your 4-year-old could make some of these dishes because they are seriously that easy.

Throughout the past few weeks I've signed books at Barnes & Noble (pictured above) and several local venues - it's been a LOT of fun! I'm sending a huge shout-out to my aunt Julie, founder of TheEffortlessGirl.com, who follows along on all of my book-signing adventures and is one of my biggest fans.

If you're interested in purchasing Things to Bring My Family When I Die for yourself or someone else (it makes a great gift!), it is available at Amazon, and a portion of all proceeds will be donated to Hope Makes a Difference, a charity focused on improving the lives of children around the world.

4 cups apples, peeled & thinly sliced
1/2 cup chopped pecans
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1. Preheat oven to 350F. Combine graham cracker crumbs, 3 tbsp. sugar, 3/4 tsp. cinnamon, and butter. Press into bottom and up sides of a 9-inch pie dish (that's right, pie dish!). Bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

2. Beat together cream cheese and 1/2 cup sugar in large bowl or electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs and vanilla and blend. Pour into crust.

3. Toss apples with 1/3 cup sugar and the remaining 3/4 tsp. cinnamon. Spoon over cream cheese mixture and sprinkle with pecans. Bake for 70 minutes. Remove from oven and allow to cool for 1 hour before refrigerating overnight. Do not remove from pie dish.

2 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
2 tsp. Kosher salt (or whatever you have on hand)
1 tsp. pepper
1 tbsp. garlic powder
2 tsp. dried basil