Skillet Apple Crisp

This would be a pretty dessert on the table of any dinner party… or a no-fuss, no-crust Thanksgiving apple “not-pie.” But it’s equally perfect for a cozy Sunday when you’re too lazy to leave the sofa in between marathon-ed episodes of Mr. Selfridge. Don’t tell me what happens, we’re 3 episodes from the end, and we’re pretty obsessed. But we had to eat, and this was fast enough to quickly to whip up. (It just tastes like it should have taken longer). Feel free to scale it for a crowd, but I love a dessert that’s easy to to make…

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Matcha & Sweet Azuki Macarons

About two years ago, I had this idea that Jack and I could start a food blog together. I thought it would be fun to try new things, and to chronicle our highs and inevitable lows. On my list of foods I thought would be “fun” to tackle: macarons. We both love them… good ones are often hard to find… so by all means we should make them ourselves. Fast forward to now… that macaron project has yet to happen. Mostly because I knew it would likely end in a tantrum and a few tears. Second, and most importantly –…

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Almond Peach Cake

If you put fruit on cake, it's ok to eat it for breakfast, right? It is with this dairy-free vegan almond peach cakes! So perfect with ripe, summer peaches.

If you put fruit on cake, it’s ok to eat it for breakfast. That’s the rule, right? Of course, the cakes I make aren’t super decadent. This one, for example, is whole-grain enough that it could just as easily be baked in a muffin tin or mini loaf pans… the shape alone would make you feel differently about what time of day is cake-appropriate. Aside from the sprinkle of brown sugar on top, there’s no refined sugar. It’s moist on the inside thanks to a combo of coconut oil, almond milk and applesauce. And then, the best part – the peaches.…

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Blackberry Lemon Cake

Vegan lemon cake with sweet coconut cream and juicy blackberries!

I knew you were coming so I baked a cake. Wasn’t that nice of me? I don’t think that’s how the song goes, but as I write this post, I can’t get it out of my mind. All I can think about is that song… and cake. And how I wish the leftovers of this one were still around. Lemon cake is one of my favorite things (surprise, surprise). I’m usually too lazy to make cake and frosting, but I’ve been obsessed with coconut cream. This time I added a few drops of lemon oil into it, and I just have…

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Berries & Coconut Cream

A simple spring & summer dessert when berries are in peak season! Made with vegan coconut cream.

Our 4th of July ended up being a quiet day, just the two of us. Jack grilled up some stuffed mushrooms & poblanos and then whipped together this juicy little dessert. We have a new annual tradition – which is not the 4th of July – but rather the annual “Jack cooks because Jeanine’s hand is all busted up from trying to break up yet another dog fight.” Yes, this has happened before, and no, I’ll never learn. Everyone’s fine, by the way, but lets just say our little Annie is looking much more disheveled than this guy. But back…

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Grilled Peach & Walnut Crumble

It’s going to be 106 degrees here today, so needless to say, summer is on. If you’re cooking out this weekend, I have the perfect simple dessert for you. No baking is required, just toss some peaches onto your already-hot grill and you’re nearly done. I, myself, will be having a “cook-in,” making this on my grill pan in my temperature controlled kitchen. A note about this walnut crumble topping – it’s become my go-to lately for quick desserts. Top it on any kind of fruit, add a scoop of ice cream & dig in.

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Mango Lime Pops

Mango pops. These two words just feel happy together… and even happier between a couple of cute little fat asterisks. To be honest, I’ve been in a slight bit of a funk lately, but as I sit here to write this post, I’m realizing that there are so many things to be happy about. I don’t want to turn this into a big “be grateful for your life” post (although, be grateful for your life, it’s a good thing). But maybe take a second to think about the tiny things that make your world go ’round. For example mine, right…

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Frozen Chocolate Bananas

This is Jack – the “and” in Love and Lemons – and this is my first post. For awhile now, Jeanine has been mentioning that I should make some posts. But I didn’t want to tread on her writing territory, and I’m used to the “video gamer” view of the internet, where people are mean and petty. This “food blog internet” where people are sweet and polite is frighting and confusing to me. As the one year anniversary of the blog has come and gone, my apprehension went from “what do I say” to “what do I make?” I can…

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Coconut Mint Ice Cream

Dairy free mint ice cream - a delicious holiday treat with vegan chocolate magic shell topping.

Let me start by saying that mint chocolate chip has never been my top choice. It’s always been my sister’s favorite, I was more of a cookies & cream kind of girl. But this blog makes me try things I might have otherwise not… For example, I bought turnips the other day at the farmers market just because they looked cute. When I saw this green mug, I craved just one thing: Mint ice cream. To my surprise (and Jack’s too), mint ice cream made with fresh mint is amazing! It’s a completely different ice cream flavor altogether. First off,…

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Chocolate Chip Carrot Cookies

Sneak some veggies into your chocolate chip cookies! These are the perfect mid-afternoon vegan treat.

chocolate chip carrot cookies

I’ve been baking a lot of chocolate chip cookies lately. I’m not sure what prompted the obsession, but what I’ve learned is that once you start a 3 o’ clock cookie habit, it’s hard to break. This particular day I had carrots, so I worked those into the mix. I quickly realized that grating carrots by hand was a tedious task, so I turned to the food processor. And instead of dirtying another bowl for my wet ingredients, I just mixed them straight in there. (My mom uses the same method for her carrot cakes). A couple of notes… these…

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Nutella Stuffed French Toast

nutella stuffed french toast / loveandlemons.com

This might be the most unhealthy thing I’ve made for this site thus far. It’s not “surprisingly” vegan or “by the way” gluten free. And I didn’t make my own Nutella, although I thought about it. But… it’s fast, easy, and super delicious. We’re having some Nutella-loving friends over for Easter brunch next weekend, so I’m thinking this will be sure to impress. If sweets are too much for you in the morning, this can double as dessert with a scoop of ice cream on top. (If you’re reading between the lines here, yes… we ate these for breakfast and…

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A food blog with fresh, zesty recipes.
Photograph of Jeanine Donofrio and Jack Mathews in their kitchen

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.

We love to eat, travel, cook, and eat some more! We create & photograph vegetarian recipes from our home in Chicago, while our shiba pups eat the kale stems that fall on the kitchen floor.