Forbidden Black Rice

Forbidden black rice is nutty, delicious, and chock-full of nutrients like iron and fiber. Read on to learn how to cook this striking, good-for-you grain!

As I rummaged through my pantry last spring, I found a canister of black rice that I’d forgotten about. Jack and I hadn’t been to the store in weeks. After eating our way through boxes of pasta and bags of white rice, the black rice was an exciting change. Thanks to its nutty flavor and striking purple hue, black rice, also called forbidden rice, had been one of my favorite grains when we lived in Austin. I’d get it from the bulk bins at the grocery store, eagerly anticipating adding it to salads and bowls when I got home. I…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Vegan Sushi

You won't miss the fish in this vegan sushi recipe! Instead, marinated beets, cucumber, and avocado create a fresh, fun, and flavorful filling.

vegan

I’ve shared vegan sushi recipes before, but earlier this winter, I thought of another idea that I just had to try. I wanted to make vegan sushi that looked like, well, not vegan sushi. I thought that if I marinated pink Chioggia beets they’d look pretty darn similar to tuna. How cute would that be?! There was just one problem: Jack hates beets. Sure, he’ll eat certain beet recipes from time to time, but that only happens when I put a dish in front of him and don’t tell him what’s in it. And in our house, vegan sushi is one thing we…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

31 Easy Plant-Based Recipes

These easy plant-based recipes will satisfy any craving! They include vibrant grain bowls, hearty veggie burgers, noodles, sushi, and more.

vegan / favorites

I’m popping in today to highlight some of my favorite plant-based recipes! If you saw my post over the weekend, you know that I get tons of questions about plant-based eating at this time of year. It makes sense – in the last few years, plant-based diets have gotten a lot of press. They’re said to be better for your health and better for the planet. What’s not to love? Well, many people don’t know where to start. Sure, they know that they should eat whole grains, veggies, fruits, and legumes. But while these components are nutritious, they don’t add…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

What is a Plant-Based Diet?

What is a plant-based diet, anyway? Read on to learn more about this trendy term, and find basic recipes for healthy, whole-foods cooking!

Happy New Year! Every January, the most common question readers ask me is, “What is a plant-based diet?” “Plant-based” is such a trendy term these days, and if you’ve been reading the blog for a while, you’ve probably seen me use it. But…what exactly does it mean? You asked, I answered! Today, I’m sharing an overview of plant-based eating. This post is not intended to offer dietary, nutrition, or health advice. Instead, I hope it clears up some confusion about what people (including me!) mean when they say “plant-based.” And in case you’re considering – or already follow – a…

TO THE POST >>>>

33 Delicious Kale Recipes

These delicious kale recipes include comforting pastas, cozy soups, bountiful salads, and more! This vibrant leafy green has never tasted better.

favorites

On the internet, kale recipes were all the rage a few years ago. But in my kitchen, they’re just as cool as ever. What can I say? Kale is versatile, it’s delicious, and it just so happens to be one of the healthiest veggies out there. You betcha I’m blending it into smoothies, tossing it into pastas, and simmering it in soups whenever I have the chance! At this time of year, many people start to think about adding more veggies to their diets. If that includes you, I encourage you to try kale! To get you started, I’m sharing…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

35 Best Vegan Appetizers

Who says you need meat or dairy to have a good time? These easy vegan appetizers are fun and flavorful. You won't be able to get enough of them!

vegan

These easy vegan appetizers prove how fun plant-based eating can be! As I compiled this list over the weekend, I found myself itching to make each one of these vegan appetizer recipes. They’re colorful, bold, and bright, the kind of food that makes you want to reach out and try it…and then go back for another bite. Whether you’re vegan, vegetarian, or someone who eats everything, you’re going to love these vegan appetizers! They range from creamy dips to refreshing salsas, from pretzels to spring rolls to bruschetta and beyond. Over the years, we’ve made them for parties, date nights, cookouts,…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Steamed Dumplings

This steamed dumplings recipe is one of our favorite cooking projects! Thanks to kimchi and shiitakes, the filling is spicy, savory, and delicious.

vegetarian / appetizers

Over the years, Jack and I have made so many steamed dumplings together. Like all our favorite cooking projects (sushi, bao buns), steamed dumplings have a simple division of tasks. I make the filling, and Jack makes the dumplings. Then, we eat! If you’re looking for a fun activity for a weekend, a date-night-in, or even New Year’s Eve, I hope you try this steamed dumplings recipe. It’s a blast to make, and it’s not at all complicated (thanks, store bought wonton wrappers!). Best of all, it’s delicious. The filling is spicy and savory, with a refreshing gingery kick. I…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Almond Butter Cookies

These almond butter cookies have crumbly edges, tender middles, and a sweet, nutty flavor. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt takes them over the top!

baking / desserts

This almond butter cookies recipe was a happy accident. The first time I made it, I had one of my I-need-a-cookie-and-I-need-it-now cravings, and I headed to the kitchen to see what I could do about it. I found all the ingredients to my vegan peanut butter cookie recipe – sugar, flour, baking powder, you know the drill. All the ingredients, that is, except for one: peanut butter! Would almond butter work in its place? YES! As soon as I tried these cookies, I wondered, “Why haven’t I been making almond butter cookies all along?” They have crumbly edges, thick, tender…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

17 Easy Cookie Recipes

Satisfy your sweet tooth with these easy cookie recipes! With sugar cookies, chocolate chip, oatmeal, and more, you're sure to find something you love.

baking / desserts

I am not the kind of person who plans to make cookie recipes in advance. I don’t set aside time to brown butter or temper chocolate. And quite frankly, chilling dough for 24, 48, or 72 (72, seriously?) hours is completely out of the question. When I make cookie recipes, it’s because I’m craving cookies. Not tomorrow, not in 4 hours, but now. For that reason, I’ve developed a slew of easy cookie recipes over the years. Some are chocolatey, some are buttery, others are nutty, oat-y, or spiced. Below, you’ll find 17 of my favorites. Whether you’re looking to round…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

French Onion Dip

This homemade French onion dip puts the store bought kind to shame! Creamy, tangy, and packed with umami flavor, it's sure to vanish in minutes.

appetizers / snacks & dips

For me, there’s almost nothing more nostalgic than French onion dip and ridged potato chips. They take me right back to the holiday parties of my childhood, where store bought tubs of French onion dip had a permanent spot on the snack table. When my sister and I were growing up, my mom always served us healthy, homemade food, so that French onion dip was a real treat. I’d shovel down as much of it as I could, relishing every bite of the creamy dip with the salty chips. This year, I finally got around to developing my own French…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Green Bean Salad

This green bean salad recipe is super easy to make, but it's still delicious and complex. It's perfect for the holidays or dinner any night of the week!

fall / salads

I am so excited to share this green bean salad recipe with all of you! I first made it way back in the summer, on a day when I had a gorgeous bag of string beans in the fridge. They were long, slender, sweet, and snappy, and I knew I had to find a special way to use them. Each year, I enjoy green beans throughout the summer and fall. But no matter what season it is or what dish I’m making, they always remind me of Thanksgiving and my family’s classic green bean casserole. So as I pondered how…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Hello, we're Jeanine and Jack.