Welcome! I’m happy you’re here. You can call me Kate, which is one of many nicknames, or Kathryne, which is my full first name. Either way, I’m a self-taught photographer and cook from Oklahoma. I started this blog in 2010 and named it after my canine sidekick, Cookie. Now, we live in Kansas City and work on this blog full-time. I love my job!
You should know that I’m totally obsessed with food. I daydream about new recipes. I devour cookbooks (I even wrote my own). I read up on food policy and nutrition. I love photographing food and hope my photos inspire you to step into the kitchen to cook a delicious, healthy meal.
Above all, I love eating food, especially while in the presence of good company. Good food in good company—does it get any better than that?
I believe that cooking should be fun and recipes, flexible. I choose not to cook meat, so all of the recipes on Cookie and Kate are vegetarian. I believe in eating whole foods, which are foods that are as close to their source as possible. I’m also an avid supporter of the occasional indulgence, and I laugh with friends over drinks as often as possible.
This blog is all about celebrating good food—real, sustainable food that delights the senses and nourishes the body.
About Cookie
Cookie is a jaunty spotted mutt who makes friends everywhere she goes. She is my eager four-legged assistant, my chief crumb catcher and the best companion a girl could ask for.
I adopted Cookie in the summer of 2009. She came with her name and nothing more. Whether she was named for being one smart cookie, or for looking like cookies and cream, the name suits her well.
After five years of referring to Cookie as a “mystery mutt,” I finally caved and ordered a DNA test. My beloved, one-of-a-kind pup is half schipperke and half dachshund/Australian koolie mix.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy your cookbook?
My cookbook, Love Real Food, can be purchased online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BAM!, IndieBound, and Indigo. Digital editions of the book are available for purchase and download at iBooks and Amazon. Look for the book in your local bookstore or Barnes & Noble. More book details here.
What kind of camera do you use?
I use a Nikon Z6 with a Nikkor Z 50mm lens. Check out my food photography tips for more details.
Do you have any tips for new bloggers?
Check out my top 20 tips for food blogging and how to start a food blog, which includes design and web hosting tips.
Can I publish your photos or recipes on my blog/website?
Thank you for asking. Please refer to my photo and recipe policy for details.
Get in Touch!
Please contact me here or comment below! You’re also welcome to check out my press page for interviews and other features.
Denise
I have enjoyed your blog for months now. My respect multiplied, after trying several recipes, when I encountered your risk-free recipe for cooking quinoa. Your hard work is evident. Thank you!
Kate
Thank you, Denise!
Sali Tagliamonte
Dear Kate,
I’ve been following your blog for a few years now. I just want to say ‘thank you’. You have changed my diet and my kitchen for the better!
The most recent addition to the weekly repertoire is your raw broccoli salad. My son and I just love it! With the benefits of raw broccoli, now I just make it all the time — why cook broccoli when it tastes so wonderful raw in your salad. :)
Kate
Thank you for your support, Sali! I’m glad you love my recipes.
Michelle
Hi Kate, I have been following your recipes for many years now. I love your recipes and all the amazing taste that it brings with it! You are such an inspiration. Thank you for all the recipes throughout the years! And I’m so sorry about Cookie! You got a good one there and I’m so glad you spend so many wonderful years together!
Michelle from down under Australia!
Gustavo A Salgado
My search for a suitable recipe led me to your site (tzatziki). It’s simple, and that you put thought into your food choices as a vegetarian makes it even more enjoyable. Please continue to cook and smile.
Kate
Thank you!
Victor Baisley
bought your book 6 months ago and have tried around 20 recipes. Each one was fantastic!
Thanks you!!!!!!!
Kate
Great to hear, Victor!
PR
I found your blog and recipes this week and am so happy. I’m a new (old) cook and I find your instructions and notes so specific and helpful. I made your Healthy Coleslaw on Friday and it was so very good I would have been happy to only have that for dinner. (Maybe next time I’ll serve it with just some tofu or simply cooked chicken as a side.)
I like your style and how you really emphasize vegetables and don’t use too much salt or too much cheese.
After the Healthy Coleslaw revelation, I bought your cookbook (Kindle version). I haven’t had a chance to dive into it yet but I’m looking forward to it.
Thank you so much.
Larry
Tried it! Great recipe. Appreciate the flow of the recipe. Everything mixes well when you leave the peas for last.
Cheryl Tremblay
Hi Kate. Just wondering what Cookie eats. I just started my standard poodle Bella on a homemade diet a few months ago. Just wondering your thoughts and if you have any recipes I could male for Bella.
Faith
Your Hair is AmaZING!!! What hair products do you use? My hair is very similar in color thickness/texture/curl.. but idk how to make it look like yours. Sorry I am making your enchillada recipe for dinner (it’s baking now, yum!), and I figured I’d give it a shot & ask you about your hair.
Amy Evans
Oh Kate, I’m so sorry about Cookie. Losing a dog is one of the toughest experiences I’ve ever had. Thinking about you as I make you’re recipes, which I love. Thank you for sharing your Cookie with us.
Radoux
Hi Kate,
Phoebe (jack parson) left me in 2016 at the age of 17!
I haven’t gotten over it yet.
Then Utopia (her son) left me in 2020 also at the age of 17!
I felt completely drained of life. Emptiness!
Since, I think of them every day. I can’t get over losing them.
Now, reading about Cookie has made me cry a tsunami.
I am so sorry for what you are going through at this moment.
We do love those four legged adorable loving critters.
Sadly all those we love are not forever lasting. Sigh!
Hang in there. Thinking of you and sending you through telepathy strong vibes to help.
Love,
Veronica
Erin M.
I was so sorry to hear about Cookie, Kate! I just wanted to take a moment to thank you for many years of fabulous recipes. I’ve never commented on your blog before, but your recipes have been part of my family for nearly a decade. A vegetarian friend of mine from college recommended it, and I recommended it to my (quasi-vegetarian) parents, and they recommend it to everyone they know, and I’ve introduced it more recently to my partner. Discovering the blog was a revelation: I’d never encountered a recipe writer whose taste and diet seemed *so similar to mine.* And slowly so many of your recipes worked their way into our diets. We’ve all had certain favs that we come back to again and again that are in our weekly cooking rotation (e.g., for me, your Foolproof Shakshuka, Quick Dal Makhani, cauliflower steaks, and guacamole); always on call for special occasions (e.g., the Lemony Green Pasta with Peas & Ricotta, Broccoli Rabe Peanut Soba Noodles, and Roasted Carrots with Farro); or go-tos for holidays/hosting (e.g., stuffed acorn squash and arugula/cremini mushroom quiche). And when I go home to visit my parents and we want to cook together, we start out perusing the “dinner” section on your blog. (Nowadays, we can also look through your cookbook, which I naturally gifted them a couple of years ago.) Whenever I want to make a standard recipe, from fried rice to huevos rancheros, I always ask first, “What’s Kate’s version?” I have started following more vegetarian blogs in the past couple of years, but yours will always be the golden standard to which everything is compared. It is *The* Cooking Blog to us. Best wishes as you heal from Cookie’s passing, good luck with your recently grown family, and please keep spreading the love of good, wholesome food!
Colette
I am so sorry to hear about Cookie. I know how hard it is to loose a precious fur baby. May the sweet memories shared bring comfort to your grieving heart.
Blessings,
Colette
Chris
Hi Kate, I found you and Cookie few months ago while looking for recipes. I’m so sorry about your great loss of Cookie. We lost our Dear Lolly last fall suddenly she was Australian Cattle dog w/ very similar coloring n size as your Cookie. I found you again this morning looking for new granola recipe. I chose Gingerbread variation and found it to be quite tasty. I thank you for such a wonderful recipe. Also noticed the 3 ingredient banana pancakes, I have a minimum ingredient banana muffin our family loves. But, I wonder how you don’t use any leavening agent? Thanks
Sue Bofinger
Love all your recipes! Have made your tomato soup recipe several times and my gourmet sister pronounced it the best ever!
Just lost my doggie and feel so empty. House is too quiet. But your food tips still bring me joy! All the best to you and yours!
Josie
I’m so sorry to hear about Cookie. My fur baby is going through cancer too and I’m trying to enjoy every single moment with her, even when she’s bad to the bone—she can never get in trouble for anything. I’m glad that you shared Cookie with everyone and know that she was adored by your audience.
Kate
I’m sorry to hear that, Josie! I appreciate you sharing. Thinking about you and your fur baby!
Suzanne Graden
Kate,
I have tried many of your online recipes which prompted me to purchase your cookbook. I thoroughly enjoy preparing and eating the food that results from your recipes.
Earlier this year I was told by my physician that I needed to limit saturated fats in my diet. I have made your “My Favorite Granola” recipe multiple times. However, the inclusion of coconut oil is not what I should be eating at this time. What oil would you suggest I substitute for the coconut oil in this recipe?
Thanks,
Kate
You can make it with olive oil.
Janet
Back again to review the crispy tofu details and see that Cookie passed last month. We’ve lost 4 fur babies (all rescues) within a few short years of my own parents passing as well. Grief is just truly terrible, but a necessary part of loving someone deeply. I pray you have strategies for coping, like cooking (I took up painting) and are getting plenty of rest and extra B vitamins because of the stressful time. I’m with you in spirit.
Betsy Leonard Booth
I have followed Cookie and Kate for years now and every recipe I have tried has been a hit! Thank you for putting so much time and thought into your recipes.
Kate
Great to hear, Betsy! Thank you for following along and your support.