Cookie and Kate

What to Cook This January & 2019 Reader Survey

January 2, 2019 54 Comments

High fives all around! We have officially survived the holidays. If you’re looking for wholesome, satisfying, veggie-packed recipes, you’re in the right place. You’ll find a bunch of them in my guide to seasonal produce below.

For more in-depth resources and tips on how to eat real food, don’t forget about our cookbook and mobile app.

This year, I created our first-ever reader survey. If you have two minutes to spare, would you please fill it out? Your answers will provide valued direction for new content and features this year. Click here to fill out the survey!

Cheers to a healthy and happy 2019. Thank you so much for being here.

Beets

Simple Beet, Arugula and Feta Salad

Gluten free and easily vegan

“This is, quite literally, my new favorite salad! I have made it for several friends – who all have adored it – and have added it to my weekly food staples. I’ve never actually made it with pumpkin seed – I substitute pistachios instead, or omit the nuts altogether if I am not eating it right away, and the homemade balsamic is fantastic…YUMMMM!” – Franki

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Your Top 10 Recipes of 2018

December 30, 2018 14 Comments

Drumroll, please! Yesterday, I shared my favorite recipes from 2018, and today I’m sharing your favorite recipes. I’m thrilled that these recipes have become staples in your kitchen.

I had a hunch that the blueberry muffins and cauliflower soup from Love Real Food might make the list. The crispy potato wedges were a clear winner, and I’m happily surprised that you’re as crazy about my sunshine salad dressing as I am.

Thank you so much for your feedback on the recipes. I work hard on them and I love hearing from you in the comments and seeing how your recipes turn out on Instagram (don’t forget #cookieandkate)! You keep me inspired.

If you are looking for healthy recipes to start the new year right, you will find a bunch of great options here. Which recipe was your favorite?

1) Classic Minestrone Soup

Easily gluten free and easily vegan

“I have been looking for a good minestrone soup recipe for quite some time and this one is OUTSTANDING. I’ve already shared it with several friends because I was so blown away by how delicious this turned out. It is easy to make yet the taste is so spot on that you think it took a lot of effort and time. This is my new go-to soup recipe and I know I will continue to make this for years to come. Thank you for sharing!” – Mary

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My Top 10 Recipes of 2018

December 29, 2018 22 Comments

Can you believe it? This year has passed by in the blink of an eye. I always love looking back at the year in recipes, since each one stirs memories of the circumstances surrounding it. I work so hard on my recipes that it’s quite difficult to pick favorites, but I’m perhaps most proud of these ten recipes. I’ll be back tomorrow with your favorite recipes.

This year, I tried to fill in the recipe gaps on the blog, developing Cookie and Kate-level recipes for basics like hummus, marinara, almond butter and red salsa. I had a lot of fun researching, testing and tweaking those recipes until they were just right.

I’m warning you, though: Those recipes will probably ruin the store-bought varieties for you (they certainly have for me). The good news is that they’re each simple to make and 100% percent worth the effort.

In 2018, I’m planning to create more creative weeknight dinners, giant salads (my favorite), and naturally sweetened treats. I’d also like to share approachable versions of the delicious recipes I’ve discovered on my travels. Please leave a comment and tell me what kinds of recipes you’d like to see! I am all ears, as always.

1) Epic Vegetarian Tacos

Gluten free and easily vegan

These vegetarian tacos are truly epic! Every great taco possesses the following qualities: something hearty (beans), something creamy (avocado), something crisp (shredded cabbage), something tangy (pickled onions and feta), and lots of fresh flavors. These tacos have those qualities in spades.

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Naturally Sweetened Candied Pecans

December 22, 2018 33 Comments

I’m sneaking in one more holiday-worthy treat while I can! These candied pecans are one of my favorite recipes (well, they’re all my favorite) in my cookbook. I vividly recall making batch after batch after batch one night until I got this candied pecan recipe just right.

Unlike most candied pecans, which are made with refined sugar, these candied pecans are made with a reasonable amount of real maple syrup. The maple syrup condenses in the oven. After several stirs, the maple syrup forms a beautifully shiny and crisp, sweet but not sticky exterior.

Delicious maple syrup is the perfect complement to toasty pecans. For classic candied pecans, I add some vanilla, cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne pepper for heat (optional). I’ve come up with a few more fun variations, which you’ll find below.

These candied pecans pack beautifully if you would like to make them for friends or bring them to a holiday party. They’ll help break up all the cookies on the table. They would also be a great addition to your salads and snack mixes.

Fair warning, these nuts are irresistible. When I shared these candied pecans with my boyfriend, he declared them “the only candied pecans you’ll ever want to eat.” And then I had to take the bag back from him. How about that?

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Best Irish Coffee

December 20, 2018 9 Comments

It’s cold outside. Let’s warm up with classic Irish coffees! I used to make Irish coffees during my bartending days, and thought it would be fun to revisit the recipe and make them from scratch.

Classic Irish coffees are made with just four ingredients: hot coffee, Irish whiskey, sugar and whipped cream. Oftentimes in restaurants, Irish coffees are overwhelmingly sweet and rich. I love making them at home because you can make them exactly how you like them.

Plus, Irish coffees are so simple to make. You don’t need bartending experience or any special equipment to whip these up.

My favorite Irish coffees are made with freshly brewed coffee, high-quality Irish whiskey, and topped with real whipped cream, which you can make in about 10 minutes if you have the time. It is worth the effort.

My only twist on the classic recipe is to use real maple syrup instead of sugar. Natural maple syrup flavors play beautifully with coffee and whiskey, and it blends right in since it’s liquid. Easy!

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How to Make Whipped Cream from Scratch

December 20, 2018 21 Comments

I wasn’t wild about whipped cream until I tried real whipped cream. Have you had it? I sure hope so. It puts Cool Whip and the canned stuff to shame.

Homemade whipped cream is ultra luxurious, decadent, and as delicious as the best vanilla ice cream. Real whipped cream doesn’t have any strange preservatives or additives, either.

Whipped cream is the perfect creamy topper for desserts and hot drinks. Since the holidays are here, I thought I’d share a tutorial with everything you need to know about making whipped cream.

If you’ve never made whipped cream before, it may seem a little intimidating at first, but I promise it’s so easy. You can make whipped cream in under 10 minutes!

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