Pickled Asparagus

Garlic, shallot, and fresh dill amp up the flavor in this simple pickled asparagus recipe. Crisp, tangy, and refreshing, it's a delicious spring snack.

Right now, I have three jars of this quick pickled asparagus lined up in my fridge, which, for me, is both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is that the slender, green spears are absolutely delicious – crisp, grassy, tangy, salty, and sweet. The curse is, well, pretty much the same thing. Every time I open the fridge, I promptly forget what I’m looking for. Seconds later, I find myself standing at the counter, downing spear after spear of pickled asparagus as a refreshing (and surprisingly addictive) spring snack. …oops? As you start to work your way through different…

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49 Best Healthy Snacks

Stomach growling in the middle of the afternoon? Tide yourself over with one of these healthy snacks! They include granola bars, dips, and more.

If I don’t have a stockpile of healthy snacks on hand, I will, without fail, reach for a cookie at 3pm. Now, there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself to something sweet in the afternoon, but if I’m working on a new cookie recipe, there’s a good chance that snacking on sweets will become less of a treat and more of a habit. Over the years, I’ve learned that filling up on healthy snacks like veggies and dip, smoothies, or trail mix will only make those sweets more rewarding in the end. I’ll be more energized and focused throughout the day, my…

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How to Use a Watermelon Radish

Whether roasted, pickled, or raw, watermelon radish will add color and crunch to almost any dish. Learn how to prepare it with this simple guide!

I love the moment when I first slice into a watermelon radish. From the outside, this root veggie looks so humble, its skin grubby and pale green. But when I cut into it, I reveal a radiant pink interior. On a gray day in late winter or early spring, nothing makes me happier than bold, bright color like that. So at this time of year, watermelon radishes are a staple in my kitchen. But apparently, not everyone cooks with them as often as I do. In fact, each time I share a new watermelon radish recipe, I hear from readers…

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11 Healthy Pancake Recipes

Have your (pan)cake, and eat it, too! Made with wholesome ingredients, these healthy pancake recipes are perfect for a fun breakfast or brunch.

On a weekend morning, I love starting my day with a stack of healthy pancakes. Pancakes, because it’s the weekend. And healthy (or healthy-ish), because they leave me feeling satisfied, energized, and ready to take on the day. You’ll find my go-to healthy pancake recipes in the post below. Some showcase fresh fruit, others call for whole grain flour, and still others are made without grains at all. They’re all similar in that they rely on simple, wholesome ingredients, they’re easy to mix together, and they’re absolutely delicious. If you’re looking for a fun way to kick off the morning,…

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Simple Swiss Chard

So, you want to try Swiss chard? You're in the right place! Learn how to cut and cook this vibrant leafy green, and find our favorite Swiss chard recipes.

We all go crazy over spinach and kale, but when was the last time you cooked Swiss chard? This vibrant leafy green is one of my favorite vegetables to work with. It’s endlessly versatile – my go-to Swiss chard recipes range from smoky Mojo bowls to a lemony pasta – and its stems are just as edible as its dark green leaves. Because I think we could all be cooking it more often, I wanted to share a little Swiss chard 101 today. If you’ve never worked with chard before, I hope these tips and recipes will encourage you to…

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Creamy Mushroom Polenta

This mushroom polenta recipe is my favorite kind of comfort food. Topped with a zingy chimichurri, it's rich and satisfying, but still bright and fresh.

mushroom polenta

I make this mushroom polenta recipe when I’m craving something comforting, but still light and fresh. For that reason, I think it’s perfect for this time of year. I don’t know about you, but I’m more than ready for spring. Warm weather, sun, trips to the farmers market, and picnics in the park… Sadly, Chicago weather is not quite there yet. So for the next few weeks, while it’s still chilly and we still have the occasional snow, this mushroom polenta recipe will continue to hit the spot. It starts with a base of creamy polenta. Then, I layer on sautéed mushrooms.…

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Creamy Polenta

This creamy polenta recipe comes together in a flash, thanks to one simple prep step. Serve it as a side dish, or add flavorful toppings to make it a meal.

Everyone raves about Italian pasta and pizza, but if you ask me, polenta deserves just as much love. A north Italian porridge made of coarsely ground cornmeal, polenta is wonderfully creamy, with a lightly sweet, buttery corn flavor. Unlike oat porridge, it’s not a traditional breakfast food. Though I do eat it for breakfast on occasion (see page 49 of Love and Lemons Every Day!), I most often enjoy this smooth, savory porridge for dinner. Topped with cheese, herbs, cooked vegetables, or a flavorful sauce, it transforms into a mouthwatering comfort food. Below, you’ll find my go-to method for making…

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Sauteed Mushrooms

Learn how to make the BEST sautéed mushrooms! Meaty, savory, and super simple to make, they're a delicious, easy veggie side dish.

The next time you need a quick and easy veggie side dish, look no further than this sautéed mushrooms recipe. It calls for 8 ingredients and cooks up in 15 minutes, so it’s insanely simple to make. And it’s insanely flavorful, too! As you likely know, fresh mushrooms have a rich, umami flavor on their own. Here, I highlight it with a drizzle of tamari and tangy rice vinegar. Then, I punch things up with garlic and a shower of fresh tarragon. These basic ingredients combine to make the sautéed mushrooms wonderfully savory and complex. They pair well with pasta,…

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Blueberry Smoothie

I love this blueberry smoothie recipe because it's super nutritious, but it tastes like a treat! Blend it together for a yummy healthy breakfast or snack.

This blueberry smoothie is a delicious breakfast or snack. With its thick, frosty texture and sweet berry flavor, it tastes like a treat. But it’s also packed with nutrients! This blueberry smoothie recipe calls for healthy ingredients like almond butter and fresh fruit. I’m always looking for easy breakfasts that our whole family will love, and right now, this blueberry smoothie is our #1. Smoothies and blueberries are two of our toddler’s favorite things (and honestly, mine too), so it’s no surprise that this recipe has been a hit. It’s perfect for busy weekday mornings. I can blend it up…

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White Bean Soup

Diced green chiles and fresh lime juice pack this white bean soup with bright and tangy flavor. It's creamy, comforting, and SO simple to make!

This white bean soup recipe is my zesty vegan spin on white chili. It’s deliciously creamy and comforting, but its rich texture comes from blended white beans instead of any dairy. Lime juice, green chiles, and spices like cumin and coriander punch up its tangy flavor, and fresh garnishes like avocado, jalapeños, and cilantro take it over the top. The recipe is really fun and satisfying, and it’s also SO simple to make! This white bean soup requires minimal chopping, and most of the cooking time is entirely hands-off. You can easily put it together on a weeknight, and if…

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Roasted Cauliflower Steak

A bright, nutty topping and creamy arugula pesto amp up the flavor in this roasted cauliflower steak recipe. It's a simple, satisfying, and delicious meal!

Jack and I made this cauliflower steak recipe for Valentine’s Day last week. We loved it so much that I knew I had to share it with all of you! As a cook, one of my favorite things to do is to turn a vegetable into a main dish. This cauliflower steak recipe is a fantastic way to do just that. I start by searing thick slices of cauliflower in a hot cast-iron skillet until they’re deeply golden brown. Then, I transfer them to the oven and roast until they’re nutty and tender. To make them a meal, I serve…

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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.