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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Arugula Pesto

No basil? No problem. This arugula pesto is creamy and bright, with a peppery kick from the arugula. We love it on pasta, veggies, and more!

If you’ve been following the blog for a while, you know that I love riffing on pesto. Vegan pesto, kale pesto, broccoli pesto… This arugula pesto recipe is my newest twist. Now, pesto purists might argue that this arugula pesto isn’t really pesto at all. And that’s fair. Traditional basil pesto is made with pine nuts, garlic, olive oil, and Parmesan cheese, and it has a slightly chunky, paste-like texture. In this arugula pesto recipe, I sub arugula for the herbs and cashews for the pine nuts, and I totally nix the cheese. Instead, I blend in lemon juice for…

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Cream of Mushroom Soup

Canned cream of mushroom soup can't compare to this homemade version. It's rich, creamy, and deeply savory. We always go back for seconds!

Before I met Jack, I associated cream of mushroom soup with green bean casserole. I thought of it as an ingredient, not a dish on its own. In fact, soup aside, I wasn’t a big fan of mushrooms in general. But Jack may be the world’s #1 mushroom lover, and as I tried the mushroom pastas and sandwiches he loved, I discovered how delicious mushrooms could be. Prepared the right way, they become rich and savory, with an intense umami flavor. Now, I’m a total mushroom convert, and this homemade cream of mushroom soup is one of our favorite dishes…

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Instant Pot Steel Cut Oats

I love starting my day with these Instant Pot steel-cut oats. They're creamy and flavorful, hearty and wholesome. But best of all, they're easy to make!

Am I the last person to discover the magic of Instant Pot steel-cut oats?! If you haven’t tried them yet, this is your PSA: these guys are hearty, wholesome, and so darn convenient. You can dump the oats and water in the Instant Pot, pop on the lid, and walk away. Half an hour later, come back to the kitchen, and a pot of creamy, perfectly al dente oats will be ready and waiting for you. On a chilly, hectic morning, when you want a hot breakfast but you don’t want to spend 20+ minutes standing at the stove stirring,…

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Ultimate Loaded Nachos

Learn how to make the BEST homemade nachos! Loaded with gooey queso and tons of fresh fixings, they're the ultimate appetizer or game day snack.

If you’re watching the Super Bowl this weekend, you have to make this nachos recipe. If you’re not watching the Super Bowl this weekend, you still have to make this nachos recipe. Jack and I may not be football fans, but we are fans of football food. These loaded nachos are as good as it gets. Every bite has the perfect blend of crispy, creamy textures and tangy, spicy flavors. Serve them as a party appetizer or devour them for dinner. Either way, the entire platter will be gone in minutes. Loaded Nachos Recipe Ingredients Ok, confession time: These homemade…

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25 Best Pizza Topping Ideas

Tired of the same old pizza toppings? These fresh, flavorful pizza topping ideas are here to help. Mix and match them to create a combination you love!

It’s pizza night! Jack is already prepping the dough, and later, I’ll be in charge of the toppings. When it comes to pizza toppings, I certainly have a few favorites (I’ll always use fresh basil, roasted tomatoes, and artichoke hearts if I have them on hand), but what I love most is coming up with new pizza topping ideas that I haven’t tried before. Butternut squash and sage? Yes, please. Fennel, mushroom, and tarragon? Delicious! Grilled pineapple and pickled jalapeño? Bring it on. I’m sharing 25 of my best pizza topping ideas in the post below, along with suggestions on…

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31 Healthy Freezer Meals

On busy nights, these easy freezer meals will help you get a healthy dinner on the table without a lot of fuss. They include cozy soups, pastas, and more!

Freezer meals are what I turn to when I want to get a quick, healthy dinner on the table on a busy weeknight. I’m not talking about store-bought frozen dinners, but the soups, stews, and casseroles that I make ahead and freeze myself. Stored and reheated the right way, these freezer meals are just as flavorful as they were on the day they were made. When I have a stash of them on hand, making a delicious, healthy dinner is as simple as heating one up! Below, you’ll find my favorite freezer meals to make ahead, along with my best…

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Energy Balls

These date and nut energy balls are the BEST healthy snack! Sticky, sweet, and studded with chocolate chips, they taste like little balls of cookie dough.

These no-bake energy balls are my favorite healthy snack. Sticky, sweet, and studded with chocolate chips, they taste like little balls of cookie dough, but they’re made with simple, wholesome ingredients. Dates bind them together, oats add fiber, and walnuts and almond butter pack them with protein and healthy fats. They’re quick and easy to make in the food processor, and they keep for weeks in the freezer or fridge. At least they do in theory. If you love these energy balls as much as we do, there’s no way they’ll stick around that long. Between speedy breakfasts and on-the-go…

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Roasted Cauliflower

This oven roasted cauliflower has crisp, golden brown edges and a delicious nutty flavor. You'll want to devour it straight off the baking sheet!

I make roasted cauliflower almost every week. It’s SO simple, healthy, and absolutely delicious. The florets come out of the oven with crisp, golden brown edges and a rich, nutty flavor. They’re perfect for serving as a side dish, tossing into a salad, a grain bowl, or a pasta…or eating straight off the baking sheet. You’ll find my go-to roasted cauliflower recipe below, along with my best tips and tricks for cooking it perfectly every time. I’ve also shared a few of my favorite ways to serve roasted cauliflower. Yes, this roasted veggie is great on its own, but with…

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10 Healthy Muffin Recipes

These healthy muffin recipes include blueberry muffins, banana muffins & more! Made with wholesome ingredients, they're moist, fluffy, and delicious.

The next time you’re in the mood for an easy baking project, roll up your sleeves and try one of these healthy muffin recipes! They include a recipe for every classic muffin you can think of – blueberry, banana, zucchini, chocolate chip, and more – but they’re all made with wholesome ingredients like whole wheat flour, almond flour, Greek yogurt, and maple syrup. Still, they deliver everything you want in a muffin, healthy or otherwise. They’re moist, tender, puffy, and lightly sweet. Two (or three) for me, please! Before you get to baking, here’s a tip: all these healthy muffin…

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Tofu Broccoli Bowls with Carrot Ginger Dressing

This nourishing bowl is one of my favorite feel-good meals. It's packed with brown rice, crispy tofu, roasted broccoli, and a zingy carrot-ginger dressing.

If your lunch or dinner rotation is in need of a refresh, try adding these tofu broccoli bowls to the mix! They have a hearty base of brown rice, crispy tofu for plant-based protein, and roasted broccoli and radishes for color and crunch. Avocado adds creamy richness, and my go-to carrot-ginger dressing takes them over the top. They’re nourishing, satisfying, and, above all, delicious! They also happen to be perfect for meal prep. The dressing keeps well for up to a week, and you can cook the rice, tofu, and broccoli up to 3 days in advance. Store the components…

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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.