Steamed Broccoli

Learn how to steam broccoli perfectly every time! Seasoned with salt, pepper, and a big squeeze of lemon juice, it's a delicious healthy side dish.

When I need a super-fast, super-fresh side dish to round out a meal, I make this steamed broccoli recipe. The whole process takes under 10 minutes, prep time and cleanup included, and the results are always delicious. The steamed broccoli is crisp-tender and vibrant green. I love it on its own (the steaming brings out the broccoli’s natural sweetness), but it’s even better with salt, pepper, and a big squeeze of lemon juice on top. How to Steam Broccoli My method for how to steam broccoli couldn’t be simpler! Here’s how it goes: First, prepare the broccoli. Trim off the…

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How to Make Powdered Sugar

Learn how to make powdered sugar at home! Also known as confectioner's sugar, it's the secret to making gooey brownies, luscious frosting, and more.

Who else has a bag of powdered sugar in their pantry that they’ve been working through for years? Powdered sugar isn’t something I use often, but every once in a while, I need a cup to make perfect gooey brownies or luscious cream cheese frosting. When I add it to the grocery list, I dread watching another bag sit in the cupboard as I make my way through it at an agonizing pace. But all that’s about to change! I don’t know what took me so long, but I finally learned how to make powdered sugar at home. Seriously, this recipe’s a…

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How to Cook Black Beans

Learn how to cook black beans from scratch! Serve them as a hearty, flavorful side dish, or add them to your favorite black bean recipes.

When I opened the pantry last weekend, I found a bag of dried black beans that I’d been meaning to cook for weeks. With all the recipe testing that goes on in our kitchen, I hadn’t gotten around to it. But that day, a trip to the grocery store was totally out of the question. Six inches of snow had already accumulated outside, and six more were on their way. It seemed like the perfect time to cozy up in the kitchen and cook black beans from scratch. Black beans are an ingredient that I use all the time. More…

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Chili Cheese Fries

This chili cheese fries recipe is perfect for game day! A smoky, spicy plant-based chili and oozy vegan cheese sauce cover a layer of crispy French fries.

Jack and I are SO excited to dig into a plate of these chili cheese fries this weekend. We’re not big football fans, but it wouldn’t be Super Bowl Sunday without Super Bowl snacks, right? If you’re watching the game on Sunday (or even if you’re not!), I hope you’ll try this recipe. I top a bed of crispy French fries with smoky plant-based chili and generous drizzles of vegan cheese. Yep, that’s right! These chili cheese fries are totally vegan. But more importantly, they’re tasty, satisfying, and really darn fun. What more could you want in a game day…

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Cauliflower Soup

This cauliflower soup recipe is rich and creamy...without any cream! Warm, comforting, and SO flavorful, it's the perfect meal for a cold day.

This roasted cauliflower soup recipe is rich and creamy…but it doesn’t call for any cream. Instead, the blended cauliflower creates its luscious texture—no dairy required! I’ve had this cauliflower soup recipe in my cold weather rotation for years now. Even though all the ingredients are plant-based, it’s just as comforting as any soup made with heavy cream, milk, or cheese. On a chilly winter night, it absolutely hits the spot! It’s also super simple to make, so there’s lots to love here. Cauliflower Soup Ingredients You only need 10 basic ingredients to make this creamy cauliflower soup: A head of…

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Tortellini Soup

On a cold night, this tortellini soup recipe will be your best friend! Packed with fresh veggies and pasta, it's warming, flavorful, and easy to make.

This tortellini soup recipe has always been one of my favorites, but I gained a new appreciation for it this week. Over the last few days, a big, blustery snowstorm has turned Chicago into a winter wonderland. When Jack and I come inside from a chilly walk or shoveling snow, a hot bowl of tortellini soup is the perfect way to warm up. If you’re also craving cozy, nourishing meals right now, you’ll love this tortellini soup recipe. It cooks up in just over 30 minutes, so it’s easy to make on a weeknight, and it’s packed with flavorful veggies…

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Easy Kale Pesto

This vibrant kale pesto recipe comes together in 5 minutes flat! Nutty and bright, it's delicious on pasta, pizza, sandwiches, bowls, and more.

When I have a bunch of kale in the fridge, I almost always save a few leaves to make this kale pesto recipe. I especially love making it in the winter, when basil is out of season. Of course, it doesn’t taste exactly like basil pesto (basil is more aromatic, while kale is more peppery), but it’s still delicious. Extra-virgin olive oil and pepitas make it rich and nutty, and lemon juice adds a lovely bright finish. The whole recipe requires 8 ingredients and comes together in 5 minutes, so it’s a great one to have in your back pocket.…

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Roasted Beet & Carrot Salad with Avocado

A creamy tahini dressing adds bright, nutty flavor to this gorgeous avocado and root vegetable salad. Enjoy it as a side dish or on its own for lunch!

This salad is my favorite sort of thing to make. I love how all the vibrant colors play off one another—the bright pink and yellow beets, the vivid orange carrots, and the pale green avocado. But even more than how these ingredients look together, I love how they taste. The avocado is rich and creamy, the root veggies are sweet and earthy, and watercress adds a peppery, refreshing kick. All together, they make a stunning side dish that would be perfect for a special occasion brunch or dinner (or even a regular one, for that matter!). If you’re anything like…

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30 Vegan Breakfast Recipes

Refresh your morning routine with these vegan breakfast ideas! They include easy recipes for plant-based scrambles, pancakes, oats, and more.

So often, I hear from readers who are looking for vegan breakfast ideas. It makes sense – for many of us, eggs and yogurt are pretty standard breakfast fare. What other options are out there? Well, good news! Many traditional breakfast recipes like oatmeal and smoothies are naturally vegan, and others, such as pancakes and muffins, can be made vegan with a few easy ingredient swaps. Below, you’ll find classic vegan breakfast recipes like these as well as out-of-the-box ideas that you might not have tried before. They’re all fresh, flavorful, and energizing – a perfect way to start the…

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Tofu Scramble

This easy tofu scramble recipe is a delicious vegan breakfast! It has a savory, eggy flavor and soft, creamy texture. Ready in 15 minutes!

This tofu scramble is one of my favorite vegan breakfast recipes, if not one of my favorite breakfasts, period. I think it’s just as delicious as classic scrambled eggs. It’s soft and creamy, and it has a rich, eggy flavor thanks to nutritional yeast and a few key spices. Bonus: it’s also high in protein! I love having it in my rotation for mornings when I’m in the mood for a savory breakfast that doesn’t involve eggs. It’s easy to make in one pan, so you can throw it together on a weekday, but with the right fixings, it’s totally weekend-worthy too.…

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Veggie Power Bowl

This easy power bowl recipe is energizing, refreshing, and delicious! Perfect for meal prep, it's filled with crisp veggies, nutty rice, and jammy eggs.

If you need a little something to brighten your day (your week, your month, or even your year…), make this power bowl! It has so many vivid colors and textures that I start smiling whenever I see it. I mean, seriously. How could you not ooh and ahh at that stunning purple daikon?! Power bowl recipes are always some of my favorite things to make in January, when I’m craving lighter and brighter foods after the holidays. This year, this particular power bowl recipe has really hit the spot. Crisp veggies play off creamy avocado, nutty black rice, and a…

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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.