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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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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17 Delicious Vegan Pasta Recipes

Even meat and cheese lovers will fall for these vegan pasta recipes! They include satisfying, delicious riffs on fettuccine Alfredo, lasagna, and more.

When I’m in the mood for comfort food (which, at this time of year, is like…all the time), one of these vegan pasta recipes always hits the spot. Sure, they’re made without meat, cheese, or cream, but they still deliver everything you want from a big bowl of pasta. Bold flavors, chewy, al dente noodles, maybe a creamy sauce or tangy marinara. Even Jack, our resident meat and cheese lover, will go back for seconds – even thirds – of these vegan pasta recipes. So the next time you’re craving something comforting and delicious, check out the recipes below! They…

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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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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.