Peanut Butter Bars

If you like peanut butter cups, you'll LOVE these no-bake chocolate peanut butter bars. They're rich, decadent, and easy to make with 5 ingredients!

It’s hard to eat just one of these no-bake peanut butter bars. …Which makes sense, because they’re like an even better version of a Reese’s peanut butter cup. A crisp chocolate layer tops a rich, fudgy peanut butter base. If you’re anything like me, you’ll finish one square and then return to the pan for another sliver…and then another. Aside from the fact that they’re delicious, I’ve been loving these chocolate peanut butter bars for a few reasons this summer. They’re no-bake, so you don’t have to heat up the house in order to make them. They’re SO easy. Just 5…

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Blueberry Muffins

We're head over heels for these homemade blueberry muffins. Moist, fluffy, and studded with juicy berries, they're a delicious quick breakfast or snack!

I’d take these homemade blueberry muffins over ones from a bakery any day. They’re moist and tender in the middle and have a crisp cinnamon-sugar streusel on top. But best of all, they’re loaded with juicy blueberries. You get a hit of sweet-tart berry flavor in every bite. We’ve been lucky enough to go blueberry picking a few times this summer, and I’ve made this easy blueberry muffin recipe after every trip. The muffins disappear quickly around here—paired with a cup of coffee, they’re one of my favorite breakfast treats. Our kiddo loves them too (without the coffee, of course). I’m hoping to…

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Avocado Salad

This avocado salad recipe is a delicious, healthy side dish! A zesty dressing coats creamy avocado, juicy tomatoes, crisp veggies, and fresh herbs.

I’ve been craving this avocado salad recipe ever since I first made it. If you’re thinking, “Craving…a salad?”, well, you simply have to try this one. This avocado salad is not guacamole. But like guacamole, it keeps you coming back for more. Creamy avocado plays off juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, crunchy red onion, and spicy jalapeño. A bright lime dressing brings it all together. The fresh, zesty flavors and the delicious combination of textures make it so much more than the sum of its parts. It’s been one of my go-to side dishes this summer because it’s super tasty, super quick,…

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Blueberry Pancakes

These blueberry pancakes are soft, fluffy, and bursting with juicy blueberries. Top them with maple syrup for the perfect breakfast or brunch!

These blueberry pancakes are perfect for lazy Saturdays! They’re fluffy, golden brown, and easy to make with basic pantry ingredients. But best of all, they’re bursting with juicy berries. With 2 full cups of blueberries in the recipe, you get one in every bite. Douse your stack with a quick blueberry compote for even more blueberry goodness, or stick to classic fixings like butter and maple syrup. No matter which toppings you pick, you’ll love these blueberry pancakes. Blueberry Pancake Recipe Ingredients Here’s what you’ll need to make this blueberry pancake recipe: Blueberries, of course! Fresh and thawed frozen blueberries both work…

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Zucchini Pasta

This zucchini pasta recipe is a fresh summer meal that you can make in 30 minutes! Sautéed grated zucchini creates the lightly creamy, flavorful sauce.

This zucchini pasta recipe is the best way to use up an abundance of summer zucchini. Sorry, zucchini muffins and zucchini bread—this pasta calls for so much zucchini that no other recipe can compete. It’s exactly the sort of bright, fresh dish I crave in the summertime (and big win: our 3-year-old loves it too!). To make it, I grate the zucchini. Then, I sauté it until it cooks down into a light, silky sauce for the pasta, with garlic, lemon, and Parmesan cheese for depth of flavor. Just before serving, I garnish it with lots of fresh basil and/or…

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Breakfast Tacos

These healthy breakfast tacos are my favorite way to start the day! Filled with eggs, pico de gallo, and avocado, they're flavorful and easy to make.

If you asked everyone in Austin where they get their favorite breakfast tacos, you’d get a different answer from every person. Austinites have opinions about breakfast tacos like Chicagoans have opinions about pizza. When I lived in Austin, I ate more breakfast tacos than I could ever begin to count. Most I loved (some I didn’t), but after sampling them all over town, I learned that my favorite place to get breakfast tacos…is at home. This breakfast tacos recipe is my favorite way to start the day. It features an egg scramble made with pico de gallo and cheddar cheese, plus…

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Ranch Water

This ranch water recipe is the perfect cocktail to sip on a hot day. It's easy to make with sparkling water, tequila, and fresh-squeezed lime juice.

A ranch water cocktail is the perfect drink for a hot summer day. We’re leaving for a quick trip to Austin tomorrow, and I know I’ll order a ranch water (or two) while we’re there. This combination of tequila, lime juice, and fizzy Topo Chico over ice is the best way to beat the Texas heat. When we’re not in Austin, I love to make this ranch water recipe at home. Made with 3 ingredients, it couldn’t be simpler, and it’s cooling, refreshing, and not too sweet. Try it once, and it might just become your favorite summer drink! Ranch Water…

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Macaroni Salad

This macaroni salad recipe is a crowd-pleasing side dish! A creamy dressing, crunchy veggies, and pickles pack it with delicious textures and flavors.

This classic macaroni salad recipe is a hit at potlucks and cookouts! Based on the macaroni salad I ate at summer gatherings as a kid, it features a creamy dressing and crunchy veggies like celery, red bell peppers, and onion. Diced dill pickles add a pop of tangy, savory flavor to the salad, and a splash of pickle juice punches up the dressing. This macaroni salad is easy to make, and it’s perfect for making ahead. Prep it a few hours or even a day before a picnic or BBQ, and chill it until you’re ready to serve. The flavors get…

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Lemon Bars

These easy lemon bars are a delicious sweet and tangy treat! They have a bright, creamy lemon curd filling and a crisp shortbread crust.

Who else loves lemon bars?! It probably comes as no surprise that these bright, zesty squares are one of my favorite desserts. I shared a recipe for vegan lemon bars in my second cookbook, but I’ve never shared a classic lemon bars recipe until now. I’m so excited to finally change that! This recipe comes to you after lots of testing and tinkering. To me, it has the ideal ratio of lemon filling to shortbread crust. The lemon curd layer is thick, creamy, and not too sweet, delivering the tartness I crave in a lemon bar. The buttery crust is…

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Strawberry Shortcake

Homemade strawberry shortcake is the perfect summer dessert! My recipe is easy and delicious, featuring flaky lemon biscuits, fresh berries, and cream.

This strawberry shortcake recipe is the ultimate summer dessert! Fresh strawberries and airy whipped cream fill flaky, tender homemade biscuits. At this time of year, strawberries are at their best. They’re insanely juicy and bursting with sweet and tangy flavor. I love this recipe because it shows how little you have to do to make them a delicious dessert. There’s no need to cook them or even sweeten them. Just sandwich them between biscuits with a dollop of whipped cream for a simple, rustic, and luxurious treat. If you’ve never made strawberry shortcake from scratch before, I hope you’ll try…

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Antipasto Platter

This antipasto platter recipe is a crowd-pleasing party appetizer! It's loaded with flavorful Italian ingredients like cheeses, olives, and fresh veggies.

Let’s make an antipasto platter! This Italian appetizer spread is one of my favorite things to serve when I’m hosting family and friends. Everyone (kids included!) loves trying the different snacks and bites on the board—cheeses, veggies, olives, nuts, and more. Often, folks enjoy grazing so much that there’s no need to serve a larger meal. As a host, I think an antipasto platter is the ideal party food. I can use a mix of store-bought and homemade components, and I can prep all the homemade ones in advance. When guests arrive, I just assemble the platter and serve. I’m sharing my…

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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.