Stir Fry Sauce

This stir fry sauce recipe is sweet, savory, and super easy to make. Use it to whip up a quick, flavorful stir fry with whatever you have in your fridge!

A good stir fry sauce is the secret to a delicious stir fry. I should know, because I made my fair share of disappointing stir fries when I was learning how to cook. Nine times out of ten, when one fell flat, it was because the sauce was too bland, too salty, or too watery. But over the years, I’ve developed a homemade stir fry sauce I love. It’s nicely balanced, with a sweet, savory, and tangy flavor. It has a perfect texture too. A little cornstarch helps it thicken in the pan, creating a glossy coating for any combination of…

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Manhattan Cocktail

This classic Manhattan cocktail recipe is easy to make with rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Don't skip the cocktail cherry for garnish!

A Manhattan cocktail is one of Jack’s favorite drinks. Bold and sophisticated, this classic cocktail is a simple combination of whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. According to Jack, it’s not complete without a cocktail cherry for garnish—brandied or maraschino, take your pick. When I think of a Manhattan, I immediately picture a dark, wood-paneled cocktail bar. But lately, we’ve actually been making this classic drink at home. Easy but elevated, it’s perfect for a low key date night in. I’m sharing our go-to Manhattan recipe below. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do! What’s in a Manhattan? The…

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Double Chocolate Chip Cookies

Kick your next chocolate craving with these double chocolate chip cookies! They have crisp edges, soft middles, and an ultra-chocolatey flavor. YUM!

Chocolate lovers, these double chocolate chip cookies are for you! Made with a chocolate cookie dough and PACKED with chocolate chips, they have a rich chocolate flavor (think brownies!). These double chocolate chip cookies have a delicious texture too. They’re lightly crisp around the edges and thick, soft, and chewy in the middle. You can make this recipe in 30 minutes or less. That’s right—you don’t have to chill the dough! It’s simple to mix up with a stand mixer (or hand mixer) using basic baking ingredients. Bookmark this recipe for the next time you have a major chocolate craving. Quick, easy,…

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Homemade Potato Gnocchi

This homemade gnocchi recipe is simple to make with 4 ingredients. It's delicate, soft, and pillowy—perfect for serving with your favorite sauce!

Let’s make gnocchi! My homemade pasta is one of the most popular recipes on Love & Lemons, so it’s about time I shared my favorite potato gnocchi recipe too. These homemade gnocchi are soft, pillowy, and light. Served with a flavorful sauce, they’re absolutely delicious. If you think you like store-bought gnocchi, prepare yourself: this homemade version is so much better. This simple recipe calls for 4 basic ingredients—flour, potatoes, eggs, and salt. It’s a bit of a project, so I’d save it for a weekend or date night, but it’s 100% worth the effort. These potato gnocchi are like…

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Gimlet Cocktail

This classic gimlet recipe is easy to make with gin, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup. It's tart and refreshing—one of my favorite cocktails!

I love a gimlet cocktail. Made with just 3 ingredients—gin, fresh lime juice, and simple syrup—this sour cocktail is bright, botanical, and refreshing. I often order a gimlet when I’m out, but because this drink is so simple, it’s also easy to make at home. I’m sharing a classic gin gimlet recipe below. This recipe uses ratios I like, skewing heavier on the gin to let its floral flavor shine. If you prefer a sweeter drink, or a tangier one, feel free to add an extra splash of simple syrup or lime juice. Cheers! Gimlet Cocktail Ingredients Here’s what you’ll…

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Easy Homemade Pancakes

Learn how to make pancakes from scratch! This pancake recipe is easy to make with simple ingredients and yields perfect fluffy pancakes every time.

This pancake recipe has become a family favorite. These homemade pancakes are thick and fluffy, with a delicious buttery flavor. Our kiddo requested a stack for breakfast twice this week! This pancake recipe calls for 7 basic ingredients that you probably have in your kitchen right now. It’s the simplest pancake recipe I’ve ever shared, perfect for whipping up on a lazy weekend morning or cooking with kids (Ollie loves to stir the batter!). Try these homemade pancakes once, and you’ll never get a store-bought mix again. This easy recipe is SO much better! Ingredients for Homemade Pancakes Here’s what…

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Cacio e Pepe

Cacio e pepe is a classic Roman pasta with a glossy sauce made of pecorino cheese and black pepper. Learn how to make it with this simple recipe!

Cacio e pepe is like mac and cheese’s cool Italian cousin. It’s creamy and comforting, sure, but it’s also simple and elegant. Traditionally, this Roman dish consists of three ingredients: Pecorino Romano cheese, freshly cracked black pepper, and pasta. A little pasta water helps the cheese and pepper come together to form the pasta’s silky sauce. I’ve been a fan of cacio e pepe since I first tasted it on a trip to Rome years ago. I love the salty funk of the cheese against the bite of the black pepper. I’ve made it at home many times…with mixed success. Despite…

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Steel Cut Oats

Learn how to cook steel cut oats! Creamy and flavorful, they're a delicious, healthy breakfast. Enjoy them with toppings like fruit, nuts, and more.

Steel cut oats are a delicious, healthy breakfast! If you haven’t tried them, take this recipe as your sign to buy a bag. Steel cut oats are creamy and nutty, and they pair well with so many flavorful toppings. Bonus: these oats reheat perfectly, so you can make them ahead. Ten years ago, if you’d told me that I’d one day be excited about oatmeal, I would have laughed at you. Back then, oats and I didn’t mix. I’d eaten a few too many packets of instant oatmeal during college, and I’d sworn off the stuff. I thought oatmeal in…

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Thai Red Curry

Craving Thai food? Instead of ordering takeout, make this red curry recipe at home! It's comforting, flavorful, and easy to make in 30 minutes.

Who else loves Thai red curry?! When we go to our favorite Thai restaurant (or more likely, get takeout from it), red curry is nearly always part of our order. I can’t get enough of the crisp-tender vegetables and soft tofu in the rich, fragrant coconut broth. So naturally, I had to develop my own Thai red curry recipe to make at home. It’s just as delicious as takeout…and it’s almost as easy. With the help of store-bought curry paste, this homemade red curry comes together in less than 30 minutes on the stove. Comforting, flavorful, and easy, this Thai red…

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What is Tempeh (and How to Cook It)

If you're wondering, "What is tempeh?", you've come to the right place! This guide will teach you how to cook it perfectly for all sorts of tempeh recipes.

Tempeh is one of my favorite sources of plant-based protein. I love its earthy, nutty flavor and firm texture. But most of all, I love its versatility. It can crisp up into tasty vegan bacon, fill out a stir fry, crumble into a substitute for ground meat, and more. Below, I’m sharing a simple guide to tempeh: what it is, how to cook it, and my best tempeh recipes. If you follow a plant-based diet or are interested in eating less meat, I hope you’ll give it a try! This vegan protein is delicious, healthy, and easy to prepare. We should…

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85 Best Vegan Recipes

With everything from creamy pastas to burgers and beyond, these 85 vegan recipes will get you excited to cook (and eat!) plant-based meals at home.

Most days in our house, Jack and I eat vegan recipes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Of course, there are exceptions, but the food I most enjoy cooking and eating often happens to be plant-based. I love putting vegetables at the center my plate. It’s not just good for my health and for the world—it’s also downright delicious. To kick off the New Year, I’ve rounded up my top 85 easy vegan recipes. This list includes everything from hearty vegan dinner recipes (think creamy pastas, veggie burgers, tacos, etc.) to vegan basics that can serve as starting points for improvising…

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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.