Christmas

Merry almost-Christmas morning, let the brunching begin! Here are a few of our favorite breakfast-ey recipes… sweet, savory, and even a little bit healthy: recipes pictured above: Blueberry Banana Pancakes  /  Mango Salsa Waffle Kale Pesto Scramble  /  Vegan French Toast Blackberry Lemon Cake  /  Flaxseed Waffles Migas Breakfast Tacos  /  Matcha Vanilla Smoothies some other deliciousness around the web: World’s Easiest Cinnamon Rolls from Minimalist Baker Slow-Cooked Kale Omelettes from Sprouted Kitchen Cranberry Orange Scones from The Faux Martha Banana Baked French Toast from Cookie + Kate Cornbread Pancakes with Maple-Lemon Curd from Naturally Ella Gingerbread Buckwheat Cake from Edible Perspective  

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Minty Pomegranate Spritzer

My favorite part about the holidays: Getting together with friends and having an excuse to indulge just a little too much. We can all resolve to be better in January… until then, let’s have that extra cookie or three, and by all means pop that prosecco! This is one of my favorite cocktails to make at home. I make a quick simple syrup and let it steep with handfuls of fresh mint….combine it with vodka, pomegranate juice, prosecco, and then finish it off with a squeeze of lemon. It’s not too sweet, and it’s just a little tart – exactly…

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A Very Veggie Cookbook Guide

The ultimate vegetarian cookbook gift guide. Perfect for the holidays or as a last-minute birthday gift!

Some last-minute gift ideas for the veggie lover in your life! (links below): Mr. Wilkinson’s Vegetables Vegetarian Everyday (by David & Luise of Green Kitchen Stories) Vegetable Literacy *my favorite book of the year* Bountiful (by Todd & Diane of White on Rice Couple) Ripe Superfood Kitchen Vedge Moosewood Restaurant Favorites Pure Vegan True Food Plenty The Sprouted Kitchen (by Sara & Hugh of Sprouted Kitchen) Super Natural Everyday (by Heidi of 101 Cookbooks) Giada’s Feel Good Food

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Coconut Rice with Kale & Edamame

A healthy, creamy and spicy rice dish with lemongrass, garlic and lime juice. Vegan and gluten free.

This one might be a stretch in the holiday-food category… but hey, it’s green and it’s red… I figure Christmas Coconut Rice has to be a tradition somewhere in the world right? This holiday season was a little different for us – we just got back from a winter wonderland of a week in Chicago, so our family festivities are pretty much over. We filled up on pizza, cheesecake, and all sorts of other indulgences… suffice it to say I’m ready to lighten things up a little bit early this year. Coconut rice is one of my favorite things… it’s…

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Kitchen Essentials Gift Guide

While my earlier guide may have been my holiday wishlist, this is it’s more practical sister, the reality-list. These are the things I have in my own kitchen that I use pretty darn often. If you’re new to cooking, or know someone whose moving into their first home or apartment, this might be a good place to start: (links below) 1. Le Parfait Jars : my favorite jars for storing grains in the pantry. Air tight. 2. Whisks, set of 3 : because inevitably one is in the dishwasher. 3. Basic Colander : can’t go wrong with simple stainless. 4. Shun Chef’s Knife : you don’t need a knife set,…

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Favorite cookbooks, by region

It goes without saying that I collect a lot of cookbooks. Here are some of my favorites, organized by place: Italy: Amalfi Coast Recipes Franny’s: Simple Seasonal Italian La Cucina: The Regional Cooking of Italy France: Lunch in Provence Little Paris Kitchen: 120 Simple but Classic French Recipes The French Market Cookbook: Vegetarian Recipes from My Parisian Kitchen UK: Leon: Ingredients & Recipes (also looking forward to: Fast Vegetarian) River Cottage Veg: 200 Inspired Vegetable Recipes Tender: A Cook and His Vegetable Patch Japan: Japanese Cooking: A Simple Art Kansha: Celebrating Japan’s Vegan & Vegetarian Traditions Japanese Farm Food Korea &…

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Moonshine Sweet Tea giveaway

Today we’re giving away a sweet little taste of Texas: Moonshine Sweet Tea. There are so many budding local food companies here in Austin… good people that are making great things with the best of the best ingredients. So when the folks at Moonshine Sweet Tea approached me, I was over the moon (bad pun, sorry), because this is exactly the kind of business I am excited to support… Family owned: check, locally made: check, good typography: check check. The recipe has been passed down for 4 generations. It’s handmade in small batches using real organic tea leaves. The sweet…

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Sweet Potato (vegan) Alfredo

Less really is more… it’s a lesson I don’t think I’ll ever fully learn. For example, I often get flustered about what to make to post here. I’ll change my mind on my way to the grocery store and then change it another few times on my way home. This is a ridiculous (& expensive) habit because I end up buying way too much so I have options on hand to suit my indecisiveness. (Although, it all does get eaten eventually). Every now and then I come up with something out of nothing, and those almost always end up being…

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Avocado & Pomegranate Crostini

Avocado, pomegranate and feta make a pretty holiday appetizer crostini.

‘Tis the season for sugary, buttery treats… but as you may know, I’m not big on butter. I’m also not particularly good at holiday traditions… Maybe it’s the Austin influence, but I love anything with avocado. I made this glorified guacamole and I think the little pomegranate gems make it especially festive. Only thing missing in this picture is a merry Christmas margarita. For a healthier version, this would be delicious on endive spears. For a less healthy (but gluten free) version, feel free to break out the tortilla chips.

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Whole Foods $75 giveaway

Here’s a gift everyone could probably use – a $75 gift card to Whole Foods! Go stock up on fancy mushrooms (or whatever you want)… leave a comment below and tell me your favorite way to cook with mushrooms. And if you don’t like mushrooms, well then you’re not eligible (kidding!!). Not sure what to make with mushrooms? Try one of these: Walnut-mushroom veggie burgers (from us) Rosemary mushroom chickpea ragout (The First Mess) Mushroom & chard bruschetta (Whole Foods) Mushroom millet leek frittatas (Sprouted Kitchen) Roasted king oyster mushrooms (Food & Wine) Mixed mushroom soup (Whole Foods) Cheesy brussels sprouts (& mushroom) lasagna (How…

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Homemade Ponzu

If I had to pick two condiments to take to a desert island with me, my choices just might be rice vinegar and ponzu. Sriracha is a close third, and the Kewpie baby might be my number four. But back to the ponzu—it’s so versatile. I love it over noodles, and as a dipping sauce… it’s citrusey salty-soy goodness is perfect for quick, bright meals. Since the bottled version is often made with tons of additives, I set out to make my own. Turns out, it’s surprisingly easy. After a number of experiments, I figured out that meyer lemon replicates the…

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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.