What is Fennel? (And How to Cook It)

Welcome to fennel 101! This underrated veggie deserves a place on everyone's table. Read on to learn how to cut it, how to cook it, and more!

Everyone goes crazy for kale, but if I had my way, fennel would be all the rage too. It’s one of the most underrated vegetables, and if you’re not already cooking with it, you absolutely should be. It has a fresh, aromatic anise flavor, and it can be eaten raw, sautéed, roasted, or even added to soups and sauces. If you’ve never worked with it before, this funky-looking veggie might be intimidating from the outside, but don’t let it scare you. Once you know how to approach it, it’s easy to work with. What is fennel? Fennel is a member…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Bibimbap

This bibimbap recipe is bowl food at its best! Topped with gochujang sauce and seasoned veggies, it's fresh, healthy, and packed with bold flavor.

This bibimbap recipe will make anyone fall in love with bowl food. When I talk about bowl food, I mean any recipe that consists of a base, such as noodles or rice, a protein, vegetables, and a flavorful sauce. I’ve had my fair share of grain bowls and noodle bowls over the years, but without question, bibimbap is bowl food at its best. If you’ve never heard of bibimbap, it’s a Korean rice bowl topped with assorted vegetables, spicy gochujang, and an egg and/or meat. It’s one of the most well-known Korean dishes, and once you try it, you’ll see…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Gochujang Sauce

Gochujang sauce is most often used in Korean recipes, but its sweet, spicy umami flavor is so delicious that you'll want to drizzle it over everything!

As far as flavor goes, there’s nothing like gochujang sauce. I first made it to drizzle over homemade bibimbap, but once I had it on hand, I began topping it onto everything from roasted veggies to avocado toast! A traditional Korean sauce, it has a bold sweet/spicy/umami flavor with an underlying funk. This delicious, distinctive taste comes from gochujang, a fermented Korean chili paste made from glutinous rice, fermented soybeans, red chili pepper flakes, and salt. It’s pretty assertive on its own – even small amounts add intense flavor to whatever you’re cooking. That’s where this gochujang sauce comes in.…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

How to Cook Rice on the Stove

Say goodbye to scorched pans and gummy grains, and learn how to cook rice like a pro! These easy stovetop methods yield tender, fluffy rice every time.

Rumor has it that you need a rice cooker or an Instant pot to cook fluffy, tender rice at home. Well, I’m here to tell you that the rumors aren’t true. Cooking rice on the stove is quick and easy, and if you do it the right way, it works every time. Below, I’m sharing 2 foolproof stovetop methods for how to cook rice in under 30 minutes. Without fail, the rice comes out light, fluffy, and not at all gummy. So skip the fancy gadgets, and grab a saucepan with a lid! A steaming pot of perfect rice is…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

How to Make Sunny Side Up Eggs

Learn how to make perfect sunny side up eggs every time! Enjoy them for breakfast, or top them onto bowls, burgers, avocado toast, and more.

Sunny side up eggs have to be one of the simplest foods to cook. Nevertheless, we’ve all had ones that are scorched on the bottom and raw on top, rubbery, or just plain greasy. So today, I’m sharing my tried-and-true method for how to cook sunny side up eggs. It’s quick and easy, and it doesn’t require any fancy equipment or special ingredients. All you’ll need is olive oil, eggs, and a good nonstick skillet! Still, the eggs come out perfectly every time, with tender, just-set whites and runny yolks. Make a few for breakfast, or add one to any…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

No-Knead Bread

This no-knead bread recipe will make any novice baker look like a pro! 5 minutes of work yield a crusty, golden loaf with a perfect soft interior.

If you’re curious about bread-making, no-knead bread is a fantastic place to start. This method was made famous by Jim Lahey, owner of Sullivan Street Bakery in New York. It’s wildly popular, and for good reason. Unlike many bread recipes, it requires no special equipment (aside from a Dutch oven) or finicky ingredients, and it takes just a few minutes of hands-on prep. Still, thanks to a long, slow rise, the bread comes out perfect every time, with a gorgeous golden brown crust and chewy interior. I make a few tweaks to Jim’s recipe, swapping bread flour for all-purpose and…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Spaghetti and Meatballs

My spaghetti and meatballs recipe may be meat-free, but it's still delicious, thanks to hearty, smoky veggie balls and homemade marinara sauce.

spaghetti and meatballs

What’s more homey than spaghetti and meatballs? Twists of pasta doused in herb-flecked marinara sauce, with tender, spicy meatballs balanced on top… On a cold night, there’s not much that sounds better. Meatless spaghetti and meatballs might seem like an oxymoron, but trust me, there’s no shortage of ways to make them meat-free. In fact, I’ve been hooked on two veggie meatball recipes lately. I couldn’t pick a favorite if I tried, so instead of choosing one to share here, I’m sharing both! Each one has a hearty texture and a rich savory flavor that’s irresistible with al dente pasta and…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

Vegan Parmesan Cheese

Even cheese lovers will fall for this 4-ingredient vegan Parmesan cheese. It's SO easy to make, and it's a tasty umami topping for pasta, salads, and more!

This vegan Parmesan cheese recipe is my new favorite condiment. It’s sharp, bright, savory, and rich, and as far as I can tell, it’s great on just about anything. I’ve made vegan Parmesan in the past, but this time, I added one extra ingredient: lemon zest! Its bright flavor brought extra complexity to the savory, nutty mixture, and now, I can’t get enough of it. I keep a big jar on hand in the freezer, and I reach for it anytime a dish needs an extra punch of umami flavor. If you’re dairy-free, trying to incorporate more plant-based foods into…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

A Week of Healthy Smoothies & Snacks

I recently tried out Daily Harvest, and I've been loving their convenient & delicious superfood smoothies. Read on to see which ones are my favorites!

There’s nothing I love more than starting my day with a produce-packed smoothie. Eating a big serving of fruits and veggies first thing makes me feel energized and ready to take on the day. Plus, I have fun mixing and matching superfoods, spices, and fresh ingredients to create healthy, delicious combinations. But on busy mornings when I have a full day of writing and photo editing ahead of me, it’s easy to reach for the first thing I see – like the peanut butter cookies I was testing the night before – instead of taking the time to blend up…

TO THE POST >>>>

Steamed Bao Buns

These steamed bao buns are one of our favorite recipes to make on a date night in. I prep the filling while Jack mixes up the dough. Then, we eat!

Making these steamed bao buns is our idea of the perfect Valentine’s date. See, Jack and I enjoy going out to eat, but never on Valentine’s Day. The restaurants are more crowded, the food is more expensive, and we always end up having more fun at home. So we skip the crowds and celebrate simply, spending time together making something we both love. In years past, we’ve learned to make pasta (I make a delicious sauce while he cranks the pasta maker), homemade pizza (Jack does the crust while I do the the toppings), or sushi (I prep the fillings,…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>

25 Easy Pasta Recipes

These easy pasta recipes will satisfy any pasta craving! Whether you're hungry for classic lasagna or a new, inventive idea, we've got you covered.

Pasta recipes are some of these most versatile dishes out there. Cooking a romantic dinner for two? There’s a pasta recipe for that. Need a quick and easy dinner on a weeknight? There’s a pasta recipe for that. Serving a crowd? There’s one for that too. Below, you’ll find 25 easy pasta recipes we’ve made and loved on all sorts of occasions – family gatherings, date nights in, and times when I’ve been at a loss for what to cook for dinner. Oftentimes, those nights have yielded the best pasta dinners we’ve had. Turns out, it only takes simple ingredients…

TO THE RECIPE >>>>
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.