this … My love for cats runs deep. I’ve been known to try and talk a few into following me home when I’m walking in the neighborhood, hoping they “want” an owner. And I dream of having a hobby farm with a cat barn that holds a dozen of them. I’ve taken my passion into […]
December 19, 2016
The Midwest is a potluck kind of place, even for family gatherings during the holidays. It’s very rare that the person hosting makes all the food, or that it’s a sit down meal. More traditionally, give or take 7 hotdishes, a large carved meat of sort, traditional Scandinavian or German dishes (like lefse or pickled herring), […]

December 15, 2016
There are a myriad of ways that rice pudding can be made, both in ingredients and technique. I’ve made it on the stovetop {like risotto once too}, used leftover rice, short-grain and long -grain rice, with coconut milk, but none have been as “right” as this effortless, baked version. And the saucy tart cherries.… simmered with honey and black peppercorns, reminds me of a jammy ice cream topping, but purely fruit and not so sugary. They elevate this cozy pan into some kind of wholesome harmony, especially as a holiday dessert with its festive red.

December 14, 2016
I have a few favorite Christmas cookies — Gluten-Free Peanut Butter Blossoms and these Peppermint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies. Okay, maybe I have more than a few, as evident of the 16 Gluten-Free Christmas Cookie recipes that I’ve shared over the years. :) I do quite a bit of testing each holiday season to make gluten-free […]

Tags: Chocolate
December 11, 2016
this … This post contains Amazon affiliate links, which I may make a small commission from should you decide to purchase. About these No-Bake Healthy Vegan Brownies: I shouldn’t be left alone with them. They fall along the lines of healthy-ish chocolate caramels crossed with a brownie, made from dates, dark cocoa, ground pecans, unsweetened coconut, […]

Tags: Chocolate
December 7, 2016
this … def: Humble. not proud or haughty : not arrogant or assertive ranking low in a hierarchy or scale : insignificant, unpretentious not costly or luxurious Nothing describes rutabaga better. I think I was 25 before I tasted one, the name alone sounded strange enough for me to write off as “weird”, and looks… […]

Tags: Tomatoes
December 1, 2016
This is the kind of dish that wins friends. Both those who love vegetables, and those who might be convinced to try only because of the cheese. Savory. Rich. A golden, crackly masterpiece. Comfort feelings reminiscent of those I had when eating deep fried cauliflower and cheddar cheese sauce at the local watering hole with my parents when I was young. Except it’s a little more refined, quite impressive to serve, and wholesome, real food magic.

Tags: Cauliflower, Cheese
November 29, 2016
The creamiest white bean hummus is easy to make at home! The secret is using tahini, a little water, and a food processor to make it. I love this hummus for snacking on with veggies and crisps, or slathering it on sourdough bread. It turns out so creamy every time and is extra flavorful. I’m […]

Tags: White Beans
November 25, 2016
This festive appetizer is an attempt to recreate the quite dated dessert pizza, which defines the 90’s in my mind. You know…. shortbread crust with sweetened cream cheese, berries, kiwi, and canned pineapple, and a glossy glaze made from the pineapple juices. But my palette sways less sugary these days, and my ingredients flow with the seasons. So here’s my my modern version of dessert pizza!

November 23, 2016
this … I feel like there’s an article telling me how to deal with anxiety in my inbox every day. Or a tweet. Or a Facebook post. They usually talk about the usual. You know, using exercise as an outlet, taking a bath, meditate, find things to distract. But as someone who deals with generalized […]

November 20, 2016
Life changing. Those are words I don’t typically believe in when it comes to food. It seems to be overused, and maybe a “cried wolf again” term, when one recipe after the other is declared to be the best. But this gluten free biscuit recipe is just that: life changing. Tender, tall, and flaky. Little nooks inside, […]

November 15, 2016
this … There are a lot of food assumptions, judgements, and labels thrown around these days. I get asked at least twice a week if I’m a vegetarian. People assume I don’t eat meat because I post a lot of plant-centric food, and yes, my fair share of sweets. I’m not a dedicated herbivore, or carnivore. I’m an […]

November 3, 2016