As excited as I am to enter the winter holiday baking season very soon, the autumn pumpkin season is not over yet! Pumpkin and banana combine beautifully in baked goods, especially quick breads and cakes! This pumpkin banana bread has pecans, spices, and chocolate chips added for the ultimate balance of flavors and textures. To…
While there are some great store-bought vegan butter options in many areas of the world, access to options that taste great, and work well in baking, can be tricky at times. This homemade version is reliable, and, truly, so delicious! I find the balance of neutral-tasting, refined coconut oil (which also allows the butter to…
With its crisp, flaky crust and savory, satisfying filling, quiche is widely loved brunch food that can, really, be enjoyed at any meal of the day! This recipe is an ideal, protein-rich base for any veggie and cheese quiche combination you’d prefer. I love varying the vegetables I add based on what is in season,…
As almond croissants and stuffed cookies are my two favorite pastries, I had to combine them in this delectable dessert. The result is a chewy cookie with a thick layer of flavorful almond frangipane in the center, and a dusting of powdered sugar on top for a finishing touch. I use the cookie-stuffing method from…
Salad season does not need to end during the colder months! Warm, grain-based salads with predominantly cooked instead of raw veggies can bring plenty of flavor and comfort. My grain base of choice is often couscous, quinoa, rice, or farro. This hearty dish features wild rice, which provides a variety of nutrients, including fiber, protein,…
Nothing beats the added flavor and texture contrast of a gooey filling inside a perfectly crisp, chewy cookie. This chocolaty recipe is one of my absolute favorites! The cookie itself is made from a rich chocolate dough that is studded with semisweet chocolate chips throughout. The filling is made from melted chocolate and peanut butter…
Frittatas are a dish I love to make year round, and this sweet potato and caramelized onion variation is my favorite during the fall and winter months!Vegan frittatas come together beautifully with a base of tofu or chickpea flour (this recipe combines both!), paired with a variety of seasonings and add-ins. They are satisfying for…
Autumnal pumpkin, spices, and chocolate pair beautifully together in a variety of recipes. These soft and chewy bars are packed with chocolate chips on the inside and velvety melted chocolate on top. They are perfectly spiced, and really are a cross between a cookie bar and a snack cake. These cookies were my inspiration for…
Lentil dal has become one of my go-to warming, comforting recipes over the past several years, and this pumpkin spin on my original recipe really takes it to another level during the fall. This meal is filled with fiber-rich vegetables, protein-rich lentils, and aromatic flavors from the anti-inflammatory spices. It is hearty and delicious both…
In honor of National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day today (one of the best food holidays in my opinion), I am excited to share this fun spin on the classic individual cookies- shareable cookie cake! Adapted from my ultimate cookie recipe, this jumbo chocolate chip cookie “cake” has deliciously unique elements of flavor, texture, and fun!…
Veggie burgers have been one of my go-to meal prep recipes for years. I love how versatile the flavors and textures can be, and how veggie burgers make a truly satisfying meal for any time of day. This nourishing recipe is an adaptation of my first, tried and true, veggie burger recipe from nine years…
Although it has been one of the hottest summers I can remember here in the Northeast, I am still baking up a storm (no pun intended). In all seriousness, the act of baking, to me, is nostalgic, calming, joy-inducing, and challenging in all the right ways. It has also become my solace during times of…
Happy New Year! 2021 was a year of lots of cooking, baking, and recipe development in my home. Today I am sharing a nostalgic savory meal that has been a huge hit with my entire family (including my Italian grandparents) for years: baked ziti.As a dish that my mom has often made for family parties,…
Growing up, my nana made egg biscuits for almost every holiday and family occasion. She loved teaching her grandchildren how to make them, and I will forever cherish those memories. These lemony Italian cookies puff up in the oven and take on an egg-like shape. They are fun to decorate with icing and colorful sugar…
As nutritious and refreshing as raw salads can be, winter is a time that many of us crave more warm, cooked meals. Although hearty pasta dishes and soups are some of my favorite cold-weather comfort foods, some of the tastiest meals are those that we can toss together with different ingredient combinations. My favorite tip for building a…
I recently looked back at some of my earlier blog posts and saw that my very first post was about chocolate chip cookies. As they have been one of my most tested recipes dating back to when I first started to bake (not to mention one of my all-time favorite desserts), I wanted to share…
Autumn. My favorite season. It has felt pretty different this year, as I have spent it at home recovering from major surgery. In an effort to enjoy this time of year in ways that I can, I brought some of autumn into our home. We have some harvest-themed decorations from my family around the house, Halloween…
There is quite an array of sandwich options in the world of vegan eating. From “meaty” veggie burgers to classic peanut butter and banana combinations, there is something for everyone! Reminiscent of the classic chicken salad, chickpea salad makes a deliciously-hearty alternative. Chickpeas provide a nutritious source of vegan protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. With their low…
It is a puzzling time in the world right now, as COVID-19 has inflicted a great deal of stress and sadness, and turned our day-to-day lifestyles upside down. My heart goes out to all of those directly affected by the virus, as well as everyone who is struggling financially and/or emotionally. There isn’t much that…
Due to my Italian heritage, I grew up eating a lot of pasta. As much as I enjoy a classic tomato sauce, cream sauces were always superior for my taste buds. If you, like me, are intolerant to dairy or are looking for a more nutritious alternative to classic dishes such as fettuccine Alfredo, I encourage…
I am not ashamed to admit to being one of the many people who get excited to enjoy pumpkin flavored foods once the fall season rolls around. As the weather has still been relatively warm, pumpkin smoothies satisfy the craving for something that is both refreshing and seasonal!As the name implies, this smoothie is like…
Power bowls are some of the most simple and delicious meals to make. The flavor and ingredient combinations are limitless, and you can prepare several components of the bowls such as cooked grains, roasted vegetables, and sauces ahead of time to quickly reheat/ toss together when meal time arrives!This Mexican-inspired burrito bowl incorporates various burrito…
One of my absolute favorite things about the holiday season is the joy that comes with holiday baking and sharing homemade sweets with loved ones. These gingerbread chocolate chip cookies combine the best qualities of classic gingerbread cookies with tradition chocolate chip. They are soft, chewy, super flavorful, and cozy- perfect with a warm mug…
It is no secret that I love the many varieties of squash, especially during this time of year! With that said, I thought I would share one of my favorite recipes for simple roasted squash that can be enjoyed on its own, on top of a salad or power bowl, and even as a side…
Fall is my absolute favorite season in terms of both weather and food, but it always seems to fly right by! To make the most of it, I have been trying to cook as much as I possibly can with pumpkin and squash. Not only do they taste amazing, they also contain an abundance of…
After our wonderful wedding in August, Spencer and I ventured off to the beautiful island of Kauai for almost two weeks. We were instantly amazed by the incredible nature that surrounded us, especially the countless varieties of plants and trees that truly do make the “Garden Isle” feel like a giant garden. Although we had…
