Chris Cooks
Candied Ham Skewers - Your New Favorite Holiday Appetizer
As a home cook, this is my favorite time of year: the time leading up to Thanksgiving and Christmas. But this year, I want to focus on low-effort, high-impact dishes. Something that can serve a crowd but is not too hard to make. And these spicy candied ham bites are just the ticket. Shop The […]
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November 3, 2024
Chris Cooks
Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Ice Cream in the Ninja CREAMi (Dairy-Free)
I use our Ninja CREAMi all the time. It’s just so easy to make a super delicious dessert with almost no effort (other than an overnight freeze.) If you have someone in your house who can't have dairy, this little ice cream maker comes in clutch. It really can turn almost anything into something frosty, […]
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October 27, 2024
Chris Cooks
One-Pan Roasted Chicken & Vegetables
When the sheet pan dinner craze started, I was all on board. What's not to like about a dinner with minimal prep, minimal effort and maximum flavor? I decided to take advantage of that one-pan method, but I use a roasting pan as my sheet pan—shhh, don't tell anyone. That way, I can layer the […]
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October 20, 2024
Chris Cooks
Baked Pears & Rosemary Caramel
I'm excited to share today's recipe with you because it's more than just a dessert—it inspired a lip balm flavor! That's right, we just launched a collaboration with our friends at Poppy & Pout based on three fall desserts that I developed just for you. We love Poppy & Pout because they're just great people […]
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October 13, 2024
Chris Cooks
Spiced Peach Crumble (Grain Free, Dairy Free, Gluten Free)
Shop CLJ x Poppy & Pout Lip Balm Trio I'm even more excited to share today's recipe with you because it's more than just a dessert—it inspired a lip balm flavor! That's right, we just launched a collaboration with our friends at Poppy & Pout based on three fall desserts that I developed just for […]
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October 6, 2024
Chris Cooks
Blackberry Campfire S’mores
I'm even more excited to share today's recipe with you because it's more than just a dessert—it inspired a lip balm flavor! That's right, we just launched a collaboration with our friends at Poppy & Pout based on three fall desserts that I developed just for you. We love Poppy & Pout because they're just […]
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September 29, 2024
Chris Cooks
Butternut Squash Mac & Cheese
I'm straying a bit from our typical gluten and dairy-free theme this week, sharing one of the things I make my two daughters who don't have food restrictions. Everyone loves a good mac and cheese, but something I struggle with the number of commonplace foods that are just differently shaped combinations of grain and dairy. […]
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September 22, 2024
Chris Cooks
10-Minute Tomato Salad with Red Pepper Dressing
Bowls (similar) | Platter | Copper Candlestick (similar) | Taper Candles | Wooden Serving Utensils | Plaid Tablecloth (similar) Late summer hits, and it's like the world collectively moves on to fall. But there is still an abundance of tomatoes and bright greens at the market. And it's actually the perfect time of year to […]
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September 15, 2024
Chris Cooks
Crab Cakes with Easy Remoulade Sauce (Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free)
I love ordering crab cakes out—they're such a treat. But if I want to make crab cakes at home, they need to cater to our food restrictions. That means they have to be delicious AND have no eggs, dairy, wheat, gluten or grains. Well these knock it out of the park, thanks to some secret […]
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September 8, 2024
Chris Cooks
Skillet White Bean Dip with Spicy Italian Sausage (Dairy-Free)
I love a good dip, and it’s even better when they’re bubbling hot. It can be a challenge to find some really great dairy-free creamy dips, but this one delivers. And unlike many white bean dips, this one is not shy about big, bold flavors! So let's get down to the nitty-gritty of how I […]
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September 1, 2024
Chris Cooks
Easy And Delicious Harvest Punch
Shop The Kitchen Fall is my favorite food season. I love the warm spices, apples, sweet potatoes, squash — there are so many wonderful flavors and textures to work with. To herald September, I put together this crisp Harvest Punch that looks like fall in a glass. It is the perfect beverage to serve at […]
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August 25, 2024
Chris Cooks
High-Protein Breakfast Wraps | Kid-Friendly Meal Prep
The girls are back in school, and all is right with the world of routines again! Speaking of routines, the ritual of weekly meal prep is one of my favorite things to do — I love to create healthy, nutrient-rich meals that can power us through the day. Breakfast, as we all know, is one […]
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August 18, 2024
Chris Cooks
Mixed Berry Dump Cake (Grain-Free, Dairy-Free)
I don't bake often (I like to be more freeform with my recipes than baking allows), but when I do, I like to make something like this. A super-simple, fruit-forward dessert that's not too sweet, but packed with flavor. The best part? It's gluten-free, dairy-free, and only takes less than 5 minutes of active work […]
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August 11, 2024
Chris Cooks
Roasted Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts with Red Pepper Sauce
Jules has really been into Brussels sprouts lately (as she showed in our fridge tour), and while she could eat them the same way every day, if I'm gonna enjoy it then I gotta mix it up. Roasted potatoes and Brussels sprouts are a timeless pair - add a roasted red pepper sauce and this […]
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August 4, 2024
Chris Cooks
The Best Steak Frites Recipe On The Internet
Have you ever played that game with friends where you ask, "What would you choose for your last meal?" Well, steak frites is my pick. While this traditional dish of steak and fries is often served in European brasseries, I love Asian flavors, so I came up with this unexpected — but entirely tasty — […]
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July 21, 2024
Chris Cooks
A Non-Vegan's Favorite Vegan Mushroom Taco Recipe
I have a thing for tacos. They're just everything you could want in a tasty little handheld package. I've done smash burger tacos, chicharron de ribeye tacos, al pastor tacos, and grilled steak tacos. But when I want to serve tacos to some of my vegan friends and family members, I put mushroom tacos on […]
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July 14, 2024
Chris Cooks
Easy Chili Lime Grilled Shrimp Recipe
We’ve been traveling to several North Carolina beaches this spring and summer, and I’m always in search of some good seafood. The coastline has great shrimp that is often fried or steamed, but this time of year I crave the flavor of the grill. Plus I love adding fresh flavors and herbs to my dishes, […]
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July 7, 2024
Chris Cooks
All of Our Best Picnic Salads | Chris Cooks
One of my favorite things about summer is eating (and cooking) outside. Who doesn't love a picnic? It's the ultimate grab-and-go meal. Yes, there's some prep involved, but that always makes the food taste even better. And to me, it's not a real picnic unless you have a salad or two. It's nice to have […]
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June 23, 2024
Chris Cooks
The Best Potato Salad Recipe for People Who Don't Like Potato Salad
I'm not really a traditional potato salad guy. They can be kind of gummy and flavorless with very little texture other than a little bit of celery. But I do love potatoes (I'm from Idaho after all), and I wanted to give this side a chance to redeem itself by creating a potato salad that […]
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June 23, 2024
Chris Cooks
Grilled Pork Tenderloin with Macadamia Nut Pesto
Grilled pork tenderloin is inexpensive, super tender, really juicy, and quick to cook. That makes it an all-star protein in my book. I love to serve it simply grilled with a flavor-packed sauce, and so I decided to do a take on a pesto featuring the classic basil and olive oil base, but swapping in […]
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June 16, 2024
