Chris Cooks
A Low Key Thanksgiving Dinner for Four (Grain, Gluten, Dairy-Free)
Over the years, I've shared all my feast-level Thanksgiving recipes. Those are still available and never changing because they'll taste as good this year as they have the last seven years. But in case you're keeping your group small, I wanted to share something a little different for this year. An entire Thanksgiving dinner, in […]
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November 22, 2020
Recipes
28 Recipes Perfect for Fall Weather
Though I love making and sharing new recipes, I also don't want to forget about some of my favorites from the past. Today we're sharing 28 recipes perfect for the cooling weather - some shared recently, others from several years ago (when we had fewer dietary restrictions in our home). Pick a few and add […]
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October 18, 2020
Recipes
Turkey Sausage & Potato Soup (dairy-free, gluten-free, grain-free)
There's something about a big bowl of soup on a cool day that just feels so right. And one of my wife's favorites has always been creamy potato soup. Of course the classic version is made with cream and milk, thickened with flour, amped up with bacon and topped with cheese. We're not doing dairy, […]
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October 11, 2020
Recipes
The Ultimate Candy Corn Snack Mix
The second fall hits, I mix up a bowl of this candy corn snack mix. And the next day I whip up another bowl, because the first is gone by then. Here's the deal, I'm not a fan of candy corn. Never have been. So I know how silly it sounds for me to claim […]
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October 4, 2020
Chris Cooks
How to Make Mulled (Spiced) Apple Cider
If my honey & mint lemonade is my warm-weather drink, then spiced apple cider is definitely my cold weather drink. Not only for the warmth and flavor, but the aroma it sends through the house is out of bounds. Mulling cider is super easy, and will make any fall gathering, no matter how small, feel […]
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September 20, 2020
Recipes
Grain & Dairy Free Peach Cobbler
Peaches are my favorite fruit. Hands down. And not in a "I'm saying it's my favorite because that's what this post is about" way. Literally - favorite fruit. And over the years I've fostered this love every fall by buying boxes of peaches, freezing them, and using them all within a month on making peach […]
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September 13, 2020
Recipes
5 Easy Dinner Dishes For Those Busy Nights
Our girls start school tomorrow, and whether you're home-schooling, the kids are actually in school, or a little of each, schedules will be tight and meal times can be stressful. So here are 5 dishes - mains, sides, and even a great dessert - cooked in foil packets or a dutch oven. They're all delicious, […]
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August 30, 2020
Recipes
Garlic, Lemon & Tahini Dressing
Whenever someone finds themselves diving into the world of food restrictions, one of the most disheartening realizations is how few condiment options there are. So we've developed a few simple, delicious options that are great to have on hand. This dressing is gluten-free, dairy-free, egg-free, soy-free, and easily made vegan by using agave nectar instead […]
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August 23, 2020
Recipes
Grilled Turkey & Beef Meatballs with Smoked Marinara
Flavors are starting to shift as we head into summer's back nine, so let's take advantage of all the fresh produce popping up (lookin' at you, tomatoes) and make the freshest meatball dish you'll ever consume. These are entree-sized meatballs, served on their own - no noodles or sandwich. Just a fork and some of […]
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August 16, 2020
Recipes
Green Curry Clams & Mussels
My family doesn't care for seafood or spicy food, but sometimes I need to make something just for me. And this is a forever favorite. Next time you have an evening to yourself, or a like-minded friend coming over for casual conversation, give this dish a whirl. So much flavor, easy to make, but presents […]
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August 2, 2020
Recipes
Veggie Bowls with Fire Roasted Salsa
The battle to eat more vegetables is an uphill one, to say the least. Modern meals are centered around the protein (usually meat of some kind), starch (grain or potatoes), with a small portion of vegetables on the side. We're all familiar with those sad few spears of asparagus tucked next to our 12oz steak […]
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July 26, 2020
Recipes
3 Delicious Toasts to Try for Breakfast or Brunch
I don't eat breakfast often, and when I do it's usually late morning as the first of two meals I'll have the entire day. So when I have do eat that first meal, I love amping up something simple so it's special, but still easy. Huge fan of toast, for that reason. Sometimes I'll pair […]
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July 19, 2020
Recipes
Grilled Sugar Snap Peas and Mushrooms
The flavors of summer are lemon, garlic, fresh herbs, and whatever the grill adds during cooking. This dish takes all of those and applies them to fresh peas and mushrooms, and it's a winner. Make this dish to go alongside any grilled protein, or eat by itself as a light lunch. It just works and […]
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July 12, 2020
Recipes
Honey Mint Lemonade
I love lemonade, but I feel like most store-bought or restaurant-served options are too sweet, too sour, and/or make me more thirsty after drinking them than I was before. This is a simple lemonade that leans on natural sweeteners - honey and stevia powder - to make a refreshing and light drink perfect for summer […]
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June 28, 2020
Recipes
7 S'mores Combinations You Have to Try
Idaho summers are short-lived, but I think it's because mankind isn't meant to experience so much bliss in great quantities. Our minds would explode. All that to say, when the weather here warms up, you gotta jump right to enjoying it because fall and winter are racing toward us and you never really know which […]
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June 21, 2020
Recipes
Cajun Grilled Fish Coconut Wraps
I lived in Louisiana for a couple years and was blown away by all the food. So flavorful. So spicy. So rich. And unfortunately the richness is why I can't eat it nearly as often as I'd like to. Just doesn't sit well. But as I've been cooking for myself, my wife, and my daughters, all […]
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June 14, 2020
Recipes
Grilled Steak Tacos with Pickled Radish & Onions
Everyone loves a good taco, but if you really wanna blow some minds, add some sweet, pickled vegetables. And before you convince yourself it's too weird or would take too long, trust me when I say it's not and it doesn't. At all. Made exactly as I do them, these tacos are dairy free, grain/gluten […]
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May 31, 2020
Recipes
Creamy, Classic, 5-Minute Hummus
I'm not vegan, or even vegetarian, but I aim for 70-80% of what I eat to be plant-based. I just feel better that way. So foods that have been around for generations and are already plant-based are worth memorizing, because they're usually simple to make and super tasty. Enter hummus. It's a favorite around here, […]
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May 24, 2020
Recipes
Shrimp Salad Endive Cups with Fresh Cherries
Some fruits and vegetables generally taste the same year round, while others should really be in season to truly be appreciated. For me, cherries fall into the second group, which is unfortunate because I love fresh cherries. BUT! Cherry season is upon us, so let's celebrate and use some cherries! This shrimp salad really is something […]
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May 17, 2020
Recipes
27 Meals For Staying Home
It's a stressful time. For everyone. Stress leads to stress eating. Which, at least for me, usually centers on foods high in carbs and low in nutrition. And that wouldn't be so bad if it weren't arguably more important than ever to have your immune system firing on all cylinders. Below we share 27 recipes […]
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April 5, 2020
