Recipes
Grapefruit with Avocado Cream (grain free, vegan dessert)
Desserts are not typically my thing. I feel like they're usually a little too heavy and just leave you feeling tired and gross after having eaten a big meal. But I like to have a few light finishers I can whip up quickly for those times where I'm feeling like the meal could use some […]
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January 26, 2020
Recipes
Chicken & Sausage Paella
For busy week nights, it's nice to have a few dishes in your back pocket that come together quick, use only one pan, and act as protein, main dish & side dish all together. Paella is one of those things for me, and I love how versatile it is. Paella is traditionally a seafood dish, […]
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January 19, 2020
Recipes
Grain, Dairy and Gluten Free Beef Stew
Many stews can be thickened with flour or corn starch, but this version avoids all that and replaces it with crazy amounts of flavor! Sometimes beef stew can be cooked to death, so every bit tastes the same and has the same mouthfeel (that is to say, is mushy). I share some tricks for getting […]
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January 12, 2020
Chris Cooks
Dairy Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Caramel Corn (Also Gluten Free, Vegan)
Early in our marriage, I would make caramel corn every week or two. It started off pretty simple and straight forward, but I wanted to switch things up so I started experimenting. I landed on a combination of chocolate and peanut butter in the caramel, plus a mix of Chex and popcorn, finished with nuts, […]
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December 1, 2019
Recipes
The Ultimate Thanksgiving Cheat Sheet - All the Recipes, Videos, and Timelines You Need to Totally Nail Your Thanksgiving Dinner
Recipes
The Ultimate Thanksgiving Cheat Sheet - All the Recipes, Videos, and Timelines You Need to Totally Nail Your Thanksgiving Dinner
You're going to want to save this post, because there's some good stuff here. The great thing about the Internet (and also why it sucks) is that it never forgets. I'm saying it's great right now, because I can pull together all the posts I've done over the years for Thanksgiving, and put them right […]
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November 24, 2019
Recipes
Amazing Allergy-Friendly Thanksgiving Stuffing (gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free)
Recipes
Amazing Allergy-Friendly Thanksgiving Stuffing (gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free)
I'm just gonna put it out there that I make the best Thanksgiving dressing (stuffing) I've ever had. It's a cornbread dressing and man it's good. But as we've added more and more diet restrictions to various members of our family, I've been trying to find a way to get all that same comfort and […]
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November 17, 2019
Recipes
Borscht with Braised Beef Short Ribs
My family lived in Donetsk, Ukraine for a spell when I was a young. There are so many things from our time there that I remember so vividly, and borscht is among the top. Borscht in Ukraine is like chicken noodle soup in America. We ate it multiple times each week, and though every person […]
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October 27, 2019
Recipes
My Recipe for Spaghetti & (Gluten, Dairy, Grain-free) Meatballs
Spaghetti and red sauce is something that just about everyone can agree on. It's just delicious, and comforting, and tastes like childhood. Meatballs, however, can be a little tricky once food restrictions come into play. My approach to food restrictions is to really nail the main part in a way that everyone can enjoy, and […]
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October 6, 2019
Recipes
One Pan Roasted Chicken & Vegetables with Fall Spices
"Healthy" cooking is tricky to nail down, but I think a big step is knowing and seeing everything that's going into your food. And as easy as it is to grab a rotisserie chicken from the deli at your grocery store, a quick look at the label often shows more unknown ingredients than you probably […]
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September 29, 2019
Chris Cooks
Rosemary Caramel Baked Apples (it's also gluten free, dairy free, grain free)
Whenever I hear someone make the claim that an allergy-friendly version of something is "better than the original" I tend to roll my eyes. "I just have them wrap my burger with lettuce - you don't even miss the bun!!" Nobody believes you, sit down. But after years of having to navigate various food allergies […]
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September 22, 2019
Entertaining
How to Craft the Perfect Charcuterie Board (+ a couple easy condiment recipes)
The word "charcuterie" has expanded a bit beyond its classic French roots, and is sometimes used to describe a collection of meats, cheeses, fruits and other finger foods arranged together. I understand that purists scoff at this change, but I care less about what I call it and more about whether or not the people […]
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September 15, 2019
Recipes
Grain, Gluten & Dairy Free Clam Chowder
Chowders are typically creamy soups thickened with corn starch or flour. Rhode Island Clam Chowder is not thickened, doesn't include cream, and is a great option for those who may love clam chowder but can't eat grains. And though it traditionally calls for butter, it can easily be made dairy free as well by subbing […]
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September 8, 2019
Chris Cooks
Arugula & Prosciutto Salad with Apple Cider Vinaigrette
Is there anything more "fall" than the taste and smell of mulling spices? But with nearly a month still to go, I can't move away from all this fresh produce yet. This salad is fresh and flavorful, perfectly walking a tightrope between the seasons. It only takes a few minutes to prepare and would be […]
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September 1, 2019
Recipes
Gnocchi With Harvest Vegetables
Late August through Mid October are my favorite weeks of the year. Partly because I love wearing light jackets, but mostly because the produce is never better than right now. All of my favorite foods will be at their peak for the next couple months, which makes me so excited to share with you so […]
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August 24, 2019
Recipes
Blueberry & Bacon Spring Salad
Easter is next week, so I wanted to share one more recipe that would be a great addition to your holiday spread. This salad is so light, but full of freshness and flavor. It comes to gather in less than 30 minutes and will work well with anything you want to serve it with (or […]
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April 14, 2019
Recipes
Drunken Deviled Eggs
This one started off as an experiment, but totally turned into a winner. And after I made these, I found through Google that I'm not the first one to have this same thought, but the recipe is unique and a definite winner! I'm talking Drunken Deviled Eggs, based on the flavors of my favorite Thai dish, […]
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March 31, 2019
Recipes
Sweet Chili-Glazed Carrots
We've had a lot of requests for simpler dishes and sides, so here we go! This is a common one in our home - super delicious, easy to make, and only 6 total ingredients. And for anyone unfamiliar with Thai Sweet Chili sauce, it's not spicy, so this is a great dish for all palates and […]
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March 24, 2019
Recipes
Mom's Taco Salad
I don't claim this taco salad to be authentically Mexican, but I do claim it to be genuinely delicious. Great for groups, kids, or even a weekday dinner at home, this dish was a favorite of mine all growing up, and is now a favorite of my own family. It takes less than 30 minutes […]
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March 10, 2019
Recipes
Roasted Potato Salad
This roasted potato salad is one of the most unique, delicious, and versatile side dishes I make. It's perfect alongside a roasted chicken and green salad, or salmon and asparagus, or steak and Swiss chard. Whatever you decide to serve it with, this "salad" will definitely make the meal. Perfectly roasted potatoes dressed in a […]
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February 10, 2019
Recipes
How to Perfectly Cook a Steak
Did you know that most of the nice steak houses don't grill their steaks? It's all about a perfect sear in a hot, heavy-bottomed skillet; using only a few seasonings and herbs to build the perfect flavor. Whether you want to host a dinner for friends, have a quiet evening for two, or are just […]
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February 3, 2019
