Chris Cooks
Italian Summer Pasta Salad (Grain-Free, Dairy-Free)
This recipe is a mixture of several pasta salads I grew up eating. It has an Italian flavor profile with lots of basil, tomatoes, Italian sausage and figs, but I add more texture and color with plenty of vegetables, some grilled, some raw. They're all chopped up to make a fresh salad that's an amazing […]
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June 2, 2024
Lifestyle
You Have a Grill, What's Next?
Outdoor Kitchen Sources Chris here. As you probably know by now, I love cooking outside. It's my happy place. Like most people I started with a grill — which is kind of the baseline outdoor cooking tool for any homeowner or renter. A grill is a great investment for its versatility and ease of use. […]
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May 29, 2024
Chris Cooks
Best Hot Dog Toppings - The Ultimate Hot Dog Bar
For someone who loves to cook things from scratch, you might be surprised to learn that hot dogs are my favorite food. There, I said it. And I stand by it. What really makes hot dogs fun are the toppings you can add to them - endless combinations, and a great way to serve a […]
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May 26, 2024
Chris Cooks
Rotisserie-Smoked Leg of Lamb
Leg of lamb is such a dramatic dish. And if you're going to cook one, slow-roasted on a rotisserie in a smoke-filled grill chamber is about as good as it gets. There's just something about the way the smoke of a grill coaxes out so much flavor from lamb...it's incredible. I wanted to create a […]
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May 19, 2024
Chris Cooks
Smash Burger Tacos - The Best Way to Eat a Gluten-Free Burger
This is a great mash-up of two of my favorite things: burgers and tacos. It's also one of my favorite ways to serve burgers in my house, since Jules has food restrictions, and I'm just not a fan of gluten-free buns (convince me otherwise!). So that's why if I'm serving burgers to my family, this […]
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May 12, 2024
Chris Cooks
Cucumber Crunch Salad
If you're in need of a side dish that comes together in about 10 minutes, this cucumber crunch salad is your dish. The flavor is on point and it always gets rave reviews. Plus it can be made and served in the same bowl, making clean-up a breeze. Serving Bowl | Serving Spoon Set This […]
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May 5, 2024
Chris Cooks
Golden Milk Ice Cream (Dairy-Free)
The health benefits of spices are nothing new, but I do love researching facts about them. For instance, recent research on turmeric has shown that one compound is associated with anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antioxidant properties. I've shared my golden milk recipe, which is of course based on the traditional Indian beverage that's been around for […]
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April 28, 2024
Chris Cooks
Best Hot Sauces 2024: Reviews & Recommendations
Over the years I've talked about my love for hot sauces, which has raised some questions about which ones I use, when I use them, etc. So today I'm bringing the heat with the best hot sauces of 2024. I'll start with some of the most popular hot sauces that people know and love, and […]
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April 21, 2024
Chris Cooks
Roasted Cauliflower with Homemade Dairy Free Caesar Dressing
I'm so proud of cauliflower. 20 years ago, I mean who would have thought, right? You can get it tempura-fried, roasted in romesco sauce, served as a steak - endless options! Here's another for you, featuring a homemade dairy free Caesar dressing that is just as good — if not better — than the original […]
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April 14, 2024
Chris Cooks
The Best Dairy-Free Alternatives and How to Use Them
Thank goodness there are great substitutions these days for dairy products. What used to be just milk alternatives has expanded into really delicious vegan cheese, yogurt and more. But with all of the options on the shelves these days, you may be wondering, "Which one should I choose for cereal? What about desserts?" I get […]
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April 12, 2024
Chris Cooks
Virgin Mojito Recipe: Cucumber Honey "Nojito"
The warmth of the sun is calling me outside more and more these days, and I love it. Soon enough, though, it will be summer, and we'll be sweating profusely, looking for relief. And when I need some refreshment, few drinks hit the spot for me like a "Nojito." This is a non-alcoholic take on the […]
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April 7, 2024
Chris Cooks
The Best Deviled Egg Recipe - A Classic
It's no secret that I'm a deviled eggs connoisseur of sorts. I've professed my love for smoked salmon deviled eggs, pickled beet deviled eggs — even drunken deviled eggs. But silly me skipped right over the classic deviled egg recipe, and I feel that it's best we back track and share how to make the […]
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March 30, 2024
Chris Cooks
The Best Dairy-Free Scalloped Potatoes Recipe (No Grain or Gluten)
I've shared a recipe for tasty mashed potatoes, we've talked perfecting the baked potato, and I've reached food nirvana with the cheese-less potato casserole. But this recipe today is extra special. There's something that just says "you made a lot of effort" about homemade scalloped potatoes, but that béchamel is a no-no for the dairy-free […]
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March 24, 2024
Chris Cooks
A Dairy-Free Take on the Shamrock-Green Shake
The challenge? To make a non-dairy — but delicious — green take on the iconic shake that everyone loves this time of year. We all know it's not hard to make a green smoothie. Add some spinach or kale, and bingo — you've gone green. But I wanted this shake to be a little more […]
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March 17, 2024
Chris Cooks
How to Bake a Potato Perfectly, Every Time
I'm an Idaho boy. I lived there for almost my entire life (until moving to NC a couple years ago). And while there are many areas in Idaho, I grew up deep in the heart of potato farming country and I loved it. Every October our schools would close for two weeks so all the […]
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March 10, 2024
Chris Cooks
Plant-Based Protein Balls - PB&J Chocolate Chip
A grab & go protein snack that doesn't contain grain, gluten, or dairy is harder to come by than one might think. It's not until you develop sensitivities to these foods and start reading every food label that you realize that nearly all protein snacks contain, whey, rice, quinoa, grain-based syrups, oats, or any number […]
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March 3, 2024
Chris Cooks
How to Make the Best Thai Massaman Curry
Let's address the elephant in the room - no, I am not from Thailand. I've never even been (though it is a dream of mine)! I know that tends to make people feel some kind of way, especially with International cuisine. But I feel that I need to share this authentic Massaman curry recipe anyway, […]
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February 25, 2024
Chris Cooks
Shredded Veggie Salad with Sweet Vinegar & Orange | Chris Cooks
Y'all, doesn't it feel like it's been back-to-back heavy meals for the past 6 months? Not that it hasn't been fun, but my 40-year-old digestive system just can't hang anymore. I'm finding that if I make sure I get some kind of raw vegetable in a few times a day, I feel so much better […]
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February 18, 2024
Chris Cooks
Dairy-free, Grain-free Cajun Chicken Pasta
Stone Chargers (similar) | Pink Napkins | Low Bowls | Candlesticks | Taper Candles | Dining Table This was the first meal I ever made for Julia. I made this for her on our first date, more than 15 years ago. She has dietary restrictions now that prevent her from eating gluten, dairy and grains, […]
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February 11, 2024
Chris Cooks
Super Bowl Snacks (Julia's Version)
Jules has a few dietary restrictions (mostly gluten- and dairy-free), but that's never stopped our family from indulging in our favorite foods. With a little creativity and a lot of taste-testing, I've found lots of great substitutes that are crowd-pleasers. No need to make any disclaimers on these Game Day snacks — your party people […]
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February 4, 2024
