Robust Recipes

Healthy, Flavorful Food

Orange Hot Chocolate

By

Have you ever had one of those chocolate oranges ? We used to get them in our stocking every year for several year when I was a kid. I remember the excitement of opening the box and whacking the orange-sized ball of chocolate as hard as I could on the floor. WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! Three good whacks usually did it. Then I would peel off the orange tinted wrapper to reveal these luscious, shiny, chocolaty pieces of orange segments. The chocolate was even textured to look like the skin of … [Read more...]

Beet and Yogurt Dip

By

It’s Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year! Now that it’s officially Christmas season, it is time to break out the decorations and play Christmas music non-stop. My Christmas tree is up and my Pandora station has switched to Christmas tunes until further notice. All that’s left is some holiday cooking. What better way to spark your Christmas spirit then to make a beautiful, festive, red Beet and Yogurt Dip? As long as you have cooked beets on hand (which I recommend), you can whip … [Read more...]

Spiced Wine

By

When the weather begins to drop below 40 degrees all I want to drink are warm beverages. I begin drinking more tea than water. I enjoy a nice cup of hot chocolate for dessert now and then, and I begin making batches of Spiced Wine to enjoy in the evenings. Imagine curling up underneath a blanket while sipping at a glass of warm wine laced with honey, cinnamon, anise, and spicy cloves. Every sip warms you from the inside out. Spiced wine is like winter’s version of sangria! So, if you adore a … [Read more...]

Cheesy Mexican Egg Casserole (GF)

By

    So, you have family coming to stay at your house during the holiday season? You couldn’t be more excited to have them, right? Except that you are just a little stressed out about what to serve them for breakfast. I mean you spend so much time planning the big holiday meal, as you should, that you almost forgot about the next morning. Of course, you don’t want to run around the kitchen cooking again. You just made a huge feast the evening before, and the last thing you want to … [Read more...]

Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Pomegranate

By

Back in the day Brussels sprouts were loathed by all. I myself thought they were absolutely grotesque and refused to touch them with a ten foot pole. Whenever I had them in the past they were bitter and mushy. No thank you! Within the past few years Brussels sprouts have become all the rage. The secret to making Brussels sprouts actually taste good: Roasting! That’s right, roasting Brussels sprouts helps to bring out their natural sugars and allow their outer leaves to crisp up and turn … [Read more...]

Pumpkin-Spiced Chia Seed Pudding Topped with Pecan Crunch

By

‘Tis the season for pumpkin pie. Who doesn’t love a nice creamy, pumpkin-y, perfectly spiced slice of pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving Day? If you are not a pumpkin pie fan, I am not sure that we can be friends anymore. KIDDING! Kidding. I love pumpkin pie so much that I begin to crave it way before Thanksgiving. To make a pie that serves 8 when there are only two of us to eat it is not the best idea. Those leftover slices would be calling my name every time I walked into the kitchen. And I walk … [Read more...]

Buffalo Meatballs with Blue Cheese Sauce (GF)

By

  It is rearing towards the last bit of fall.  The last bit of fall means one thing here in Iowa. Colder weather! Yup, the high for today is 27 degrees. I am even watching some flurries fall from the sky as I am typing this. I have officially busted out my sweaters, winter coats, and scarves. Actually, to a lot of people the fall season means football season. Although football is not a big event in our household, I know it is a favorite pastime for many. Although football is not my … [Read more...]

Cranberry Chia Seed Jam (GF)

By

  I am officially at the start of preparing and planning for the holiday season. I have begun to dream of Thanksgiving side dishes and desserts. Thanksgiving is a food blogger’s favorite holiday! It is all about feasting on a spread of delicious food. Oh, yeah, guess there is that whole giving thanks thing, and of course the spending-time-with-your family ordeal. I kid, I kid! However, everyone does gather around the table for lively conversation, catching up, and the scrumptious … [Read more...]

Greek Sweet Potato Boats

By

After my recent post of Roasted Coffee Sweet Potato Dessert Fries Drizzled with Dark Chocolate, you know how I feel about sweet potatoes. Especially when enjoyed as a dessert. Aaaaamazing! I have kind of been obsessed with sweet potatoes lately. I have been enjoying them as a side dish. I have found that I usually am more excited about the sweet potato side dish rather than the main event. So, I ask you, why not make sweet potatoes the star of the dish? There is no good reason not to. So, … [Read more...]

Two-Ingredient Homemade Almond Butter

By

The first time I experienced store-bought almond butter it was very gritty. It was then and there that I decided I would stick to my smooth and creamy peanut butter. That was until I discovered that almond butter is super easy to make yourself! All you need is a little patience. Okay maybe a lot of patience. That patience is well worth it. The result is an ultra smooth and creamy, luscious butter that is bursting with sweet and nutty almond flavor. The first time I made almond butter It … [Read more...]