Robust Recipes

Healthy, Flavorful Food

Fresh Tomato Sauce

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  As summer is coming to a close and fall is creeping up on us, we are starting to say goodbye to a lot of fresh, beautiful produce such as tomatoes. Big, beautiful, juicy, red tomatoes are either growing in your garden like crazy or are on sale at the grocery store. Grab them while they are still available, grab them while you can and make this amazing Fresh Tomato Sauce. Make tons and tons of it! It is so simple to make. And it is a great way to use up any tomatoes that have … [Read more...]

Vanilla Frozen Yogurt with Chocolate Swirl

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  On Friday I made Gluten-free Cherry Crisps for Two. I knew I would want to enjoy ice cream with my warm, bubbly cherry crisp. I got an ice cream maker for my Birthday and have been itching to try it out. I knew I wanted to make a vanilla-based ice cream plus chocolate to complement the cherry crisp because cherry and chocolate were made for each other. But I didn’t want the chocolate to be overpowering, so I settled on a chocolate ganache that is swirled into the vanilla. Yogurt … [Read more...]

Gluten Free Cherry Crisp for Two

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  Sometimes you want to make dessert but you don’t want to make a dessert with twelve servings when there are only two of you. You have leftovers for days staring at you every time you walk into the kitchen, tempting you. All you wanted was dessert for one evening and instead you end up having dessert with every meal for a week. Am I right? Enter Gluten Free Cherry Crisp for Two. It is so simple to make and satisfies your dessert cravings without leftovers. It couldn’t get much better … [Read more...]

DIY Mint Extract

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I am in love with all things minty. I love mint gum, breath mints, mint tea, and hello! Of course, the mint and chocolate combo! Due to my mint obsession I planted two different kinds of mint this spring. Despite all my efforts to regularly make a fresh cup of mint tea and use mint in recipes whenever possible, my mint is growing like crazy. Then, I thought of a brilliant way to use up my mint. DIY Mint Extract. It couldn’t be any easier. Just two ingredients, 5 minutes of prep time, and … [Read more...]

Dark Chocolate Cherry Raw Energy Bars

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I love chocolate. What kind of person would I be if I didn’t, right? Sugar, especially refined sugar, does not agree well with my body. So, any time I can make something to satisfy my chocolate tooth without using refined sugar, I will. Raw Energy Balls or Bars are an example, they are sweetened with dates and dried cherries. Plus they are healthy, high in Omega 3s, protein, fiber, good fats and antioxidants. In June I made some pretty tasty Almond Joy Raw Energy Balls for our move-in-day to … [Read more...]

Peach and Sweet Corn Soup

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Soup is by far one of my favorite ways to enjoy food. There are so many different flavors and textures you can make. Smooth and creamy, or chunky and hearty. Brothy and light or stewy and filling. Soup is comforting and healing. It can be relaxing or energizing. When soup is made with love and care, in my opinion, it is one of the best meals you can have. If I could I would eat homemade soup every day all day. However, there is one time of year that soup is not usually desired. The summer … [Read more...]

Grilled Sweet Corn with Curried Butter Compote

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It is the middle of August and that means one thing in Iowa: bucket loads of sweet corn! Iowa may not have the freshest sea food or the greenest avocados but we do have amazing sweet corn. That has to be worth something, right? My August is not complete without gnawing on an ear of the most delicious sweet corn. Seriously, sweet corn is so tasty with some melted butter and a kiss of salt and pepper-- it doesn’t get any better than that. Wrong! Sweet corn just got better. Enter Curried … [Read more...]

Zucchini Pasta with Grape Tomato Sauce

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Have you ever tried zucchini noodles? They are kind of a big deal right now with zucchini in season. And, let me tell you, they are surprisingly delicious. In case you are wondering, they are not a noodle with zucchini as one of the ingredients. They are simply raw zucchini that has been cut into thin strips to resemble spaghetti-shaped pasta. How do you cut the zucchini into spaghetti shaped pasta, you may ask? You have two options. A fancy-smancy, but really cool spiralizer Ajulienne … [Read more...]

Savory Yogurt Parfait with Cherry Tomatoes and Basil Pesto

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Before you think I am insane because of the title of this post, hear me out. I know, yogurt parfaits are normally layers of tangy yogurt that is sweetened with honey or maple syrup followed by some juicy sweet fruit and crunchy granola, so I must be strange for making a savory parfait, right? Maybe a little, but sometimes my craziness helps me to discover amazing new recipes. Trust me, Paul thought that I was going off my rocker when I was talking about making a savory parfait. But, he is … [Read more...]

Greek Watermelon Salad

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When I think of summertime, I think of eating big bright juicy slices of red watermelon outside. The juice from the watermelon usually runs down my chin and makes its way to my arm at some point. All while trying to fish for the black seeds in my mouth so that I can spit them out. Watermelon is the ultimate refreshing fruit to enjoy during the summer. It is delicious and fun to eat a slice all by itself. But sometimes it’s fun to play around with fruit. Let’s take watermelon to a new and … [Read more...]