Robust Recipes

Healthy, Flavorful Food

Crispy Tilapia with Mushy Peas (GF)

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Hey friends, I know what you’re thinking: “Mushy peas? That sounds like baby food!” It may sound like baby food, but just trust me. It does not taste like it! This recipe is pretty special to Paul and me. Back when we were first dating I found out that Paul didn’t like fish. When someone tells me that they don’t like some kind of food I make it my personal mission to convince them otherwise. So, when I made Paul Crispy Tilapia with Mushy Peas, with some leftover pizza standing by just in … [Read more...]

Pumpkin Oatmeal Raisin Cookies (GF)

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  Hello October! Right on cue the temperatures have dropped from perfect 70 to 80 degree days to low to mid 60s. These cooler temperatures mean that it’s officially baking season! Plus soup and warm beverage season! AANNDD all of the pumpkins, and squash, and apples- oh my! If you can’t tell, I am a little excited about all of the yummy, comforting foods that fall brings. As a kid I used to dread fall. It meant that school was starting, days got shorter, and that I had to wear pants … [Read more...]

Sweet Potato Hash with Mushrooms

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  As I’m sure you are aware by now, I am a huge fan of a hearty breakfast. Most week days I eat prepared hard boiled eggs, or quickly scramble up some eggs. Weekends are a different story. On weekends I like to slow down and take my time to make breakfast a little extra special. This Sweet Potato Hash with Mushrooms is the perfect way to enjoy something a little more exciting than just plain ol’ eggs. Sweet Potato Hash with Mushrooms is really simple to make. It only requires … [Read more...]

Homemade Applesauce

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We are fortunate enough to have this little apple orchard not too far from us. Every fall since we have moved to the area I have enjoyed going to the apple orchard to stock up on apples for a few weeks. I seem to have a problem of buying way too many apples when I go to the orchard. All of the apples look so beautiful, fresh, and juicy that I get really excited. I find it hard to stop loading up my bag. I keep wanting more apples. Before I know it, I have purchased 6 pounds of apples when I … [Read more...]

Roasted Ratatouille with Polenta

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  Hey friends, now is the time to enjoy some heartwarming ratatouille! I am not talking about the movie. However, I do love that movie and all of its heartwarming vibes. Seriously though, I don’t think I knew what ratatouille was until I saw that movie. It wasn’t until just 2 months ago that I tried my first bite of ratatouille at a cute little diner, called Bluebird Diner in Iowa City. I didn’t know much about ratatouille, except that there are a lot of veggies and eggplant and tomatoes … [Read more...]

Pan Seared Cod with Blistered Tomatoes

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Do you remember in March how excited I was about planting our very first garden? With our first full summer living in our very first house with our own fairly large yard we could not wait to plant a little herb/veggie garden. Paul and I had visions of walking out our back door to pick fresh tomatoes and strawberries. Once spring arrived we began observing a spot in the yard where the sun would generously give our little garden plenty of light. We found the perfect spot. It had an area that was … [Read more...]

Corn and Zucchini Chowder

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With Iowa’s bountiful supply of corn I have been wanting to make a corn chowder all summer long. There was one tiny problem. With the heat in my no-central-air-heat-trap of a kitchen my desire to make or eat soup was pretty much non-existent. As the temperatures have dropped slightly and the humidity isn’t as thick as butter, I knew it was the perfect time to make my Corn Zucchini Chowder. We are nearing the end of our sweet corn season here in Iowa. The time for soup making is now! Corn … [Read more...]

Gluten Free Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins

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CORNBREAD MUFFINS!!! Yes, I am so excited about this recipe that I had to type it in all caps! If there is anyone out there who doesn’t like cornbread, especially in muffin form, and especially slathered with butter and honey, then I’m sorry but we can’t be friends anymore. KIDDING! But not really. In my very humble opinion corn bread should be fine in texture; use the fine ground corn flour. Cornbread should be tender; you don’t want it so dry that it gets stuck in your throat as you’re … [Read more...]

Carrot Cake Granola Bars

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  Raise your hand if you love carrot cake! Next to chocolate cake, carrot cake is one of my favorites. What’s not to love: little bits of carrots baked into fluffy cake that is spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Sometimes the cake is studded with raisins or walnuts. Everything is topped with a thick and creamy, slightly sweetened cheesecake frosting. You totally want some carrot cake now, don’t ya? Sorry to burst your bubble but I have no carrot cake to offer you … [Read more...]

Greek Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

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  How is it possible we are at the end of August already? I can’t believe that fall is on its way. Summer always goes by way too fast for my liking. Even though I am always sad to watch long summer days gradually get shorter, I welcome the fall weather. I do love the hot summer weather, but there is something so cozy and lovely about the crisp fall air. With the cooler weather, I can finally turn my oven on without sweating! I am looking forward to enjoying some fall baking, loads of … [Read more...]