Robust Recipes

Healthy, Flavorful Food

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...]

Strawberry Cucumber Salad with Creamy Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing

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With the approach of fall just around the corner I simply had to sneak in one more summery salad recipe! If baby spinach, strawberries, cucumbers, and Creamy Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing don’t scream summer, then I’ve got it all wrong! During the summer I always have a huge container of organic, pre-trimmed, pre-washed baby spinach leaves in my fridge just waiting for me to make use of it in a salad. Being a huge fan of whisking up my own salad dressing, I have been playing around with creamy … [Read more...]

Shredded Chicken Nachos with Corn Pico De Gallo

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Nachos can often be my “I don’t have any food left in the fridge” meal. It’s too easy. I simply throw some corn tortillas onto a baking sheet, top with loads of shredded cheese, maybe some leftover chicken or ground beef. Then a handful of leftover veggies and a boat load of salsa, and dinner is served. Remember that Slow Cooker Pulled Chicken I made a few posts ago?  Yup, we’re making use of that juicy chicken on these nachos. What could be easier? Half of the work is already done for … [Read more...]

Chocolate Raspberry Swirl Ice Cream Sandwiches (V + GF)

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If you still have some Raspberry Swirl Chocolate Chip Ice Cream left after an entire week, you’re pretty amazing and I’m proud of you! I literally had to hide mine in the back of the freezer behind the uncooked chicken and the frozen fruit in order to deter myself and to make Paul forget that it exists. Since we exercised so much restraint I think we deserve a little treat as a reward, don’t you? Chocolate Raspberry Swirl Ice Cream Sandwiches. They combine the ice cream recipe from last week … [Read more...]

Thin and Crispy Chocolate Cookies (GF)

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  Most of the time when I think of a perfect cookie, it is soft in the middle and slightly crispy on the outside. Then there are times when I enjoy a thinner, very crispy cookie. What I dig about thin and crispy cookies is that because they are thin they are not as filling. So, you can stuff a few more thin cookies without feeling the guilt and the full belly that you would feel with regular cookies. You pick up what I’m putting down here? Raise your hand if you agree that … [Read more...]

Raspberry Swirl Chocolate Chip Ice Cream (V)

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Ice cream + raspberries + a little chocolate = the ultimate dessert! Look, look! A math equation that I actually understand! You didn’t think I would let summer pass by without at least one more ice cream recipe, did you? When I was brainstorming flavor ideas for an ice cream recipe, I knew I wanted it to be a little fruity with a hint of chocolate (duh). Raspberry is one of my all-time favorite summer fruits. Just like that, Raspberry Swirl Chocolate Chip Ice Cream was born! Let’s discuss … [Read more...]

Slow Cooker pulled Chicken

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  Hey, friends, how are you on this fine Monday? You all know how I feel about turning on my oven in the middle of summer. I avoid it as much as possible. No central air + oven = sauna kitchen! No more sauna kitchen rants. Read about my previous one here! Chicken is one of my main go-to proteins that we will have throughout the week. I often like to roast a whole chicken in the oven, cut off the meat and then use it however needed all week long. Juicy chicken with crispy skin: … [Read more...]