Robust Recipes

Healthy, Flavorful Food

Strawberry Rhubarb and Honey Drink (2 Ways)

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Guess what, guess what! I have a little vegetable/fruit/herb garden growing in my backyard. Aside from growing a few potted herbs on the small porch of our old apartment, I have never grown a single thing in my life.  I cheated and purchased the already half-grown plants instead of starting them from seed. But hey, if I can keep them alive, that’s all that counts. Actually, we already lost one strawberry plant (yup, we got two of them). Some little critter dug it out of the ground only a … [Read more...]

Warm Lentil and Sweet Potato Kale Salad (V +GF)

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You guys, I have a new obsession: Lentils! Aside from having lentils in a stew or soup I haven’t experienced them very much until I recently began playing around with them.  Let me tell you, there is so much more to lentils than just soup.   One of the reasons I am really enjoying lentils is because they are the perfect way to incorporate a vegetarian or a vegan meal into your diet. Just 1 cup of cooked lentils contains 18 grams of protein, 16 grams of dietary fiber, along … [Read more...]

Chocolate Coffee Avocado Pudding (V + GF)

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There are no words to describe how wonderful this dessert is. Seriously, for once I am speechless. I mean, this is food we’re talking about; I always have something to say about food. But not this time. I ask you, what do I say about a dessert that is made from something savory, such as avocados, and is turned into something indulgent, dreamy, and that looks or tastes nothing like its original form?   You have to, HAVE TO promise me that you will try this dessert! That is truly the … [Read more...]

Creamy Sundried Tomato and Chipotle Dip

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You know those moments in life when things don’t go as you’d planned them, not even a little? This recipe was exactly one of those moments. During Christmas I was in Texas visiting family and we went out to eat at this amazing Mexican restaurant. It was a huge treat for us to enjoy a really good Tex-Mex restaurant. Remember, I discuss how Midwestern Mexican food doesn’t even compare to Mexican/Tex-Mex in Texas? This wonderful restaurant in Texas served us chips and salsa of course, but it … [Read more...]

Zucchini and Portobello Steak Fajitas

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Hey friends, are you ready for Cinco de Mayo in a few days? I am! I am! With my margarita in hand I will be enjoying a big helping of these incredibly delicious Zucchini and Portobello Steak Fajitas! Yum! Confession time: I have never been a big fan of fajitas. I couldn’t put my finger on why I never wanted to order them at Mexican restaurants. I always chose tacos or enchiladas, or my favorite, quesadillas, over fajitas. The reason that I am so tripped up on why I am not a … [Read more...]

Refried Black Beans

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With Cinco de Mayo just around the corner I have Mexican food on the brain. I love, love, love Mexican food. Really what we get up here in Iowa is more like Americanized Mexican food. Actually it’s Midwestern-ized Mexican food. I have enjoyed my fair share of Mexican food in Texas and it is a whole new world compared to our Mexican food here. Yes, maybe some of it is considered to be more Tex-Mex, but it is probably way closer to the real deal than our food is here. Let’s just say, Texas is … [Read more...]

Goat Cheese Scrambled Eggs with Swiss Chard

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Breakfast is a necessity for me, specifically one that consists of high protein and a few veggies. I have mentioned this before, here, and here. My go-to breakfast is 2 eggs, either hardboiled the previous night, or sunny side up or scrambled the morning of. Although eggs are packed with healthy fats such as Omega 3s and loaded with high quality protein, they tend to lack the fiber, vitamins, and anti-oxidants that fruit and veggies offer. Usually after eating a hardboiled egg for breakfast I … [Read more...]

Italian Turkey Meatloaf Muffins (GF)

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  Meatloaf; you either love it or you hate it. Am I right? I have never been particularly fond of it. The recipes I always have tried seemed to turn out either too dry or bland. To be honest meatloaf makes me think of a hamburger gone wrong. I recently changed my tune about meatloaf when I watched a video that Dani Spies at Clean and Delicious made—btw I love her site, you must check it out. The video was about turkey meatloaf muffins. Don’t give me that disgusted, confused … [Read more...]

Grain-Free Chocolate Cupcakes + 1 Year Blogiversary

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Hey, hey Robust Recipes! Happy Birthday! I can’t believe you’re one year old today! One year ago I launched Robust Recipes. I can’t believe how fast my baby is growing up. Phew, I made it to one year of posting blogs, at least two times a week. It has been my dream to be a food blogger for several years. I have always had a love affair with food, especially healthy, homemade food. My need to share my recipes with others has always been strong. You may not know this about me: I had been … [Read more...]

Quinoa & Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms with Caramelized Shallots (GF)

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Have you ever eaten a stuffed mushroom cap and found the mushroom to be watery and almost mushy? I am obsessed with mushrooms in just about every form. They are amazing when raw in salads, and I love them sautéed in some butter until brown, as well as pureed into a creamy mushroom soup . There was always one particular way of eating mushrooms that I did not enjoy: stuffed mushroom caps. I have ordered them at restaurants as an appetizer, excited to try their mushroom caps stuffed with crab, … [Read more...]