Robust Recipes

Healthy, Flavorful Food

Easy Gazpacho

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I know, I know. It's the beginning of September and instead of posting a recipe about pumpkin or chili I am posting a recipe for Easy Gazpacho, a cold, refreshing soup that is generally made and enjoyed during blazing hot summer days! I promise the pumpkin recipes, baking recipes, and chilis are all coming your way before you know it. But for now, let's cherish this soup that's made with all the fresh, late summer veggies (yes, it's still technically summer) while our afternoons are still warm … [Read more...]

Easy Caesar Salad (GF)

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Well hello, there, how about a tasty Caesar salad that's gluten free and still consists of those crunchy, tasty croutons we just have to have on top of our Caesar salad? How about a dressing that's made with Greek yogurt instead of raw egg yolks? I bet you can't tell the difference. This dressing is still as creamy, rich, salty, and as delicious as the traditional dressing! Are you ready to make this Easy Caesar Salad? Good, let me show you how! First, we make some skillet croutons … [Read more...]

Smoky Sun Dried Tomato Hummus

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Smoky Sun Dried Tomato Hummus is the perfect summertime snack, side dish, or appetizer. It's easy to make, creamy, and bursting with that sun dried tomato sweetness with a rich smoky flavor that will keep your taste buds dancing! It's even vegan and gluten free. Hi, welcome to August! We've made it! August is meant for devouring all the fresh summer produce we can, sipping refreshing drinks, and savoring the heat. Let's get to it! Smoky Sun Dried Tomato Hummus was inspired by my … [Read more...]

Beet Basil Hummus

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Beet Basil Hummus is a refreshing, slightly sweet and earthy variation of traditional hummus. It is loaded with fresh basil leaves to give it that summertime flavor! Hi, Friends. I hope you have been enjoying a wonderful summer so far. How is it July already? This week we returned from our second out of three family vacations of the summer. We spent a few short days in Minnesota on a lake with Paul's side of the family. We swam in the pool, waterskied, tubed, and jet-skied. We enjoyed … [Read more...]

Mango Black Bean Quinoa Salad (GF + V)

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Hi, Friends. Do you know those moments when you have just returned from a vacation, feeling refreshed and happy to be home, yet you forgot how to do life? What I mean is that even though you are ready to return home, you kind of forget how to get yourself moving the next morning, to be productive, to stick to a schedule and get work done. You're so used to being on vacation doing fun things or relaxing that when you return to reality you just temporarily forget how you used to do things before … [Read more...]

Ranch Hummus

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Hummus is my go-to way to eat raw veggies. It's rare that a week goes by that I haven't whipped up a batch of hummus at home. But ever since making my Skinny Ranch Dip a few weeks ago I have been craving more ranch flavors - plus sometimes it's good to switch it up - so I thought, why not combine the two flavors? Ranch dip + hummus = the ultimate veggie dip! Remember how, when we made our Skinny Ranch Dip, we also made our own ranch seasoning mixture? Because it's so, so easy to do and saves … [Read more...]

Easy Lemon Roasted Asparagus

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This recipe, Easy Lemon Roasted Asparagus, is so dang easy that I almost didn't post this recipe. I thought: what's the point in posting a recipe that takes 10 to 15 minutes and all of 5 ingredients, including oil, salt and pepper - really, is that even exciting at all? Then I thought: Heck yes, it's exciting! Because this simple, no fuss, minimal ingredient way of making asparagus is by far my favorite way to enjoy asparagus. Besides, isn't that the point of having a food blog, to share … [Read more...]

Skinny Ranch Dip

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With Memorial Day coming up at the end of the month - you know, that three day weekend when everyone thinks they are going to have a party in their backyard or a picnic, but then it always rains (okay, at least here in the Midwest it does) - I thought it was the perfect time to share my take on Skinny Ranch Dip. Because, let's be honest, is it ever any kind of spring/summer party without a veggie platter served with creamy, dreamy ranch dip? About a year ago I shared my Cashew Ranch Dip which … [Read more...]

Pea Soup (V + GF)

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Happy spring, friends! I know that I keep mentioning spring, but it truly excites me - like little girl giddy excited. Besides doesn't the post of this title, Pea Soup, just sound like spring? And that gorgeous bright green color! I can barely handle it. As you know, I cannot survive cold weather without some warm soup. Even though it is officially spring and the sun is shining, the grass is green, the birds are chirping, we can still have some chilly days. Seriously, Mother Nature, … [Read more...]

Garlicky Mashed Root Veggies

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I'm sure you guys are aware of the mashed cauliflower trend to replace mashed potatoes for a low carb option. BTW they are delicious; you should make some, but IMHO mashed cauliflower doesn't replace mashed potatoes. I'm sorry, it never will; mashed potatoes are fluffy clouds of bliss that can only truly be made by using the one and only starchy potato. Most people feel that the same applies to mashed root veggies. Let's get one thing straight here: I did not make these Garlicky Mashed Root … [Read more...]