Category: monthly seasonal produce guides

How are you doing? My heart has been heavy since the cruel and senseless murder of George Floyd. I’ve realized that hoping for change is not enough, nor is considering myself a non-racist. Black lives matter.

I have work to do. Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been listening to the Black community and contemplating how to become a more active part of the solution. Here are a few resources that I’ve found educational, and links to additional books and resources that I’m just beginning. If you have any additional suggestions, please let me know.

• Trevor Noah on Protests
• Anti-Racism Resources for White People: I’m working through this list, and it offers far more resources than provided here.
• Kansas City: Black-Owned Businesses
• Podcast: 1619, hosted by Nikole Hannah-Jones
• Books: How to Be an Antiracist, by Ibram X. Kendi, Me and White Supremacy by Layla F. Saad, The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison, The Burning: Massacre, Destruction, and the Tulsa Race Riot of 1921 by Tim Madigan

We all need nourishment during times of stress and unrest, so here is my belated monthly list of in-season recipes. Be well. ♥

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May! We made it! This has been the strangest spring of all time, and I hope you’re doing well. I’ve picked out some of my favorite spring recipes so we can make the most of our fresh produce.

I’m working on some gardening and baking projects this weekend. I’ll be back soon with new recipes. Here are some links that I’ve found interesting lately:

• How to Celebrate Special Occasions From Afar
• Can’t wait to make Tessa’s Healthy Almond Butter Oat Bars
• My Restaurant Was My Life for 20 Years: Does the World Need It Anymore?
• Allostatic Load: or, Why We Can’t Think Straight
• Focus Management (podcast): Conditioning Yourself to Do More Meaningful Work
• A few of my favorite handmade items: These beautiful mugs by my friend Margaret, this sturdy dog leash (too heavy for tiny dogs), Carly’s watercolor prints and this classic linen apron (available in kid sizes here—the aprons are affiliate links.)

Ok, moving onto those seasonal recipes!

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Spring is here, the flowers and trees are blooming, and yet there’s a different atmosphere this year. If you’re a healthcare worker or otherwise on the front lines, thank you from the bottom of my heart. We appreciate you so much.

It’s an interesting time to create recipes, since grocery stores aren’t stocked as usual. I’m sharing my usual monthly roundup of seasonal recipes—I hope these ingredients are easier to find, since they’re growing closer to home. You’ll also find links to my own resources and elsewhere below. What can I do to help? Please let me know in the comments.

Resources on Cookie and Kate:

• Food Storage Tips: Make your food last longer! Plus, find guidance on what to do when you have too much or not enough of a certain ingredient.
• New Pantry-Friendly Category: Bookmark it (or access it any time from the menu, under the “everyday” section). I’ll be adding more recipes here over the coming weeks.
• 20 DIY Pantry Recipes: Make your own marinara sauce, hummus, salad dressing and more.
• 50 Pantry-Friendly Recipes: These are savory, full meals, for the most part. They’re organized by pantry staple/category (pasta, beans, etc.).
• Printable Pantry Ingredients Checklist: Download this list to help you grocery shop, then keep it handy as you look for recipes that suit what you have on hand.
• Love Real Food: I designed my cookbook to be flexible with the seasons and easy to cook from. If you have a copy, you’ll find quite a few pantry-friendly recipes in the breakfast, soup, dinner and dessert chapters.

Elsewhere:

• Marco Polo (free communications app): This app lets you send video “voicemails,” essentially. My friends and I are using this to stay in touch while we’re all apart. Unlike Zoom or Facetime, this app keeps the conversation organized (you can’t accidentally interrupt someone) and you can get up-to-speed on the conversation when it works for you.
• Scribd (reading app): Scribd is offering free access to their library through April 17th (no credit card required). They have millions of books, audiobooks, sheet music, magazines and more—pretty cool!
• Second Life (podcast): An interview with Alison Roman, the best-selling cookbook author and NYT Columnist. She talks about her career growth, how she got unstuck, and trying new things.
• Heirloom Tomato and Pepper Seeds (affiliate link): I fell in love with guindilla peppers in the Basque region of Spain last year and vowed to grow my own. I was so happy to find Sherwood Seeds on Etsy. They sell seeds for tons of fun varieties—my tomatoes and guindillas are sprouting already!
• Since we’re spending more time at home: 10 Tips to Start Loving Your Home Right Now, What We Love About Our Homes, and A Love Letter to All the Places I Lived Before. If you are not safe at home, the National Domestic Violence Hotline is 1-800-799-SAFE (7233). They also have an online chat option on their website: https://www.thehotline.org/help/

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Can you believe it? We made it to March. Asparagus is on its way and we’ll finally have more fresh fruits and vegetables to work with this month.

I’m working on colorful spring recipes for you, and playing with some interesting new cooking techniques. We’ll see which ones are worth sharing! For now, you can browse in-season recipes below.

Links lately:

• You have to listen to this podcast with Brené Brown—on Striving versus Self-Acceptance, Saving Marriages, and More
• This glass water filter pitcher is my new favorite thing (affiliate link)
• Maybe You Should Talk to Someone—a fun and insightful book
• Is Natural Wine Better for the Planet?
• 5 Simple Ways to Remind People That You Love Them
• DIY Vanilla Extract Is a Waste of Time and Money, according to Stella Parks
• Professional Kitchen Organization, one year later

Asparagus

Thai Green Curry with Spring Vegetables

Easily gluten free and vegan

“I made this for dinner tonight and it was the best green curry I have ever had, better than our favorite restaurant where we get it. So thankful I found this recipe so I can make it at home. Thanks so much for sharing, it was absolutely delicious!!!” – Ashley

More asparagus recipes »
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I’m ready to fast-forward to warm spring days and patio hang outs. Who’s with me?

This is the time of year when the winter blues get real and everything turns sideways. I’ve been drinking my morning coffee with my light lamp (affiliate link) and I swear it’s helping.

I noticed yesterday evening that the days are getting longer. We have lots of bright seasonal recipes to carry us through winter. We’re going to make it after all.

Since tomorrow is the Super Bowl, I’ve tried to include recipes below that are appropriate for the big game. We’ll be rooting for the Chiefs here in Kansas City. Hooray! If you’re looking for more fresh Super Bowl recipes, here are my suggestions!

Broccoli

Favorite Broccoli Salad

Gluten-free option and vegan option

“Sooooo good! My husband and I devoured a whole batch of this for dinner (And I usually hate raw broccoli) I made second batch right away and put it in the fridge to marinate for tomorrow!” – Rachel

More broccoli recipes »

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See ya, 2020! We made it. We moved to a new home just before Christmas and we’re almost done unpacking the boxes. I can’t wait to show you our new kitchen. It’s a dream.

If you’re looking for wholesome, satisfying, veggie-packed recipes, you’re in the right place. You’ll find a bunch of them in my guide to seasonal produce below. For in-depth resources and tips on how to eat real food, be sure to check out my cookbook, Love Real Food.

Cheers to a healthy and happy 2021. Thank you so much for being here.

Beets

Simple Beet, Arugula and Feta Salad

Gluten free and easily vegan

“This is, quite literally, my new favorite salad! I have made it for several friends – who all have adored it – and have added it to my weekly food staples. I’ve never actually made it with pumpkin seed – I substitute pistachios instead, or omit the nuts altogether if I am not eating it right away, and the homemade balsamic is fantastic…YUMMMM!” – Franki

More beet recipes »

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We made it to December, and life is looking up. Thank you so much for your support since sharing Cookie’s lymphoma diagnosis last month. You’ve shared webinars, supplements and nutrition resources, and the kindest of sentiments. You have carried us through a difficult time. Thank you.

I’m thrilled to share that Cookie’s oncologist declared full remission last week. Hallelujah! We will complete her chemo regimen and hope that her little body will stay in remission for a long, long time.

Commercial photographer Lauren Pusateri heard about Cookie’s diagnosis and invited us to her amazing Kansas City studio. I couldn’t pick just one photo to share, so here are several. Lauren, thank you so much. We had a blast and I will treasure these forever!

Below, you’ll find a collection of healthy seasonal recipes to carry us through December. If you’re shopping for gifts, don’t miss my 2020 holiday gift guide. Stay well, eat well!

Apples

Simple Gluten-Free Apple Crisp

Gluten free and easily vegan (see recipe notes)

“I’ve made this twice now with a mixture of apples from a co-Workers apple orchard. Super delicious! What made it most fun was my 3 year old grandson stealing apple slices from the cutting board as I sliced the apples can’t wait to try some of your other recipes! Thanks!” – Louise

More apple recipes »

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October was tough. My sweet pup, Cookie, was diagnosed with lymphoma. She’s on a chemotherapy regimen that seems to be working well with minimal side effects. She’s as bouncy as ever, thankfully. It’s hard to believe it’s true.

On the work front, I’m finalizing some holiday and everyday recipes that I’m eager to share with you. Below, you’ll find tons of in-season recipes to enjoy this month. Stay well!

Apples

Apple Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Gluten free and vegan (see notes)

“We made the apple oatmeal on this cool morning here in Kansas…and it was perfect. Topped it with some almond butter and a swirl of maple syrup. My 3 year old ate most of my portion along with his. So, kid friendly, as well! Another recipe well done!” – Jamie

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The post What to Cook This November appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

October! I’m looking forward to getting cozy in some cooler temps while eyeing winter with trepidation. This year has been hard on us. I hope you’re hanging in there.

Below are some links that have caught my attention lately and a collection of seasonal recipes to make this October. What are you craving this season? Please tell me in the comments! I want to know.

Links lately:

• Have you registered to vote? Voter registration dates by state with links to register or check your registration.
• Fall Foliage Prediction Map: The leaves are starting to get good.
• What America’s Shopping Malls Looked Like In 1989
• The Social Dilemma: Recommend this thought-provoking Netflix documentary anyone who spends time on social media.
• These organic cotton joggers are max comfy, and that’s all I want to be these days. Tempted to try the robe or romper. (affiliate links)
• These French pins from Target actually keep my hair up. Yay!

Apples

Healthy Apple Muffins

Easily gluten free and easily vegan (see notes)

“Made them this morning with one Granny Smith and one Macintosh. Your recipe is fantastic! The rose so well, made a beautiful crust and were nice and tender inside. Taste was great!” – Pierre

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September is when summer and fall produce collide at the farmers’ market. It’s the best of both worlds, which is why this list is a long one.

I propose that we make good use of all the tomatoes, corn and peaches while we still can. I have a few more warm weather recipes that I can’t wait to share with you!

Links lately:

• Loving Melissa Wood Health’s online workouts: Such good stress relief!
• Also good stress relief (ha): Straus Family Creamery’s mint chocolate chip ice cream is the best I’ve ever had.
• New additions to my kitchen that are proving worthwhile (affiliate links): This ingenious drying rack setup, plus this splatter guard, and these stackable glass storage containers for leftovers.
• Officially my favorite instant hand sanitizer: Dr. Bronner’s Organic Lavender Spray. It doesn’t stink—in fact, it smells really good. I found it at Whole Foods.

Apples

Crispy Apple & Kohlrabi Salad

Gluten free and easily vegan

“I made this salad last night ahead of time, and added the toasted seeds and cheese (gruyere) at serving time. It’s so delicious! I also traded the tarragon for mint. I will use this recipe whenever I get kohlrabi in my CSA box. Thanks!” – Erin

More apple recipes »

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