tips and resources – FoodWatcher

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18 Festive Holiday Cocktails

Cheers to the holidays! I’ve rounded up my favorite holiday cocktails for you. Whether you’re hosting friends and family or looking for a festive drink to enjoy…

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holiday cocktail recipes

Cheers to the holidays! I’ve rounded up my favorite holiday cocktails for you. Whether you’re hosting friends and family or looking for a festive drink to enjoy by the fire, you’ll find plenty of fun options below. Don’t miss this not-too-sweet holiday punch, or the mulled wine that makes your home smell like Christmas, or the fresh cranberry margaritas.

Looking for non-alcoholic options? Check out my hot chocolate, ginger tea (add a cinnamon stick) and hibiscus mocktail.

Before I go, here are some simple snacks and treats to round out your evening:

1) Vanilla-Pear Holiday Punch

Reposado tequila or bourbon

“Made it tonight for our Christmas eve family time and a virgin version for my kids. So wonderful! Sent a jar to a neighbor friend and got rave reviews. Will be making this for years to come. I did sub in bourbon because that’s what I had. Such a beautiful drink either way. Thank you!!” – Malia

2) Maple New York Sour

Whiskey and red wine

“These cocktails were perfect for game night. The flavors were well balanced and the wine float presentation just adds that extra something. Our friends mistakenly thought we knew something about cocktails! Thanks, Kate!” – Leigh

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Roasted Red Peppers

Let’s talk about roasted red peppers! Roasted red peppers are one of my favorite recipe components. They offer rich, deep bell pepper flavor and a lovely, tender…

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roasted red peppers recipe

Let’s talk about roasted red peppers! Roasted red peppers are one of my favorite recipe components. They offer rich, deep bell pepper flavor and a lovely, tender texture. I love to add roasted red peppers to dips, salads, sandwiches and more.

Homemade roasted red peppers taste the best, no doubt about it. Since it’s bell pepper season, I’m sharing my tested and perfected roasted red pepper recipe. Now that I’ve finally nailed down all the factors, I’ll be roasting my own more often!

red bell peppers

Roasting red peppers is a fairly simple process, though certainly not as simple as reaching for a jar of store-bought roasted red peppers. The downside to using jarred roasted red peppers is that they vary significantly in flavor—grab the wrong brand and you just might ruin the whole dish (been there, done that). Divina and Whole Foods 365 are reliable winners, in my experience.

Grab a helper when it comes time to peel the peppers, and your homemade roasted red peppers will be ready before you know it. They’ll keep in the fridge for over a week, too, and liven up all your dishes in between.

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How to Make Buttermilk

Let’s talk about buttermilk for a minute. Buttermilk in baked goods yields wonderfully fluffy, light and tangy results. You’ve seen me use buttermilk in muffin and pancake…

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buttermilk recipe

Let’s talk about buttermilk for a minute. Buttermilk in baked goods yields wonderfully fluffy, light and tangy results. You’ve seen me use buttermilk in muffin and pancake recipes, and I’m super excited to share a simple cake recipe that calls for buttermilk later this week.

So, what is buttermilk? Traditionally, buttermilk was the fermented liquid leftover after churning cream into butter. These days, store-bought buttermilk is typically made from milk with added lactic bacteria, which produce lactic acid.

Contrary to what its name and thickened texture suggest, buttermilk is not buttery and is relatively low in fat. Store-bought options are usually about on par with whole milk, though reduced-fat options exist.

how to make buttermilk

Why do we use buttermilk instead of plain milk? Tangy flavor aside, the acid present in buttermilk helps counteract baking soda, which is basic. Baking soda on its own is quite bitter—it needs both acidity and liquid to taste and function properly.

Buttermilk acts similarly to sour cream or yogurt, which are thicker cultured dairy products. Since buttermilk is thinner, I typically use about two-thirds cup buttermilk in place of one cup sour cream or yogurt.

Today, we’re talking about acidified buttermilk, or milk with added acid (vinegar or lemon juice) so it acts as buttermilk. This is the perfect substitute for your baking projects when you don’t have buttermilk on hand.

I love use this trick because it saves me from buying buttermilk, since I never seem to use up a full bottle in time! This method is also convenient if you follow a dairy-free or vegan diet, because you can make buttermilk with any type of milk.

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17 Healthy Barbecue Salads and Sides

Do we call it barbecue or grilling out? Either way, these recipes are perfect for your outdoor summertime get-togethers. Below, you’ll find a collection of my best…

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barbecue salads and sides

Do we call it barbecue or grilling out? Either way, these recipes are perfect for your outdoor summertime get-togethers. Below, you’ll find a collection of my best barbecue salads and side dishes.

All of these recipes are simple and fresh, and guaranteed to lighten up grilled main dishes. They’re meatless, of course, and many are vegan and/or gluten free as well (see labels below recipe titles). Invite some friends over and fire up the grill! It’s going to be a great summer.

1) Caprese Pasta Salad

Gluten free if you use gluten-free pasta and vegetarian

“What a great pasta! So easy to and quick to make. Great for a family dinner on a busy night.” – Shannon

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29 Fresh Picnic Recipes

I propose a picnic this weekend! Weather permitting, we’ll enjoy some time at the park this weekend. There’s really nothing better than a spring picnic in good…

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29 picnic recipes

I propose a picnic this weekend! Weather permitting, we’ll enjoy some time at the park this weekend. There’s really nothing better than a spring picnic in good company, is there?

I like to keep picnics simple, perhaps with a couple types of cheese, crackers, and a deliciously hearty salad. You’ll find picnic-perfect appetizers, sandwiches, and many salad options below.

To finish the meal with a sweet treat, try these Peanut Butter Oat Cookies. Have a great weekend!

Picnic Appetizers & Dips

These portable appetizers are sure to delight. If preparing a cheese board, plan to assemble upon arrival.

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New Recipe Saving & Grocery Shopping Features

I’m so excited to share some helpful new features on Cookie and Kate. Finally, you can save your favorite recipes for easy access. Then, you can easily…

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Relish announcement

I’m so excited to share some helpful new features on Cookie and Kate. Finally, you can save your favorite recipes for easy access. Then, you can easily compile your grocery list from those recipes. How cool is that?

You can even order your groceries directly through this tool, if you’d like, or print a grocery list organized by grocery aisle. All of this is made possible through a partnership with Relish, the creators of this helpful technology. It’s all entirely free for you to use!

I hope these new features help you get dinner on the table with more ease. Keep reading and I’ll walk you through how to use them.

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33 Date Night Recipes

Valentine’s weekend is upon us, and we’ll be celebrating at home this year. I rounded up thirty-three of my favorite date night recipes to share with you,…

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33 vegetarian valentine's day recipes

Valentine’s weekend is upon us, and we’ll be celebrating at home this year. I rounded up thirty-three of my favorite date night recipes to share with you, organized by appetizers, main dishes, sides, and desserts and drinks.

You’ll find a heavy dose of Italian recipes in the main dish section (blame the spaghetti scene in Lady and the Tramp?). You’ll also find a few Thai-inspired recipes, which are perfectly romantic. We’re notoriously bad at making reservations and usually end up eating at our favorite Thai restaurant on Valentine’s Day. That’s the way to do it, honestly.

Some of the recipes are perfect for making in advance, and some, like pizza, are super fun to make with a partner. I included preparation notes, when relevant, to ease your dinner-at-home plans.

I’ll be back tomorrow with the perfect small scale dessert. I bet you have all of the ingredients in your pantry already!

Appetizers

Torn Olives with Almonds, Celery & Parmesan

Gluten free

“Made this and it was a hit! The flavors and textures together are so good. I substituted Apple Cider Vinegar because it’s what I had on hand and it turned out great! Thank you!” – Samia

Prep note: You can prepare this recipe in advance, but mix the almonds in just before serving so they stay crisp.

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33 Fresh Super Bowl Recipes

Are you ready for the Super Bowl? While I’m usually just in it for the snacks, our home team is this weekend! We’ll be cheering for the…

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33 fresh super bowl recipes

Are you ready for the Super Bowl? While I’m usually just in it for the snacks, our home team is this weekend! We’ll be cheering for the Chiefs from Kansas City.

I’ve rounded up thirty-three of my best game day recipes for you. True to form, they’re all fresh and vegetarian. You could call many of these recipes healthy, or healthier than the usual Super Bowl snacks. Above all, they’re delicious and will make for a memorable evening at home.

I’ve organized the recipes by appetizers and dips, main dishes and sides, desserts, and cocktails. Be sure to bookmark this page for future game days. You can find even more options right here. May the best team win!

Appetizers & Dips

1) Ultra Crispy Baked Potato Wedges

Gluten free and vegan

“I made these once! Then made them 3 more times! Delish! How did I never learn how to make THE best ever baked fries? We had given up potatoes. What a treat, and so easy!” – Kathleen

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27 Healthy Vegetarian Soup Recipes

It’s cold outside here in Kansas City, so I’m sharing my favorite soup recipes available on the blog. These soups and stews are warming, hearty and packed…

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27 vegetarian soup recipes

It’s cold outside here in Kansas City, so I’m sharing my favorite soup recipes available on the blog. These soups and stews are warming, hearty and packed with veggies. All of the recipes are vegetarian, of course. Many are vegan as well, either as written or with slight modifications.

From creamy, yet cream-less tomato soup (perfect with a grilled cheese sandwich) to contest-winning vegetarian chili, you’ll find just what you’re craving below.

At the bottom of the post, you’ll get a sneak peek at the eight soup recipes available in my cookbook, Love Real Food. I’m genuinely obsessed with every single one of them. Alright, let’s make some soup!

1) Best Lentil Soup

Gluten free and vegan

“This soup is AMAZING! Holy cow the lemon in this just adds something that I never knew I was missing! I ate this for like a week straight & couldn’t get enough of it! PLUS it’s packed full of lentils my FAV! If you found this recipe and are thinking about making it, do yourself a favor and make it asap! Thanks so much for sharing, this will be one of my go-to’s now!” – Rachael

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My Top 10 Recipes of 2020

Earlier this week, I shared your favorite recipes from last year. Here are my favorites. This is always a tough list for me to make since I…

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top 10 vegetarian recipes 2020

Earlier this week, I shared your favorite recipes from last year. Here are my favorites. This is always a tough list for me to make since I legitimately love every single recipe that makes it the blog.

You might be aiming to eat healthier after the holidays (me, too) so I tried to select meals that are pretty darn healthy and enticing at the same time. Granted, if you’re craving comfort food, try this spinach artichoke dip or a soothing mug of creamy golden milk.

We’re setting into our new home and I finally have an organized pantry and desk space. I’ll be back next week with brand new recipes. Stay well!

1) Fresh Black Bean Burrito Bowl

Gluten free and easily vegan

This bowl is basically what I want every meal to be! Super fresh, flavorful and satisfying. Make the components on the weekend and enjoy them throughout the week.

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