Tag: recipe

Hello & Happy October!

I love everything fall-food-related… give me all the roasted root veggies, pumpkin-flavored everything, warm spices, and cozy soups & pastas.

I also love making fall-inspired salads. So much tastebud magic can happen when we combine flavors/foods like roasted veggies, maple, roasted pecans, apples, and pears!

Today I’m sharing three of my favorite fall salads, using my favorite maple tahini dressing!

This is my go-to fall dressing for a variety of salads/bowls… featuring tahini, maple syrup, apple cider vinegar, dijon mustard, and the usual add-ins (salt/pepper/etc.). It is nice and creamy, and can function as a dip or a dressing!

The dressing is incredibly easy to make — I usually add everything to my Vitamix and simply give it a blend! I also usually make the dressing x3 so it will last for a good week or so!

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This easily customizable spring garden salad is packed with any and all fresh veggies of your choosing, and is topped with salty + flavorful pistachios plus a protein of your choice. Top with my go-to dark balsamic vinaigrette, and enjoy throughout the spring as an easy lunch option! 

Happy Spring!

Although, if you live in SE Michigan like me, winter seemed to take a pass on this year. No tears of sorrow coming from this household!

The sun is shining (slightly) more often, the birds are chirping, Easter is coming… and, of course, spring salads are abounding!

While today’s blog post features a loose “recipe” for my spring garden salad, this salad can be easily adjusted to whatever your specific taste preferences may be, and/or whatever you have in your fridge right now!

Reading on, we will also chat about tempeh (what even is that??), the health benefits of beets and pistachios, AND my pro salad-making tips. 

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This antioxidant-rich berry cacao smoothie is a delicious and nourishing treat for any time of day! Featuring cacao powder, chia seeds, avocado, and organic frozen berries, this creamy and delectable smoothie is full of nutrients to keep both your immune system and tastebuds happy. 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

On today’s chocolate-loving holiday, we are starting things off with my favorite berry cacao smoothie!

We have already covered some of my other favorite “chocolate-centric” recipes including my mocha almond joy smoothie, chocolate raspberry avocado pudding (the perfect Valentine’s Day dessert!), and – today’s recipe’s cousin – the best chocolate strawberry smoothie. You are on the Everyday Chocolate blog after all!

I don’t praise the cocoa bean just for its amazing taste potential… although that alone is reason to rejoice. Cocoa bean “products” in their purer forms, such as organic cacao powder (featured in today’s smoothie) and high-quality dark chocolate have the potential to ALSO add a hefty nutrition punch to your daily diet. Depending on the specific brand, we are talking quite possibly an excellent source of magnesium, iron, and antioxidants.

Winning on multiple fronts!

As your trusted nutrition AND flavor connoisseur, I would not lead you astray, especially on a holiday of all days. Let’s read on for the details!

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This hearty quinoa & veggie bowl with pumpkin sage hummus features everything you love about fall! Warm spices, fresh sage, and plenty of in-season veggies come together for a nourishing, easily customizable dinner or lunch. Top with freshly grated parmesan for the finishing touch!

Today I have the best fall dinner recipe for you!

This creation was dreamed up out of a desire to have a fall/winter version of the summer quinoa/veggie bowl with sun-dried tomato hummus that I love so much. Thankfully what I have come up with has met my high expectations!

One of the best parts about this recipe is that everything can be made in advance, making it perfect for meal prep or for busy evenings when you may have more time to cook earlier in the day. It also makes plenty of leftovers to enjoy all week long.

Read on for full recipe details!

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Overnight oats are a hearty and satisfying make-ahead breakfast, perfect for busy mornings or for simplifying your everyday morning routine! Made with oats, chia seeds, and your choice of milk + yogurt, this overnight oats recipe can be customized based on whatever flavor combinations and toppings you prefer. 

Today I’m sharing the simple recipe that I use daily for my favorite overnight oats!

In my opinion, overnight oats are the perfect summer breakfast because they…

–> Taste amazing topped w/ the juiciest seasonal summer fruit.
–> Are nice and creamy and cold.
–> Provide a great boost of energy + nutrition to start the day.
–> Are made in advance, making getting breakfast together in the morning a breeze.
–> Need only a few simple ingredients to make!

Better yet, the flavor/topping combinations are endless!

This quick + easy recipe has been my go-to warmer weather breakfast for years. Now I even have Alec on board! 🙂

I prefer to enjoy my overnight oats post-run or walk. Topped with plenty of peanut butter (obviously!) and – to wash it all down – a refreshing glass of iced coffee with almond or chocolate cashew milk mixed in. But you do you!

Keep reading for your new favorite summer breakfast recipe!

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Refreshing chamomile lavender iced tea featuring a lightly-sweetened homemade lavender simple syrup. The perfect summer drink to enjoy anytime of day!

After making a blackberry lavender cake recently, I figured I needed to find other ways to use my lavender buds. Upon first thought, I made a note to grab some chamomile tea bags at the store and later on this delicious iced tea was born!

Naturally caffeine-free, I recommend enjoying this refreshing drink sitting outside with lunch or while working throughout the afternoon.

Life is that much more exciting when you have a tasty, good-for-you drink to look forward to!

All you need to make this quick & easy tea are 3 simple ingredients (+ water!) and a bit of patience to let it all cool.

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Naturally-sweetened mocha almond joy smoothie features all of your favorite candy bar’s flavors in smoothie form! A nutritional powerhouse with over a cup of frozen riced cauliflower and magnesium-rich cacao powder. 

If you are an Almond Joy candy bar fan like I am, say hello to your new favorite smoothie recipe! All of the classic chocolate + almond + coconut flavors combined in smoothie form. And did I mentioned it is naturally sweetened with dates??

This smoothie makes for a nourishing pick-me-up any time of day. Ingredients such as cacao, chia seeds, frozen cauliflower (for creaminess!), coconut, and your favorite protein powder provide plenty of micronutrients + fiber to energize and nourish your body and mind. While we are also adding brewed COFFEE to this smoothie, you do you – decaf or regular will do the trick! Even a couple shots of espresso if you’re feeling fancy!

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This chocolate raspberry pudding is the perfect easy-to-make dessert combining just the right amount of sweetness with a delectably creamy base thanks to the key ingredient – avocados! Give this recipe a try for a tasty February treat. 

February has me feeling all about the chocolate + raspberry dessert recipes… anyone else?? For my fellow chocolate aficionados, look no further for your future dessert needs than this luscious chocolate raspberry avocado pudding!

If you are skeptical about your avocados mixing with your puddings, I hear your concern! HOWEVER, do not fret, as I would not steer you wrong when it comes to dessert. You really can’t taste the avocado – its sole purpose is to serve as the creamy base for all the flavor goodness!

In addition to tasting amazing, this avocado pudding also has some valuable nutrition highlights. I feel it is my dietitian duty to give you the inside scoop!

Nutrition benefits of this creamy chocolate raspberry avocado pudding:

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Bursting with fall + winter’s best flavors, this tasty frittata makes for an excellent meal any time of day. Roasted butternut squash and brussels sprouts combine with fresh rosemary, all underneath a hearty egg bake. Feel free to customize this frittata as you see fit! (Ideas to follow!) 

Today I have a fabulous recipe for you all… one that you can make as suggested in this post, or customize in any number of ways. Let your imagine run wild!

I absolutely love frittatas and make them regularly because they (1) are relatively easy to whip up, (2) require minimal clean-up, (3) make great leftovers, and (4) can be adapted for any time of year with whatever veggies are in season/I have on hand/I think up as a flavor combination.

Do you need any more convincing to run to your local farmer’s market or nearest grocery store to grab the ingredients for tonight’s dinner? Better yet, head to your fridge and check out whatever veggies, cheeses, or meats you already have on hand! I’m sure pretty much anything can be thrown into a frittata with at least reasonable success…

In today’s frittata example we are giving attention to two key ingredients: butternut squash and brussels sprouts. If you have never prepped and chopped a butternut squash, you need not fear! Instructions up next.

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This unique baked oatmeal features juicy mango, naturally-sweet dates, and shredded carrot + coconut. Topped with a maple cashew butter spread, this hearty oat-bake is delicious for a prep-ahead breakfast or snack all week long! 

How do you prefer your oats? Steel-cut, overnight, classic stove-top, in pancakes or a cookie…one of the things I love most about oats is how versatile they are, and how endless the flavor combinations for any oat-based breakfast, snack, or dessert are. While I typically opt for regular overnight oats or steel-cut oatmeal for breakfast, occasionally I make a batch of baked oatmeal to switch things up!

If you have never made it before, baked oatmeal is especially wonderful because it can be prepped and made ahead of time – perfect for busy school or workday mornings. Essentially, it is everything to love about regular oatmeal except in a baked + bar form!

However, today I don’t just have any old baked oatmeal recipe for you. We are talking mango carrot baked oatmeal with juicy, sweet dates and shredded coconut mixed in. Sign me up!

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