When the cool weather hits, the leaves turn shades of red, gold, and orange, and I’ve got squash on my mind, the one recipe that comes to mind (maybe second to pumpkin bread, if I’m truly honest), is pumpkin sage risotto. This labor of love is fit for a cozy afternoon in, makes an excellent date night dinner, and still hits as leftovers. It’s the food equivalent of a cozy cable knit sweater. It’s my must make fall recipe…

Some of you may recognize this recipe from my e-book, Well, balanced. It has been a staple dinner in our home since recipe development for my e-book and I just couldn’t keep it exclusive any longer! What I love about this recipe is the flavor to effort ratio. Making a good soup is sometimes an all day affair, requiring hours of simmering and stirring. This flavor-packed soup can be ready in 45 minutes and if you're even tighter on time, consider my lazy girl recipe hacks at the end of this page (hint: with a few pre-made substitutes, it could be ready in under a half hour!)

This is one of my favorite late summer meals because it’s bright and light yet cozy and comforting. Cooking pasta in broth allows the starches to form a creamy texture without the addition of a heavy cream or a lot of cheese. It’s also a one pot wonder and makes a great easily reheatable meal prep.

As a general rule, for every one cup of orzo, add two cups of liquid. So if you need this to last longer than four meals, or you want just two servings, you can customize this recipe to meet your needs. And as always, I fully encourage adding more garlic if you want! ;)

When it comes to ice cream flavors, I tend to switch favorites often. One flavor that has remained a constant go-to for years is Ben and Jerry’s Cherry Garcia. The chocolate, cherry, and almond combination always hits the spot and unlike some other brands, they always come through with consistently big chunks of cherries and chocolate.

While it’s fun to have ice cream or a milkshake in the morning, smoothies definitely feel much better in my body. I made this Cherry Garcia smoothie to provide the same big flavor and creamy texture with more sustainable nutrients to power my day…

When I’m faced with deciding what to make when I’m having a rough day, I ask myself, “What feels most like a hug to me right now?” Sometimes it’s a hot bowl of soup, but most often it’s something baked. Banana bread — our collective quarantine hero — still always feels like a warm sweater on a chilly day. Comfortable, cozy, nostalgic. So, if you’re having a tough time today and are wanting to try something new yet familiar, try this banana bread recipe. My hug to you.

File this bread under: Things You’d Find At the End of a Rainbow. This thick, slightly sweet bread paired with a generous smear of salted butter is a delicious ode to my Irish-American heritage.

Soda bread has been my favorite holiday food tradition ever since I was a kid and I’m sharing my family’s recipe with you, aren’t you lucky? I’ve made a few edits over the years to adjust it to my palate and dietary needs. While the traditional recipe calls for buttermilk and butter, my family has always used sour cream instead. Which I’m grateful for because it simplifies the prep time significantly! I’ve used gluten free flour, subbed currants for raisins, and swapped in plain greek yogurt for sour cream. These edits make this recipe feel my own, and allow me to reduce my food waste (I am not a frequent consumer of raisins or sour cream).

This cake is one of the most beautiful things I have made in a while, to toot my own horn! I made olive oil cake a few years ago for a class and really loved its dense, yet spongey texture. Adding blood orange juice felt like the perfect use of the gorgeous seasonal citrus and a fun way to give a subtle tart flavor to an otherwise sweet dessert. This cake is a true winter delight, although equally as satisfying in the warmer months, especially when substituting lemon juice!

While I do enjoy perusing the chocolate aisle at the grocery store and am known to have a bar or two stocked in my pantry at all times, there is something really special and fun about making confections at home. Homemade chocolates make a thoughtful and impressive gift — with just enough skill to seem fancy, without a ton of time spent in the kitchen.

This recipe is inspired by Hu Kitchen’s raspberry cashew butter chocolate bar (my ride or die) and Rachael Good Eat’s DIY Reese’s eggs. In my opinion the raspberry and cashew combo is like an adult version of the classic PB&J! With creamy cashew butter, sweet and tart raspberry and decadent dark chocolate, you’ll have suitors lining up down the block wanting to be your Valentine! They’re the perfect way to say “I’m nuts about you” ;)

Pasta dishes are easily my favorite meals to create on weekdays. I usually sauté a bunch of veggies together in some butter and garlic and toss them with some sort of noodle, usually fusilli. But when there’s a sauce involved, it’s 100x tastier and more satisfying.

The idea to create this recipe was born out of two separate recipes — chili and mac and cheese — that I mixed together one afternoon because I didn’t have enough mac and cheese left to serve as a complete meal. Beforehand, I’d maybe had chili mac and cheese maybe once in my life. Afterwards, I felt like this was what my winter soul was missing. I loved the tart-creamy combination of cheese and tomato, as well as the heartiness of chili and pasta in one dish.

To simplify the process and cut down on time, I…

Blender soups are one of my favorite fall and winter meals. Soups in general, are a cozy and comforting option when the air crisps and the days shorten. They can be made with simple yet wholesome ingredients and require little skill and prep…

I enjoy making this especially when my digestion feels off or I feel like I need a break from the meals in my usual routine. Blended broth-based soups help give your gut a rest, while still keeping you nourished and satisfied. For an even more nourishing option, try using bone broth instead of traditional broth.

In this simple recipe, nourishing potatoes pair perfectly with woodsy rosemary and savory broth to create the ultimate comfort meal. Consider it a cozy wool sweater or a big warm bear hug for your belly.

This recipe is inspired by Olive Garden’s Zuppa Toscana soup. It’s the perfect blend of creamy and hearty and is plant focused making it a great way to enjoy your vegetables in during the wintertime! The traditional Olive Garden version contains ground sausage, which you are more than welcome to add here. I’ve made and have enjoyed it both ways. When I’m not craving meat but want savory sausage flavor, this soup delivers. The Italian herbs, red pepper flakes, and fennel seeds mimic the classic sausage flavor really well. And whether you’re using just beans or adding meat, a warm bowl of this cozy soup is both satisfying and filling!

Okay, I’ll admit that it’s really hard to make Brussels sprouts look and sound appetizing. Whether you’re #TeamBrussels or against them, there’s simply no denying their benefits. Brussels sprouts are good sources in vitamin C, vitamin A, and fiber. Members of the cruciferous vegetable family, they have strong antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects thanks to sulfuric compounds that give them their signature smell, similar to cauliflower and broccoli. And finally, when cooked properly they can be pretty tasty…

I’m a real sucker for the classics, especially around the holidays. If I see one more recipe for cauliflower mash I might scream! In all seriousness, if your heart beats for cauliflower and you’re so excited that it’s finally having its moment, by all means go for it! But if you’re choosing cauliflower over white potatoes because you think they’re healthier, that’s not necessarily true. Both cauliflower and white potatoes contain…

A take on the tradition sour cream and chive flavor combination, this recipe uses thick and tart Greek or Icelandic yogurt in place of sour cream. It packs extra protein and provides rich creaminess so less butter and milk are needed. I love making food that makes my body feel nourished but also tastes good and satisfies me. And these smashed potatoes are it.

One of the main downfalls of vegan cooking, especially when it comes to substituting meat-centered dishes like gravy, is the lack of umami. The amino acids in meat are what provides the rich savory flavor. Here, mushroom broth and soy sauce, both rich in umami, give the gravy the traditional flavor without the addition of meat drippings. It’s just as satisfying and delicious as the original version!

Also in this recipe, delicate shallots provide a sweet onion-garlic flavor while rosemary brings a subtle earthiness. Perfectly cozy flavors for any Thanksgiving get together! (Or grab a serving of mashed potatoes, drizzle this bad boy on top and park yourself in front of the TV for a holiday movie marathon, I won’t tell!)

When I got my first cast iron skillet a few years ago, the first thing on my mind to make was skillet cornbread. I love the sweetness and soft yet subtly crunchy texture of cornbread and knew that when made in a skillet, I’d love it even more. The cast iron crisps the edges and bottom ever so slightly and it’s just perfect. Trust me, you’re going to want to try this!

In this recipe, butter and maple syrup keep the bread fluffy and moist with just a hint of sweetness. Because it’s lightly sweetened, this cornbread has the versatility to go either sweet or savory. Pair it with a pat of butter, drizzle of honey, or a smear of jam for a delicious breakfast or snack. Serve it as a dinner side or atop a nice warm bowl of chili for lunch.

Okay, I know what you’re thinking… I do not have the time to sit and make a risotto from scratch! And trust me, I feel you, risotto is definitely a labor of love. But while we’re all sitting at home in “Quarantine 2: Winter Edition” and longing for those warm, comforting meals, when is there a better time to make risotto???

This vegetarian risotto is hearty and savory thanks to the addition of mushrooms that provide a meatiness as well as rich umami (savory) flavor…. When you try this recipe, you’ll be thanking the glutamate gods because it’s truly one for the books. I’ve made this three times in the past month and every time it’s exactly what I need for dinner on a gloomy fall Pacific Northwest evening. The process, although time consuming, is fairly simple and requires just enough skill to impress your friends without making you pull your hair out. So throw on some cozy music, grab yourself a glass of wine (or kombucha), and get cooking! You won’t regret it.

Well, it’s that time of the year again. I’m officially pumpkin-ed and apple-ed out! With Thanksgiving in a few weeks and December just around the corner (already?!), I’m switching gears towards good tidings of cheer with these delicious gingerbread donuts!

In this recipe, molasses paired with the warming spices ginger, cinnamon, and clove make these cakey donuts shine bright. They’re a perfect share for holiday parties, a cheesy Hallmark Christmas movie marathon, or to leave out for Santa. Dusted with snowy powdered sugar, they’re a delicious and festive bite of holiday cheer!

PS If you don’t have a donut pan, this batter can easily be made into a loaf of gingerbread with just a tweak to the cooking temperature.

One of my favorite things about chili is how hearty and satisfying it despite being so inexpensive it is to make. Made with mostly pantry staples and easily accessible, long-lasting produce, chili can be a great back up meal for when the budget gets tight or you’ve run out of things to make. I like to keep a few cans of beans and tomatoes on hand for this reason. Additionally, the humble potato and onion can stay fresh for weeks when kept in a dry, dark place. This recipe makes 6-8 servings so it’s perfect for a fall or winter meal prep!

Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food. With everything going on in the world and our country this week, I needed this ya’ll. Comfort foods so often get placed in the “forbidden” foods category. We forget that it’s okay to actually enjoy our food; to get comfort from eating something cozy, satisfying, and nostalgic.

In this recipe, I used goat milk and cheese to make the creamy cheese sauce. Goat dairy products can be easier on the digestive system for those with a lactose intolerance or sensitivity… I’ve always loved a broccoli mac and cheese combo and roasted broccolini felt like a nice grown up addition. They provide crunchy texture, fiber, and a salt and pepper punch to the top of this rich dish.

With fall in full swing, the crisp Autumn air had me craving that classic cozy coffee and cake combo. I’ve seen so many beautifully festive apple orchard photos on social media during the past few weeks and I wanted to give you a recipe to use them in. Applesauce is great and all, but baked goods are really where it’s at!

In an effort to make the classic coffee cake my own, I asked myself, “How can this be better?” Naturally, my answer was add more cinnamon sugar crumble. I am pleased to present you a cake that is 50% sweet crumble, 45% cake, and 5% apple (roughly)… This sweet, fluffy, gooey cake is the perfect pairing for your morning coffee, afternoon tea, or as a delicious and satisfying dessert all on its own.