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’ve always been a stuffing fan from day one. Stovetop brand stuffing was always my favorite. The mix of intact pieces of bread held together with the creamy, thick blend of broth and breadcrumbs. I’m drooling just thinking about it! Over the years, however, my palate (and gut) has changed. Now, the Stovetop brand is far too salty for my taste and the wheat irritates my digestive system. So each year, I chase the high and test out new ways to make it just as good as I remember.

This year I found the secret to the perfect mock-Stovetop stuffing. And it’s… In this recipe, I use mushroom broth and soy sauce to mimic the savory poultry flavor that is usually infused into store bought mixes while fresh herbs elevate it to home-chef status flavor. It’s a simple 1-pot recipe packed with a lot of nostalgic flavor, does it get any better than that?

In the fall and winter months, salads tend to take the back-burner. We shift our focus to richer, warmer, and heartier dishes and we leave the fresh greens in the rearview. But what if we could have a medley of warm roasted veggies, seasonal flavors, AND still get our raw greens in?

I present to you: The Hearty Autumn Kale Salad. It’s the perfect balance of cooked to raw, sweet to savory, and crunchy to creamy. It’s got enough going on that it satisfies our energy and comfort needs in the cooler months, while also feeling light enough not to bog us down like many richer dishes on the menu.

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!)

Cranberry sauce has always been one of my favorite parts of Thanksgiving although admittedly, up until recently, I’ve been Team Canned Cranberry. I still enjoy the thick gelatinous texture but have grown away from the can shape and over-sweetened flavor. These days, I’m more into minimal sweetness and really letting the flavor of what I’m sweetening shine on their own. I also have an affinity for sour things, so I love letting this tart cranberry-citrus combo sing.

If sweeter sauce is your thing, fear not. You can easily add a little extra sugar to this recipe without compromising the texture. This recipe is ready in 40 minutes and requires minimal baby-sitting.

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.

Sometimes the best recipes come from a chaotic round of Chopped when dinner time rolls around and you’re nearly out of groceries. By stocking your pantry with just three ingredients, plus some pasta, next time your stomach is grumbling and you’re overdue for a trip to the store, you can whip up something nourishing and delicious!

I’ve said this many times but we have to stop demonizing processed foods because by definition, we’re demonizing canned and jarred foods as well! Just because something isn’t fresh or in it’s whole form, doesn’t mean it’s less worthy of a place on our plate. Having canned and jarred foods on hand makes…

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!

Growing up, I only are raw or boiled carrots. I’ve always liked them, but I’ve never really felt a craving for them. These carrots, though, I think about constantly. Roasted carrots add the perfect rich sweetness to any savory dish. And I would be lying if I didn’t half the pan as a snack during shooting this recipe. That’s how good they are!

Paired with traditional Middle Eastern spice blend Za’atar, a toasted blend of sesame seeds, sumac, coriander, dried oregano or thyme, and salt. The ingredients vary by region but all za’atar is earthy and herbaceous with the tiniest sharp hint of citrus from sumac. It can be used in marinades for meats, to top dips like hummus or finish really any kind of dish from flatbreads to soup. One of my favorite ways to use it is…

Vegetable hashes are a great way to add a variety of different veggies to your plate. They can be sides, the base for a brunch egg bowl, or served on top of greens and grains, like in this nourishing warm bowl. In this Roasted Root Vegetable Hash, carrots, turnips, onion, beets, and sweet potato all come together in bright, caramelized goodness. Paired with fresh “poultry’ herbs — rosemary, thyme, and sage — they practically ooze cozy comfort. It’s flavorful and unique enough to…

While I’m not vegan or dairy-free, I love experimenting to create plant-based alternatives that everyone will enjoy. In this 6-ish ingredient recipe, blended cashews and lemon juice creates a creamy and tart sour cream-like base for my take on the classic french onion dip — one of my all time favorite party foods.

Cashews are good sources of protein, healthy fats, and the minerals iron, magnesium, and zinc. They also have a distinct buttery and sweet flavor. It’s no secret that they are a staple in vegan and plant-based cooking because of their ability to…

I know what you’re thinking — quinoa for breakfast?? — I get it but trust me, this is a game changer! For me, one of the most difficult parts of breakfast is finding a quick meal that’s going to fill me up and fuel my busy mornings. A lot of traditional breakfasts can be carbohydrate heavy (toasts, granola, cereal, instant oats) and leave us hungry way before lunch when they’re not paired with enough fat and protein.

Quinoa is a great morning grain option because it provides complex carbohydrates, or fiber, and protein. In fact, quinoa is one of the few plant-based protein sources that…

Growing up, Chicken Alfredo was one of my favorite comfort meals. I can’t think of anything I enjoyed more than the creamy, peppery, tangy blend of parmesan cheese, herbs, and heavy cream…

In this recipe, soaked cashews blend with a handful of other ingredients including lemon juice, parsley, and garlic to create a rich, satisfying sauce that feels just a little bit lighter than the original. The addition of lemon juice mimics the sharp tang from parmesan cheese perfectly. While this recipe requires just a little bit of prep ahead of time (presoaking cashews overnight), it will be worth the effort!

If you’re looking for a way to spice up your plant-based meals, look no further. Lentil Sloppy Joes have become a fast favorite in my home and are an easy staple dinner during the warmer months!

Lentils make a great swap for ground meat in recipes because they’re a great source of protein, iron, folate, and complex carbohydrates. Complex carbohydrates, also found in whole grains, are great for supporting healthy cholesterol and blood sugar levels and improving digestion.

Confession: I let bananas get brown on purpose just so I can have an excuse to make banana bread. I’ve made quite a few variations over the years but this recipe topped with an extra banana hits the spot like no other. It’s officially Alec’s favorite version and one of my favorite breakfasts filled with both protein from the almond flour and healthy fats from the almond flour, ground flax, and walnuts. Despite being a naturally gluten free bread, it comes out moist and holds together well. Sweetened naturally with maple syrup and banana, its sure to be a hit in your home as well!

This veggie packed bowl is a gut boosting powerhouse! Fiber found in the vegetables and lentils serve as prebiotics, or food for your gut bacteria, while the yogurt acts as a probiotic by adding beneficial microbes to the party. Fresh herbs, pomegranate and curry spice which includes turmeric, ginger and coriander, provide antioxidants to support your gut, immune system, skin and more.

Lentils are my favorite plant-based protein. Not only are they incredibly versatile, they are also inexpensive, easy to store, and nutrient dense… One pound of lentils could cost as little as a $1 at most grocery stores and provides up to 14 servings! Because they are sold dry, they can also be stored for extended periods of time without going bad making them an excellent pantry staple.