Gluten-Free

Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies

Chocolate thumbprint cookies made grain-free, gluten-free, and naturally sweetened with coconut sugar. Finish them with a melty dark chocolate center!

Welp, the time changed this past weekend.

The extra hour of sleep felt nice initially, but by the evening I was tired and slightly confused when the neighborhood was dark before 5 PM.

I’m always a bit miffed to have less daylight; truncating outdoor activities and natural light photoshoots and time to soak in Vitamin D.

But there is something about the darkening days that makes home feel, really, well, home-y.

Where else do you want to go when the sky is already dusky and dark after work?

Home.

Yeah, falling forward makes me crave fuzzy blankets, binge-worthy shows, and cuddles on the couch.

And maybe…just maybe…cookies!

These Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies are definitely on my Christmas baking list.

They’re made with just 7 vegan, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free ingredients, complete with a salty dark chocolate center.

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Cinnamon Tahini Walnut Banana Bread

By Flora & Vino 2 Comments

Cinnamon tahini walnut banana bread made gluten-free with almond flour, oats, and tahini, naturally sweetened with coconut sugar and bananas!

So, when is too soon to start watching those cheesy Hallmark holiday movies?

Oh come on, I know you love them too.

I’d say anytime past Halloween is probably the beginnings of the “holiday season”; what do you think?

Every season I get giddy this time of year thinking about crisp Christmas cards and fresh first snows and the smell of pine needles.

The temperatures are definitely dropping here and I really have to bundle up for my daily walks.

Holiday season or no, it’s the perfect time to turn on the oven and bake a loaf of bread.

I’ve been saving this recipe for colder weather!

This Cinnamon Tahini Walnut Banana Bread is made in just one bowl with plenty of tahini, texture, and natural sweetness!

Grab some spotty bananas and your favorite jar of tahini and let’s make some brag-worthy bread.
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African Peanut Butter Stew

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

Vegan peanut stew made with organic peanut butter, collard greens, and root vegetables in a tomato broth. Serve by itself or over grains!

When we had my friends over for dinner a few months back, they raved about a peanut stew they’d made together.

“It tasted *better* than takeout!” they both agreed.

I’m all about reducing my takeout budget, and the thought of a peanut stew really sounded like something special.

So I set out testing my own peanut stew with root veggies, leafy greens, and plenty of peanut butter.

What I came up with is my variation on African Peanut Stew that tastes like a big winter win.

This African Peanut Butter Stew was an instant favorite of ours, so I’m really excited to share it with you.

It’s flavorful, thick, creamy, cozy, and so versatile!

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Vegan Chocolate Chili

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Vegan chili packed with vegetables, legumes, and a delicious dark chocolate twist. This chili is cozy, thick, and perfect for a winter weeknight meal.

Hi guys, what’s up?

I’m sitting on the couch in my living room as I type up this post.

The patio is to my right, showcasing the changing colors and falling leaves through sliding glass doors.

I’ve been feeling like I want to do all of the outdoor things, like, NOW, because I know fall is so fleeting and this perfect weather won’t last.

So I’ve been prioritizing hikes with friends, dining outdoors at sunset, long runs, and outdoor climbing with M.

It hit me today that we basically only have two more months left in 2021.

Two months left in the year after 2020; is that even possible?

A lot happened this year that invited me stay in and go inward– moving to a new state, working on a cookbook, reconnecting physically with friends and family.

But I’m not here today to do a recap of 2021 (yet), I’m here to share a uniquely cozy recipe that you’ll have on repeat this fall and winter.

Say hello to Vegan Chocolate Chili.

It’s made in 1-pot with a thick broth with legumes, vegetables, and a dark chocolate twist.

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Pumpkin Fudge Layer Bars

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

Pumpkin fudge layer bars made in two layers; a pumpkin-cashew-coconut based fudge on a layer of dark chocolate. Perfect for a fun fall dessert!

The Fall foliage is in full swing here on the East Coast.

I hiked White Oak Canyon Trail with my friends in the Shenandoah this past weekend.

Colorful leaves fell around us like snowflakes as we ascended the trail past *three* stunning waterfalls.

When we got to the final and largest falls we sat down and devoured lunch.

I had dark chocolate to share at the top, amongst other goodies.

“This is what you get when you take a food blogger hiking,” I joked, tossing my favorite snacks at my friends to share (but also to lighten my pack, HA!).

Afterthought: I wish I’d had these Pumpkin Fudge Layer Bars at the top.

They’re made vegan, gluten-free, and refined-sugar-free in two delicious layers.

We start with a dark chocolate base topped off with a dairy-free pumpkin fudge!

They taste as good as the fall foliage looks right about now.

Ready to fall in love?

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Wintergreen Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

Easy wintergreen salad with kale, cabbage, pepper, and avocado with two seeds and an enticing maple dijon vinaigrette. Perfect for a light lunch salad!

Are you doing all of the fall things?

This weekend I carved pumpkins with my sister, cousin, and M!

I’m not sure if the pumpkin will “make it” it to October 31st, but early October was the only time where all of our weekends synced up.

We sat on my living room floor, fingers covered in pumpkin pulp, listening to the monster mash.

I won’t win any pumpkin-carving awards anytime soon, but we had a blast anyway.

When it got dark we lined the pumpkins up on the front step and dropped a tea light candle in their orange concavity.

I still have 5 un-carved pumpkins of assorted sizes on the front step, waiting for their debut.

Strangely, I’ve been craving kale salads even though the weather is getting crisper and cooler.

Which is lucky, because kale is a wintergreen, after all, right?

Let’s make this Wintergreen Salad with Maple Dijon Vinaigrette.

It’s packed with fresh veggies, two kinds of seeds, and a delicious homemade dressing!

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Sweet Potato SunButter Brownies

By Flora & Vino 2 Comments

Super fudge-y brownies made with SunButter and sweet potato. Sweetened with maple syrup and dark chocolate chips. Perfect for a decadent fall dessert!

I love it when my friends are taste testers.

Whenever we have company over I always feel inclined to bake a special dessert, or re-create a star recipe from the blog.

You, know, live up to the whole food blogger title.

Luckily, my friends understand that since I do this for a living, I’m not always jumping to pull out my oven mitts on a Saturday and dirty up the kitchen.

Particularly after it’s *finally* clean for the first time all week.

So when one of my favorite couples came over last weekend they got an exclusive preview of these brownies made with sweet potato.

“Dessert, anyone?” I asked, extending a Tupperware jar of leftover brownies that I photographed earlier in the week.

My friends loved these Sweet Potato SunButter Brownies and I know you will too!

They’re made easily in 1-bowl with sweet potato, SunButter, and plenty of cacao.

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Vegan Zucchini Pizza Poppers

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

The cutest plant-based pizza bites made with a zucchini base and loaded with more vegetables. Serve solo as an appetizer or over grains for a meal!

I just finished my bookclub book for the month!

It’s always a bittersweet feeling to read a book cover to cover and lose the characters after the epilogue.

During last month’s bookclub meeting, we had an epic discussion via Zoom.

I remember the meeting clearly, because I tested these zucchini pizza bites while on the Zoom call.

While talking motifs and heroines and historical context, I sliced zucchini and veggies and made mini vegan pizza poppers.

When the were done I plated them and proudly showed my friends my creation through the screen.

I quickly decided that they were absolutely fantastic and deserved a place on the blog.

I’m so excited to share them with you today!

These Vegan Zucchini Pizza Poppers are a delicious plant-based pizza alternative baked and served in under 30 minutes!

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Pumpkin Spice Chickpea Cookies

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

1-bowl pumpkin spice cookies made with chickpeas and almond flour, naturally sweetened with maple syrup. Perfect for a healthy snack or dessert!

Hey-o, is pumpkin your thing?

It’s definitely mine.

But it’s not so much M’s thing.

I joked with him this week, asking if he’s ready for the end of October so we’re not consistently eating my pumpkin recipes.

But he said he might just be warming up to my favorite orange winter squash.

Good answer, M, good answer.

Whether pumpkin is your favorite or your relationship is complicated, I need you to try these Pumpkin Spice Chickpea Cookies!

They’re totally vegan, gluten-free, and grain-free; made with chickpeas, almond flour, and plenty of pumpkin!

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Vegan Orange Chocolate Truffles

By Flora & Vino 2 Comments

Easy vegan chocolate truffles made with orange dark chocolate, coconut milk, and fresh orange juice and zest. Perfect for a chocolate-y citrus treat!

This past weekend I found a local nursery that sold seasonal plants and produce.

I texted M a string of happy emoticons because I was in my happy place.

There was a sweet corner of succulents where I picked three new additions to the plant family.

I also thought, well, what the heck, and bought two pumpkins for carving.

There’s something about the fall harvest that makes me want to wrap myself in green.

Maybe because I know everything is about to turn golden, orange, and maroon.

So, I have an orange recipe for you today that *isn’t* pumpkin!

These Vegan Orange Chocolate Truffles are sure to pick you in the October mood.

Let’s make orange chocolate truffles with orange dark chocolate, coconut milk, and fresh orange juice and zest.

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