Oil-Free

Vegan Shortbread Cookies

Vegan and gluten-free shortbread cookies made with just three ingredients. Enjoy these dairy-free “buttery” cookies with a glass of Prosecco!

This past week on Instagram stories I asked everyone to name one positive thing that happened this year.

The response was overwhelming.

I received notes of weddings, engagements, births, graduations, personal triumphs, friendship, and family.

Guys, I was brought to tears reading all of the beautiful, positive things that happened to and for our community this year.

During 2020.

I was smiling through the tears, though, feeling so much joy for and through each and every one of you and your wins.

It seems that despite all of the hardships of living through a global pandemic, we have lots of reasons to celebrate.

And I know just how to do it.

Pop some bubbly and let’s make some seriously easy 3-ingredient shortbread cookies.

These Vegan Shortbread Cookies & Prosecco are the celebratory cookie and wine pairing you need to finish up 2020 with a bang.

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Baked Hasselback Apples

By Flora & Vino 2 Comments

This post is brought to you by Bare Snacks, but all words and eats are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep me hungry!

Baked Hasselback Apples made with cranberries, walnuts, crushed apple chips, and cinnamon. Serve with yogurt for breakfast or ice cream for dessert!

‘Tis the season for…all of the mail.

I finally finished my Christmas cards on Tuesday and carted them to the post office, complete with holiday stamps pressed into the upper right hand corner.

The post office was packed.

I’ve also been receiving an embarrassing amount of packages from my doorstep.

Every day I peak out the front door to see an assorted stack of sealed cardboard squares teetering near my “Home Sweet Home” doormat.

Yesterday I received a beautiful yet mysterious package of pears and apples!

The package didn’t specify a sender, so it was days before I realized that the package of produce was a gift from my parents.

I’m pretty sure I’ll use them in this exciting new recipe I have to share with you today.

These Baked Hasselback Apples are the best way to serve apples as a breakfast, snack, or dessert!

They have a gorgeous presentation and are made with no added sugars and no added oils.

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Banana Bread Breakfast Cookies

By Flora & Vino 3 Comments

Your favorite banana bread turned into breakfast cookies! Gluten-free, oil-free, and naturally sweetened with banana and maple syrup. Perfect for meal prep!

I just received the cutest Christmas ornament from a friend and colleague that I hung on the tree last night.

It’s a ceramic circle with 2-0-2-0 in big bubble letters.

Surrounding the bubble letters are cute drawings and text illustrating all of the activities that exemplify the year.

Some of my favorite examples are: “what day is it?”, “survived the toilet paper shortage”, and “wash your hands”!

I’ve created a new tradition of adding an ornament to my collection each year, but this time I don’t need to search.

I was glad to receive one that so succinctly and sweetly summed up the insanity of the past 12 months.

The one thing the ornament is missing is all of the loaves of banana bread that we collectively baked.

We can’t forget the year of banana bread, folks!

It’s okay, because I baked some into cookies so we can commemorate 2020 and take our banana bread with us no matter where 2021 takes us.

These Banana Bread Breakfast Cookies are made in just one bowl with hearty oats, ripe bananas, and plenty of dark chocolate and walnuts.

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Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Seeds

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

2-ingredient chocolate covered pomegranate seeds topped with shredded coconut. Store in fridge for a chocolate-y snack throughout the week.

Guys– I finally got my mini Christmas tree up this weekend.

Do you have yours up yet?

I picked one out at Whole Foods last week, walking up and down the sidewalk outside, searching for the most symmetric and full branches.

The trees were cute and well taken care of, with already attached tree stands and fine needles that don’t shed much.

Just my type.

Last Friday, I knelt on the woven red tree skirt and searched for the *perfect* place to put all of my childhood ornaments.

When M asked how he could help, I put him to work attaching green wire hooks to glass balls.

Together we distributed the trinkets amongst branches while Alexa played contemporary Christmas music in the background.

I don’t have any electric lights or a tree topper, but the result was still colorful and just the right balance of comforting and nostalgic.

Everything felt cozy and Christmas and nice.

I also seeded a pomegranate (and then covered it in Hu chocolate) this week.

These Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Seeds require just TWO ingredients for a quick holiday inspired treat!

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Vegan Dark Chocolate Swiss Roll

By Flora & Vino 3 Comments

Vegan dark chocolate swiss roll with coconut swirl rolled in chocolate cake with a 2-ingredient chocolate ganache.

Guys, since we last spoke, I received my first Christmas card via snail mail.

Which is kind of a big deal, because I always tape all of my received holiday cards on the back of a door in my house.

A tradition my mom started in our house that I carry on in my own, watching the door fill up with Merry Christmases and Happy New Years!

The closer it gets to Dec 25 the harder it is to find space to tape up photos and greeting cards.

Yeah, this time of year had always been special to me and always will be.

The pearly white ceramic Christmas tree my grandma made for me sits to my left, faintly glowing with multi-colored bulbs.

M asked me last week what the function of a particular reindeer serving bowl was on my dining room table.

It has no function, I said, laughing. It just is.

And that’s the beauty in it, right?

Usually I’m team function over form any day of the week, but when it comes to Christmas, anything goes.

I have a special holiday inspired recipe to share with you today that has beautiful rolled form and a delicious function.

This Vegan Dark Chocolate Swiss Roll has a rich taste and appearance that is made with less than 10 good for you ingredients!

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Tahini Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

Chocolate chip macadamia nut cookies with a tahini twist and plenty of dark chocolate chips. A vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free dessert!

OK, it’s officially cookie season, and I’m excited to share a cool new cookie with you.

I don’t use macadamia nuts enough, do you?

I’m always nuts for nuts, but macadamia nuts are one I tend to overlook.

My parents used to get a canister of them from Costco growing up and I savored the rich buttery nuts like golden nuggets.

These healthy holiday cookies are absolutely decadent, combined with tangy tahini and bittersweet dark chocolate.

You’re going to want to add these Tahini Chocolate Chip Macadamia Nut Cookies to your holiday baking list this season.

They’re vegan, gluten-free, and oil-free made in 1-bowl with just eight easy ingredients.

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Miso Mushroom Soup

By Flora & Vino 2 Comments

Simple vegan and gluten-free miso soup made with mixed mushrooms, tofu, organic shiro miso and greens. Serve as a side soup or light dinner!

Happy December, friends.

How was your Thanksgiving?

It was different this year, yeah?

I definitely teared up when I saw the Macy’s parade broadcast on the TV on Thanksgiving Day.

It’s the most ordinary and normal things that make my heart swell and my heart ache, lately.

But I had a really special holiday with the best food and company that I’m oh so grateful for.

I’m still working my way through leftovers and coming down from that holiday high.

We won’t be down long, though, because Christmas is just 25 short days away.

My evergreen wreath is already hanging against my brick red front door in a festive complementary color scheme.

I’m getting a miniature Christmas tree sometime this week to perch in my living room and cover in all of my childhood ornaments.

I’ve been craving some simpler, lighter meals to balance things out after a heavier holiday feast.

It’s getting colder here in Virginia, so I thought we could cozy up to a bowl of Miso Mushroom Soup.

This vegan and gluten-free take on the classic ensures each spoonful is teeming with umami flavor and mushrooms.

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Coconut Quinoa Porridge

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

This post is brought to you by Bare Snacks, but all words and eats are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors that keep me hungry!

Coconut quinoa porridge with cinnamon and maple ready in 15 minutes on the stovetop for a quick breakfast alternative to oatmeal!

I can’t sleep if it’s hot.

Every night before I got to sleep I bump down the number on my Nest thermostat to 69 degrees.

Yep, even in the fall and winter.

I love dosing off to sleep cocooned in cozy cotton sheets and comforter with the cool air current whirling around my face.

The next morning I break the stillness by stretching into pajama pants and long sleeves and take the descent downstairs.

My place doesn’t regulate temperature very efficiently, so there’s a noticeable ten degree temp drop each time you run down a flight of stairs.

So if it’s cold upstairs, it’s colder downstairs, and frigid in the basement.

Hot breakfasts on the main level are necessary as I stand in wool socks and wait for the sun to warm the wooden floor boards.

This Coconut Quinoa Porridge simultaneously warms and fuels you for the day ahead.

It’s ready in just 15 minutes for a quick breakfast alternative to oatmeal!

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SunButter Sugar Cookies

By Flora & Vino 1 Comment

3-ingredient “sugar” cookies made gluten and grain-free with SunButter! Finish them with red and green sprinkles for a festive treat.

Have you started decorating for the holidays yet?

I usually have a hard and fast rule of taking things one holiday at a time.

Which means I’m still hard at work on my Thanksgiving menu, thank you very much.

But many of my friends have told me they’ve already got their Christmas trees out and ready to rock around.

Which I support 100% , especially this year.

With much of the world spending more time at home than ever before, why not making it as cozy and Christmas-y for as long as possible?

Even though I haven’t started decorating or gift-giving yet, I did get my annual snowman Christmas cards in the mail.

If you’ve been following me a while you might know that Christmas cards are my thing.

I tried to explain my tradition to M, recently, who laughed and shook his head.

Yes, I’ve been writing snowman Christmas cards since I was 16 and yes I will continue to do so forever and ever.

Because there’s something about the joy of gifting and receiving snail mail that nothing else can come close to trumping.

Except, maybe, baking Christmas cookies.

I have a really simple, healthy, and deliciously festive cookie to share with you today that’s totally grain-free, refined-sugar-free, and oil-free.

You can make these SunButter Sugar Cookies with just 3-ingredients for a festive holiday treat!

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Low Sugar Applesauce Apple Butter

By Flora & Vino Leave a Comment

Easy 5-ingredient apple butter made with unsweetened applesauce. This fall spread is lightly sweet with maple syrup, apple cider, and a touch of kombucha.

I miss my extended family, guys.

Most of them are split between Indiana and North Carolina with a few scattered from coast to coast.

Our annual family reunion was canceled this year in an abundance of COVID caution.

We’re planning on connecting virtually over the holidays in a Zoom Room, but it’s not *quite* the same as exchanges hugs and laughs and food.

I texted my Aunt Janet on Halloween and told her how much I missed her apple butter.

I always coveted the little mason jars she sent to my parents and me, eating greedy spoonfuls on anything and everything.

It was brimming with fresh sweet apples, warm spices, and just the right amount of sweetness.

Feeling nostalgic, I decided to create my own apple butter this season that’s made super simple with applesauce.

You can make this Low Sugar Applesauce Apple Butter in under an hour with just 5 simple ingredients!

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