Favorite Food Blogs for Recipe Inspiration
Sometimes you need a little bit of inspiration in the kitchen and that’s okay. Lucky for us there are a plethora of talented individuals who have dedicated their careers to recipe creation, and provide them to use for free! Some of my favorite recipes that I go back to time and time again were found surfing for food inspo. The more recipes I cooked, the more comfortable I became in the kitchen to whip up my own creations, using what I have on hand and trusting my judgment instead of measuring every spice. It’s a great tool to utilize if you are at the beginning of your culinary journey or you just need to figure out what to cook with the lone parsnip that remains in your refrigerator produce drawer.
I created a list of some of my favorite food recipe sites that I frequently visit and included a recipe from each that is a staple in my household.
A M B I T I O U S K I T C H E N
I stumbled across this site a year ago when searching for a chickpea flour cookie recipe. I hit the jackpot because not only were the chickpea cookies a huge success, Ambitious Kitchen has a plethora of other awesome recipes. There is a great balance between comfort classics and creative veggie-heavy dishes. No matter your dietary needs, you will likely find a recipe here that will suit the needs of you and your family. The chickpea cookie recipe has changed since I discovered it and although I have not tested out this new version, I trust it has only gotten better ;) I utilize coconut sugar in place of the brown sugar and add a generous pinch of flaky salt on top!
M I N I M A L I S T B A K E R
This site is a classic and I wouldn’t be surprised if most individuals reading this don’t already have a Minimalist Baker recipe favorite of their own. My college roommate and I essentially cooked our way through the entire site as soon as we moved out of the dorms and into a proper apartment. I often make the Banana Almond Muffins for a quick mid-day snack or brekkie on the go. The Quinoa Taco Meat is a family favorite as well as the Lentil Nut Meatloaf! Go take a scroll through her page, you will not regret it!
P A L E O R U N N I N G M A M A
After 8 years of strict plant-based eating and seemingly out of nowhere, I was craving meat like crazy! There was a time when I would drool over a friend’s chicken skewer. I knew my body was telling me it was time to incorporate some meat into my diet. I felt very intimidated doing so as I had little experience cooking animal proteins. Paleo Running Mama’s website was very helpful. She does a lovely job at incorporating meat into veggie packed dishes. It was a great source of inspiration for me as I learned how I can add animal protein into my meal prep. Her Spinach Quiche recipe is a great template, you include really any veggie you dream of eating or need to use up. Jump into the sweets section for the most amazing selection of paleo desserts, like these brownie cookies.
O H S H E G L O W S
When in need of a comforting soup recipe I often turn to my Oh She Glows cookbook. The 10 Spice Veggie Soup is a creamy cashew-based broth that hits the spot every time. This soup is just the beginning, the site and her cookbooks are packed with nourishing and flavorful dishes that will become family classics. I have made the Sweet Potato Enchiladas numerous times, they are SO tasty and freeze well (you have to purchase the book for this one)! The desserts are killer too. As soon as I feel Fall in the air, I make the Pumpkin Pecan Butter to dollop on oats or eat with the perfect apple.
A L I T T L E B I T O F Y U M M Y
Those on a low FODMAP diet, you need this site! A mecca of low FODMAP options, A Little Bit of Yummy has you covered for all meals. It can be easy to feel stuck eating the same foods over and over when avoiding FODMAPs. In order to increase variety in the diet and keep things interesting, I highly recommend this site. They even include the serving amount to ensure you stay in the low FODMAP range. Try these tasty Energy Bites or an easy Chicken & Veggie Tray Bake for dinner.
T H E F I R S T M E S S
Last but not least, The First Mess! Laura’s food photography skills are top-notch and the dishes she creates are gorgeous. I gravitate towards her hearty stews (or “cozy pots”) and creative roasted vegetable salads. If you feel like you’ve hit a roadblock with what you can do with vegetables - I guarantee you will find something you haven’t tried in The First Mess archives. If you have never tried a chickpea pancake (called pudla in Gujarati cuisine, similar to socca and farinata), I highly recommend experimenting with her Hearty Herbed Chickpea Pancake. Alternatively, you can be a star of your next BBQ potluck with her popular Dill Pickle Potato Salad.
H O N O R A B L E M E N T I O N S