Welcome! Iโm happy youโre here. You can call me Kate, one of many nicknames, or Kathryne, my full first name. Either way, Iโm a self-taught cook from Oklahoma. I started this blog in 2010 and named it after my canine sidekick, Cookie. Now, I live in Kansas City with my family and work on this blog full-time. I love my job!
Follow Cookie and Kate
You should know that Iโm totally obsessed with food. I daydream about new recipes. I devour cookbooks (I even wrote my own). I read up on food policy and nutrition. I love photographing food and hope my photos inspire you to step into the kitchen to cook a delicious, healthy meal.
Our cookbook, Love Real Food, is here! It has over 5,000 5-star reviews! Get Your Copy
Above all, I love eating food, especially in the presence of good company. Good food in good companyโdoes it get any better than that?
I believe that cooking should be fun and recipes, flexible. I choose not to cook meat, so all of the recipes on Cookie and Kate are vegetarian. I believe in eating whole foods, which are as close to their source as possible. Iโm also an avid supporter of the occasional indulgence, and I laugh with friends over drinks as often as possible.
This blog is all about celebrating good foodโreal, sustainable food that delights the senses and nourishes the body.
About Cookie
Cookie is a jaunty spotted mutt who makes friends everywhere she goes. She is my eager four-legged assistant, my chief crumb catcher and the best companion a girl could ask for.
I adopted Cookie in the summer of 2009. She came with her name and nothing more. Whether she was named for being one smart cookie or for looking like cookies and cream, the name suits her well.
After five years of referring to Cookie as a โmystery mutt,โ I finally caved and ordered a DNA test. My beloved, one-of-a-kind pup is half schipperke and half dachshund/Australian koolie mix.
Cookie left this world in 2023 after thirteen incredible years together. I miss her dearly, and this website will remain Cookie and Kate in honor of our time together.
Frequently Asked Questions
My cookbook, Love Real Food, can be purchased online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BAM!, Bookshop.org,ย and Indigo. Digital editions of the book are available for purchase and download at iBooksย and Amazon Kindle. Look for the book in your local bookstore or Barnes u0026 Noble. More book details here.
I use a Nikon Z6 with a Nikkor Z 50mm lens. Check out my food photography tips for more details. As of 2023, Iโve outsourced my photography to my wonderful video team so that I can spend more time with my family.
Check out my top 20 tips for food blogging and how to start a food blog, which includes design and web hosting tips.
Thank you for asking. Please refer to my photo and recipe policy for details.
Get in Touch!
Please contact me here or comment below! Youโre also welcome to check out my press page for interviews and other features.
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Dear Kate,
Thank you for your โBaked Good Recipesโ email. Each one of the recipes looks tempting! I am sure all of them will be extremely tasty but would it be possible to advise on the โcaloric burdenโ each one carries? I like all of them so I would be grateful if you assist me to pick the โlightestโ ones.
Thank you
JohnK
Hi John, the approximate nutrition information is available by clicking the โshow nutritionโ button on each recipe. I hope that helps!
About a year ago I made a version your Best Stuffed Shells recipe that was on your website. I have lost the recipe. It used extra firm tofu as a substitute for the cheese, I believe. I canโt find that recipe now. Does it still exist, or is my memory failing me?
Hi Tom, my vegan lasagna could be made as stuffed shells.
This is one of her stuffed shells recipe as well: https://pattern-route.live/best-stuffed-shells-recipe/%3C/a%3E Maybe someone in the comments discussed tofu substitute.
i like ur cookie and kate website
Hi Kate! We share a lot about our interest in food and nutrition. (The only difference is that I try to go vegan.)
Your comment about eating โWhole Foodsโ is right on the mark. I call it: Eating Close to the Ground, or, Eliminating Man from my Diet. The fewer people who handle or prepare my food, the better.
I am looking forward to digging into your website and preparing your recipes.
Hi Sue, Iโm glad youโre here! Youโll find lots of vegan recipes here.
I am hoping you will write another cookbook. Any chance of that?
Hi Lin, it is part of the long term plan!
Iโve noticed you pop up a lot when Iโm looking for recipes and I today I felt drawn to your page today when looking for a way to cook acorn squash. I really appreciated your story, your healthy glowand meeting the ever-so-sweet Cookie the crumb controll King .what a precious life you all gave him,,, Looking forward to trying some recipes. I really appreciate what you are doing! Iโm a veggie head too
So tasty! I made these with measure for measure GF flour and let the batter rest in the fridge half an hour โ they were delicious! Loved by GF and non GF family as park of a holiday breakfast spread
I have made many of your recipies for years. Very vegetable friendly. and healthier than most recepies. All of them are very clear to follow. My go to staple in my home is your Granola recipie and thecontrol over sugar anf fats is so much better than store bought. I have tweaked and customized it for the many people that I gift it to for their individual preferences. It freezes well when I make a large batch.
Hi, I love all you healthy baking recipes โค๏ธ do you have a cookbook thatโs just baking? Iโd buy it in a heartbeat if you do.
Thanks for all the amazing recipes, Terri
Hi Terri, I just have the one cookbook currently, but I have a long term goal to write another! Thank you for the suggestion to focus on baking.
Hi Kate;
I have made 4 batches of your Ginger Beer Concentrate and it is wonderful. I bottle it and use the concentrate in my Moscow Mules (mix nightly drink of choice). I have a comment and a couple of questions: Comment; the peeling of this much Ginger Root takes a lot of time, I cannot see doing all of this in 20 minutes. It takes be 30 minutes just to peel this much Ginger and longer for a double batch. I have tried different methods, and settled on a serrated grapefruit spoon as the best tool. I notice some other recipes donโt call for it peeled; I might try this since I strain it through a Brew Bag anyway and only a white powdery residue gets through with the juice. Also, I notice that the recipe you got this from as referenced with a link, only calls for 1 cup of fresh squeezed lime for 2-1/2 lbs of Ginger (roughly peeled), and your recipe is half the ginger with the same 1 cup of lime juice. What is the reason, and was this a change through tasting? I am just trying to make it a simpler process if possible and not spending so much time peeling ginger would cut the time way down. BTW: My Moscow Mules use 2 oz. Of vodka over ice in a 12 ounce copper mug, plus 3 oz. Of your recipe for ginger beer concentrate, then fill with mug with soda water from my Classic Seltzer Bottle. The only cost of keeping the Classic Seltzer Bottle filled and ready is a CO2 cartridge about every 4 cocktails. Thanks for the Recipe!
Hi Mike, the adjustments to the ratio of ginger and lime was due to taste tests. Some recipes donโt peel ginger and strain it, which does take some time. I think it comes down to personal preference. I tend to buy large, easy to peel pieces of ginger, and I keep excess in the freezer. I hope that helps!
Gave up trying to read or print blueberry oatmeal recipe. The site is so full of intrusive adverts it is impossible to make sense of!!!! Iโm putting my email below but will block all marketing materials.
I always loved your site and the recipes. I love animals, always have a couple dogs and a cat. I wondered if you ever decided to adopt another dog.
Hi Liz, Thank you for yours upport! I did adopt another dog!
I love your recipes and always look to you first when trying to find a healthy recipe. I have been recently making your blueberry muffin (and cake), and pumpkin bread recipes. I am looking for a recipe now to use a lot of frozen dark sweet cherries I have in the freezer. Best suggestion? Thanks!
Hi Donna, this simple, vegan chocolate cherry cake is a great use of frozen cherries. You can also make clafoutis with cherries, though the colors will bleed in the dough more when using frozen, and it is a little more moist, and best eaten the same day it is cooked.
I have a question on the Vanilla pear Holiday Punch. Can you use Vodka instead of the Tequila?
Hi Barbara, yes, if that is your preference. Vodka is a very versatile spirit.
Hello there ! Iโm planning to make this dish for Xmas dinner . Looks delicious Iโm just wondering what size tortillas did you use? They come in different sizes.
Thank you very much!
Hi Sermin, this comment is on the about page, not a specific recipe. Standard corn tortillas or medium size taco flour tortillas work in my recipes, in general.
Iโm so thankful for your pizza sauce recipe for it sounds delicious. I made my first pizza yesterday with milled flour and the crust was awesome but the sauce sucked. Plan on making pizzaโs to freeze for my husband. He will love this sauce. Thank you a hundred times thank you. And Merry Christmas to you and your family.โฅ๏ธ
Hi! Iโm going to make this granola. I want to know if I can add chia and/or flax seeds. If so, when do I add? When mixing the ingredients or add half way through baking?
Thank you!! Will let you know how it turns out:-)
Michelle,
I make Kateโs granola all the time with chia and flax. I add it at the beginning before baking and it turns out wonderfully!
We really enjoyed the Thai Red Curry recipe. (The directions are good, too!) Thank you!
Can I make this bread in a bread machine
Hi this comment is on the about page, not a specific recipe.
Love making your muffins. The first โ healthy โ ones Iโve tried that actually taste not just good, but delicious. As a dog lover I like that youโve named your blog after her.
Hey Kate, I got your book about a year ago and have probably made every recipe in it. I love them all and love how you included your pup Cookie. Sorry to hear that sheโs gone. I also love that when Iโm not at my cookbook traveling I can pull up your recipes. Theyโre great and I love the way you cook. Keep up the good work girl and take care.
Hi Janet, thank you so much for your kind words.
Thank you for your tomatoes salad recipeโs I will be putting these in my weekly family menu.
Just made your healthy banana bread and it went together like a dream! I especially loved the fact that it incorporates olive oil, honey and wheat flour! Itโs in the oven right now.
How many calories per slice?
Love the pictures of Cookie. I know itโs hard to say goodbye.
Hi Catherine, you can find the approximate nutrition information by clicking the โshow nutritionโ button.
I really do struggle with lunch as I cook dinner every night and donโt want to do much at lunch time but I donโt like sandwiches or soups.
I made the Chickpea Tomato Soup today; It was SO good! The curry seasoning really made it! Perfect soup for our subzero weather. I made grilled cheese sandwiches with multi-grain bread to go along with it. Great winter combination. I will be making this again!!
Hi Vicki, yes that soup is so perfect for these cold days.
Thanks for your cooking tips on roasting.
You do have a good selection of recipes for vegetarians and vegans.
I will subscribe.
Hi
Do your cookbooks have gluten free recipes as well?
Hi Terry, I have many gluten-free recipes, and suggested modifications for many more.
Hello, I love your recipes and have made several. Healthy, clean recipes and desserts that are not to sweet. After 28 years, my food processor died. It was a wedding gift and they no longer make that kind. I looked at reviews and bought one. It does not work as well as the other one. I remember you saying something about a food processor that you love. Please let me know the make and model.
Thanks,
Susan
Hi Susan, I recommend a Cuisinart! They come in 7, 11, and 14 cup.
Love your cookbook!! I have made almost every recipe and every one of the recipes is fantastic! Thank you!!
Hi Penny, thank you for the support! Iโm glad you enjoy the recipes.
Dear Kathryn,
Iโm looking forward to making your Quinoa Salad with Roasted Sweet Potato, Kale and Pesto Vinaigrette. It looks Yummy. Iโll share a recipe with you that I made up this weekend and it was a favorite.
I was desperate to know what salad to make for company coming yesterday. I had a small package of fresh lettuce, a few cherry tomatoes, 3 colors of sweet peppers., and a cucumber โ which I sliced.
In the freezer I found some vegetarian turkey; and in the cupboard and unopened bag of pine nuts. I mixed the chopped turkey, and pine nuts, and pecans (about 12)(sweetened with maple syrup โ roasted in the oven) โ with the chopped lettuce. I decorated the top layer with 1/3 of a sliced, yellow sweet pepper and the cherry tomatoes. Putting a small tree of parsley in the middle.
For a dressing: I blended 6 0z of oil with ยผ cup lemon, garlic-2 cloves, 1/3 of a medium onion, basil 1/4th tsp., Thyme, 1/8th tsp, and Marjoram ยฝ tsp.
For a vegetable dish, I stir-fried in (1 Tbl. Olive oil) 1 ยฝ cups sliced mushrooms, 1 chopped onion, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 pound carrots sliced thin, 1 pk. Frozen cubes of zucchini โ drained, then dried with paper towel. Added some, Dried Tomato -5-6 small slices. Then stirred in 1 ยฝ cups rice noodles โ cooked. For salt, I added 2 Tb. Soy Sauce and mixed it into the vegetables. This turned out to be another favorite.
I try to eat one serving of greens every day โ broccoli, kale, spinach, Swiss chard, etc. It is suppose to help you sleep better at night. I need that. In addition I make a smoothie with beets ยผ can, Lemon juice ยผ cup and, Honey 1-1 ยฝ tsp, drink twice a day. This is suppose to help preserve the retina in the eyes for older people. Has even been known to get rid of cataracts. Clear vision: over time, some people claim they didnโt need their glasses anymore. Taken regularly, should notice a difference in two weeks.
Good morning,
You are my *go to* for vegetarian recipes !
Snowy and cold here so a good soup day=VEGAN SWEET POTATO, KALE, AND CHICKPEA
thank you :-))
Carolyn
Arlington Va
Hi Carolyn, hope you had a cozy snow day!
I cannot get into my saved recipes. Please help me. When I get into the website I hit saved and my saved recipes do not come up
Hi Susan, have you cleared the caches on your browser? That should resolve the issue.
Hi Kate!
I have your cookbook and enjoy many of your recipes! Iโm so glad that youโve begun a weekly meal plan! For ease of shopping and to save time, I would love to see a grocery shopping list that accompanies the weekly plan.
Thank you for considering!
Hi Lori, thank you for the suggestion!
vERY NICE
Would love to see a recipe for whole grain no knead slow cooker bread please.
Hi Lynette, thank you for the suggestion! I have a long list of recipes in development, but will consider it.
Hello Kate,
I have been visiting your blogs on and off for several years. As I incorporate more vegetarian meals into our family diet I often found great ideas here. I like your writing and the vibrant and enticing food pictures. But above all I love the name of your blog and the reference to your beloved Cookie. We had a rescue who left us in winter of 2024. Just like Cookie she couldnโt have been more perfect. Arenโt our fur friends the best companions?
Thank you for providing this wonderful blog. Wish you and your family all the best.