Recipe ideas and commentary on the new food culture by professional photographer Tom Schmidt in Chicago. Get inspired to cook something awesome!

Side Dishes

Citrus-Braised Red Cabbage Recipe w/ Apples, Goat Cheese

//  by 

It's purple and delicious and so easy to make.  Buying a whole head of cabbage always seems like a like you  are signing yourself up for a lot of work, slicing, coring, shaving, etc.  But seriously this goes from ingredients to table in barely 30 mins, and it doesn't really take that much effort at all!  This braised cabbage recipe with apples and a bit of citrus is simple and quick to make... and best of all, it keeps very well and can be enjoyed cold.  Add a bit of goat cheese to transform …

Citrus-Braised Red Cabbage Recipe w/ Apples, Goat CheeseRead More

Applesauce Recipe – Easy Homemade Method

//  by 

Homemade applesauce, although sort of resembles the store-bought stuff, blows it away with the soft texture and wonderful sweetness. Sometimes the simple things are worth making at home. Applesauce is another homemade item that you probably think: “Shoot, that probably requires some tools I don’t have…” Actually… all you need is a peeler, knife, pot and smasher. Boom applesauce! It’s so stinkin easy that you will likely pull it right into your set of GO TO recipes. The apples used …

Applesauce Recipe – Easy Homemade MethodRead More

Savory Kale Salad Recipe w/ Parmesan – From Dr. Weil

//  by 

https://youtu.be/fG9d345YsMI Kale Salad Recipe with Parmesan, lemon and Breadcrumbs This super quick kale salad recipe will remind you of your favorite Cesar salad, but without all the dressing! It features my favorite deep dark green lacinato kale. You will love this recipe as a savory contrast to the sweeter Massaged Kale with Cranberries and Sunflower Seeds. The lemon juice with a little salt magically wilts down the greens making them soft and luxurious. I like to give this …

Savory Kale Salad Recipe w/ Parmesan – From Dr. WeilRead More

Quinoa, Black Beans, Cucumber and Avocado with Eggs Recipe

//  by 

Quinoa Recipe for a quick lunch or hearty side dish This dish with Quinoa, Black Beans, Cucumber and Avocado with Eggs is light, but hearty enough to refuel your tanks and support your journey to greatness. The combination of the vinegar, limes and cilantro creates a wonderful freshness that reinvigorates your soul through your daily grind.You never know, a great idea might even hit you over the head after lunch when you are NOT a wandering zombie in an afternoon coma… Lunch is often a …

Quinoa, Black Beans, Cucumber and Avocado with Eggs RecipeRead More

Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe – Bring a Hot “Date” to Your Next Party!

//  by 

**Guest Post from Morgan Paris Fitness** Do you love hearing people comment on how awesome the dish you brought to the party is? I know I do!  These delicious Bacon Wrapped Dates will delight your tastebuds with the rich sweetness from the dates contrasted by savory, salty bacon. I'm exited to share this recipe with you because it's kinda become my "thing."  I always bring my " Dates"   ;)   to parties and secretly I can't wait to hear, "oh my gosh, these are so good! Who brought …

Bacon Wrapped Dates Recipe – Bring a Hot “Date” to Your Next Party!Read More

Limey Avocado and Grape Tomato Side Dish from Lemonade LA

//  by 

Avocado Recipe with Limey Dressing and Grape Tomatoes Large chunks of avocados spiked with a zesty lime vinaigrette, smiles are guaranteed.  This dish is a great side or main player for a veggie based lunch.  The good fats in the avocados will keep both your brain and stomach happy all afternoon.  No h-Anger excuses! (h-Anger defined: the annoyed and dangerous mindset that causes you to turn into a ravenous beast until you get junk food or another meal.  No, coffee does not fix this condition. …

Limey Avocado and Grape Tomato Side Dish from Lemonade LARead More

Massaged Kale Salad with Sunflower Seeds and Dried Cranberries

//  by 

Turn that super chewy and tough raw kale into a tender treat with a simple massage.  The other secret weapons of this recipe are  sunflower seeds and mustard which transform these greens into a savory and satisfying dish. The idea of massaging kale is bound to cause a raised eyebrow from anyone not familiar with the glorious result.  The process is so simple, I am still dumbfounded why the technique has not taken hold on a larger scale. Don’t be surprised if you too are amazed by the …

Massaged Kale Salad with Sunflower Seeds and Dried CranberriesRead More

Fresh Raw Beet Salad – Fancy White Shirts, Take Cover!

//  by 

Beet Salad Recipe with Apples and Cabbage This raw beet salad recipe tames the earthy essence of the beets and brings out a beautiful sweetness.  As soon as you get past the fact that you are gobbling up raw beets (if you have phobia), you are bound to forget that this is actually a pretty healthy dish! Raw beets have quite possibly the most intense red color I have ever seen.  It has such a powerful color that every item in this salad will become lush and red in color.  Watch out for your …

Fresh Raw Beet Salad – Fancy White Shirts, Take Cover!Read More

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and Grapes

//  by 

Roasted Brussel Sprouts Recipe with Grapes When did Brussels sprouts become so cool?  People that normally don’t like veggies will even eat these.  They seem to have turned into the gateway drug for folks that often stay away from the green stuff.  Cool to me! My parents introduced me to this dish and at the time I had not traveled down the veggie road nearly as far as I have today.  Although it was a few years back, I can still vividly remember the first time these divine tiny …

Roasted Brussels Sprouts and GrapesRead More

Portobello Recipe – Roasted Mushrooms with Balsamic Vinegar

//  by 

Portobello Recipe - Roasted Mushroom Side Dish / Appetizer Portobello mushrooms are from Mars... A UFO shaped meaty treat magically grows on composted poo... Yep an alien species! I am always amazed by their interesting structure (pop off the stalk and observe the texture) and how they seem to hover somewhere between the animal and veggie world.  Maybe they are actually more like fish, they do have gills. Anyways enough of the tangent… This recipe for preparing portobellos is …

Portobello Recipe – Roasted Mushrooms with Balsamic VinegarRead More

Grain Free Fried Rice Recipe – Grated Cauliflower and Shrimp

//  by 

Grain-Free Fried Rice Recipe made out of Grated Cauliflower Seriously, is that fried rice without a grain of rice??  The amazing cauliflower strikes again!  Really, what can’t you do with cauliflower?  Recently I have ran across recipes utilizing this humble plant in all kinds of uncommon ways, such as pizza crust and taco tortillas to name just a few.  Maybe I will have to do an entire series on innovative uses of cauliflower.  I am intrigued. This fried “rice” experience is so fast and easy …

Grain Free Fried Rice Recipe – Grated Cauliflower and ShrimpRead More

Roasted Broccoli Recipe, Simple Side Dish

//  by 

Broccoli Recipe for a Super Easy and Delicious Vegetable Dish Broccoli is often cited as everyone’s favorite vegetable, especially raw.  Wrong…  Until now!  Roasted broccoli is guaranteed to change your feelings to pure love for this flowery green veggie. I learned about roasting various vegetables a few years back, and still whip out this technique on a regular basis.  Roasting has a unique effect on veggies that draws the sugars out and carmelizes them on the surface.  This creates a …

Roasted Broccoli Recipe, Simple Side DishRead More