All posts tagged: featured

Fall Feast Stuffed Pumpkin

I see a lot of anxious posts this time of year from vegan, pescan, vegetarian, and pescatarians all wondering the same question- “What should I make for Thanksgiving?!”.  It’s understandable since this is the one holiday that is almost completely focused on culinary delights and our gratitude for them. Your average healthy party-trick of hummus and crudités simply won’t suffice. Whether I’m hosting or not, I always like to make a plant-based dish that works as a spectacular main dish for those who don’t eat poultry, as well as a delicious side for those who prefer a traditional turkey dinner. While my usual Thanksgiving go-to Maple-Glazed Stuffed Acorn Squash is always a winner, this year I wanted to try something new after finding an inspiring Japanese pumpkin at the market. One of the things that can be daunting about working with such a large pumpkin is cutting and cleaning it since the outer rind can be nearly impenetrable. We circumvent this issue by roasting the pumpkin whole until it’s nice and tender so that your …

7-Grain Blueberry-Rosemary Pancakes with Orange Blossom Honey and Coconut Butter

Big juicy blueberries are in season right now and there’s no better way to enjoy them than first thing in the morning with these moist and fluffy Blueberry-Rosemary Pancakes. I use Bob’s Red Mill Organic 7-grain Pancake mix mix which uses stone ground whole grain flours and whole ground flaxseed meal to create a delicious earthy blend. You can find it at natural food markets or online. Fresh rosemary adds a fragrant herbal element and orange blossom honey adds a sweet floral note. Finish them off with creamy coconut butter and you have next-level blueberry pancakes that you can make in just minutes. They are made perfectly moist and fluffy thanks to aquafaba – the liquid from canned beans that can be used in place of eggs in lots of recipes. If you are unfamiliar with aquafaba you can check out this Facebook page to learn more about it and check out all of the crazy inspiring things people are doing with it. These Blueberry-Rosemary Pancakes are perfect for: when you need a quick, but extra …

Top 10 Feel Good Pregnancy Tips

When I found out I was pregnant I was expecting the experience to be somewhat of nightmare. We’ve all heard a grumpy mom-to-be complaining about how dreadful the whole growing a baby thing is and how they just can’t wait to GET IT OUT. So it was to my surprise that I found out that I actually liked being pregnant. Rather than feeling tortured by the process I felt it was a time of profound growth- and not just in the obvious way. There was a shift as a new grounded sense of responsibility took hold. I also felt that something bordering on miraculous was taking place inside of me as a little body parts were in constant development, even as I went about my daily business of taking out the trash or doing dishes. While every pregnancy is different and there is a good deal of luck involved when it comes to feeling morning sickness, I also believe there are some steps you can take to give yourself the best chance to feel your best …

Abbie Cornish and Jacqueline King Schiller

The Story Behind Pescan: A Feel Good Cookbook (Available Now!)

It was nearly 3 years ago that my best friend Abbie Cornish and I started working on the proposal for what would become Pescan: A Feel Good Cookbook. In fact, in the photo below, which we shot for the proposal, I was 3 months pregnant and now my baby is 2 years old! In the proposal we shared a bit of backstory and outlined our vision for the stories and recipes in the book. Now that the book has been written and is available now, I thought it would be nice to share that overview here to give you an idea of how we came to this project and what the book is all about. From Abbie: A few years ago I was standing in the family kitchen of a lakeside cottage in the wilds of Canada. It was one of those beautiful end of summer days. Dappled sunshine filtered through the pine trees and reflected off the well-worn pots and pans simmering on the stove, giving the room an ethereal glow. In one hand I was …

Cast Iron- The one pan you NEED and how to take care of it.

Why Cast Iron Cast iron pans have been popular cookware since before The United States of America was a thing. They’ve been a favorite from colonial kitchens to cowboy campfires to the most modern kitchens. They’re durable, versatile, and best of all, affordable. It’s the ideal cookware for any sautéed food or scramble and can go straight from the stovetop into the oven, making it the best choice for frittatas. You can even use it for baking- cast iron corn bread is a classic. A simple cast iron pan also looks beautiful sitting on your stovetop in that retro-chic kind of way. Even though I have cupboards full of cookware, the pan I use the most by far is my trusty cast iron.  A 12-inch (30-cm) cast-iron pan, once seasoned, is naturally non-stick, and can add iron to your food unlike some non-sticks which have toxic chemicals in their coating. If you’re looking to buy one, Lodge has been making reasonably priced, nearly indestructible cast iron pans in Tennessee since the 1896.  “But what about the care?” you …

Rainbow Root Vegetable Salad

This rainbow root vegetable salad is a beautiful and easy dish that adds a gorgeous array of colors to your winter table. All of the vegetables are raw so the trick is to use a mandolin to slice the veggies so they are just thick enough to hold their shape. Then we add sweet persimmon and golden raisins to perfectly balance the earthy flavor of the root veggies. It’s a celebration of the seasons bounty which makes it a perfect dish for the holidays! Enjoy and best wishes to you as we step into this busy season! With love, Jacq Rainbow Root Vegetable Salad Serves 6 as appetizer Ingredients  1/4 Fennel bulb and fronds 3 small watermelon radish 1 persian Cucumber 2 baby turnip (or 1/2 small turnip, peeled) 1/2 Yellow Beet, peeled 1/2 Chioggia (striped) Beet, peeled 1/2 Red Beet, peeled 3 rainbow Carrots 1 large Fuyu Persimmon (sub fuji apple if not available) 3 Romaine Lettuce Hearts 5 tablespoons Almond Oil, divided 1/2 Lemon Sea Salt and Black Pepper 1/2 Orange 1 tablespoon Red …

Pumpkin Spice French Toast with Coconut Butter

Real Food Fast- Pumpkin Spice French Toast with Coconut Butter

French toast is a deliciously decadent treat that is usually reserved for Sunday Brunch or special occasions. This version, however, is so much more nutritious than your typical French toast recipe, and so quick and easy to make, you’ll want to add it to your regular breakfast rotation. We make it with whole grain Ezekial Cinnamon Raisin Bread (available at most Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s) because it’s high in protein and doesn’t have any added sugar, but the raisins and cinnamon give it a nice touch of natural sweetness. With the added protein from the eggs and the rich creamy coconut butter on top, it’s a great energizing breakfast that will keep you going strong all morning. I only recently discovered coconut butter and it’s a new favorite substitute for regular butter. It’s wonderful to use in baking or spread on muffins, toast, pancakes or (best of all!) French toast. Made from pureed meat of the coconut, it is as rich and creamy as dairy butter with a smooth nutty flavor. It’s kind of like if …

Creamy White Wine Risotto With Roasted Mushroom and Thyme

If you’re looking for a beautiful and delicious main dish to serve this holiday season, look no further than this creamy White Wine Risotto with Roasted Mushroom and Thyme. I lived in Italy for a while and have so many memories of celebratory dinners with risotto at the center. I think of it as the world’s most elegant comfort food. It’s so satisfying and warming, but still feels like a special occasion food. Like a lot of people, I assumed that to get a creamy risotto, you have to add a lot of butter and cheese, but as I began to study plant-based cooking I found out that is absolutely not true! The creaminess is actually achieved by coaxing the starch out the of the special type of rice that is used to make risotto. You do this by adding hot liquid, a little at a time as it cooks, and by stirring a lot. To get the umami flavor that is usually provided by parmesan we add a little miso paste and nutritional yeast instead. …

Kalettes with Lemon tahini Drizzle and Goji Berrie

Roasted Kalettes with Lemon Tahini Dressing and Goji Berries

I’ve been reading about kalettes for a while now and was excited to finally find them live and in person, or at least cut and in person, at the farmers market recently.. Also known as lollipop kale or kale sprouts, they are the latest star ingredient of the veggie world, and with good reason. They are an adorable cross between kale and Brussels sprouts, and like their parents, kalettes are loaded with nutrients and health benefits.  Their flavor is slightly less bitter than Brussels sprouts with a mild earthy flavor. You can eat them raw or sautéed, but roasted kalettes are especially delicious! While they’re great dressed simply in olive oil and a little salt and pepper, here they are turned into something really special with a heavy drizzle of spoon-licking good lemon-tahini dressing and a sprinkle of sweet-tart goji berries. This recipe is perfect… As a quick, easy, and colorful side for holiday meals. paired with grains, beans and/or other veggies in a Buddha bowl when you’re feeling run down and need a big antioxidant …

Healthy vegan chocolate chip cookie

Feel Good Chocolate Chip Cookies made with Oats Almond Butter and Banana (Vegan)

Now that my baby is almost a year old, a shocking amount solid food is passing through those tiny lips. He seems to always be hungry so I thought I better start working on some healthy snack food recipes. These chocolate chip cookies really fit the bill. They’re made with a few simple, nourishing ingredients, and are vegan and gluten-free. They’re also really quick to make, which is a big bonus since time has never felt so precious to me as it does now. These cookies are perfect… anytime you want a healthy snack that satisfies your sweet tooth. when you don’t have time to sit down for a full meal. They’re even healthy enough to eat for breakfast! as a lunch bag treat to take to school or the office. Nutritional Highlights: Eating oats regularly can help lower your risk for heart disease. Oats contain a specific type of fiber known as beta-glucan. Studies have shown the beneficial effects of this special fiber on cholesterol levels for decades. Almonds are a great source of healthy …