Fundamental Recipes - Cookie and Kate https://cookieandkate.com/category/fundamental-recipes/ Whole Foods and Vegetarian Recipe Blog Wed, 24 Sep 2025 22:06:54 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.3 https://cookieandkate.com/images/2024/10/cropped-favicon-32x32.png Fundamental Recipes - Cookie and Kate https://cookieandkate.com/category/fundamental-recipes/ 32 32 Homemade Ketchup https://cookieandkate.com/homemade-ketchup/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/homemade-ketchup/#comments Wed, 24 Sep 2025 22:06:52 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=47115 Ketchup fans will love this recipe. It offers a thick, dippable texture, with classic yet grown-up ketchup flavor. It tastes nicely balanced, but leans a little more savory than sweet. The recipe calls for a whole container of tomato paste—choose the best you can find for deep, rich tomato flavor. Beyond the tomato paste, you’ll…

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ketchup recipe

Ketchup fans will love this recipe. It offers a thick, dippable texture, with classic yet grown-up ketchup flavor. It tastes nicely balanced, but leans a little more savory than sweet. The recipe calls for a whole container of tomato paste—choose the best you can find for deep, rich tomato flavor.

Beyond the tomato paste, you’ll need balsamic vinegar for some sweetness and tang, dried spices for complex flavor (garlic powder, mustard powder, cinnamon and black pepper), salt to enhance the rest, and water to thin it out. That’s it! No corn syrup or added sugar here.

I always assumed that making ketchup would be too tricky, but I was wrong. This recipe is so easy to make. You can whisk it together by hand in just a few minutes. It tastes best after an hour’s rest.

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Perfect Scrambled Eggs https://cookieandkate.com/perfect-scrambled-eggs/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/perfect-scrambled-eggs/#comments Wed, 13 Aug 2025 17:55:44 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=46119 I’ve cooked scrambled eggs about a million times in my life, and I’m pretty particular about them. I like fluffy scrambled eggs topped with cheese. They must not be mushy, undercooked, or overcooked (the worst—and that smell!). I’m sharing my perfected technique with you today. This recipe is designed for a stainless steel or cast…

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scrambled eggs recipe

I’ve cooked scrambled eggs about a million times in my life, and I’m pretty particular about them. I like fluffy scrambled eggs topped with cheese. They must not be mushy, undercooked, or overcooked (the worst—and that smell!). I’m sharing my perfected technique with you today.

This recipe is designed for a stainless steel or cast iron skillet. If you’ve ever wondered how to cook scrambled eggs without a nonstick skillet, this post is for you. It can be done!

With this technique and some practice, you’ll make beautiful scrambled eggs with little mess. Even if you think you have your scrambled egg technique down pat, I think you might find some new tips here.

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Homemade Pita Chips https://cookieandkate.com/pita-chips-recipe/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/pita-chips-recipe/#comments Mon, 11 Aug 2025 20:04:51 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=46920 Have you tried making your own pita chips? The key is to separate your pita bread into layers so the chips turn out delightfully crisp and golden. They’re truly irresistible and last in the pantry for up to two weeks, so they’re ready to grab for a quick snack. Freshly-baked pita chips taste so much…

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homemade pita chips with hummus

Have you tried making your own pita chips? The key is to separate your pita bread into layers so the chips turn out delightfully crisp and golden. They’re truly irresistible and last in the pantry for up to two weeks, so they’re ready to grab for a quick snack.

Freshly-baked pita chips taste so much better than store-bought chips, even when you’re using store-bought pita bread like I did. These homemade pita chips are also healthier than store-bought options because they’re brushed with extra-virgin olive oil, not fried in canola oil.

I streamlined the preparation method to make these pita chips a quick and easy project. They’re ready after a ten-minute bake in the oven. Take your favorite Mediterranean dip up a notch by serving it with these homemade pita chips!

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How to Cut a Mango https://cookieandkate.com/how-to-cut-a-mango/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/how-to-cut-a-mango/#comments Tue, 06 May 2025 22:57:18 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=46252 Mango season is here! I’m celebrating with a guide to preparing mango, whether you want it sliced or diced. Mango is one of the most popular fruits in the world, but I didn’t grow up eating it and had to learn how to prepare it. I’ve tried all the different methods, and I’m sharing the…

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sliced and diced mango

Mango season is here! I’m celebrating with a guide to preparing mango, whether you want it sliced or diced. Mango is one of the most popular fruits in the world, but I didn’t grow up eating it and had to learn how to prepare it. I’ve tried all the different methods, and I’m sharing the best way to cut mango today.

Mango tastes sort of like a juicy tropical peach, with notes of honey. Even when it’s ripe, it typically has a light sourness to it, which keeps me going back for more. I love using mango for a burst of sweetness in salads, salsa, and savory entrées—not to mention snacking on them.

Mangoes are at their peak in the summer, typically available from May through September. I’ve been excited to find Ataulfo mangoes (also known as honey or Champagne) on sale at Whole Foods lately. That’s the variety you see here, and they’re particularly buttery and delicious. My preparation methods will work well on any variety and size of mango!

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Arugula Pesto https://cookieandkate.com/arugula-pesto/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/arugula-pesto/#comments Tue, 18 Mar 2025 18:36:47 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=45842 Arugula pesto is one of my favorite recipe components. It deserves the spotlight! If you enjoy arugula and basil pesto, you’ll love arugula pesto. It’s just as lovely as the regular kind. As much as I appreciate traditional pesto made with basil, arugula pesto has a few advantages. For one, it offers an interesting twist…

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arugula pesto

Arugula pesto is one of my favorite recipe components. It deserves the spotlight! If you enjoy arugula and basil pesto, you’ll love arugula pesto. It’s just as lovely as the regular kind.

As much as I appreciate traditional pesto made with basil, arugula pesto has a few advantages. For one, it offers an interesting twist on a familiar flavor profile. It’s also less expensive—buying fresh basil can add up at the grocery store. Year-round, it’s generally easier to find good arugula than basil. Lastly, arugula pesto doesn’t turn brown on the top like basil pesto can (no blanching required).

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Refried Black Beans https://cookieandkate.com/refried-black-beans-recipe/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/refried-black-beans-recipe/#comments Mon, 27 Jan 2025 17:38:05 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=44478 Refried black beans are one of my favorite plant-based recipe components. I’ve perfected my technique and flavorings over the years, and I’m excited to share the recipe with you today. Made with canned beans, these refried black beans are a quick and satisfying alternative to stovetop black beans, and a fun variation on classic refried…

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refried black beans

Refried black beans are one of my favorite plant-based recipe components. I’ve perfected my technique and flavorings over the years, and I’m excited to share the recipe with you today.

Made with canned beans, these refried black beans are a quick and satisfying alternative to stovetop black beans, and a fun variation on classic refried pinto beans. They taste far superior to plain canned black beans or store-bought refried beans. They’re the best!

These refried beans are flavored with sautéed onion, roasted or fresh red bell pepper, garlic, cumin, and a squeeze of fresh lime juice. Thanks to the red bell pepper and cumin, they have a subtle Cuban vibe that plays beautifully with the earthy flavor of the black beans.

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Homemade Peanut Butter https://cookieandkate.com/peanut-butter-recipe/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/peanut-butter-recipe/#comments Thu, 16 Jan 2025 22:21:06 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=44454 Peanut butter lovers: Have you tried making your own? I don’t know what took me so long to try it. It’s so easy to blend in a food processor and tastes incredible. Take your PB&J to the next level with homemade peanut butter. Homemade peanut butter is lusciously creamy, with rich and irresistible peanut flavor.…

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peanut butter recipe

Peanut butter lovers: Have you tried making your own? I don’t know what took me so long to try it. It’s so easy to blend in a food processor and tastes incredible. Take your PB&J to the next level with homemade peanut butter.

Homemade peanut butter is lusciously creamy, with rich and irresistible peanut flavor. Notably, there’s no grit or annoying oil to stir into the container. Homemade peanut butter tops all the store-bought options in flavor and texture, and I’ve tried every natural peanut butter out there!

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How to Measure Flour https://cookieandkate.com/how-to-measure-flour/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/how-to-measure-flour/#comments Tue, 03 Dec 2024 23:20:04 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=44185 Do you know how to measure flour correctly? If you’re the slightest bit uncertain, this tutorial is for you! To be clear, the best way to measure flour is with a scale, but not all Amerians own a scale. The second-best method is “spooned and leveled.” All of the recipes on this blog use this…

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how to measure flour

Do you know how to measure flour correctly? If you’re the slightest bit uncertain, this tutorial is for you! To be clear, the best way to measure flour is with a scale, but not all Amerians own a scale.

The second-best method is “spooned and leveled.” All of the recipes on this blog use this method, so I want to share exactly what that means today.

If your baked goods don’t always turn out like the pictures, your measurements might be off. Let’s fix that. With this method, your cookies, muffins, and pizza dough will turn out consistently from batch to batch.

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Quick Swiss Chard https://cookieandkate.com/swiss-chard-recipe/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/swiss-chard-recipe/#comments Thu, 07 Nov 2024 22:38:27 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=43976 Who knew Swiss chard could be this good?! The key is to slice the chard very thinly and cook it over medium-high heat until it caramelizes on the edges. These greens are not soggy or mushy, no way. This cooked chard is a little garlicky, a little lemony, and seriously irresistible. It’s the perfect quick…

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best swiss chard recipe

Who knew Swiss chard could be this good?! The key is to slice the chard very thinly and cook it over medium-high heat until it caramelizes on the edges. These greens are not soggy or mushy, no way.

This cooked chard is a little garlicky, a little lemony, and seriously irresistible. It’s the perfect quick and healthy side dish. The chard shrinks in volume while it cooks, so you’ll find yourself eating more greens than you realize—your body will thank you!

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Pickled Jalapeños https://cookieandkate.com/pickled-jalapenos/?adt_ei=*|EMAIL|* https://cookieandkate.com/pickled-jalapenos/#comments Tue, 10 Sep 2024 19:08:30 +0000 https://cookieandkate.com/?p=43178 I consider myself a pickle connoisseur, and I dare say that these pickled jalapeños are the best. These pickled jalapeños are fresh and lightly crisp, with the perfect level of heat. They’re so much better than their store-bought counterparts, which have been sitting on the shelf for who knows how long. To make this recipe,…

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pickled jalapenos with taco ingredients

I consider myself a pickle connoisseur, and I dare say that these pickled jalapeños are the best. These pickled jalapeños are fresh and lightly crisp, with the perfect level of heat. They’re so much better than their store-bought counterparts, which have been sitting on the shelf for who knows how long.

To make this recipe, you’ll need fresh jalapeños, vinegar, water, an optional garlic clove, and salt. That’s it—the rest of the magic is due to the method.

how to prepare jalapenos

These pickles will taste fully pickled after a four-hour rest in the refrigerator, so make them earlier in the day or the night before you need them. They retain their lovely flavor for about one month in the refrigerator.

These pickled jalapeños offer the perfect spicy pop to my meals! I hope you love them as much as I do.

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