Loaded Garden Flatbread Pizza

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Delicious Grain-Free Veggie Lover’s Flatbread Pizza: Easy, Vegan, and Gluten-Free with Bob’s Red Mill Mix

Discover the joy of homemade pizza with this incredible Veggie Lover’s Flatbread Pizza, crafted with Bob’s Red Mill Grain-Free Flatbread Mix. This recipe offers a delightful, plant-based pizza experience that is both grain-free and gluten-free, making it perfect for a wholesome and delicious meal. Simply add your favorite sauce, vegan cheese, and an abundance of fresh vegetable toppings for a truly memorable plant-based pizza night!

Veggie Lover's Flatbread Pizza served on parchment paper with pizza cutter, olives, mushrooms, and onion sprinkled with fresh herbs

There’s something incredibly special about a homemade pizza night. It’s more than just a meal; it’s an experience, a canvas for culinary creativity, and a wonderful way to connect with loved ones. For my partner M and me, these pizza nights have become a cherished tradition, a perfect blend of delicious food and quality time, especially since our dating journey began during unconventional times.

Dating during a pandemic definitely presented its unique challenges. Our first date, for instance, wasn’t the typical dinner and drinks affair. We opted for a hike, and I arrived in full hiking gear – boots, a comfortable olive green shirt, and yoga pants. M’s amused comment, “You look ready to hike,” was spot on, and honestly, I wouldn’t have had it any other way. There’s a certain freedom in walking and talking, letting your thoughts flow as freely as your legs move, rather than sitting stiffly across a pristine tablecloth. It allowed us to truly get to know each other, unburdened by formal expectations.

However, sharing food is an undeniable part of building connection, and it wasn’t long before our dates moved into the kitchen. Our second date saw me cooking my 1-Pot Pasta from the blog, which quickly became a favorite. Over time, we’ve built a repertoire of recipes we love making together, from vibrant tacos to comforting spaghetti squash and hearty bowl meals. But lately, our absolute favorite culinary collaboration has been crafting homemade pizzas.

Our pizza nights have a ritual: we’ll queue up Alt-J on Alexa, and the kitchen island, with its cool gray granite, transforms into our pizza workshop. Together, we knead, spread, and top two personal pizzas, each a reflection of our individual tastes, yet harmoniously unique. It’s a delightful dance of ingredients, laughter, and shared anticipation.

Today, I’m thrilled to share one of our recent date-night creations: this spectacular Veggie Lover’s Flatbread Pizza. What makes this recipe truly magical is its effortless preparation, combined with the fact that it’s completely vegan, grain-free, and gluten-free. It’s proof that you don’t need to sacrifice flavor or convenience for dietary considerations. Get ready to elevate your pizza game!

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Tropical Dragon Bowl Bliss

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Energizing Superfood Pitaya Bowl: Your Ultimate Healthy Dragon Fruit Smoothie Recipe

Experience vibrant health and sustained energy with this delightful Superfood Pitaya Bowl, featuring frozen dragon fruit, a medley of berries, creamy banana, and the nutrient-dense Navitas Organics Superfood + Sea Veggie Blend for a truly energizing and nourishing breakfast!

Superfood Pitaya Bowl served in coconut bowl with a spoon topped with blueberries, dried mulberries, goji berries, hemp hearts, and cacao nibs surrounded by ingredient bowls on pink board        

Just this past weekend, my partner M and I experienced a truly special moment on our deck – we spotted our very first hummingbird of the season! It was a small but significant event that reminded us of the simple joys and natural beauty that surround us.

For weeks, we’d been seeing what we affectionately called “fake hummers” – those quick, darting movements and flashes of color that briefly catch your eye, only to reveal a sparrow, a crow, or even a pigeon. We’d developed a ritual: sitting on the couch, sipping wine, and leisurely discussing our upcoming travel dreams, all while keeping a hopeful eye on the deck for our tiny, winged friends. It had become our unofficial “hummingbird watch” season.

During one of these relaxing sessions, I caught a genuine glimpse. I gently but firmly clutched M’s arm, careful not to startle her, and whispered with pure excitement, “Hummer, hummer, there’s a hummer!” And there she was. A delicate lady hummingbird perched gracefully on our newly installed feeder, her tiny body shimmering green, her wings a blur as she sipped the sweet nectar. She was even smaller and more enchanting than I remembered from last year! These fast-flying marvels are visually stunning, yet so easy to overlook if you’re not paying close attention.

Our first confirmed sighting sparked immediate action. M, ever the thoughtful host, promptly cleaned the feeders and replenished the sugar water. Because, of course, our hummingbirds deserve the absolute freshest and best nourishment we can offer. And, just like our tiny feathered visitors, you, my friends, deserve the freshest and most energizing start to your day!

Which brings me to what I’m thrilled to share with you today: this incredible Superfood Pitaya Bowl. It’s not just a meal; it’s a vibrant, delicious, and incredibly nourishing experience. Crafted effortlessly in a blender, this bowl combines the exotic allure of frozen dragon fruit, the sweet tang of berries, the creamy goodness of banana, and the powerful boost of Navitas Organics Superfood + Sea Veggie Blend. It’s the perfect way to kickstart your morning with sustained energy and a burst of vital nutrients.

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Vibrant Spring Nourish Bowl

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Vibrant Spring Macro Bowl: Your Ultimate Plant-Based Meal Prep for Health & Flavor Discover the perfect harmony of seasonal spring vegetables in this delightful, oil-free, gluten-free, and protein-packed vegan macro bowl. Ideal for nourishing meal prep lunches and quick, satisfying dinners. Embrace the vibrant energy of spring with a meal that celebrates the season’s freshest … Read more

Velvety Cashew Cauliflower Alfredo

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Creamy Vegan Cauliflower Cashew Butter Alfredo: The Ultimate Plant-Based Pasta

Discover the magic of a luscious, dairy-free Alfredo sauce made with steamed cauliflower, creamy cashew butter, and savory nutritional yeast, perfectly paired with vibrant vegetable noodles and green peas for a wholesome, satisfying meal.

Cauliflower Cashew Butter Alfredo in skillet with wooden spoon

Ever find yourself wrestling with an oversized head of cauliflower, trying to jam it into an already packed refrigerator drawer? That’s a familiar scene in my household. Shortly after moving into our condo, I quickly realized our main fridge simply wasn’t built for serious plant-based cooking. The solution? A trusty spare fridge in the garage!

Now, this “downstairs sanctuary” is perpetually stocked with an abundance of frozen fruits and vegetables, extra almond milks, kombucha, Dan’s beer, and of course, a steady supply of cauliflower. It doesn’t matter if it’s a tiny florets bag or a massive whole head, cauliflower always seems to take up a disproportionate amount of oddly-shaped space. So, it gets its own special, chilly exile downstairs.

Fetching ingredients from this garage annex has become a ritual. Dan and I often “pull straws” to see whose turn it is to embark on the chilly descent to retrieve the produce. More often than not, you’ll hear a chorus of “Not me!” echoing through the house. But when a dish like this Creamy Vegan Cauliflower Cashew Butter Alfredo is on the menu, everyone is eager to claim victory – no straw-pulling needed!

This delightful plant-based pasta dish is truly a winner, offering a comforting and wholesome meal that’s perfect for transitioning into the cozy embrace of autumn. Its rich, velvety texture and savory flavor make it an instant favorite, proving that healthy eating can be incredibly indulgent and deeply satisfying. It’s the kind of meal that makes you forget all about the chore of fridge runs, focusing only on the deliciousness on your plate.

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Vibrant Vegan Pineapple Cherry Slaw

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Vibrant Vegan Pineapple Coleslaw with Cherries: Your Ultimate Oil-Free Summer Side Dish Discover the refreshing taste of creamy, plant-based coleslaw, entirely without oil or dairy! This delightful mix features crisp cabbage and tender carrots, all brought together with a luscious almond milk yogurt dressing, punctuated by sweet pops of fresh pineapple and plump dried cherries. … Read more

Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Gems

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Easy 2-Ingredient Chocolate Covered Pomegranate Seeds: Your Go-To Healthy Vegan Snack Discover how to make these delightful, healthy chocolate covered pomegranate seeds with just two simple ingredients, topped with optional shredded coconut. Perfect for a quick, guilt-free snack throughout the week! As the holiday season draws near, there’s a certain magic in the air, a … Read more

Warm Fig & Peppery Arugula

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Roasted Fig Arugula Salad with Creamy Maple Tahini: Your Essential Fall Recipe

Experience the perfect harmony of sweet, savory, and peppery notes with this vibrant Roasted Fig Arugula Salad, elevated by toasted walnuts and a luscious, oil-free maple tahini dressing. A must-try for your fall salad repertoire!

Roasted Fig Arugula Salad served with maple tahini by Flora & Vino

Have you ever encountered a fruit so captivating, so intrinsically beautiful, that it makes you question all other contenders? For me, that fruit is the humble fig. While social media often sparks playful debates – with delightful suggestions like rambutan, passion fruit, or pitaya – I’ve found my ultimate champion. Figs possess an undeniable allure, a rich, ancient history, and a surprising botanical secret (did you know they’re actually inverted flowers, often pollinated by a tiny wasp?). But while fresh figs are undoubtedly charming, it’s the roasted fig that truly shines, transforming into a caramelized, jewel-like sensation that steals the show in this incredible Roasted Fig Arugula Salad with Maple Tahini.

This salad is not just a dish; it’s an experience. It’s designed to bring an exciting, fresh perspective to your fall meal prep, proving that salads can be both hearty and elegant. Combining the rich sweetness of roasted figs with the peppery bite of arugula, the earthy crunch of toasted walnuts, and a uniquely creamy, oil-free maple tahini dressing, this recipe is a celebration of seasonal flavors. Get ready to elevate your autumn dining – this one’s a showstopper!

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Creamy Oil-Free Dijon Tahini Green Beans

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Oil-Free Dijon Tahini Green Beans: A Healthy, Creamy & Vibrant Holiday Side

Discover how to make the ultimate oil-free side dish for your festive table! These creamy Dijon Tahini Green Beans are fresh, flavorful, and incredibly easy to prepare, perfect for complementing any holiday spread.

Dijon Tahini Green Beans served on platter with fork by Flora & Vino

When it comes to crafting a memorable holiday feast, what truly steals the show? While a magnificent main course often gets all the attention, seasoned hosts and avid foodies know the real magic lies in the sides. True or false: Most epic feasts are all about the sides? Absolutely, it’s TRUTH! Everyone tends to focus on the grand plant-based Thanksgiving main, but for me, the joyous anticipation is all about loading up my plate with an array of delicious, inventive side dishes.

However, let’s be honest, holiday green sides can sometimes disappoint. After enduring long baking times, drenched in butter, what was once a vibrant green vegetable can transform into a soggy, chartreuse shadow of its former self on your plate. We’ve all been there – a sad, muted green that looks anything but appetizing. That’s why I’m thrilled to share a recipe that defies this common pitfall. This verdant side dish is not only vibrant and fresh but also incredibly easy to make, featuring a delightful oil-free Dijon tahini sauce that will breathe new life into your holiday spread.

Get ready to fall in love with these Dijon Tahini Green Beans. They’re designed to be a standout side, offering a refreshing contrast to richer holiday fare while being packed with flavor and nutrients. This isn’t just another green bean recipe; it’s the perfect green beans Thanksgiving recipe to make this year, ensuring your greens remain gloriously green, tender-crisp, and bursting with a unique, creamy tang. Whether you’re planning for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any festive gathering, this dish promises to be a bright, healthy, and utterly delicious addition that your guests will rave about.

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Caribbean Rice and Beans

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Hearty One-Pot Caribbean Rice & Beans: Your Ultimate Vegan & Gluten-Free Meal Prep Solution Discover this incredibly flavorful and easy Caribbean Rice & Beans recipe, crafted in a single pot using premium Eden Foods Caribbean Black Beans. Perfect as a satisfying side dish or a robust main course with added plant-based protein! As the days … Read more

Layered Spring Quinoa Jar Salads

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Delicious & Easy Spring Quinoa Salad Jars: The Ultimate Vegan Meal Prep!

Discover the perfect blend of fresh flavors in these Spring Quinoa Salad Jars, featuring tender roasted radishes, sweet green peas, fragrant fresh dill, and crunchy pistachios. Designed for effortless meal prep, these vibrant jars make healthy eating simple and delightful!

Spring Quinoa Salad Jar overhead with two spoons and dill, lemon, radishes, pistachios, and green onion with pink and white striped towel

There’s something truly magical about the arrival of spring. The world awakens, bursting with fresh colors and renewed energy. For me, this season inspires a desire for light, vibrant, and nourishing meals that are as easy to prepare as they are delicious to eat. This past weekend, as I found myself enjoying a beautiful hike with dear friends and their lively little one, it struck me how important it is to embrace simplicity and joy in our routines, whether it’s navigating new parenthood or crafting satisfying meals.

Watching this curious little adventurer explore the world with such wonder was a delightful reminder to find awe in the everyday. It also brought back thoughts of my own “babies”—my beloved plant collection (RIP to a few fallen soldiers!) and, of course, this very blog, Flora & Vino, which has grown from a seed of an idea into a flourishing hub of plant-based passion. Just as my friends are learning to nurture their growing family, I find immense joy in nurturing this space and sharing recipes that nourish both body and soul.

While I dream of a day filled with the warmth of a tiny human in my arms—something far squishier than sweet potatoes and sweeter than chocolate—until then, I’m thrilled to continue sharing my culinary creations with you. And today, we’re diving into a recipe that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of spring: our exquisite Spring Quinoa Salad Jars.

These beautiful and practical salad jars are packed with an array of fresh ingredients: delicately roasted radishes, bright green peas, aromatic fresh dill, and crunchy pistachios. The beauty of this recipe lies in its simplicity and its incredible adaptability for meal prep. By dividing the flavorful dressing and vibrant salad into individual jars, you can effortlessly create a week’s worth of delicious, grab-and-go lunches or quick dinners that are both satisfying and incredibly healthy.

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