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Cherry Cordial (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

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cherry cordial being poured into a glass of ice and sparkling water

This cherry cordial is perfectly sweet and slightly sour! Drip this easy and delicious fruit syrup over ice cream or add some to a glass of sparkling water for a refreshing summer treat.

cherry cordial in a glass with sparkling water, ice, and a fresh cherry

Never heard of cherry cordial? Well you’re not alone, because neither had I! I’m a BIG fan of cherry season, and I was set on developing a recipe to honor this special time of year. Though I felt like the cherry cobblers, cherry pies, and cherry crumbles have all been sooOooOoOo overdone. So I did a little research for undiscovered cherry recipes and came across the cherry cordial. Now for those of you who don’t know, cherry cordial is a syrup that is most commonly added to sparkling water and served as a refreshing drink. It’s SUPER easy to make, and one of the only cherry recipes that doesn’t require you to painstakingly remove the stems and pits from each and every cherry.

As I learned more about cherry cordials, I noticed that most are loaded with sugar. And to me, that seemed unnecessary. So I set out to create a recipe that is low in sugar and allows as much of that delicious cherry flavor to shine through as possible! This cherry cordial is perfectly *chef’s kiss* sweet, insanely refreshing, and super easy to make.

What You Need To Make Cherry Cordial

Fresh Cherries – Pick up a big bag of whole sweet cherries the next time you’re at the grocery store! Cherry season spans from May through August, giving you plenty of time to enjoy this delicious fruit. I highly advise against using frozen cherries in this recipe as they release too much water when cooked. If you’d like to enjoy this cherry cordial in the winter time, I recommend making the recipe now and freezing it in an airtight container until you’re ready to use it.

Sugar – Any sugar will work, though I use coconut sugar to make this a tiny bit more nutritious! Coconut sugar is less processed and therefore contains more vitamins and mineral than white sugar. However, white sugar and cane sugar would both taste great in this cherry cordial recipe.

Fresh Ginger – You’ll just have to trust me on this one! Fresh ginger adds a slightly spicy bite that contrasts with the sweet cherries and takes this cordial to the next level. Feel free to add even more fresh ginger if you’d like!

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

  • Make it Paleo: Use coconut sugar to make this a paleo cherry cordial!
  • Lemon Substitution: Feel free to use fresh orange juice and zest in place of the lemon juice and zest in this recipe.
Cherry Cordial
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Cherry Cordial

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Course: Uncategorized
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

40

minutes
Calories

300

kcal
Total time

1

hour 

10

minutes

This cherry cordial is perfectly sweet and slightly sour! Drip this easy and delicious fruit syrup over ice cream or add some to a glass of sparkling water for a refreshing summer treat.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 pounds fresh sweet cherries, see Notes

  • 1 cup sugar, I used coconut sugar

  • 1-inch knob fresh ginger, peeled and sliced

  • 2 teaspoons lemon zest

  • 1/4 cup lemon juice

Directions

  • Add all ingredients to a large saucepan over medium-low heat. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer for 20-25 minutes.
  • Strain cherry syrup through a fine mesh strainer, let cool at room temperature before storing in the fridge to cool completely.
  • Pour a few tablespoons into the bottom of a glass then fill with ice and top with sparkling water.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Cherries: No need to remove the pits or stems from your cherries before using them in this recipe! Simply gives them a good rinse them add them to your saucepan.

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30 Minutes or Less

Sous Vide Asparagus

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fresh lemon being squeezed over sous vide asparagus

This sous vide asparagus is incredibly tender and delicious! This method yields perfectly cooked asparagus with minimal effort every time.

fresh lemon being squeezed over sous vide asparagus

If you own a sous vide throw ya hands in the aiiiiiir! I’m still pretty new on the sous-vide-scene, having only owned mine for a few months now. Though I gotta say, I already can’t stop using it! The sous vide is the new crockpot in my opinion. It gives you the magical ability to throw something in there, then return to a perfect meal or side dish without worry every time. This sous vide asparagus is no exception to that. Except, thanks to asparagus’ quick-cooking abilities, you’ll only need to leave it to cook for about 10 minutes. Once done, you’ll have the tastiest, most tender fool-proof asparagus of all time!

What You Need To Make Sous Vide Asparagus

Asparagus – This easy vegetable pairs well with most meals, making it a year-round favorite. Though when cooking asparagus, there is always one thing to cook in mind – it cooks quickly. Despite setting the sous vide to a pretty low temperature, you will still only need to set the time to 10 minutes. Your cook time may vary slightly, depending on the thickness or thinness of your asparagus. Though my recommendation is to start slowly, give your asparagus a quick check, then continue to cook if needed. I used pretty medium-sized asparagus and found that just 10 minutes left my asparagus tender with a slightly crunchy bite – yum!

Butter – The butter is used for flavor in this recipe, and just a tablespoon gives delicate asparagus that delicious savory taste. I used vegan butter since we like to keep things dairy-free around here, though any kind of butter will do! You can even leave the butter out altogether if you’d like.

Lemon Juice and Zest – A touch of lemon right before serving brings some freshness back into the sous vide asparagus. Lemon juice and zest is totally optional in this recipe, but highly recommended!

Why Sous Vide?

  • The sous vide does an incredible job at keeping the temperature consistent, giving you amazing results every time.
  • Cooks slower in seasoning, giving the flavors time to permeate and develop throughout the food.
  • The sous vide does all the work for you – just set it, then walk away and return to a perfectly cooked meal or side dish!
Sous Vide Asparagus
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Sous Vide Asparagus

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: SidesDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes
Total time

15

minutes

This sous vide asparagus is incredibly tender and delicious! This method yields perfectly cooked asparagus with minimal effort every time.

Ingredients

  • 1 bunch asparagus

  • 1 tablespoon butter (I used dairy-free)

  • 1 garlic clove, minced

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

  • Fresh lemon juice and zest, optional

Directions

  • Toss all ingredients to a zip-top bag, toss asparagus in bag to coat in spices then remove air from bag.sous vide asparagus process photo 1
  • Drop in sous vide bath set to 180° Fahrenheit (or 82° Celsius) for 10 minutes. If the bag floats to the top, add a few metal utensils to help weigh it down.sous vide asparagus process photo 1
  • Remove bag from bath, then remove asparagus from bag and finish off with fresh lemon juice and zest.sous vide asparagus process photo 3

Notes

  • If you’re not vegan or dairy-free, finish this asparagus off with some shredded parmesan cheese for even more flavor!

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30 Minutes or Less

Kale Pesto (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

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Kale pesto in spaghetti being twirled with a fork.

Pour this kale pesto over your favorite pasta for an easy, healthy meal! Loaded with fresh kale, this is the ultimate way to sneak extra veggies into your diet. With a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a fresh and delicious kale pesto in under 5 minutes!

Kale pesto in spaghetti being twirled with a fork.

The Story Behind This Recipe

We’re major pesto people around here. I make a killer basil pesto (be on the lookout for a recipe this summer!). There’s just something so fresh, yet satisfying about a good pesto. I was skeptical attempting a kale version of a favorite. But WOW, I had absolutely nothing to worry about. This kale pesto is savory, bright, almost refreshing and completely hides how healthy it is. As some of you know, most pestos are made with some type of cheese. But because we’re a cheese-free zone, I developed this recipe without cheese. And honestly – you won’t even know it’s missing anything!

What You Need To Make Kale Pesto

Kale – I used green curly kale, though any kale will work in this recipe. Be sure to remove as much of the stems from your kale leaves as possible before blending. And when I say “roughly chopped,” I mean it. Simply run your knife through the kale a couple of times and then it’s ready to use in this recipe!

Pistachios – Pistachios add a hearty almost sweet touch to this kale pesto. I’ve tried a few different nuts in this recipe and all work, though pistachios taste best. However, whatever nuts you use, it’s imperative that they are completely unsalted!

Lemon Juice – A touch of acidity brings out the brightness of this recipe! Lemon juice also helps to break down the tough fibers in the kale, making it easier to digest.

Ways To Enjoy This Kale Pesto

  • Perhaps the most obvious way is over pasta. This is how I enjoyed my kale pesto, with Jovial Brown Rice gluten-free pasta. I also added sautéed mushrooms and bell peppers for extra protein/nutrients – and it was delicious!
  • Don’t knock this one ’til you try it – with scrambled eggs! Stir a tablespoon or two of kale pesto in with your eggs right before they’re finished cooking. The end result is creamy scrambled eggs loaded with flavor and veggies.
  • On toast – slather a healthy helping of kale pesto on toasted bread for a quick and delicious snack!
Kale Pesto (Vegan, Gluten-Free)
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Kale Pesto (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: MainCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Total time

5

minutes

Pour this kale pesto over your favorite pasta for an easy, healthy meal! Loaded with fresh kale, this is the ultimate way to sneak extra veggies into your diet. With a few simple ingredients, you’ll have a fresh and delicious kale pesto in under 5 minutes!

Ingredients

  • 3 cups packed kale, stems removed and roughly chopped

  • 1/2 cup pistachios, raw and unsalted

  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice

  • 2 garlic cloves, see Notes

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1/4-1/2 cup olive oil

Directions

  • Add all ingredients, except for the olive oil, to a food processor or blender. Pulse until finely chopped, then slowly stream in the olive oil while blending until combined.

Notes

  • Garlic: There’s no need to chop the garlic for this recipe, simply remove the skin then throw the cloves in with the other ingredients!

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30 Minutes or Less

Orzo Salad (V/GF-Option)

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Close-up image of orzo salad in a bowl with a lemon wedge on top.

This orzo salad is quick, simple, and loaded with flavor! This delicious, naturally vegan dish is easily made gluten-free with the use of your favorite gluten-free orzo or rice. The addition of fresh herbs and vegetables take this orzo salad above and beyond!

Overhead image of a bowl of orzo salad with basil and a fork on the side.

I can’t tell you how happy it makes me to walk into the grocery store these days and see SUCH a variety of fresh spring produce! Like, give me allllllll the spring produce. Just toss it all in my cart, I’ll figure out something to do with it. And that’s pretty much how this orzo salad was created. I needed a way to jam as many fresh vegetables and herbs into a dish as possible, without it tasting too healthy. I mean we’re all about healthy around here, but too healthy ends up tasting like the earth, so we need to avoid that. In this salad – the orzo will keep you satisfied, the chickpeas will keep you full, and the veggies will keep you feeling your best! Now this orzo salad is a well-rounded dish, if I’ve ever heard of one.

Make it Gluten-Free

  • Use Gluten-Free Orzo: There are a handful of gluten-free orzos out there. I’ve personally tried the Jovial Grain Free Cassava Orzo and can couch for its tastiness. Though feel free to use whatever gluten-free orzo you love in this recipe.
  • Use Rice Instead of Orzo: Rice would make a delicious gluten-free substitute in this orzo salad! Simply cook 1 1/2 cups of brown or white rice in 3 cups of vegetable broth and use just as you would the orzo in this recipe.

What You Need To Make Orzo Salad

Chickpeas – Chickpeas give this otherwise light orzo salad a bit of heartiness. This starchy protein is mild in flavor, not at all taking away from the flavors of this dish. Feel free to use your favorite white bean in place of the chickpeas in this recipe, or even add some roasted chicken if you’d like!

Arugula – I love arugula for its peppery, almost spicy taste. Arugula is another layer of both health and flavor in this recipe. Though if you don’t like arugula, you can use fresh spinach instead.

White Wine Vinegar – White wine vinegar is slightly more mild and less acidic than most other vinegars. If you don’t have white wine vinegar, then I suggest picking up a bottle next time you’re at the store. It not only tastes great in this orzo salad recipe, but would make a great addition to most other salads. Though if you can’t find white wine vinegar, you can use apple cider vinegar instead.

Orzo Salad
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Orzo Salad

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: MainCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy
Servings

6

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

7

minutes
Total time

17

minutes

This orzo salad is quick, simple, and loaded with flavor! This delicious, naturally vegan dish is easily made gluten-free with the use of your favorite gluten-free orzo or rice. The addition of fresh herbs and vegetables take this orzo salad above and beyond!

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 cups orzo, see Notes

  • 4 cups vegetable broth, see Notes

  • 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed

  • 1/2 cup chopped red onion

  • 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

  • 1 cup chopped cucumber

  • 1 cup arugula

  • 1/2 cup fresh chopped basil

  • For the dressing:

  • 1/2 cup olive oil

  • 3 tablespoons white wine vinegar

  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice

  • 2 teaspoons dried Italian seasoning

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • 1 teaspoon honey, use maple syrup if vegan

  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

  • Bring vegetable broth to a boil in a large pot, add in the orzo and cook for about 7 minutes or until al dente.Orzo Salad Process Photo 1
  • Drain orzo then set aside in a large bowl to cool.
  • While orzo cools, make the dressing by adding all dressing ingredients to a bowl and whisking to combine.Orzo Salad Process Photo 2
  • Add remaining ingredients to the orzo along with the dressing, then toss to combine.Orzo Salad Process Photo 3

Notes

  • Orzo: You can easily make this recipe gluten-free by using gluten-free orzo or rice instead. For more information, see the section above titled “Make it Gluten-Free.”
  • Vegetable Broth: Feel free to use chicken broth instead of vegetable broth in this recipe.

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30 Minutes or Less

One-Pot Lemon Pasta (Vegan, Gluten-Free)

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Close up image of lemon pasta with parsley on top.

This one-pot lemon pasta is the easiest recipe you’ll make all week! Plenty of fresh lemon, creamy coconut milk, and a splash (maybe more, hehe) of white wine create the most delicious sauce for this pasta dish. The best part? You’ll need just ONE pot to make the entire thing! That’s right, throw everything in a pot, cook, and dinner will be ready in under 20 minutes.

Lemon pasta on a plate sprinkled with parsley and a side fo white wine.

I created this recipe for the lazy girl in me. She comes out every so often, especially on weekday nights when all I wanna do is melt into my couch with a bowl of chips and call it a day. Though because I know a bowl of chips isn’t enough to keep me full through the night – trust me, I’ve tried – I needed something filling, yet super easy to make.

I’ve had my sights set on a lemon pasta recipe for a while now. With the weather (finally!) getting warmer, I’ve been craving fresh, bright, citrusy foods. I’m at a point where I buy a bag of both lemons and limes every week at the grocery store and squeeze them over all my food and into my water. So the idea of combining my most current-favorite thing, lemon, and my always-favorite thing, pasta, was a no-brainer. I knew I wanted to keep my lemon pasta simple, and above all else EASY, so I settled on a one-pot dinner with just eight ingredients (one being salt). This one-pot lemon pasta has truly changed my lazy little life, and I’m sure it will yours too!

What You Need To Make One-Pot Lemon Pasta

Gluten-Free Pasta – Use whatever gluten-free pasta you’d like in this recipe. Any shape or brand will do! I used the Jovial Brown Rice Farfalle (aka Bow Tie) Pasta and highly recommend it. If you’re not gluten-free, feel free to use regular pasta instead.

Coconut Milk – Makes for an incredibly light and creamy sauce, but doesn’t taste like coconut. You could use any non-dairy milk you’d like in this recipe, but I love coconut milk for how nice and thick it is. If you’re not vegan/dairy-free, you can use heavy cream instead.

Vegetable Broth – Using broth instead of water in this recipe adds that much more flavor. It doesn’t have to be vegetable broth, though. If you’re not vegan, chicken broth works too.

Dry White Wine – I love the brightness a nice dry white wine adds to recipes. Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio work best in this recipe, or anything with “crisp” in the description. And if cooking with wine isn’t your thing, use one more cup of broth instead.

Lemon – Duh! Use plenty of lemon in this recipe. I know the recipe says 3 tablespoons, but I almost always add more. To get the juiciest lemon possible, push down with your palm and roll it across your countertop a few times. Then slice it open, squeeze the juice into a glass, and remove any seeds before using it in this recipe.

Adjust This Recipe To Your Dietary Needs

  • Add Dairy: Use heavy cream instead of coconut milk and add 1/2 cup of parmesan cheese at the end!
  • Add Protein: Grilled chicken or sautéed shrimp would taste great over this one-pot lemon pasta.
One-Pot Lemon Pasta (V/GF)
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One-Pot Lemon Pasta (V/GF)

0 from 0 votes
Recipe by Samantha Russo Course: MainCuisine: ItalianDifficulty: Easy
Servings

4

servings
Cooking time

15

minutes
Total time

15

minutes

This one-pot lemon pasta is the easiest recipe you’ll make all week! Plenty of fresh lemon, creamy coconut milk, and a splash (maybe more hehe) of white wine create the most delicious sauce for this pasta recipe. The best part? You’ll need just ONE pot to make the entire thing! That’s right, throw everything in a pot, cook, and dinner will be ready in under 20 minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 Tablespoon Olive Oil, see Notes

  • 3 Garlic Cloves, minced

  • 12 Ounces Gluten-Free Pasta

  • 2 Teaspoons Salt

  • 1 Cup Coconut Milk, see Notes

  • 2 1/2 Cups Vegetable Broth, see Notes

  • 1 Cup Dry White Wine, see Notes

  • 3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice

  • 1 Teaspoon Lemon Zest

Directions

  • Add the olive oil and garlic to a large pot over medium heat, cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add in the pasta, salt, coconut milk, vegetable broth, and white wine. Bring to a boil and cook for 12 minutes or until pasta is al dente.
  • Turn off the heat, add in the lemon juice and zest, then stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

Recipe Video

Notes

  • Olive Oil: You can use butter instead of olive oil.
  • Coconut Milk: If not vegan/dairy-free, use heavy cream instead.
  • Vegetable Broth: Chicken broth also works in this recipe!
  • White Wine: If you’d like to make this recipe without wine, use an extra one cup of broth instead.

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