Today I’m sharing my favorite vegan egg substitutes for baking. Being vegan often invites the question, “What do you eat?” So I bake a lot—and I love showing how well vegan swaps work in familiar recipes. Below I describe the substitutes I reach for most, how to use them, and which types of baked goods … Read more

When I was a child, my mother made hamantaschen for Purim using a rich, chilled butter dough studded with orange zest—very much a gourmet version (probably from Gourmet magazine). Her fillings were traditional: prune and, if we were lucky, apricot jam. We also received a box of hamantaschen every year from family friends. Those cookies … Read more

Thanks to NFRA (National Frozen & Refrigerated Foods Association) for partnering with Love & Zest this year to sponsor this blog post. With summer approaching, this superfood smoothie bowl keeps you cool and energized. Wild blueberries, spinach, avocado, and flaxmilk blend into a creamy, antioxidant-rich bowl that is both vegan and gluten-free. Fresh kiwi slices … Read more

Make a creamy jalapeño sauce for a bright, zesty 5‑ingredient dip or a flavorful topping for your favorite Mexican dishes. Also called Salsa de Jalapeño, this sauce is great for game day, potlucks, or a Cinco de Mayo celebration. Cinco de Mayo falls on May 5 and commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French … Read more

Low Cal Pepperoni Pizza Stuffed Peppers: Simple and So Good! These Low Cal Pepperoni Pizza Stuffed Peppers are a flavorful, lighter take on the classic pizza experience. Whole red bell peppers serve as natural bowls, filled with pizza sauce, turkey pepperoni, a little cheese and Italian seasonings. The result is a satisfying meal that feels … Read more

These bakery-style, made-from-scratch chocolate cupcakes are moist and fudgy with a deep chocolate flavor. Pair them with your favorite fillings and frostings — from Peanut Butter Cup to Chocolate-Covered Strawberry to Double Chocolate — and you’ll have the only chocolate cupcake recipe you’ll ever need. These variations were favorites at Amycakes Bakery. How to Make … Read more

What if the key to your genealogy brick wall is only one cousin connection away? If you’ve been researching your family history, you’ve likely encountered at least one stubborn brick wall—an ancestor who seems to disappear. Instead of only searching more records, consider a different approach: finding relatives who may already hold the missing pieces. … Read more

As 2020 draws to a close, I like to pause and look back at the recipes you turned to most over the past year. This roundup ranks the top 10 posts on Eight Forest Lane based on pageviews from January through now. It’s always enlightening to see which dishes resonated most — familiar favourites often … Read more

Sloppy Joe–stuffed sweet potatoes are a 21 Day Fix–friendly family dinner everyone will love. Comfort food with a healthy twist that even picky eaters enjoy. Confession: I get a little proud when my meat-loving husband declares zucchini pizzas his favorite food and calls a sausage and cauliflower casserole “damn delicious.” That confidence led me to … Read more

Who can resist a one-pot chicken and rice dinner? This One Pot Lemon Chicken & Rice is bright, comforting, and simple to make. The chicken stays juicy with a crisped skin, while the rice soaks up pan juices, a hint of lemon, and the savory sweetness of sun-dried tomatoes. Everything cooks together in a single … Read more