Izzy Cooks

Merry Christmas Eve from my very festive bowl of oats to you!
I just have to point out that this has zero filtering... that’s how beautiful real food can be! 🤩

If you don’t have chili and watch football on Sunday is it even Sunday?
I made this delish turkey and butternut squash chili on my stories today and I’ll save it to my recipe highlights. Per usual I didn’t put measurements but I honestly like that with some recipes. Don’t be afraid to play in the kitchen. After this simmered for a while I tasted it and added SO much more seasoning. That’s all it takes, taste and get it how you like it.
P.S. these Brazilian cheese breads from the frozen section are so so good!

So grateful to have the opportunity to go to Rome with my little sister.
So happy to be home! We ate delicious food, saw beautiful architecture, and had quality time. This is what it’s all about people!
We came back early because of the coronavirus but I want to point out how the media blows everything out proportion. You couldn’t tell anything was wrong in Rome. Probably 5% of people were wearing masks but people were out and about, eating at restaurants, seeing sights... living life like normal. The grocery stores were full, the public transportation was running smoothly, and even at the airport there was no issue getting through. Even at JFK there was no questions or issues getting through security even though we had been in Italy.
Granted, we weren’t in northern Italy which sounds like it’s much worse off but this is an important example of the media causing hysteria. Yes, it’s a big deal, yes people are dying but when you’re watching the news please try to take it with a grain of salt. Be informed but remember fear sells. We came home early because the panic was going to get us stuck there not necessarily because of the actual virus being an issue.
really opens your eyes to the fact that the world is made up of mostly kind humans just trying to live their lives. The scary stuff out there is such a small part of the day to day. GET OUT AND EXPLORE!

Dinner which just happens to be about 50 steps from out apartment. Pumpkin risotto with grilled octopus we absolutely delish! @ Ristorante Pierluigi

If you go to Italy and don’t eat gelato at least once a day did you even go to Italy?
The answer is no. I’m doing a really good job fattening up this baby this week... give me all the Italian foods!! I’m always so excited about coming to Rome because it’s so easy to eat gluten free here. Bonus that the gluten free items don’t taste gluten free at all. I can tell little babe is happy with all the yumminess because she’s jumping around in there like crazy! described it best when she said that it feels like popcorn popping on your tummy ☺️ @ Rome, Italy

FINALLY! Good peaches 🍑! I’m telling you, I haven’t had a peach like this in a decade.
Run, don’t walk, to and get some LOCAL peaches from Mt Juliet. They’re so tasty because they were allowed to ripen on the tree rather than being picked super early! I should have bought more 😍 This is what summer should taste like!

Most of the time the best food is simple. 🍅
Cook gluten free egg noodles from , drain, then add back to the hot pot with a little pasta water and turn off the eye. Add lightly cooked asparagus, fresh tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil, Parmesan, salt/pepper/garlic powder. Give it all a stir and keep adding more cheese until it’s how you like it. The garlic and tomatoes will lightly cook from the hot pasta! So fresh and delish! @ Nashville, Tennessee

There is nothing better! 🍒

Happy Saturday! I’ve gotten stuck driving in both those rain storms this week so my plan for the day is to binge watch something and keep my dog from having a come apart. Our neighbors are getting new siding and we are FINALLY getting our concrete poured for our deck and Alfred is not happy about all the stranger danger!
Even though it’s warm outside this cloudy weather has me feeling all the cozy feels so this hot cuppa is perfect! I have then I blended a little whole milk, some vanilla creamer, and a little maple syrup and poured it over the coffee 😍 dreamy!

Skin food. (➕ so much more)
I’m not a big “juicer” but sometimes I feel like I need a little 🌱 boost! You don’t have to have a fancy juicer to make some green drink! I have a blender and a mesh strainer... that’s all it takes!
Recipe:
Cucumber
Celery
Spinach
Ginger
Lemon
Lime
💦
Blend and strain!

Self-care comes in many forms.
Today it’s in the form of an affogatto made with cold brew with coconut cream ice cream and . Isn’t it beautiful? It’s freaking delicious y’all. Please make it this weekend. I’m begging you. Literally takes two steps... scoop ice cream into cup. Pour warm or cold coffee over ice cream 🍨 ☕️ ♥️
Committing the ultimate insta crime by deleting my post and reposting 😂 the video was blurry and it was messing with my mind.

Sitting in eating macarons might be one of my favorite memories. Here I have dark chocolate, salted caramel, pistachio, and passion fruit! All equally delicious! Tomorrow we’re off to Rome 🇮🇹!

We started the day off with the perfect start by stumbling upon this cafe that employs mentally challenged individuals and is involved in other outreach in the community 😍💛 Everyone was so nice and the coffee was delish! Definitely stopping back by tomorrow!
Also, I ate half a piece of baguette 🥖 and don’t feel any symptoms. Any bite of bread in the US leaves a bad taste in my mouth and makes feel sour and tired. Now, I didn’t eat very much and wheat is wheat...
gluten is gluten but I can tell a difference in the quality. I think what I personally have more of an issue with is processed, chemically laden anything as unposed to gluten so we’ll see...I might experiment a little and see what happens!

Get ready for all the travel pics as Izzy Cooks goes Izzy Travels for the next 17 days! But...for now here’s a photo of a tired bu happy traveler. We’ve been up for well over 30 hours and y’all...WE TIRED! Instead of pushing ourselves to go out and explore to the max we took a slow stroll around our neighborhood, had a long meal, and now we’re going to get cozy with a glass of wine and try to stay up as late as possible. I’m thinking we have about 30 more mins in us!
We’re ready for some rest so we can get up and soak in every bit of Paris tomorrow! Bonne Nuit 🌙 ✨

Dreaming of this bowl.
This Salsa Verde Chicken is one of my favorite things to make in the instant pot because it’s so so easy and so good. The recipe is on Izzycooks.com as tacos but you can use the chicken recipe for bowls or whatever else you feel like!
Another amazing part of this bowl was the warm corn salad. I have no recipe for it and as my insta twin, , pointed out the other day on her stories that’s ok sometimes!! Don’t be afraid to mess around in the kitchen! I sautéed some purple onions and garlic then added corn cut off the cob and let it cook for a bit... seasoned it with sea salt, pepper, garlic powder and lime juice to taste and that’s it! Use your taste buds to figure out what tastes good and if you make something that isn’t good, guess what, that’s ok! The more you practice, the better you’ll get!

Tonight I made my Salsa Verde Chicken and I almost can’t believe how easy and quick it is while still tasting so amazing! The actual chicken cooking takes 5 minutes with minimal prep and an almost nonexistent clean up. I usually add this to tacos but tonight I made it into a bowl. If you’re short on time, this low stress, 15 minute meal will make your tummy so happy!
The recipe for the chicken is on izzycooks.com under Salsa Verde Chicken Tacos. To make it into a bowl simple make some rice (when mine was done cooking I added some lime juice, tons of cilantro, salt, and garlic powder) then top it with whatever Mexi inspired toppings sound good! Here I used a can of Cuban style black beans, avo (guac would be awesome), tomatoes, and a little extra cilantro, and fat squeeze of lime juice! Easy peasy lime squeezy... ps has anyone seen that meme where it says “difficult difficult lemon difficult?” ...the weirdest stuff makes me lol!
Anyway, happy ! I hope it was a good one!!

It’s time to start thinking about what dessert you’ll have with your Thanksgiving feast! 🦃
May I suggest this sweet potato cheesecake? I know a lot of people who don’t like pumpkin pie (which I can’t believe because I love it) so this sweet potato cheesecake is the perfect thing to wow the crowd this holiday!
Recipe is under “sweet treats” on izzycooks.com 📍link in bio 👩🏻‍🍳

Cocoa Pumpkin Muffins just in time for Thanksgiving week! These flavorful muffins are perfect for a light pre-feast breakfast, snacking or even dessert!
What are your Thanksgiving plans? Will you have a house full of people or are you lucky enough to crash someone else place!? Regardless, be sure to have these on hand!
Recipe on izzycooks.com 📍link in bio!

5 minute meal. No kidding, 5 minutes. The noodles are GF egg fettuccine pasta... it’s the first time I’ve had it and it’s 👌🏼🔥🤩
To make this simple pasta:
🍝Cook noodles according to package directions.
🍝While pasta is cooking mince one large cloves of garlic.
🍝 Once cooked, turn off stove eye, drain pasta, place pasta back in pot, and put back on the stove eye you just turned off.
🍝 Add enough olive oil to coat pasta well then add minced garlic, sea salt, garlic powder, capers, and sun dried tomatoes. Stir to combine.
🍝 Add some fresh Parmesan and stir a little more.
🍝 Serve topped with more Parm and with a side of veggies. (These brussels are leftover from yesterday- reheated them while I was cooking the pasta in a 450F toaster oven. Crispy and delicious!Recipe on izzycooks.com.)

I️ volunteer at a horse therapy center for handicap kids. Every week I️ witness how interacting with the horses instantly lifts the kids spirits. The work being done with the kids is nothing short of amazing. The surprise is what volunteering does for the volunteers.
I️’ve been really down about my career, totally lost and uninspired, for a while. Today, I️ was in the funkiest of funks, it was rainy and cold, and the last thing I️ wanted to do was drive out to the farm. Throughout the two lessons with my non verbal students their joy crept into my pouty little soul and I️ left feeling revived.
The point ✨ if you feel like you’re in a rut maybe it’s a higher power telling you to give some of your time and love to someone else.✨ I️ feel like it’s a little taboo to say “go volunteer to make yourself feel better,” but boo on that. I promise the person you’re helping will be grateful, but it might surprise you how much you’ll be uplifted in the process. ❤️

Happy anniversary to us! What a milestone! I’m so lucky to be married to such an amazing partner to go through life with.
For our wedding we had a gluten free carrot cake with cream cheese icing (and mini pies)! We are lucky enough to have a fantastic bakery in Nashville, , that makes amazing gluten free and non gluten free baked goods! If you’re gluten free (or not) and need a sweet treat for an event, check them out. If you buy a wedding cake you get your cake for free!

Finally, I’ve posted a new recipe and it’s a good one!! You’re going to want to make this Cabbage Roll Soup! Filled with rich flavors from roasted cabbage (and bacon 🙊) and packed with vitamins and minerals thanks to cabbage, carrots, kale, and turmeric it’s another recipe that’ll help us get through the cold months ahead! ❄️
To me, this is the perfect meal to have in your recipe arsenal for up coming holiday visitors. In the days leading up to holiday feasts sometimes it’s hard to talk yourself into cooking. So, easy crockpot meals like this are a lifesaver. You can even make it the day before because it’s just a good reheated!
Recipe is on Izzycooks.com 📍 link in bio! 👩🏻‍🍳 Check it out!

Smacking myself because once again... I messed around in the kitchen, made magic, and didn’t write anything down 🤦🏻‍♀️
Here’s what I know... Fresh purée, cocoa powder, flour, almond flour, falls spices, etc. Measurements? Who forking knows? But Izzy, this why you started your blog... to force yourself to write down recipes and be able to make the same thing twice? Yes. Yes it is.
I WILL get this in recipe form before Thanksgiving and post it because these babies are delicious and perfect for an easy morning ! 🦃

The K-Leo Bowl from at outside on the patio with my hubs!
We walked all over Denver today, for hours, and really got the feel for the neighborhoods. We dig you !

The most beautiful grapefruit I’ve ever seen.
Off to Denver we go!! Any Denver recommendations welcome! 💖

One of nature’s most beautiful treasures. Not only are they beautiful, are full of health benefits.
We’re going to Denver tomorrow so I’m doing my best to boost my immune system. Flying durning cold and flu season can be tricky business. I’m drinking lots of water, boosting up on vitamin C, taking syrup, sipping on some and snacking on these rubies all day!

It's now easier to contact Izzy Cooks.

Sometimes it’s ok to have dessert before dinner. Especially when dessert is these grain free, low refined sugar, delicious brownies with a cup of hibiscus tea 🌺
I’m serving my first dinner tonight and everything is coming together nicely. I’ve never made food for 20 people before but I think I’ve pulled it off! If you’re in the Nashville area and would like a home cooked meal with none of the work keep an eye out! My next meal will be in two week then I’m going to try to serve weekly from here on out. (Try being the operative word here.) 👩🏻‍🍳