Welcome! I’m happy you’re here. You can call me Kate, one of many nicknames, or Kathryne, my full first name. Either way, I’m a self-taught cook from Oklahoma. I started this blog in 2010 and named it after my canine sidekick, Cookie. Now, I live in Kansas City with my husband and young daughter and work on this blog full-time. I love my job!
Follow Cookie and Kate
You should know that I’m totally obsessed with food. I daydream about new recipes. I devour cookbooks (I even wrote my own). I read up on food policy and nutrition. I love photographing food and hope my photos inspire you to step into the kitchen to cook a delicious, healthy meal.
Our cookbook, Love Real Food, is here! It has over 5,000 5-star reviews! Get Your Copy
Above all, I love eating food, especially while in the presence of good company. Good food in good company—does it get any better than that?
I believe that cooking should be fun and recipes, flexible. I choose not to cook meat, so all of the recipes on Cookie and Kate are vegetarian. I believe in eating whole foods, which are as close to their source as possible. I’m also an avid supporter of the occasional indulgence, and I laugh with friends over drinks as often as possible.
This blog is all about celebrating good food—real, sustainable food that delights the senses and nourishes the body.
About Cookie
Cookie is a jaunty spotted mutt who makes friends everywhere she goes. She is my eager four-legged assistant, my chief crumb catcher and the best companion a girl could ask for.
I adopted Cookie in the summer of 2009. She came with her name and nothing more. Whether she was named for being one smart cookie or for looking like cookies and cream, the name suits her well.
After five years of referring to Cookie as a “mystery mutt,” I finally caved and ordered a DNA test. My beloved, one-of-a-kind pup is half schipperke and half dachshund/Australian koolie mix.
Cookie left this world in 2023 after thirteen incredible years together. I miss her dearly, and this website will remain Cookie and Kate in honor of our time together.
Frequently Asked Questions
My cookbook, Love Real Food, can be purchased online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BAM!, Bookshop.org, and Indigo. Digital editions of the book are available for purchase and download at iBooks and Amazon Kindle. Look for the book in your local bookstore or Barnes u0026 Noble. More book details here.
I use a Nikon Z6 with a Nikkor Z 50mm lens. Check out my food photography tips for more details. As of 2023, I’ve outsourced my photography to my wonderful video team so that I can spend more time with my family.
Check out my top 20 tips for food blogging and how to start a food blog, which includes design and web hosting tips.
Thank you for asking. Please refer to my photo and recipe policy for details.
Get in Touch!
Please contact me here or comment below! You’re also welcome to check out my press page for interviews and other features.
SIGN UP FOR EMAIL UPDATES
Hi Kate and Cookie,
You have the cutest pup and the best cookbook I’ve ever used. I don’t consider myself a good cook, but I love to cook. Your cookbook makes cooking easy, fun and I actually eellike I am an OK cook:) I have had a blast following your recipes to the tee and every single one of them, from soups and stews to salads and pizza has been amazingly delicious!
My last endeavor was your Baked Falafels. All I can say is WOW!!! They were so good there were not enough left for a second dinner (just a snack). And there are only 2 of us:) I used a wonderful Greek salad dressing and I am inviting a couple over for dinner soon just so I can serve these falafels!
Thanks so much for caring about what we put into our bodies!
Thank you, Dee! That’s so sweet of you. I really appreciate your star review.
I wanted to let you know that I really appreciate the way you think of food as something we get to celebrate. I used to follow a lot of “healthy” food bloggers, but found that so much of them talked about what to cut out of your meals in order to make things healthy… I have always wanted to think of food as something we get to share, something we get to cook for one another, a way of taking care of oneself, and of course, something that is pleasurable. So many other food bloggers and recipe developers cut out the pleasure and joy of food when cutting out ingredients. Why?! I’ve been vegetarian (well, pescatarian sometimes) for over 10 years, but I love everything that isn’t meat!
I often direct food lovers to your blog and cookbook when they’re looking to get started, when they’re looking to infuse more vegetables into their diet. I also work in the mental health field and feel comfortable directing folks to your blog/cookbook if they have histories of eating disorders. I find the way that you talk about “healthy” food to be a celebration of flavor and goodness, rather than coming from a place of wanting to restrict things that society doesn’t deem as “healthy.”
All of this to say – thank you for being you, and for making what you’ve made and continue to make. Keep it up – I’m clearly a huge fan.
You’re so sweet, Danielle! Thanks so much for commenting. I really do like to have a wholistic view on food. It’s about balance! I appreciate the support. :)
Kate,
I love your blog. You are so personable, I can’t imagine someone not liking you. I appreciate that you help others get in to food blogs. Depending on a project I am now on, there may be a food blog in my future. I, like you, agree that we should eat whole foods as close to their source as possible, however, I do believe meat can fall in that category. Your blog is the first one, and one of the few that I have signed up for to receive emails. Keep up the good work!
Hi James, thanks for your comment! I’m glad you signed up. :)
Is your cook book Love real Food a vegan cook book?
It is not, it’s vegetarian. :)
Hi Kate! Just wondering if you have ever heard of Juice Plus+? I think you would love it!
Thanks for such a great blog!
Liz J.
I will have to check it out!
Hi Kate,
I’m so glad I stumbled across your blog when looking for inspiration for some new stuff to cook! I love that you focus so much on REAL foods. Your recipes are exactly what I was looking for! My boyfriend and I will soon try your Black Bean and Sweet Potato Enchiladas – even he is excited and that means a lot from a meat-lover ;)
I’m excited to discover more awesome ideas! *Bookmark saved*
Greetings from Virginia (and partly Germany cause I’m German),
Lena
I’m so happy you did too, Lena! Thanks for your sweet words. So excited the blog is a go-to for you.
I just made your mason jar salad, with a few twists. Its absolutely delicious! The Greek dressing is amazing! I love the versatility of this recipe! This is soooo healthy AND scrumptious! I’m looking forward to trying some of your other recipes. I don’t know where to go to give it the star rating but 5 stars it is!
Wonderful! Thanks for sharing, Sara.
I have used so many of your recipes and love them all! I used to be nervous about cooking early in life, but your blog has definitely given me much more confidence to not only cook for myself, but others! Thank you for sharing your skills:).
Aw, thank you Shilpa! I’m so happy to hear that.
Hi!
I am from Germany and I love good cuisine and dogs – I once had a Labrador mixed up with others – had him for – believe it or not – 16 years – he had his own mind, but the 2 of us were almost inseperable!
” Felix” ! Any other dog loves me – and vice versa!
I love your blog, but it is a bit of a problem getting the ingredients – there´s a source where I can get all sorts of Chilies, they really had fresh Tomatillos last time I saw them – I will explore and – hopefully – find some european surrogate!
Thanks for sharing! Let me know if you have a substitute.
I made the carrot ginger salad dressing with carrot juice instead of carrots and flaxseed instead of sesame oil. Thumbs way up!!!
Next time I will add a bit of curry powder, put it on a my peanut cabbage slaw, and let it sit for a few hours before I serve it at a potluck. Thanks, Kate! It’s tasty!
Thanks for sharing!
I love your blog!! I stumbled across it looking for pictures of Mac and cheese for a school project. It looked exactly like box Mac and cheese, which I love, but my mom want us to eat healthy, so we don’t buy it often. I love the taste of box Mac and cheese, but it is so bad for me, so I don’t eat it as much as I wish. Cause yours looked like the good stuff, and I figure that cause it is heathier, I can convince my mom that we should make it. I started browsing on your website, and I realized that we’ve have a lot alike, even though we don’t know each other. In your intro you said you like dogs and photography and food. Those, I would say, are some of my favorite things. My mom and I are starting a photography business. We call it Mouse and Kat photography. I am mouse, she is Kat. If you ever want to check us out, my mom started and instigarm and Facebook for us. Just look up Mouse+Kat photography. And our email is mouse+katphotography@gmail.com. I have a feelings I will be keeping up with your posts/recipes. Thanks for the awesome recipes! Also, have you ever thought about cooking food for Cookie? I know that there are some great recipes online for homemade dishes for dogs. Although if you just look up about what dogs can and can’t eat, i am sure you can come up with some great ones yourself! I look forward to reading and making your recipes.
Thanks, Mallory! Good luck to you and your mom. Sounds like a fun venture.
I am so glad I found you! Thank you!
Thank you, Ninon!
Hi Kate
Love your recipes and the unique way you put it all together. Ingenious! You’re my go-to every single time. Keep it coming! Thanks for sharing.
Thank you!
Hey, Cookie and Kate. I made the vegetarian chili recipe for a special occasion. A dear friend I met back in 1969 came to visit. And I wanted to make a dish I could make ahead of time so we could visit instead of me in the kitchen the whole time. I found your recipe and it was just what I was looking for. A veggie chili recipe that approaches the complexity of an Italian Minestrone with all those great Mexican flavors. This is that recipe. The chili was a huge hit and we had a great visit. Thank you.
Long time friends, that’s wonderful! I’m glad that the chili was just what you were looking for. You’re so welcome!
do you bake? Do have an eggless sponge cake recipe to share?
Thax
Hi! I do have baked recipes. You can see some of my dessert recipes here: https://capital-fly.pro/category/food-recipes/dessert/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Hello dear,
What an exciting blog. I made a new website. I want to show small site’s posts on my website(just a image and small part). Every website is a channel. People can subscribe channels which like. So it’s not completely done. Just work ok. You can give me any suggestions. I share small part of your content and your link as souce. I hope it is not going to make problem to you.
Hello, please make sure to follow my sharing policy as my content is copyrighted: https://capital-fly.pro/cookie-and-kates-photo-and-recipe-policy/%3C/a%3E%3C/p%3E
Hi Kate. I want to know about something but don’t want to post my question publicly. How can I contact you?
Hi! You can reach me at hello@cookieandkate.com.
Hi Kate & Cookie,
What a fantastic blog, I love it, one of my favourites! Thanks so much for the very useful – Top 20 tips for food bloggers. I am a passionate foodie and cook myself and have just completed my diploma in nutritional science here in the UK and am looking into starting my own food and nutrition blog and your tips were so helpful.
Best wishes
Hannah
You’re so sweet, Hannah! I appreciate you taking the time to comment.
Hello! I just wanted to take the time to gush about how much I love your blog! I’ve made quite a few things, ranging from tostadas to salads to scones, and I’ve fallen in love with every one of them! Your cooking is simple, easy to follow, and absolutely delicious. I also love the design of your website, and all the lovely photos you include. Thank you so much for sharing your recipes :)
I love to hear that! Thank you for your comment, Irene.
Hi Kate,
My sister sent me your cookbook a couple months ago and I have decided to try some recipes while entertaining guests during the holidays–already have some smoothie ingredients frozen! The book is beautiful and so are you and Cookie. Both my husband and I love to look at her photos. We know you love her just as much as we love our little dog Dewberry, who also waits for the crumbs!
Dottie
Thank you for letting me know, Dottie! Dogs are the best!
Hi Cookie and Kate! Thank you so much for sharing your creativity and love for food with the world! I’m not a very good cook (lack of experience) but am cooking everyday now so I can be good at it! :) Your recipes are easy to follow and are always spot on when it comes to timing, ingredients, instructions, etc. I made your simple marinara recipe with zoodles today and CANNNOT wait to make this one! Thanks again!
You’re so sweet, Cristina! Thanks for sharing. I really appreciate it.
Okay, Five – that’s 5 – stars, Kate, for the amazing and amazingly simple GF Waffle Recipe. I use a triple-filtered, organic coconut oil and switch up the milks each time. Your recipe rocks and those waffles are always big, fluffy and delicious! I am also using my simple Oster waffle iron which I love ’cause it rotates and my waffles never stick…well, fingers crossed. Thank you!
You’re welcome! I’m excited you love it.
As an artist/photographer/food artist, I really appreciate all the time and effort you put into this. I have been following your recipes for over a year and you have made me a better chef. My daughter turned vegetarian when she was just five years old. I had to get creative quickly! She is now fourteen and will eat anything I make from your recipes. Every single recipe I have made has been wonderful. I wanted to thank you for your continuing dedication. Love your photography, and your passion for cooking. I am so thankful for you. Have a wonderful 2019. Happy New Year!
Thank you, Sandra! I’m happy you and your daughter can enjoy the recipes together. Happy New Year!
I’m really happy to have discovered your blog. My daughter is a newly diagnosed coeliac and is also a vegetarian so your site is a godsend. She is also crazy about dogs (we all are)so I was meant to discover your work.
I’ve made the Quick Chana Masala which proved to be very popular and a few others which are on the favourites list.
BTW- did you know airlines don’t provide gluten free vegetarian options. It’s either one or the other. Well, they don’t in Australia. May be there’s another avenue for you!
Thanks for keeping us all enthused and healthy
I’m happy you did too, Helen! That’s interesting. Thanks for sharing, Helen.
Hi Kate,
Thank you for your amazing recipes using Whole Foods! I discovered your cooking blog about 3 years ago and ever since I have been using about 3 of your recipes every week. They are my reliable fall back recipes for when we have friends for dinner. I have a few favourites but we rotate them out and try new ones. Thank you for your lovely blog, it is so dependable for feeding my 4 year old and 1 year old delicious, nutritious meals.
– Harriet
You’re very welcome, Harriet! I love that you have been following for so long. I really appreciate your faith in my recipes!
I found your site googling “lentil soup.” My goal this year is to go full vegetarian. I haven’t had beef or pork for nearly 40 years and now am cutting out chicken and fish. So, I made your lentil soup and even my wife said it was the best lentil soup she has had! That’s saying a lot for a carnivore and former restauranteur. I’ll be making your vegetarian chili for Sunday football playoffs. I will scour your site for more vegetarian options as getting enough protein is key since I train (running and/or CrossFit) 6 days a week. Thank you! PS – your photos rock.
Thank you!
Thank you for your veg Thai red curry recipe. We love it; and our 3 year old gets his veggies, iron and protein. Quick question – do you have any veg recipes using the instant pot?
Sorry, Nisha! I don’t. I do have some with rice, but no full recipes.
We needed some good comfort food this evening so we made your black bean sweet potato enchiladas. Wow! On a cold, upstate NY night they hit the spot! Thank you for the easy recipe – as always!
You’re welcome, Christina!
Thank you for your blog – I love it!
Can you share where you get your hair done in KC? It looks amazing and I need a new stylist!
Thanks Ayndrea! I love Erin (and Kate) at Lumine Salon. They’re both awesome with curly hair.
Perfect! Thank you so much.
Your blog is wonderful. We just made your Thai Red Curry with Vegetables and it’s a huge hit. For the non-vegetarian, we added a few garlic-fried prawns to the plate. This is going to be a dinner party favourite, I can tell.
Thank you, Laura!
I just wrote you for the first time. Got kinda choked up doing it..
Feeling very grateful for you, I decided to look at your “About” page. I was very touched to read this:
“I read up on food policy and nutrition. I love photographing food and hope my photos inspire you to step into the kitchen to cook a delicious, healthy meal.
Above all, I love eating food, especially while in the presence of good company. Good food in good company—does it get any better than that?”
I’ve been a full vegetarian into adulthood, then only occasional “clean” meat, but now – since watching a vid on utube called “Meet your Meat” (educational, but only for
truth seekers who have strong stomachs!) and having a stress/diabetes stroke and cancer – I’ve returned to being a vegetarian..! I only use E-mail, FB, IMVU.com, and none of those others. I think I found you on FB. I’m so glad I did! I am also a photographer, an artist and animal lover, like you. (2 cats: the big guys, leaders of the pack; 2 parrots: a Monk and a Rainbow – ‘Cracker Jack’ and ‘Becca’; and three little doggettes!)
I will shop thru you when I can…
Anyway, Thanks for Being there.. ~ Hugs! ~
~ Love Always ~ Sonlit ~
~ Lifetime Subscriber! ~
You’re so sweet! Thank you!
Dear Kate,
We love your work. I’m rarely motivated to buy another recipe book, but your creations are too wonderful to skip. I’m expecting your book to arrive today. I tried a few recipes from your web site and they have been a huge success. I’m also a big dog fan, so the cookie info is a welcome bonus.
Thank you for getting my cookbook! Let me know what you think, Henry.
Hello Kate
My husband wanted to become a vegetarian because his cholesterol
was 248. His doc wanted him to start on statins.But he wanted to go on a different path. We started eating only veggies and within 3 months his cholesterol is now 165. Amazing!! More so since it is genetic for him since his parents and sisters are all on statins
Your site has really helped us with the change over to become vegetarians. I am loving your recipes. Thank you, thank you for
sharing. You are so very generous. You have been a “godsend” with our quest.
With appreciation and gratitude. Many blessings
Geri
I’m really glad it’s been helpful! Good luck on this new journey, Geri!
Hi Kate.
I don’t know if you’ve tried using an air fryer, but they are amazing. Much healthier for frying vegetables and potatoes and they come out great. I recommend this model: Oster Countertop Oven with Air Fryer, Black.
Thanks for sharing, Berl!
Hey! I really love your recipes and have tried cooking many for my family, they’re delicious. Also I was wondering hw old you dog cookie is?
Thank you! I believe she is almost 10 years old. :)
My daughter’s and I each have one of your cookbooks and we send pictures/comments to each other about which recipes we tried.
Last night I made the Quinoa-Stuffed Sweet Potatoes….but I didn’t have all the ingredients on hand so I swapped brown rice for the quinoa, and black beans for the chickpeas and it was colorful and tasty. Definitely a keeper!
The night before I made the Green Goddess Kale Salad….didn’t have the curly kale so used lacinato. Another winner!
My eldest is “hard core” vegan and she has really appreciated your recipes and her ability to use what’s in her pantry and make changes to any that are vegetarian, so they meet her dietary regimen.
We appreciate you!
That is so fun! I love that you do that with your daughter. Thank you for sharing what you love, Jean.
I just made your Sweet Potato Black Bean Enchiladas – AMAZING!! They are so flavourful and tasty!! Thank you so much for sharing! I look forward to browsing and starting to try the rest of your recipes :)
You’re welcome! Let me know what you think as you try other recipes, Jessica.
Just made your spicy broccoli pasta. 4 stars. Beautiful!
I have also made your best lentil soup a number of times with curly kale from my garden. Super delicious.
I’m looking forward to trying many more of your recipes. They are full of flavour!
You’re welcome, Lisa! I’m so glad you love so many recipes.
What a ridiculously cute little dog that is! You can just see how that mutt puts a smile on every passing face.
Thank you!
I just would like to say Thank You! I made bunch of your recipes already, I love the fact that they are all vegetarian! Each and every one of them turned out amazingly! And my baby dog Amber follows Cookie and is catching the crumbs as well ❤
You’re very welcome, Tereza!
This is one site I always go to. Your recipes are always delicious. Will be making the vegetarian chili soon. Love Cookie!
Thank you, Isabel!
I bought your book after realizing my recipe searches kept ending up at your blog. Every recipe I’ve made so far has been a winner. Thank you!
Wonderful to hear! Thanks for your support Christy.
Kate you are my go-to ‘what am I going to cook tonight’ search. Best thing I ever did was sign up for the email recipes. I love the freshness, the flavours, the photo’s, the commentary. You nail it in every department. I’m a Fan for life. Book on order.
I’m so happy to hear that! Thanks, Sophie.
I loved your banana scones.Me and my dad made them today. We didn’t have pecans or walnuts so we used almonds instead. Your website is our number one resource for baking, we bought your cookbook too!
I think Cookie is cute. I also have a dog, named Henry. He is a Lab Husky mix. I love dogs. He ate some of my scone that I dropped on the floor and he seemed to enjoy it!!!
Hello Kate! I love your blog, all the recipes I have made from you come out super tasty, and you have the best tips to make everything yummy!
Thank you so much for putting your lovely content out there!
Love from FL.
Kate you are my go-to ‘what am I going to cook tonight’ search. Best thing I ever did was sign up for the email recipes. I love the freshness, the flavours, the photo’s, the commentary. You nail it in every department. I’m a Fan for life. Book on order.
Hi Kate,
I wanted to reach out and say THANK YOU for this blog. I have been vegetarian for almost 3 years and sometime it is hard to find different non meat recipes.
Your Thai carrot sweet potato soup is the best soup on Earth! I have also tried Thai red curry with veggies, butternut squash sound spicy black bean soup.
Next up to make will be your veggie lasagna.
Thanks again!
chelsea
I’m so happy to hear that, Chelsea!
Hi Kate!
I just wanted to thank you for your recipes. Recently, through reading the bible and prayer I was lead to eat a vegan diet similar to Daniel in the old testament.
I love extremely flavorful and ethnic foods and have really enjoyed your blog/recipes. I come to your site once a week to find a soup and main dish to make along with my salads throughout the week. I cook it on Saturday and eat on it for the following week.
Some of my favorites have been Mexican Brown rice, Spicy black bean soup, and Thai Red Curry with Vegetables.
This week I am looking forward to making your Seriously Good Vegetable Soup and Mujadora.
I just wanted you to know what a blessing you have been to me. So, Thank You!
Thank you for your comment! I’m happy you are loving the recipes, Andrea.
Hi Kate,
First of all, I have to say I’m not yet a vegetarian, but I’m willing to make this transition. Your recipes were truly inspiring to me. I’m a huge fan of the way you explain and present your food.
I recently made your hummus recipe and it was ABSOLUTELY amazing. I can’t wait to go deeper and trying new dishes.
And I thank you to show me vegetarian food can me so beautiful and delicious.
Greetings from an Italian-Brazilian who appreciates the way you cook.
All the best,
Renata
Thank you for your comment, Renata!
A few nights ago I was looking for some good info on cooking quinoa. There was lots of info out there but I am definitely a “WHY” person. Your article gave me some nice detail on WHY you cook it the way you do.That is exactly what I was looking for. I bought your cookbook from Amazon and I’m looking forward to making some of those tasty-looking dishes. Thank you. David H.
I’m glad you found it helpful! Thanks for purchasing my book, David. I hope you love it!