Gluten-Free Spice Cake

Many of us have a sweet tooth, but we’re also aware that excessive sugar isn’t healthy. I believe in a balanced approach to life where desserts are occasional indulgences, not daily sustenance. Lately, I’ve been craving a sweet treat with fall flavors. One of my favorite autumn desserts is my Norwegian Apple Cake, but I also wanted a gluten-free, low-glycemic option in my repertoire. After some experimentation, I came up with this delicious Gluten-Free Spice Cake.

The Land of Trolls and Apple Cake

A delicious traditional Norwegian Apple Cake recipe from my mother’s homeland. The land of trolls, fjords, and apple cake.

Red Wine Poached Pears

Whole pears drenched in a red wine syrup is a simple and beautiful dessert. I like to eat them as is, with no whipped cream or anything else added, other than a sprig of...

Picante Pinto Bean Soup

A quick and easy Picante Pinto Bean Soup. It’s healthy and hearty, and can be served vegan, with cheese and sour cream, or over rice.

Chai Pancakes

He plays his guitar in a small room in the basement, cranking out songs from many genres, but always with precision. When we first met, he would sit on a stool in my kitchen...

Cinnamon Apple Crisp

Sitting on our deck, I’m watching a gaggle of wild turkeys in front of me scratching the dirt and pecking at dried-out grass fronds. They are a nervous bunch. Four of the...

Vegan Mushroom Bourguignon

I would toil away late into the evening in the back of my little store, in the kitchen with an apartment electric oven and limited supplies. After my long day, and after all...

Marinated Feta Cheese and Creamy Tzatziki

We were lucky enough to have squeezed in a quick trip to Greece just before the lock-downs began. We had such a fun time and found all of the wonderful nooks and crannies of...

Apple-Cherry Pie

Years ago, when I had my gourmet shop on Fishers Island, my mother-in-law at the time, Anna, would make pies and cookies for me to sell at the store. I decided to sell the...

Buttermilk English Muffins

Today, most Americans think of Thomas’ when English muffins are mentioned. Jane Austen acknowledges the muffin man in her novel Persuasion and of course there is the old...

Vegetarian Mushroom Stroganoff

A wonderful warm and delicious vegetarian mushroom stroganoff recipe with a splash of white wine. I've made this with olive oil instead of butter, and a smaller amount of...

Arugula, Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad

This is a nutrient dense salad made with spicy arugula, sweet potato, quinoa (a complete vegan protein), and dried cranberries. I like to serve it on individual plates but you can also toss all of the ingredients into a large bowl and serve it family style.

Apple and Mango Chutney Stuffing

Since I am a vegetarian, I'm always charged with making the meat-free dishes for Thanksgiving. I love stuffing and gravy, so I make vegetarian versions of both. Here is a...

Purple Sweet Potato Pie

There is a bit of excitement surrounding the forecast when a big storm is arriving. It begins as it usually does, with soft, fluffy flakes of snow gently drifting down...

Roasted Squash, Red Onion and Pomegranate Salad

The quiet was as soft as could be, with only the occasional sound of the kitty's paws padding along the wood floors, so it was a perfect morning to spend a little extra time...

Cranberry – Apple Chutney

Cranberry–Apple Chutney with its sweet, tart and slightly savory flavors, is delicious as a Thanksgiving side dish, heavenly in a cranberry-apple baked brie, tasty as a condiment served with any poultry dish, and a great addition to a turkey, chicken, or grilled cheese sandwich.

Lemon Jewel Couscous

Looking for a side dish with bright and fresh flavors? This Lemon Jewel Couscous is great hot, cold, and at room temperature. It can be served as a side dish or as a...

Cranberry – Apple Baked Brie

Whether you are entertaining at home or bringing a dish to share at a get-together, this Cranberry-Apple Baked Brie is a beautiful, delicious, and impressive appetizer on...

White Wine Focaccia Bread

Lifetimes ago, when I had a gourmet food shop on Fishers Island, this was a recipe I made on a daily basis for both my catering clients and to sell in the store. With its...

Sautéed Shiitake Mushrooms with Polenta

Sometimes people seem so perplexed when they find out I'm a vegetarian. "What do you eat?" I get asked all the time, and the answer seems so obvious to me - no animals. It...

Welcome!

I’m Eva Marie, a cook, traveler, and an integrative nutrition and brain health coach. This is my little nook where I share my recipes, travel experiences, and stories. I’m so glad you stopped by to have a look around.

 

Latest Blog Posts

Cream of Tomato Soup

Cream of Tomato Soup

Indulging in the warmth of a comforting bowl of homemade Cream of Tomato Soup is so satisfying. Paired with a grilled cheese sandwich, this Italian-style delight transforms into an American culinary classic. The ease of preparation and its hearty and delicious nature make this version a go-to dish in my kitchen.

Asparagus, Bread and Brie Salad

Asparagus, Bread and Brie Salad

Salads are a mainstay of my diet. I savor a bowl of fresh greens and veggies not just for afternoon or dinner fare but for brunch and, occasionally, breakfast. This one strikes a balance between elegance and heartiness, whether you're serving an intimate group or a...

Thai Red Curry With Tofu or Noodles

Thai Red Curry With Tofu or Noodles

In the whirlwind of our busiest days, when it feels as if every minute counts, I find solace in the kitchen. It's a sanctuary where I conjure up nutritious, organic meals even when time seems scarce. Life's rush might pull us in a million directions, but a commitment...

Spinach Risotto With Garlic Mushrooms

Spinach Risotto With Garlic Mushrooms

We’re looking forward to more cooler days, fall colors, and cherished family gatherings over the next few months. We’re also indulging in simple yet substantial warming meals. One such dish is this Spinach Risotto. Topped off with garlicky mushrooms and a perfectly soft-boiled egg, it transforms into a complete and utterly satisfying meal that’s easy to prepare.

Jammy Soft-Boiled Eggs

Jammy Soft-Boiled Eggs

Topping a dish with a perfectly timed, jammy, soft-boiled egg adds nutrients and protein and can elevate the meal to a new, rich level.

Gluten-Free Spice Cake

Gluten-Free Spice Cake

Many of us have a sweet tooth, but we’re also aware that excessive sugar isn’t healthy. I believe in a balanced approach to life where desserts are occasional indulgences, not daily sustenance. Lately, I’ve been craving a sweet treat with fall flavors. One of my favorite autumn desserts is my Norwegian Apple Cake, but I also wanted a gluten-free, low-glycemic option in my repertoire. After some experimentation, I came up with this delicious Gluten-Free Spice Cake.

Healthy Choices

Sofritas

My husband and I often joke that even subpar Mexican cuisine manages to taste pretty good. Our love for it runs so deep that we indulge at least...

Nectarine and Watermelon Salad

I'd love to say this has been a free-spirited, fun summer, but it hasn't. It's been a challenging time of closing chapters and bearing witness to...

French Potato and Peapod Salad

This French-style potato salad is delicious on its own, served on a bed of greens, or used as a side dish with a protein. The crisp pea pods give it a fresh flavor, and the dressing is filled with bright-tasting herbs and mustard.

Quick Pickled Red Onions

Pickled red onions can add a bit of tang and some pretty pink to so many dishes. Add some slices of jalapeños and you will give this wonderful condiment a bite of heat. A staple in most Mexican kitchens, pickled red onions can be a delicious addition to tacos, quesadillas and enchiladas, but they are also wonderful on scrambled eggs, avocado toast, fish dishes and salads. Not as sweet and my Red Onion Marmalade, but they are interchangeable and I always have a jar of at least one of these on hand at all times.

Picante Pinto Bean Soup

A quick and easy Picante Pinto Bean Soup. It’s healthy and hearty, and can be served vegan, with cheese and sour cream, or over rice.

Lemon and Caper Cauliflower Steaks

Cauliflower is a little like tofu, it's a convincing imitator that can be prepared in ways that are usually saved for proteins, like fish or meat....

Vegan Mushroom Bourguignon

I would toil away late into the evening in the back of my little store, in the kitchen with an apartment electric oven and limited supplies. After...

Crisp Asian Salad with Tofu and a Peanut Dressing

This crunchy and cool salad that is made up of two kinds of cabbage, celery, carrots, and topped off with precooked tofu or chicken is a wonderful main course dish. It’s easy to make ahead of time and the peanut dressing is so divine.

White Bean Puree with Kale and Balsamic Onions

As a vegetarian, if I showed up at someone's house and they served this to me for dinner, I be thrilled. So often vegan and vegetarian meals are...

Creamy Zucchini and Potato Soup

Seventy degrees one day and the next, we have two feet of snow, but it's not a problem as we have no place to go. One day seems to blend into...

Roasted Pepper, Artichoke and Cannellini Bean Salad

Life at my day job as a Realtor has been roller-coaster of changes by the hour since our town has gone into lock-down mode. I had a conversation...

Arugula, Sweet Potato and Quinoa Salad

This is a nutrient dense salad made with spicy arugula, sweet potato, quinoa (a complete vegan protein), and dried cranberries. I like to serve it on individual plates but you can also toss all of the ingredients into a large bowl and serve it family style.

Spicy Noodles Primavera

Businesses and services are closing down one by one, leaving mostly grocery stores and pharmacies the only open businesses. Sadly, the coronavirus...

Roasted Squash, Red Onion and Pomegranate Salad

The quiet was as soft as could be, with only the occasional sound of the kitty's paws padding along the wood floors, so it was a perfect morning to...

Nicoise Salad

The Nicoise Salad is one of the great French culinary concoctions. It is simple, fresh tasting, and a nutritiously power-packed dish. It is a wonderful salad to make for a buffet table or pot-luck, as it allows people to take the ingredients that suite their particular diets and preferences.

Lemon Jewel Couscous

Looking for a side dish with bright and fresh flavors? This Lemon Jewel Couscous is great hot, cold, and at room temperature. It can be served as a...

Thai Green Curry

On a private beach in Thailand, a green curry simmered in a pot over an open fire. It was served as part of an incredible lunch spread on an epic...

Southwest Butternut Squash Soup

November has been a historic and wild month for us Americans. The political scene has made for an emotional rollercoaster and a myriad of...

Potato Asparagus Salad

A delicious and healthy potato and asparagus salad with a great mix of veggies, fresh herbs and a savory vinaigrette spiked with some lemon zest to give it a little pop of unexpected citrus.

Provincial Tomato and Canellini Bean Bisque

Rustic and provincial dishes are very appealing to me. I enjoy the rough edges and textures. This tomato soup has all the right elements; smooth,...

Farmer’s Salad with Polenta Croutons

On a recent trip to Denver's Union Station, my mother-in law ordered a wonderful salad at Mercantile Dining and Provision. The ingredient that...

Roasted Butternut Squash with Quinoa Stuffing

Today I was quiet, recovering from an insanely busy few weeks that culminated with a meaningful, fun and gorgeous gala to benefit an organization...