I think if you would’ve asked me a couple of years ago if I liked zucchini I would have easily shrugged with a quick “of course, who doesn’t?” However when I look back at my recent recipes, it’s becoming apparent that I’m a little more than just fond of zucchini! Who knew zucchini was so versatile?…
Author: Kaylee Pauley
Health and nutrition have always been important to me, but over the past several years, my knowledge and interest in food and how it affects our body has really expanded. So, with my love for cooking, organic produce, and whole foods, with my food blog Lemons and Basil, I hope to inspire you in your cooking adventures and journey of good health, the way so many other food blogs have inspired me!
Asian Cauliflower Lettuce Wraps
If you read my last post, then you know two things. First, I’m posting two cauliflower recipes in a row. Oops. Second, Josh and I found a house we really like during our rapid house hunt and were contemplating making an offer. So the update is that we now have a contract on that house {insert excited scream here}, and the home inspection is taking place today at 1pm. If all goes well we are scheduled to close in less than two weeks. Eek!…
Balsamic Maple Glazed Cauliflower
It’s amazing how quickly life can change. Just when you think you have a plan in place, in the blink of an eye, that plan has been thrown out the window and a new one begins to form. If you’ve followed along for a while, you likely know that Josh and I sold our house and we’re waiting on our rental…
Healthier Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Krispies
Much like these BBQ Tilapia and Sweet Potato Tacos, these Healthier Peanut Butter Chocolate Rice Krispies came as a result of needing to use up some ingredients before our move, and as a last minute treat to feed our moving helpers! Our poor friends, are likely going to forevermore be busy any time we move in the future. Who knew we had so much STUFF?!…
BBQ Tilapia and Sweet Potato Tacos
Two things: First, let me apologize for the short rushed post {likely full of typos and errors}, but I have about 4.5 minutes to write this! Second, these BBQ Tilapia and Sweet Potato Tacos are seriously so amazing, I think you’ll happily forgive my typos and poor grammar!…
Chickpea Apple and Avocado Salad + Picnic / Hike
After church on Sunday, Josh and I quickly ran home, changed clothes, packed up some lunch and snacks and made our way to Percy Warner Park for a hike! I don’t know about you, but being outside and getting some exercise helps clear my mind and heal my soul. The trail through Percy Warner is not especially beautiful, being that it does not run along a creek, there is no bluff with a beautiful view, nor a glorious waterfall at the end…
Vegan Zucchini Sweet Potato Rolls
Okay… here is where I admit that I’m a horrible food blogger who did not properly plan and prepare a festive July 4th recipe to share with you…do I lose any and all credibility I may have built up to this point??? I could pretend that I took the route of sharing a small, healthy appetizer with you for your July 4th bash. I could even say that I opted to use a blue and white linen napkin in the spirit of this great holiday, since the food itself is rather lacking in the department of festive spirit {red, white and blue}. But I’m afraid you’d see right through me!…
So Long First Home – You were Swell
Since we have officially said “So Long” to our first home, I thought I’d take the chance to share some pictures of it here on the blog. Josh and I bought this house in 2009 from the builder. While the house was brand new, we purchased it after the builder had already selected and installed all finishes. So unfortunately we didn’t have the opportunity to have input on the cabinets, flooring, etc…
PB2 Dark Chocolate Banana Smoothie
I definitely feel like I’ve been a bit MIA around these parts lately, but hopefully that will soon change. Two things are finally official… we have moved the very last of our items out of the house {who knew we had so much STUFF?!}, and as of 10am yesterday morning, we closed on the house and it is once-and-for-all SOLD. Praise the Lord! As much work as this transition has been, we are so thankful to have sold the house and walked away financially in a better place, it is truly a blessing! While we have no idea what the next chapter of our lives holds, we are anticipating it with hopeful expectations…
Savory Spiced Roasted Chickpeas
That’s right… I’ve officially jumped on the Roasted Chickpeas bandwagon, but who can blame me!? In my defense, I literally eat chickpeas in my salad every single day of the work-week. I buy at least one can of Trader Joe’s organic chickpeas/garbanzo beans every week if not more. So it was only natural that I try roasting these versatile, fiber-rich little legumes. For me, salads are all about texture and who could resist adding these Savory Spiced Roasted Chickpeas for a perfect crunch?? No more nutrient-lacking croutons!…
Kale and Quinoa Veggie Bowl with Soft Boiled Egg
To so many of you, thank you for your prayers for my mom and your kind and encouraging words regarding the blog. There was a time when I didn’t understand what a “blog” was, or why one would write one. But aside from the wealth of information people share through blogs, whether the subject appeals to a wide audience or is tailored to a more unique niche, it’s not only amazing, but also beautiful the way they allow people all over the states and even world, to identify with one another…
Zucchini Pasta with Creamy Mushroom Marsala
There are a lot of pictures in this Zucchini Pasta with Creamy Mushroom Marsala post, and I guess part of that is to compensate for my lack of words. I said in this post that I wanted to be authentic with you, and the truth is, I’m heartbroken, discouraged and beat down. If you are new to Lemons and Basil, you can read about the trial my family is facing with my mom’s health here…
Dark Chocolate Bark with Toasted Quinoa and Nuts
Well, this Dark Chocolate Bark with Toasted Quinoa and Nuts was not at all what I had intended on posting today, but after making myself nearly sick on it yesterday, because I COULD NOT STOP EATING IT, I decided that while it may not be pretty, it is AMAZING and I had to share this easy recipe! How’s that for an opening, run-on sentence? See what chocolate does to me!…
Vegetarian Lentil Sloppy Joes + Mom Update
I don’t know whether to talk about these mouth-watering Vegetarian Sloppy Joe Sandwiches first, or about TIME and wanting/needing more of it. More time for me, more time for you, I think it’s safe to say that aside from us all needing a little more love, we need more time!…
Berry and Pecan Spring Mix Salad with Vinaigrette
Happy Memorial Day! I thought I’d be a little patriotic and share this Berry and Pecan Spring Mix Salad loaded with blueberries, raspberries and topped with a bit of goat cheese. Nothing like adding a little red, white and blue to our plates, to help remind us what this day is all about and the gift so many have given us in fighting for our country and our freedom. To those of you serving in our Armed Forces, or have loved ones who serve or have served, thank you from the bottom of my heart for your selflessness, bravery, and sacrifice!…
Blueberry Pecan Balsamic Vinaigrette
This Blueberry Pecan Balsamic Vinaigrette is another quick, simple recipe. After the overwhelming response I received to these Southwest Sweet Potato Lettuce Wraps, in light of my initial hesitations and concerns that it wasn’t “good enough”, I now humbly realize that people like simple. Especially when simple can also be healthy!…
Southwest Sweet Potato Lettuce Wraps
I know I sound like a broken record, but it’s no secret that I love sweet potatoes. I’ve also discovered over the last several months that I really love Mexican seasonings and use them in my cooking much more than I realized. Yet, I’ve delayed posting these Southwest Sweet Potato Lettuce Wraps for a couple reasons…
Zucchini Fritters with Poached Eggs
Disclaimer: I was so enchanted by these Zucchini Fritters with Poached Eggs, I’m afraid they’ve demanded somewhat of a picture-happy post, so be prepared! But who could blame me?? I mean, zucchini combined with red peppers, sweet onions, flax seed, cashew meal, and feta, baked to a crispy perfection, then topped with honey lime chipotle sauce and a poached egg with its glorious runny yolk…
Cauliflower Alfredo Veggie Pizza
I knew I loved all things sweets and salads {come to think of it, that might have been a better name for my blog…off subject}, but I didn’t realize I loved pizza quite so much. Being that this Cauliflower Alfredo Veggie Pizza is my fifth pizza post in the short time I’ve been blogging, it’s becoming pretty clear that I adore pizza in all varieties…
Avocado Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream
Doesn’t ice cream on a Friday just seem appropriate? By the end of the work week, I think we all deserve a little ice cream, especially if we’re talking about this Avocado Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream! This ice cream is an adaption of my Banana Ice Cream with Peanuts, which is a tasty, yet healthy little treat I make for us from time to time. It’s not exactly low-calorie, low sugar, but it IS all natural and refined sugar-free, while containing no additives or preservatives like so many store-bought ice creams. Which makes it justifiable as healthy to me!…
Spiced Sweet Potatoes Ultimate Tostada
Happy Cinco de Mayo!
As promised, here is the full recipe for these Spiced Sweet Potatoes {Savory Waffle} Ultimate Tostadas! This is a continuation to Friday’s post, where I shared the recipe for these Gluten Free Savory Cornbread Waffles. I mentioned last week that while we were in Seattle last year we ate at Nero Belgian Waffle Bar {so good}, which largely contributed to the inspired behind these savory waffles. However, the other inspiration came when contemplating an alternative base for a scrumptious tostada outside of the typical corn tortilla…
Gluten-Free Savory Cornbread Waffles
These Gluten Free Savory Cornbread Waffles are waffles I’ve been so excited to share, but was holding off for the perfect time. With Cinco de Mayo just around the corner and being that they are pretty much the perfect base for all things Mexican, now seems like that perfect time!…
Blueberry Banana Breakfast Smoothie
Happy Tuesday! I don’t know about you, but I’m glad this particular Monday is over! We had a power outage due to storms that lasted over an hour and a half, then it was practically a monsoon the rest of the day. BUT, thankfully we {and our loved ones} survived the storms, and for that, I am truly grateful!…
Zucchini Fettuccine and Cauliflower Alfredo
I’ve written about personal things a couple of times here and each time I find myself surprised by the acceptance and embrace of my readers. I’m still young in this blog world, and still trying to find my voice. But it’s such a relief to know that I can just be me, whoever that is. So before I talk about this Zucchini Fettuccine and Cauliflower Alfredo, I’d love to be candid for a few minutes…
Harissa Avocado and Turkey Panini with Homemade Bread
If you are a fan of the classic grilled cheese, but enjoy changing it up a bit, then this Harissa Avocado and Turkey Panini is for you! There is something so comforting about a warm grilled sandwich. Thick slices of your favorite bread toasted to perfection, smoldered with savory flavors and held together with melted, gooey cheese. So good…
Clean Eating Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs + Mom Update
I know, I know, there are a million of these peanut butter egg recipes floating around the web, some using the traditional powder sugar and chocolate candy coating, other cleaner versions made using coconut oil, maple syrup, cacao powder, etc. But really, if given the excuse to make a tasty, healthier version of these yummy peanut butter eggs, wouldn’t you jump at that, too? So add me to the bandwagon, and here are my own Clean Eating Reese’s Peanut Butter Eggs!…
Avocado Deviled Eggs with Smoked Paprika
I am no expert eggs-pert {yes, I just did that… tried to type egg expert and heard the play on words in my head and couldn’t resist!} when it comes to deviled eggs. In fact, before making these lovely little green Avocado Deviled Eggs, I had never actually made them. Gasp, I know! Somehow over the years, when it came to family get-togethers and meals, I typically either volunteered or got volunteered for salad or dessert, and occasionally bread. Probably because {A.} I really love salad and tend to eat a lot of it, and {B.} love sweets and enjoy trying out new and different recipes…
Raw Carrot Cake Bites with Goat Cheese Icing
Okay, the truth is it’s 11:30 at night and I’m truly way too tired to be writing this, BUT regardless of the long day it’s been, these little Raw Carrot Cake Bites are so yummy, I simply have to get the recipe out!
If you’ve been a reader since the beginning {which wasn’t too long ago!} or you happened to read my About page, then you may know that I’m a full time Interior Designer working in high-end Residential Design in Nashville…
Fudgy Flourless Chocolate Chili Muffins
I’m sorry… does that say chili pepper? On my chocolate muffin? Really?
Trust me. It sounds a bit odd, but it works! And it’s good! I don’t know if the whole cayenne, chili pepper, spicy-kick thing mixed with chocolate is new or just becoming more common, but suddenly I see the pairing in ice cream, truffles, chocolate bars and now these Fudgy Flourless Chocolate Chili Muffins!…
Green Power Salad with Roasted Veggies + Mom Update
Have you tried the Balsamic Almond and Turmeric Dressing yet?!? If not, here is the perfect Green Power Salad to put with it! If you didn’t get a chance to read my last post, then let me quickly fill you in. I started out making this salad last Sunday, intending on mixing in all my favorites while attempting a new homemade dressing to go with it. However, the dressing took over, stole the show and got a post of its own! So now, as promised, I have the scoop on the salad that left my tummy happy and full, yet wanting more!…