Garlic Knot Christmas Tree – Leels Cooks

We all love garlic knots, and pull apart Christmas tree bread has been all the rage lately, so why not combine the two? This is far from an original idea, but I thought I’d throw one together anyway (and eat it all, y’know, for science). You can make this recipe volumes easier by subbing out store bought pizza dough or biscuit dough, but I’ve provided a recipe in case you wanted to make the effort. Store bought would still be immensely delicious, so don’t feel bad if you wanna save yourself some time during the usual holiday insanity. I prefer … Read more

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Christmas / Cooks / Garlic / Knot / Leels / Tree

Are Burger King Fries Really Gluten-Free?

Lauren Decicca/Getty Images Fast food is just that — a ready-made meal that’s speedily prepared for you in only a few minutes. You’re ordering at the cashier one moment, then biting into your burger the next. For those with special dietary requirements, though, it’s not nearly as easy or mindless of a process. Those with gluten sensitivities must be especially careful when selecting what to eat at fast food restaurants, as even french fries, the go-to option you’ll find just about everywhere, aren’t always safe. Burger King’s offering of this popular side … Read more

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Burger / Fries / GlutenFree / King

Cranberry Banana Oat Breakfast Cookies – Leels Cooks

It’s the New Year, and that means we’re all trying to get back on track once again. When we’re eating mindfully, I try to have some sort of breakfasty thing pre-made that my husband can grab and take to work, and to have something around if I need a snack midday. I have an older recipe for another style (link here) but honestly I think I like these best! I’m really trying to cut down on fake sugars and trying to fit more vegetarian/vegan options in, so these are the perfect choice without rocking the boat too much. These vegan and … Read more

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Banana / Breakfast / Cookies / Cooks / Cranberry / Leels / Oat

Why Vine Ripened Tomatoes Might Be Lying To You At The Grocery Store

Gratian Veres / 500px/Getty Images You’ve likely seen the term “vine-ripened” as a way of describing some tomatoes at the grocery store. Perhaps it conjures up an image of plump red tomatoes on a sun-drenched vine, which will make the best tomato sandwich or taste absolutely delectable in salsa. If this is what you picture when you see “vine-ripened” as an adjective, unfortunately, as with many other “natural”-sounding products, it’s not the whole story. It turns out that “vine-ripened” is arguably more of a marketing term than a good description of how … Read more

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Grocery / Lying / Ripened / Store / Tomatoes / Vine

Tavva Kitchen Review! Bento time. – Leels Cooks

It’s bento time! I was sent one of these lovely boxes to try from Tavva Kitchen and I couldn’t resist since I’ve been making bentos and cute lunches for my husband. If you didn’t notice, you’d better follow my instagram!   I grabbed their deluxe lunch container, it’s a cute single level stainless steel box with a silicone lid, they come in different shapes and sizes as well. Their label states that everything is food grade and bpa/bps free. Dishwasher safe and a lifetime guarantee. Not bad for a container that we generally look at as a temporary vessel. It’s sturdy, … Read more

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Bento / Cooks / Kitchen / Leels / Review / Tavva / Time

The History Of How Banana Ketchup Was Created

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Dentjes/Shutterstock There isn’t a tomato in sight when this ketchup is made, but there’s a distinctive quality to it that still makes it, well, ketchup. In the Philippines, you’ll find it slathered on hamburgers and hot dogs, or used as a dipping sauce for wings and fish strips. It’s a mainstay in Jollibee’s sweet and savory spaghetti with its signature hot dogs, cheese, and ground beef. While this tomato-free ketchup is still a red condiment that pairs perfectly with everything from fries to traditional … Read more

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Banana / Created / History / Ketchup

Za’atar & Harissa Boneless Wings – Leels Cooks

You might be looking at this asking yourself “what and what chicken?” but trust me if you haven’t yet been introduced to either za’atar or harissa, it’s beyond worth it, and may become a new family favourite. So, what are they? Za’atar is a middle eastern splice blend containing thyme, oregano, marjoram, or some combination thereof, mixed with toasted sesame seeds, sumac and salt. It’s herby, savory and the sumac gives it a lemony tang. Delicious on grilled meats, baked on top of breads, in dips or sprinkled on anything. Harissa is a Tunisian red pepper paste. Spicy with roasted … Read more

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Boneless / Cooks / Harissa / Leels / Wings / Zaatar

Are McDonald’s Hash Browns Gluten-Free?

Deutschlandreform/Shutterstock McDonald’s hash browns: crispy, golden nuggets of potato goodness, a breakfast icon with a cult following. If you’re living the gluten-free life, you might be wondering if you can partake in this carb-laden delight without a trip to the ER. Unfortunately, the answer may not be what you hoped. According to McDonald’s own FAQ page, its hash browns in the United States are not gluten-free. While potatoes — the main component of the hash brown — are naturally free of gluten, McDonald’s also uses ingredients that include wheat derivatives, such as … Read more

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Browns / GlutenFree / Hash / McDonalds

Vegetarian Temari Sushi – Leels Cooks

Simple, elegant, light and endlessly customizable. Not only are these easier to make than regular sushi rolls, they’re also so impressive looking. Make these vegetarian like I have or choose your own favourite toppings. I used avocado, cucumber, tamagoyaki (Japanese omelet), sweet potato and nori. You can use anything you’d like though, sushi fish, smoked salmon, chicken, beef – anything you’d find IN a sushi roll at your favourite place! This recipe makes about 10-12 individual temari sushi (depending on how you measure them out). What you need: 1/2 cup sushi rice 3/4 cup water 1 tbsp seasoned sushi vinegar … Read more

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Cooks / Leels / Sushi / Temari / Vegetarian

Sumac Is The Citrus Replacement Your Fruit Salad Needs

Ali Majdfar/Getty Images Browse the spices at a well-stocked store or market, and the selection can feel overwhelming. It’s easy to purchase what’s necessary for a recipe, but discovering new spice uses feels much tricker. For an easy-to-use and overlooked spice for your next fruit salad, turn to sumac. Popular in Middle Eastern cooking, the spice is made from dried and ground sumac berries and packs a rich tangy, fruity, and slightly sweet flavor that’s reminiscent of citrus. It’s frequently used in conjunction with other spices, such as in Za’atar mix. However, … Read more

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Citrus / Fruit / Replacement / Salad / Sumac