It is with great pleasure that I share today's post. Since the moment I laid eyes on Jeanine Donofrio's blog, Love & Lemons, I've been completely enamored. Between the sleek design, crisp photography (shot by her husband, Jack Mathews), and a rainbow of veggie-centered recipes, there's much to admire.
And now there's even more...
The Love & Lemons Cookbook!
This is truly the most beautiful, thoughtfully designed cookbook I've ever held in my hands. The subtitle, An Apple-to-Zucchini Celebration of Impromptu Cooking, sets the stage for the entire layout of the book, with each chapter paying homage to one fruit or vegetable at a time through a collection of recipes.
Jeanine brilliantly encourages the idea of cooking backwards—reach for the gorgeous fruits or veggies that catch your eye at the farmers market/store, return home, and then find a recipe that honors that produce. This suggestion struck a special place in my heart, because I've always been a sucker for pretty fruits and veggies (especially at the farmers market). But once I get everything home, I have no idea what in the heck to do other than grill the veggies, make a salad with the two varieties of kale that inevitably made their way into my bag, and make compote with the fruit. See Exhibit A. (And if you want to time-warp way back to 2010, see Exhibit B.)
Beyond Apples and Zucchini, there are chapters dedicated to Artichokes, Avocados, Berries, Cabbage & Chicories, Cauliflower, Greens, Herbs, Root Veggies, Stone Fruits, and Tomatoes, to name a few (seriously, there are many, many more). And the recipes? Don't. even. get me started. Accompanied by artful, charismatically styled photos (shot by Jack Mathews), the recipes themselves are approachable, comforting, and yet so darn special. Special not in a fussy, dolled-up sense, but because the focus is on highlighting the beauty of one fruit or veggie at a time and pairing it with complementary ingredients that magnify its loveliness.
I could go on and on and on about this book, but just know this: it's as worthy of being placed on a perfectly accessorized coffee table as it is being tucked into a coveted spot on a go-to cookbook shelf. Beauty and brains wrapped up in one.
Oh, and those Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins in the Zucchini chapter are a must-make. Tender, moist, fluffy, and perfectly chocolaty, they're simple whip up and easily some of the best I've ever had. Be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post to swoop up the recipe and enter for a chance to win a copy of the Love & Lemons Cookbook. And if you can't wait (I feel you), grab a copy here.
đź“– Recipe
Double Chocolate Zucchini Muffins from the Love & Lemons Cookbook + A Giveaway!
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) ground flaxseed
- 3 tablespoons (45 mL) water
- 2 teaspoons (10 mL) fresh lemon juice
- 1 cup (250 mL) almond milk, at room temperature
- 2 cups (500 mL) spelt flour or a mix of white and wheat
- ½ cup (75 mL) cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) baking powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) baking soda
- ½ teaspoon (2 mL) sea salt
- ½ teaspoon (2 mL) cinnamon
- ÂĽ teaspoon (1 mL) nutmeg
- ÂĽ cup (60 mL) coconut oil, melted
- â…” cup (150 mL) maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) vanilla extract
- ½ cup (125 mL) semisweet chocolate chips
- 1ÂĽ cups (300 mL) finely shredded unpeeled zucchini
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Line a 12-cup muffin tin with paper liners or spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Combine the ground flaxseed and water and set aside to thicken. Stir the lemon juice into the almond milk and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flaxseed mixture, almond milk/lemon juice mixture, coconut oil, maple syrup, and vanilla.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Do not overmix. Fold in the chocolate chips and then the zucchini.
- Evenly divide the batter into the muffin cups, filling each about three-quarters full, and bake for 14 to 16 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from the pan and place on a wire rack to finish cooling.
Notes
The Love & Lemons Cookbook Giveaway
One winner will receive a copy of The Love & Lemons Cookbook. For a chance to win, simply enter the giveaway using the Rafflecopter widget below and comment on this post between April 26th and May 18th. Please note: this giveaway is only open to residents of the US.
Lisa says
I love their blog and bet this is one excellent cookbook!
Abigail says
I'd love to win a copy of this cook book because I'll finally have my own apartment next year and I love to cook! I'm so excited and far prefer to hold a cookbook in my hand than look it up on a computer!
Susan says
I like the way this cookbook is organized- so neat!
Jillian says
This cookbook has my name all over it! Perusing the farmer's market for fun fruits and vegetables is one of my favorite summer time activities, I'd love some new recipes to use them in!
diana @ veggienextdoor says
I love the concept - would be a great help for cooking up garden & CSA produce!
AE says
looks beautiful, delicious, and inspirational!
Jade says
I've been watching their blog for such a long time, getting their cookbook would be amazing!
Shannon says
I've been hearing amazing things about this cookbook. Thank you for the opportunity to win.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
She made such a beautiful cookbook! And the muffins...perfection!
Abby @ Heart of a Baker says
I love love love this cookbook! I got it a couple weeks ago and it's quickly becoming a favorite :)
Carly Williams says
I would love to win because I need some new recipe ideas!
angela says
I love to try new cookbooks/recipes. And this cookbook sounds fantastic.
Jeanine says
Hi Ashley! Thank you for your kind words and beautiful post!! xoxo
Jessica Pierce says
I would like to win a copy of the Love & Lemons cookbook because I, too, appreciate the recipes and great highlighting of individual ingredients. They prompt me to seek out foods I would have not picked up before because I never knew what to do with them before, and they make it seem so easy to be more adventurous with cooking new foods!
Jen says
This cookbook looks like it is packed with yummy inspiration!
Nicole Rados says
I love the cookbook's focus on nourishing better for you meals and the photography is completely gorgeous!
Molly says
I love her creative, veggie-centered recipes! Those muffins look incredible!
Kelsey G says
What I like about this cookbook is it seems like its full of healthy (vegan?) recipes without shoving it down your throat. But I bet the recipes are good so feel free to shove.
Heather S says
I'd love to win because I la la LOVE their blog! <3
Aimee says
OK I really need to buy this cookbook, everything in it sounds amazing. These muffins are gorgeous!
Roseanne C says
I'm personally collecting good vegan cookbooks, so when I move to the Philippines, I can lend them out to friends!
Ann says
I would love to try some new recipes!!
Micah says
I want to win a copy of this cookbook because I love fresh, new ideas for cooking!
Anne B says
Looks like a beautiful and inspirational cookbook! Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy.
Liz says
I've been in a cooking rut and would love some inspiration from this beautiful book!
Ari says
This looks delicious, I'd make it if it wasn't Passover.
Thia says
Ashley,
I thought this review of the Love and Lemons cookbook was incredibly effective. You just came across so honestly and authentically, that I feel like I MUST obtain this cookbook...even though I follow Jeanine's blog!!
I know her photos are gorgeous, always so light-filled and sleek. Everything is white, which really highlights the FOOD. A gorgeous, minimalist style.
And I also do that farmers' market thing, where I can't resist the lusciously fresh, rainbow array of produce...but I have no idea how to put it all together when I get home. I can see how the veggie-centered approach of this book could really help with that.
Thanks for giving me such a great sense of what this cookbook is about, and also the opportunity to win a copy.
But either way, win or not, I'll be adding this cookbook to my collection.
Andrew says
This looks good. I like using fresh local produce. Thanks for the giveaway.
Kiki says
I'd love to win this cookbook because I love their blog! Every time a new recipe comes up I copy and paste the link into a huge email to myself. I know, I'm so weird haha!
Susanna Arroyo says
This is the perfect recipe! I actually have all the ingredients on hand and can make this today. So excited!
Tia DeShong says
I agree with you that I'm more inclined to pick pretty fruits and veggies up at the store and *then* decide what to do with them. This book would be tremendously helpful. :)
Melissa K. says
I would really enjoy this cookbook b/c I really enjoy the blog! I cannot buy cookbooks right now (budget constraints) so my sources are library and winning a free cookbook!
Lacy J. Davis says
because I love Love and Lemons and can't wait to hold this book in my hands!
Ashley Chew says
I would be thrilled to win a copy of this book! It's been on my wish list forever! I love the ingredient specific way it's broken up, that would be so helpful when I have random veggies floating around the kitchen.
Liz says
Ohhh I adore their blog so so much and must get my hands on a copy of this!!
beth c says
as a busy working momma i am always on the lookout for plant-based, nutritious recipes for myself and my family! this looks like a lovely, inspirational book and i would love to have it in my healthy eating arsenal! :) thanks so much!
Donna F. says
Love and Lemons is another one of my favorite food blogs so I would love to win this book!
Adele says
This recipe looks so delicious and I'd love to see more in the cookbook!
Cb key west says
I love your recipes and love how different they are. I would like to win this cookbook because of your opinion of it. I love getting new recipes from your blog and today when the newest newsletter came through I was so excited. I've been seeing things about this book. It sounds awesome and I appreciate and am drawn to it by your review.
Jenny Simpson says
I just made these!!! They are incredible ! SO DELICIOUS. Would love to win this book to check out more of her recipes.
Terri Cole says
100% honest answer? I would like to have this book because I have a vegan cookbook addiction.
Laura Fairchild says
I'm actually a food blogger too and I'm so inspired by new ways of creating vibrant, wholesome food with plants. It's crazy how many people have a misconception of what "vegan" is and I'm on a mission to prove it's just as delicious & decadent that anything. It's not restrictive at all (as these chocolate zucchini muffins clearly prove!).
karen says
I'd love to win it - I'm a farmer's market shopper and always appreciate new inspiration
Celeste Jackson says
I'm making these tonight....just happen to have all the right ingredients. They look delicious!
Angela says
I would love to try some new veggie recipes! And these muffins!
Amanda says
The cookbook would be a great inspiration when I bring home produce from the my CSA at the farmers market.
Jermisha says
I would love to win a copy of this cookbook because it would be a great addition to the couple vegan cookbooks that I own. I am always trying to discover new recipes and ways to add more veggies and beans to my daily diet. The Chocolate Zucchini Muffins looks awesome!
Emily says
Wow! The cover on this cookbook is stunning!!! Healthy food never looked so beautiful!! Get in my belly!
Courtenay says
I would love to win the cookbook because I do the exact same thing! I go to the grocery store and end up coming home with a random assortment of produce that I pretty much buy on impulse. There are definitely worse things to impulse purchase!!
Jennifer W says
I would love to win that cookbook as the double chocolate zucchini muffin recipe looks amazing. The other recipes must be equally as good.
Constance says
Hi! Thanks for the recipe!! Looking forward to try it :-)
I was wondering if anyone had tried making the recipe into a bread/cake rather than muffins? If so, how was the results?
Ashley says
Hi, Constance! I haven't tried it myself, so I'm not sure how it would turn out. If you give it a try, I'd love to hear how it goes!
Helen says
Wow, this recipe sounds good ..... and since I'm a lemon fanatic I'd love to win this cookbook. Thanks for the chance.
Cyndi br says
I would want a copy because they have better ingredients in the recipes
jacquie says
i like the way she cooks.
jacquie says
I love lemons!
Lydia Claire says
So I can try all of the recipes!
Brittany Koelmel says
First of all, the design on this cookbook is incredible! Second, I would love to try the recipes and put it on display in my kitchen!
Corrine says
The recipes look delicious and I'd like to prepare them!
Kate | vegukate says
Spelt flour, chocolate, and zucchini?! This sounds like the dream, as does the entire cookbook!
Meghan Teich says
I'm getting married in June and can't wait to start cooking meals with my husband-to-be. We're both major foodies and health nuts, so I think this cookbook would make a great addition to our currently limited collection! :)
Catherine says
I love the Love and Lemons blog! It has been a favorite for awhile. All of their recipes I have tried have been amazing. I also love how they highlight the fruit/veggies as the ingredients!
Terra Jackson says
I am trying to loose weight and the Double Choc.zucchini muffins look amazing. Sweets are my passion and to have a healthy choice is great. Maybe if i had a Love and Lemon cookbook i would be better at looseing weight and eating healthier sweets.
Tiffany says
I would love to win the cookbook because I love their recipes and blog! The recipes are wholesome and utilizes each season's ripest produce. The beautiful pictures in the cookbook makes me want to eat healthier and try new recipes
Annette says
I need more ideas for my fruits and veggies and would love to win this. I often don't use enough variety and know my body needs some additional nutrients.
Karen D says
I'm always looking for inventive meals to serve and I think this would be a big help!
Miranda Becker says
These were absolutely delicious! I made these for my housemates after watching The Great British Baking Show made me hungry for treats that I could actually eat (and were vegan), and they were gobbled right up. So, I made another batch for Mother's Day and my omnivorous parents are over-the-moon. Thanks for sharing this recipe!!
Carolsue says
My friend owns this cookbook and I love it! I would like my own copy.
Digicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
Linda says
What a fabulous idea for a cookbook! Thanks for hosting this giveaway. Like you mentioned, I'm a sucker for a pretty veggie or fruit at the store...then bringing it home and wondering just how I will prepare it for my hungry family to enjoy. If the recipe you posted is representative (and I bet it is!), this is a cookbook author after mine own heart.
Eileen says
This cookbook sounds fantastic -- I love all the fresh flavors. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!
Roshani says
Gorgeous photos, colors, and recipe! And, ohhhh your words. Always so meaningful and honest. LOVE.
Audrey says
Just made these!
Very yummy but the taste of baking soda comes through a little too much. Not sure how to adjust that.
Super light and fluffy though!