Welcome! I’m happy you’re here. You can call me Kate, which is one of many nicknames, or Kathryne, which is my full first name. Either way, I’m a self-taught photographer and cook from Oklahoma. I started this blog in 2010 and named it after my canine sidekick, Cookie. Now, we live in Kansas City and work on this blog full-time. I love my job!
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.
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 foods that 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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy your cookbook?
My cookbook, Love Real Food, can be purchased online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, BAM!, IndieBound, and Indigo. Digital editions of the book are available for purchase and download at iBooks and Amazon. Look for the book in your local bookstore or Barnes & Noble. More book details here.
What kind of camera do you use?
I use a Nikon Z6 with a Nikkor Z 50mm lens. Check out my food photography tips for more details.
Do you have any tips for new bloggers?
Check out my top 20 tips for food blogging and how to start a food blog, which includes design and web hosting tips.
Can I publish your photos or recipes on my blog/website?
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.
Steve Cornwell
I’m not a vegetarian. Probably never will be. But due to the influence of my wife and daughter, I certainly see the benefits (health, environment, humane treatment of animals) and therefore make a concerted effort to seek out vegetarian recipes. I have always said to my wife that I don’t have a problem eating a vegetarian meal if it’s delicious. But, I’m not willing to sacrifice taste. Your website has literally been my beacon for finding the most delicious vegetarian meals. Everything I have tried on your site has become a regular in our rotation. It’s the only cooking website that I have bookmarked and the only one that I recommend to friends. So, thanks for what you do.
Kate
I’m glad you have been able to enjoy my recipes, Steve!
Cindy
I concur, Steve. Well said! The only thing I could add is that the website and photos are beautiful and helpful. I love everything about this website! Thank you, Kate, for working so hard to bring us healthful and delicious recipes!
Karin Schwab
Hi Kate,
I have your book and just love your recipes. I became vegetarian a year ago for the same reasons you describe in your book. With your recipes and those you post, I am eating very well! And love in your book that you alert us all to what dogs shouldn’t eat!! My 11 year old Boston Terrier is enjoying nibbles from the dog friendly recipes you have! I recall reading awhile back that you had a health scare with Cookie. She is just adorable!! I was wondering how she is doing?
Kate
Hi Karin! I’m delighted you are enjoying both my book and blog. I appreciate your support! Cookie still seems to be handling treatment well and hoping for the best.
Carol Giaco
Hi Kate,
Just leaving you a comment to let you know this is my favorite food blog, hands down! It is uncanny-it seems like every time I’m the mood for a specific food or want to use some ingredients I have, one of your recipes comes up. I think I might have identical taste in food! Anyways I also used to live in OKC and I worked at med imports so one day I was craving their bean salad and looking up a recipe and of course yours came up with a shoutout to med imports! Anyways keep up all the good work-I finally ordered your cookbook today and look forward to using it!
Kate
You’re so kind, Carol! Thank you for sharing. It’s wonderful to know you can trust the recipes and content. I do spend a lot of time on them! :)
Paige
I just wanted to thank you for all the work you do on this terrific blog. Your recipes have inspired me to cook more for myself and explore more wholesome ingredients, and I have enjoyed every bite (my dog Poppy enjoys the occasional bite, too). I’m also in Kansas City, so I love all the references to this great town and its awesome food! Thanks again for all you do!
Kate
Thank you, Paige! I’m happy to hear that.
Erica Ward
Hi Cookie and Kate! I LOVE your recipes and have followed you for years! You’re always my first stop when searching for recipes and lately I’ve been looking for a good butternut squash lasagna…. Would you consider adding that?? Thank you!!
Erica
Kate
Thank you, Erica! I appreciate your review.
Jennifer
Thank you!!! for the pecan butter recipe. Never did I ever conceive that pecans would make an exceptional delicious nut butter – better than almond butter. Pecan granola bars are setting in the fridge – can’t wait to try them.
Jackie
Hi Kate, this has been said before, but yours is my favorite food blog hands down! I’ve been vegetarian for 4 years and I haven’t been able to find any other recipes that come close to beating yours. I especially appreciate how you make a point to include seasonal ingredients in your posts. Thank you for the good eats!
Kate
Thank you so much, Jackie! I do truly appreciate it. :)
Hilary
Every single time I use one of your recipes it comes out amazing! Thank you!!! Absolutely love all of your cookies and am now a pro at flax eggs and use them all the time thanks to you!! X
Kate
I’m happy to hear that Hilary! Thank you for your review.
Denise
Looking forward to checking out your cook book! Just found your blog.
Astrid Kavanagh
Hi. Is your oven temp for fan forced or conventional?
Kate
Hi! It’s conventional.
Janice
I always assumed that Cookie and Kate were two cooks. Now I know who Cookie is. She is absolutely adorable and definitely plays an important role in your food blog!!
Kate
Thank you, Janice! She is pretty special.
Emily
You are a genius. I never comment online, but I’ve gotten so much joy out of your recipes over the years that my debt of gratitude is way overdue. I LOVE your ideas and techniques! Thank you so much for sharing. Your introductions are always delightful to read too.
Kate
You’re very kind, Emily! Thank you for your comment.
Sharron Holder
hi kate, i would lv to save many of your recipes. i am unable to see how that is possible. where is save located. i see saved at top of page but it did not save the recipe.
Kate
Hi Sharron! Thank you for your comment. If you go to the bottom of the post, in the recipe itself an option to save there. It’s in the header with the ingredients. I hope this helps!
Meagan
I stumbled upon your website awhile back and I am so glad I did! I was in search of a butternut squash soup recipe and I found yours. It was SO good and so easy to make! I am always trying to find recipes that are simple, delicious, and use real ingredients. I bought your cookbook a couple months ago and have tried so many of the recipes already! I loved your cookbook so much I bought my best friend one as well. We often text each other about recipes we’ve tried and we have yet to be disappointed. I typically don’t comment, but I had to say thank you!!
Kate
I’m happy you did as well, Meagan! Thank you for taking the time to review. Always be sure to rate the recipes as you try them, it really does help!
Sauc'd Foodcart
Hi friend,
Though I’m not vegan personally, I am a fellow imaginer of food, and a few times when I rattled off ideas to google your website came up with a striking parallel. As a kindred spirit of sorts, I just wanted to say hello.
Barbara Hale
Hi Kate! Some of my friends have started making their own healthy dog food. Have you tried this? Do you have any canine cooking tips? What does Cookie like to eat?
Kate
Hi Barbara, sorry to disappoint but I don’t!
Laurie
Hi Kate,
So, I was looking for ratatouille recipes and stumbled upon yours. It was so incredibly delicious!!! I’d had ratatouille once years ago and really enjoyed it and hadn’t had it since, but I’ve recently gone vegan and wanted something healthy and yummy. This was such a feast of flavor no wonder your husband enjoyed it more than any ratatouille he had in France! Thank you!!!
Kate
I’m happy you loved it! Be sure to leave a star review since you loved it. Thank you for taking the time to comment, Laurie!
Lisa
We so enjoy your recipes, thank you. Now we planned to go out for the first time to celebrate a birthday but it is going to be too chilly to fully enjoy it. So now i need ideas for a fancy healthy dinner. What do you suggest?
Kate
Hi Lisa, sounds like you have much to celebrate! Hooray! How about an oven-baked risotto with a big green salad? I love my mushroom or butternut risottos and would pair them with a big Italian chopped salad. Lasagna would be great, too!
Colin H
Hi Kate….and Cookie
Just to say I love receiving your emails and the recipes within
I’ve been a veggie for 30 + years ….love the ideas you come up with….and Kansas…that sounds a cool place to live wow….there was a band from the States called Kansas…I guess they were from your state…not sure if they’re still together
Colin h
Derbyshire..England
Katie Moore
Kate, will you ever publish another cookbook? Yours is my favorite one!
Kate
Thank you, Katie! I’m happy you loved it. I don’t have one in the works currently.
Avis
Your site is on my iPhone homescreen so I can jump right to it. Always find good stuff here.
Calise
Hi Kate! I just want to leave a comment and say thank you for all the excellent recipes you post here– I’ve consulted your site so many times when trying to create veggie-forward dishes that everyone (not just vegetarians) will love, and your recipes always hit the spot! Thanks for all you do! :)
Kate
You’re so kind, Calise! I’m delighted you have enjoyed my recipes and keep coming back.
Heidi
Every time I want to make a new dish I check to see if you have a related recipe and try that first. Every one I’ve tried has been fantastic! Thank you so much for this wonderful page! Your lentil soup has taken first place on my favorite meals to make and I do so, all the time, all year round lol.
Kate
Thank you, Heidi! I’m happy to hear that.
AJ
Hi Kate!!
I stumbled across your blog in an attempt to search for Vegan recipes. I’m a Vegetarian of 26 years seeking to finally transition to becoming Vegan, in order to reap the benefits of a fully plant-based diet. I really love your content and photos. Your site will definitely become a frequent spot for me. I’m also looking into purchasing your cookbook. Thank you for your awesome work!!
P.S. I am originally from Kansas City – Born and raised! I now live in Nashville. :) Enjoy my hometown for me.
AJ
Kate
Hi AJ, Nashville is such a fun place, I hope you are enjoying it! I hope you love my cookbook. Thank you for your kind words!
Michael
Kate,
My wife and I have recently overhauled our diet in an effort to lose weight and improve our health. It probably goes without saying that a huge step in the right direction includes tipping the scales significantly towards a plant based diet. Echoing a previous commenter, it’s doubtful that my wife and I will ever abandon all meat. However, replacing old, tired recipes with healthy new foods and flavors has been instrumental in our journey.
I was running through a bunch of bookmarked recipes I had recently found, trying to decide what to cook next when I realized that the majority of that list were YOUR recipes. They’re all so flavorful, so vibrant and I know from experience that they’re reliable. Thank you for sharing what you do – it has certainly inspired us to eat healthier – so much so, that I just ordered your book.
Tomorrow’s Menu:
Tandori chicken (not one of yours, but should compliment)
C+K Crispy falafel
C+K Mujadara
C+K Favorite Quinoa Salad
Yes, we like leftovers thank you for all you do!
Kate
I’m glad you have a menus planned with lots of my recipes!
Katie
Hi Kate,
I am the most enthusiastic cook but often have disastrous results. I’m planning a veggie dinner party for my Book Club and tried out your aubergine lasagne (from your cook book) as a practice run. It’s so utterly delicious I actually can’t believe I made it! Thank you so much!
Would I be able to make this the day before but not bake it and then just put it in the oven to bake before the dinner party?
Kate
Hi Katie, I’m happy you are loving my cookbook! Unfortunately, I don’t recommend too long for it to sit in the refrigerator unbaked as I find it releases water and you don’t get as good of result. But, let me know if you try it and have a difference experience!
Colette
Hi Kate!
I recently discovered your blog and I absolutely love it. It is helping me eat more vegetables and I have learned a lot about cooking! When I choose a cookie and kate recipe to serve to friends they are always impressed. Thanks for providing all of these great resources!
Kate
Thank you for sharing, Colette! I’m happy you come to the blog for delicious food and share it with your friends.
Brook
Hello Kate
Your recipes are my go to! I eat a WFPB diet with the men in my house all meat eaters (hubby and two sons). I refer to your recipes all the time as I find them easy to tweak to suite us all and of course super delicious! We are Australian, but are based in the highlands of Papua New Guinea for my husbands work so your recipes are being cooked all the way over here. Thank you for all the hard work you put into your recipes, photography and social media.
Kind Regards
Brook
Ann E Smith
I’ve been using your recipes for about 2 years, and I enjoy everyone I’ve tried, I have your cookbook. Do you have any recipes that use Agave as the sweetener, I’m avoiding sugar and artificial sweeteners.
Thank you for all your work and keep cooking.
Kate
Hi Ann! Thank you for purchasing my book. I’m excited you loved it. Sorry to disappoint, but I don’t have any.
Sheila Inglin
I LOVE YOUR COOKBOOK ❤❤❤ I am type2 diabetic always looking for healthy new recipes and I believe I have struck Gold with your book!! Thank you Cookie + Kate from the bottom of my heart !!!❤❤ excited to start cooking healthy !!! ❤
Kate
I’m so delighted you are enjoying my cookbook, Sheila! I appreciate you taking the time to share.
David Hardy
I was guessing, ” Aussie;” Kate greatly resembles the Blue Healer cattle dog; muscular chest, strong as an ox and a personailty just as big. They need to be paired with a self secure kind hearted human like you or like the lovely Staffordshire they can be swayed to become afraid, defensive, and thus aggressive. cheers…