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Mary Margaret Chappell

Mary Margaret Chappell

When Mary Margaret Chappell first started out in the plant-based food world as a writer, editor, and recipe developer, she was a bacon-loving former pastry chef who didn’t think she could ever cook without butter. Fourteen years, four cookbooks, dozens of cooking classes, and hundreds of recipes later, her favorite thing in the world is sharing the tips, techniques, and recipes that show just how easy and delicious whole-food, plant-based cooking can be. The former food editor of Vegetarian Times magazine has done away with her dependency on butter and is honing her skills at baking with natural sweeteners. Chappell lives in France, where plant-based eating can often be a challenge, but the fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes available are simply amazing. Find her on Instagram and Facebook.

All Contributions from Mary Margaret Chappell (227)

  • vegan substitutions ingredient swaps - aquafaba nutritional yeast dried mushrooms

    How to Make Any Recipe Vegan (and Healthy)

    Common Plant-Based Substitutes and Dairy-Free Alternatives Your first thought when it comes to veganizing a recipe might be to reach for one of the many faux meats or cheeses that are on the market today. But if you’re looking to improve your health, we encourage you to steer clear of highly processed products and instead […]
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  • dates on a wooden table, some on a blue plate and some laid directly on the table and cut open

    Sweet, Chewy, and Nutrient-Packed: A Deep Dive into Dates

    Lusciously chewy and caramel-sweet, dates definitely live up to their reputation as “nature’s candy.” But beyond just being a delicious snack, dates have a wide variety of culinary uses, elevating the flavors and bringing natural richness to sweet and savory dishes alike. They’re also a rich source of fiber and other nutrients. In this guide, […]
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  • Spring vegetables on wooden background - asparagus carrots and herbs

    In-Season Produce: Your Guide to Spring Vegetables and Fruits

    What cook hasn’t yearned for the fresh flavor of spring’s first asparagus or peas, or the juicy sweetness of locally grown strawberries? They’re just two of the luscious produce items that make their yearly debut when the weather first begins to warm up. Read on for a full list of fruits and vegetables in season […]
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  • Around 20 new potatoes in a basket on a hardwood surface next to a rustic brown kitchen towel, with a couple new potatoes outsid the basket

    Why New Potatoes Are a Springtime Must-Have—Plus a Crispy Recipe to Try

    If you’ve ever bitten into a perfectly tender, slightly sweet, and ultra-creamy potato, there’s a good chance it was a new potato. These young tubers, harvested before they reach full maturity, are a spring specialty that bring a fresh, buttery taste to a wide variety of dishes. Their ultra-thin, flaky skins and smooth, firm texture […]
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  • Steel-Cut Oat Risotto with Leeks and Artichokes in a brown ceramic bowl next to a small bowl of finely chopped parsley

    Steel-Cut Oat Risotto with Leeks and Artichokes

    Steel-cut oats have a creaminess similar to short-grain Arborio rice traditionally used in risotto—but they require much less stirring! The oats, lentils, and leeks are covered and left to cook for 15 minutes. After a quick stir, add artichoke hearts and radishes and leave them again, removing the lid for the last few minutes of […]
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  • An array of homemade salad dressings made without oil, including vegan ranch, balsamic vinaigrette, and a grapefruit tarragon, in small glass bowls with spoons in them and some of the ingredients shown beside them

    How to Make Salad Dressing Without Oil

    While oil is often the first thing people reach for to whip up a full-bodied salad dressing, there are lighter, healthier (and more flavorful!) ways of achieving the same effect. Read on for easy oil-free recipes for a range of salad dressings, from creamy to nutty to fruity, plus a primer on making and customizing […]
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  • A creamy-looking bowl of Wild Mushroom Soup with a sprig of fresh rosemary on top. A brown cloth napkin sits under the white bowl.

    Wild Mushroom Soup with Rosemary

    Low in calories and packed with flavor, this wild mushroom soup is delicious made with any of the wild mushroom varieties found in specialty grocers and at farmers markets. It’s a light starter for a meal. Dried porcini mushrooms add extra umami flavor and need 30 minutes to soak, so get those going first. Tips […]
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  • Three bowls, each containing a different type of fresh chile pepper, including thai bird, jalapeno, and scotch bonnet chiles, on a light gray wooden floor

    Cook’s Guide to Fresh Chile Peppers

    When it comes to chile peppers, cooks fall in two camps: the fiery-food lovers who think the more chiles the better, and the hot-food haters who are often too timid to try cooking with them. No matter which group you belong to, once you’re familiar with the different varieties and know how to prepare them, […]
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  • Three oat cookies on a parchment paper square with a blue background

    Is Parchment Paper Toxic? What You Need to Know

    Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz about ditching nonstick pans due to concerns over PFAS—those notorious “forever chemicals” linked to potential health risks. But did you know that your parchment paper could be another hidden source of these same toxins? Many brands use PFAS to enhance parchment’s nonstick and moisture-resistant properties, potentially leaching chemicals […]
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  • Whole Grain Pretzel Bites on a platter with mustard next to plates of sliced cucumber, radish, and pickles

    Whole Grain Soft Pretzel Bites

    Pretzel bites may just be one of the fastest, easiest yeast-bread projects around. First you make the yeast dough and let it rise. Then you shape the dough into ropes and cut them into bite-size pieces—no tricky twisting needed. After that, you boil the bites in a baking soda solution. (Don’t panic! It’s as easy […]
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  • Six small bowls of oil-free popcorn, each topped with a creative homemade topper, including sweet and savory toppings

    How to Make Delicious, Healthy Popcorn Without Butter or Oil

    Popcorn has a well-earned reputation as one of the healthiest whole grain snacks—provided it’s not drenched in butter or doused with salt. But achieving a flavorful bowl of salt-free, low-fat popcorn takes a little know-how. From understanding why some popcorn pops fluffier to mastering the art of getting seasonings to stick without oil, this guide […]
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  • Unidentified person leaning down into the freezer draw looking for frozen tofu

    How (and Why) to Freeze Tofu

    For tastier tofu that’s easier to work with, freezing is the secret weapon you didn’t know you needed. Read on to learn why this super-simple hack works and how to do it—plus, we’ll cover a few instances in which it’s best to stick with fresh tofu. How Freezing Transforms Tofu When regular (not silken) tofu […]
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