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About

About the Sungrown Kitchen

Hey guys!  I’m Meryl, chef, gardener, and mother of two little Minnesotans.  The Sungrown Kitchen combines my favorite loves that naturally go hand in hand…cooking and gardening with my kids woven throughout.

Prior to motherhood, I worked in restaurants, from prep cooking to line cooking, bartending and serving, to culinary school, more line cooking and eventually managing.  When my first baby was born, I traded in my cooking career to be a stay-at-home mom, took my maternity leave and never went back.  In my early days with our new baby, I started this cooking blog so I wouldn’t lose sight of my former career, and I always kept my culinary background entwined with my mothering.

I had been cooking professionally for 15 years.  While in college studying business at the University of Wisconsin, I got my first restaurant job.  I was cooking, prepping, grilling, bartending, learning, and cutting and burning my fingers countless times.  After graduating, that job led me to culinary school at Le Cordon Bleu in Chicago.  From there I’ve worked in a handful of restaurants, probably my favorite being the famous Pump Room at The Ambassador East Hotel in Chicago.  It was also a long ago favorite of Frank Sinatra, Humphrey Bogart and countless other celebrities, including the late Dennis Farina – which was quite a thrilling bartending night for me serving the actor (and martini enthusiast!).  I made my way back closer to home in Minnesota, got a job managing a local deli, which is where I hung it up to become a mommy, and found that my favorite place to cook is in my own kitchen for my family.

As for gardening I am learning as I go.  Gardening for me started several years back in my 300 square foot studio apartment where I planted a few herbs in my windowsill and convinced my landlord to allow a tomato and zucchini pot on the roof of the building.  From my tiny rooftop I moved in with my husband and we cleared a few feet in our backyard.

I am from a small town in Wisconsin and somehow have always managed to live in big cities since I left.  After much searching we moved to a charming small town with a big backyard for our two kids.  Our new house came with a playhouse only needing fresh paint, a crew of neighbor kids, a huge raspberry patch, and a fire pit for lots and lots of marshmallows.  That first summer we built my dream garden, with 8 raised vegetable beds, pollinator wildflowers, and planted apple and plum trees.  We’ve turned our little spot into our own mini homestead, growing more food, stocking our freezer for the long winters, and having the kids harvest their own snacks.

About My Food

Homemade food…I love to cook meals from ingredients in their most basic form~simple, fresh, seasonal, and usually pretty healthy.  The world has gotten very busy, but I think cooking dinner every night, and eating good meals together is worth making time for.  Above any of the latest food trends or diets, I believe in eating your vegetables, eating a wide variety, and cooking unprocessed foods from scratch.

My life has changed from busy restaurants to the equally busy chaos with kids pulling chairs up to the counter to help, measuring ingredients, stirring and learning to love real, delicious food.  We like to eat “food that makes us grow big and strong” but we make plenty of room for treats too.  My time in the kitchen with them is worth the extra mess, I want to see them cooking for their own families someday.

And being from Wisconsin, we eat a lot of cheese!

Don’t forget to like us on FACEBOOK     https://www.facebook.com/sungrownkitchen/

And follow on INSTAGRAM for new recipes, outdoor adventures and what’s growing in the garden! https://www.instagram.com/sungrown_kitchen/

PS…In order to help pay for this site, you may see a few advertisements and I may occasionally put links that generate a small commission when clicked.  Thank you for stopping by!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dave Rice says

    December 17, 2013 at 12:00 am

    Pretty cool site and cool concept. How about some new recipes even though is winter. Do you have a great spinach gratin recipe using fresh spinach or is frozen just as good for the gratin?

    Log in to Reply
  2. Matthew Shilts says

    November 5, 2014 at 7:32 pm

    Meryl I really like the site. I will have to try some of your recipes soon.

    Log in to Reply
    • Meryl Downing says

      December 23, 2014 at 6:13 pm

      Hey Matt! Glad to hear that, let me know if you try any you like!

      Log in to Reply

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About:

Hey guys!  I'm Meryl, chef, gardener, and mother of two little Minnesotans.  The Sungrown Kitchen combines two of my favorite things that naturally go hand in hand...cooking and gardening. ... (read more)


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Appetizer Basics Breakfast Events Family Recipe Freezer Garden Grill Holiday Home Kids Pantry Pasta Sandwich soup Summer Taco Night Treats Winter




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Do you ever feel like the only way your kids eat t Do you ever feel like the only way your kids eat their veggies is plain and raw?  This happens to be the healthiest way to eat them so why fight it?  Veggies and Dip is a perfectly acceptable dinner side😆, great with burgers, grilled sausages or chicken!  It's of course a healthy snack, and pair it with some cheese curds, beef sticks, or hard boiled eggs and you've got lunch!
This Easy Vegetable Dip comes together in just 10 minutes and is so much better than store-bought!  It's Yogurt-based, flavored with Parmesan cheese, and full of fresh herbs.  Snack time, lunch or dinner, you'll want to have this in your fridge!  It will easily last a few days in the fridge...a perfect #mealprepsunday
🌻 Recipe in Profile!
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#sungrownkitchen #veggiesanddip #veggiedip #dip #veggielover #healthysnacks #dinnersides #sidedish #lunch #mealprepideas #mealprep #makeahead #mealplan #mealprepmonday #eatyourveggies #healthykidsnacks #healthykidsfood #kidfriendlyfood #eattherainbow #eatincolor #eatyourveggies #healthykids #kidseathealthy #momfood #kidfood #cleaneating #healthyliving #eatwell
🌻Beef Cabbage Soup🌻 So hearty and nurishing, 🌻Beef Cabbage Soup🌻
So hearty and nurishing, this one-pot soup is loaded with carrots, onions, shredded cabbage, chunky potatoes, ground beef, and white beans in a rich tomato broth topped with Parmesan and crusty bread.  We can't complain about 46 degrees in February, but this is total comfort food, no matter the weather! ☀️
Link in Profile
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#sungrownkitchen #soupoftheday #beefcabbagesoup #soup #soupsaturday #soupseason 
#instafooood #eeeeeats #iamwellandgood #goopmake #foods4thought #foodgawker #feedfeed #f52grams #thekitchn #epicurious #healthyeats #healthyfood #dinnerideas
#dinnertonight #onepotmeal
#onepotdinner #wintereats #familydinner #homecooking #scratchcooking #foodblog #foodblogger
🌿A great Field Trip Friday, Healthy Kids Snack 🌿A great Field Trip Friday, Healthy Kids Snack Packs To Go (🌻Link in Profile with lots of kid snack ideas) and ordered pizza tonight!
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#sungrownkitchen #fieldtripfriday #kidssnacks  #vitaminn #natureschool #kidswhoexplore #kidsnacks #kidslunch #kidslunchbox #kidslunchideas #kidfriendlyfood #cookingforkids #healthykidsfood #healthykidsnacks #healthykids #fridaymood
🌻8 Minute MAC& CHEESE for Kids 🌻 Stovetop M 🌻8 Minute MAC& CHEESE for Kids 🌻

Stovetop Mac & Cheese is an easy kid lunch favorite, so ditch the blue box and orange mystery powder for this homemade version! Made with real ingredients and ready in just 8 minutes!  And if you're back to school, I have made this on a Sunday for lunch and sent the leftovers to school in a lunchbox.  I microwaved it in the morning just to loosen it back up and he didn't seem to mind that he wasn't eating it hot by lunchtime 🤷

Recipe and more kid's lunch idea linked in profile!
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#sungrownkitchen #macandcheese #macncheese #macaroniandcheese #kidslunchbox #kidslunchideas #lunch #lunchprep #lunchbreak #lunchtime #kidsfoodideas #kidslunch #kidseathealthy #healthykidsfood #healthykidslunch #kidfriendlyfood #kidfriendlymeals #kideats #toddlerfood #momfood #momlife #whatsforlunch #lunchideas
✨Baked Oatmeal Cups -- I originally wrote this a ✨Baked Oatmeal Cups -- I originally wrote this as a holiday recipe with cranberries and white chocolate, but I made them this morning with what was left of the Thanksgiving cranberries in my freezer and added some frozen berries to get the full amount.  Reminded me that these are so versatile, any berries can replace the cranberries and they are such a delicious muffin alternative!  No flour, no sugar, lots of healthy ingredients so you can definitely have 2!  A perfect little breakfast with a smoothie or yogurt and granola.  Get the Recipe!
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#sungrownkitchen #oatmealcups #bakedoatmeal #bakedoatmealcups #breakfasttogo #breakfastrecipes #breakfastforkids #breakfastideas #easybreakfast #healthybreakfast #healthybaking #eathealthy #glutenfree #sugarfree #healthyrecipes #mealprep #food52 #foodofinstagram #healthyliving #healthylivingtips #breakfast #foodies #feedyourfamily #buzzfeast #momfood #eatcleantraindirty #oatmeal #momfuel
Leftover Pork Roast Rice Bowls with Chimichuri Sau Leftover Pork Roast Rice Bowls with Chimichuri Sauce>>no recipe, just using what we had:
🌻Roasted-Cauliflower, Corn, Sunflower Seeds
🌻Raw-Avocado, Feta, Red Onion
🌻White Rice and Leftover shredded Pork
🌻Chimichuri Sauce--parsley, cilantro, garlic, lemon, olive oil, salt pepper, blender
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#sungrownkitchen #porkroast #ricebowl #leftovers #leftovermakeover #healthydinner #buddhabowl #ricebowls #easydinner #damnthatsdelish #eeeeeats #f52grams
🌻Homemade Pizza Night🌻 #pizzanight #fieldtri 🌻Homemade Pizza Night🌻
#pizzanight #fieldtripfriday #frozenwaterfall
#winterbeauty
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#sungrownkitchen #familydinnerideas #foodblogfeed #foodbloggersofinstagram #foodblogeats #delishkitchen #yahoofood #minnstagramers #tastemade #familydinner  #eeeats #foodieofinstagram #dinnertonight #pizzadough #homemadepizza #kidfriendlydinner
#cookingwithkids #homeschoolpreschool #cookingschool #kidfriendlyfood #kitchenhelper #kidscooking #healthyish #1000hoursoutside #freerangekids
🌻 Steak Sandwiches with Balsamic Onions An old 🌻 Steak Sandwiches with Balsamic Onions

An old recipe but still a favorite! Slow caramelized balsamic onions, sliced steak, goat cheese, tomato, and arugula on toasty grilled bread! Easy enough for a weeknight dinner, and a great way to stretch a buck eating steak at home!

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#sungrownkitchen #steaksandwich #eattheworld #eatthis #dinnertime #caramelizedonions #sandwichesofinstagram #sandwichlover #dinnerideas #foodblogfeed #nytcooking #huffposttaste #instafooood #droolclub#marthafood#realfood#healthydinner #cookserious #goodeats #goodmoodfood #goodfood #damnthatsdelish #homecooking
🌻 Chopped Dinner Salad🌻 . Chopped Dinner Sal 🌻 Chopped Dinner Salad🌻
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Chopped Dinner Salad with Roasted Potatoes is the ultimate everything salad, and a simple weeknight meal!  Hearty enough for dinner, starting with a bed of roasted potatoes, and piled high with salad greens, avocado, bacon, cucumber, tomato, corn, beans, and hard boiled eggs.  Or keep it vegetarian.  Change it up every time with tons of options for substitutions, it’s the perfect versatile dinner! 
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#sungrownkitchen #dinnerideas #dinnersalad #saladsofinstagram #saladfordinner #veggielover #eatthis #eatyourveggies #eattherainbow #eatincolor #nytcooking #foodies #feedyourfamily #familydinner #feedfeed #huffposttaste #f52gram #marthafood #iamwellandgood #healthydinner  #eatwellbewell #eatwelllivewell #healthyeats
No school and -23 degrees! Fresh Pasta, Godfather No school and -23 degrees!  Fresh Pasta, Godfather soundtrack, pretty fun day with the kids 🍝
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#sungrownkitchen #cookingwithkids #homeschool #homeschoolpreschool #cookingschool #homeschoolactivities #kidfriendlyfood #kitchenhelper #kidscooking #healthyish #kidscancook #homecooking #homeschoolfun #momfood #momlife #homemade#cookingforkids #freerangekids #kidsactivities #kidfriendly #letthembelittle #lifewithkids #kidseathealthy #kidsinthekitchen #freshpasta #homemadepasta
💜 Valentine's Black Bean Brownies 🤎 Black B 💜 Valentine's Black Bean Brownies 🤎

Black Bean Brownies are a sweet and healthier version of a favorite treat!  No flour, no sugar, and extra protein from the black beans, eggs and almonds!  A perfect dessert for Valentine’s Day, and a great way to use up all those extra candy bars!  Just add ice cream!
🌻Get the recipe!
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#sungrownkitchen #valentinesbaking #valentinesdessert #valentinestreats #brownies #proteinbrownies #blackbeanbrownies #healthierversion #glutenfree #bakingwithkids #treats #chocolate #valentinesdaytreats #valentinesdaydessert #dessertsofinstagram #dessertoftheday #chocolat #darkchocolate #baking #bakingfromscratch #homemadebaking #foodblogger #iamwellandgood #healthyish #eatrealfood #feedfeed #foodieheaven #foodblogfeed
Pizza Night! No #fieldtripfriday , -11🥶 🌻Ge Pizza Night!
No #fieldtripfriday , -11🥶

🌻Get the Recipe and all the tips and tricks!
Link in profile

#pizzanight #sungrownkitchen #dinnerideas #familydinnerideas #foodielover #foodblogfeed #foodbloggersofinstagram #foodblogeats #foodiepics #delishkitchen #yahoofood #minnstagramers #tastemade #realsimple #goodmoodfood #familydinner  #eeeats #foodieofinstagram #dinnertonight #friday #pizzadough #homemadepizza #pizzagram #kidfriendlydinner #pizzalove #realfood #veggielover
NEW! Pasta Fagioli Soup is hearty and filling and NEW!  Pasta Fagioli Soup is hearty and filling and oh, so delicious!  Just 20 minutes to prep, it's the perfect winter one-pot meal! This Italian favorite is full of pantry staples, rich flavors, and so easy to make!  Loaded with beans, pasta, veggies, and beef in a silky tomato broth.
🌻Get the Recipe!
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#sungrownkitchen #pastafagioli #soup #soupsaturday #soupseason #soupweather #soupszn #soupoftheday #onepotmeal #comfortfood #wintermeals #dinnerideas #weeknightmeals #groundbeef #heartysoup #onepotdinner #homemadesoup #f52grams #wintereats #healthydinner #foodblogfeed #foodblogger #nytcooking #huffposttaste #marthafood #feedfeed #feedyourfamily
Guacamole! . . #superbowleats #superbowl #superbo Guacamole!

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#superbowleats #superbowl #superbowlfood #guacamole #superbowlparty #guac #sungrownkitchen #healthysnacks #snackboard #dip #partyfood #gamedayfood #footballfood #easysnacks #avocado #appetizers #appetizerideas #superbowlappetizers #partyappetizers #easyappetizers #grazingtables #grazingtable #healthyeats #f52grams #iamwellandgood #damnthatsdelish #eatyourveggies #eatrealfood #eattherainbow #eatthis
🌻Homemade Pizza Night and a freezing cold field 🌻Homemade Pizza Night and a freezing cold field trip Friday ❄️

#pizzanight #fieldtripfriday #sungrownkitchen #dinnerideas #familydinnerideas #foodielover #foodblogfeed #foodbloggersofinstagram #foodblogeats #foodiepics #delishkitchen #yahoofood #minnstagramers #tastemade #realsimple #goodmoodfood #familydinner  #eeeats #foodieofinstagram #dinnertonight #friday #pizzadough #homemadepizza #pizzagram #kidfriendlydinner #pizzalove #realfood #veggielover
🏈🥑 Super Bowl Avocado Bean Dip!🥑🏈 A ha 🏈🥑 Super Bowl Avocado Bean Dip!🥑🏈
A happy marriage of hummus and guacamole 💚

🌻Get the Game Day Favorite Party Foods, link in profile
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#sungrownkitchen #superbowl #superbowlfood #superbowleats #gamedayfood  #weekendfood  #foodblogeats #delishkitchen #f52grams  #foodieblogger #tastemade #foodgawker #droolclub #minnesotafoodie #appetizers #appetizerideas #superbowlparty #snackboard #dip #partyfood #footballfood #superbowlappetizers #partyappetizers #easyappetizers #grazingtables #grazingtable #f52grams #avocado #damnthatsdelish #eatthis
🌻 Super Bowl Crockpot Party Meatballs 🌻 Th 🌻 Super Bowl Crockpot Party Meatballs 🌻 

Those same meal prep meatballs, from meatball subs, make the perfect crockpot meatballs with a sweet and sticky new sauce, perfect for game day!

🌻 Lots of Super Bowl Recipes, link in profile!
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#sungrownkitchen #superbowl #superbowlfood #superbowleats #gamedayfood  #weekendfood  #foodblogeats #delishkitchen #f52grams  #foodieblogger #tastemade #foodgawker #droolclub #minnesotafoodie #appetizers #appetizerideas #superbowlparty #snackboard #partyfood #footballfood #superbowlappetizers #partyappetizers #easyappetizers #grazingtables #grazingtable #f52grams #damnthatsdelish #eatthis #meatballs #homemademeatballs
❄️ February 4💙 . . The day the music died ❄️ February 4💙
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The day the music died
🌻 Raisin Pine Nut Goat Cheese Appetizer🌻 I k 🌻 Raisin Pine Nut Goat Cheese Appetizer🌻
I know goat cheese doesn't really scream Super Bowl 🏈, but I made this super quick and easy app for New Year's and have been looking for an occasion to make it again ever since!  Seriously delicious! 

Crumbled goat cheese topped with a quick saute of caramelized onion, pine nuts, rosemary, dried golden raisins and craisins with touch of honey!

🌻 Recipe link in profile
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#sungrownkitchen #superbowl #superbowlfood #superbowleats #gamedayfood  #weekendfood  #foodblogeats #delishkitchen #f52grams  #foodieblogger #tastemade #foodgawker #droolclub #minnesotafoodie #appetizers #appetizerideas #superbowlparty #snackboard #dip #partyfood #footballfood #superbowlappetizers #partyappetizers #easyappetizers #grazingtables #grazingtable #f52grams #goatcheese #damnthatsdelish #eatthis
🏈🥑 Super Bowl Guacamole!🥑🏈 🌻Get th 🏈🥑 Super Bowl Guacamole!🥑🏈

🌻Get the Game Day Favorite Party Foods, link in profile
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#superbowleats #superbowl #superbowlfood #guacamole #superbowlparty #guac #sungrownkitchen #healthysnacks #snackboard #dip #partyfood #gamedayfood #footballfood #easysnacks #avocado #appetizers #appetizerideas #superbowlappetizers #partyappetizers #easyappetizers #grazingtables #grazingtable #healthyeats #f52grams #iamwellandgood #damnthatsdelish #eatyourveggies #eatrealfood #eattherainbow #eatthis
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