These chicken skewers have such a lovely marinade and with the fresh tastes of the salad are a lovely Summer dish or perfect for a barbecue. There is some chilli in both dishes but the larger red chillis I use here are not very hot. So you can always add more heat by using hotter chillis or chilli paste. Peri Peri Chicken Skewers Ingredients- makes about 15 … [read more]
Fruit and Vegetable diet~ as the basis to or a whole day’s menu
I am intrigued by the varied dietary approaches we have today... vegan, vegetarian, raw, high carbohydrate low fat, low carbohydrate high fat and Paleo style diets. And there is good science for all, which only confuses people even more! But if you look at one theme that connects all approaches, vegetables reign supreme. And especially green raw vegetables such as spinach, watercress, celery, … [read more]
Green Juice
Green juices and green smoothies are a wonderful way to get the goodness and fluid of a lot of green foods rich in chlorophyl and antioxidants and in a very digestible form. Green juices and green smoothies are particularly good for supporting liver detoxification. We can all do with a daily green drink! I love this combination of ingredients. I put just enough apple in to take the edge off the … [read more]
Nut and Fruit bars
This is proving to be one of my most popular snack bars. It is a bar made from toasted nuts and some dried fruits, in this case raisins and the picture shows a bowl of goji berries. These are rich in antioxidants and slightly chewy, very nice. The mixture of coconut oil, almond butter and honey makes for a lovely soft caramel flavour. The only cooking is toasting the nuts so very easy. The bars … [read more]
Smoky chipotle and bean soup
I have been yearning for this soup all week! The rain and cold have arrived and it's definitely feeling time for something that deeply warms and nourishes. The combination of flavours here is OUTSTANDING!! Chipotle chillies are mild and smoky used in Mexican cooking and absolute magic happens with the combination of cumin, ginger, smoked paprika and fresh coriander. Those who have tried this soup … [read more]
Summer greens with herbs and hazelnuts
A few months back in Summer I discovered this gorgeous salad. Herbs and toasted nuts just lift vegetables in such magical ways, which I adore. And the salad can keep well in the fridge so saves you on making lunch the next day- just add some feta cheese, tuna, salmon or smoked chicken. Ingredients for salad 500g Asparagus cut in 2 diagonally 200 g Snow peas / … [read more]
Lentil and Vegetable Soup
Leaves are turning gold and the mornings are darker as we head into Autumn. And after enjoying salads during the Summer months I now start yearning for warming soups at lunchtime. Pumpkins and parsnips are some of the seasonal produce at the Farmers Market in Lyttelton were we shop each week for all our groceries. There are still courgettes and green beans in season, so lovely to combine with the … [read more]
Kombucha drink
I am having a lot of fun here making my first fermented food, rich in bacteria and yeasts that are great for my digestive tract, immune system and just about any aspect of health you can think of. I’ve been advising on probiotics for many years and have just been writing in Healthy Food Guide all about the benefits and virtues of probiotics. But what I reckon will be the next culinary wave are … [read more]
Roast Vegetable Salad
Whether it's warm or cold outside, I love Roast Vegetables, especially as a salad. Once roasted, they can store in the fridge for a good 3 days. Then just easily warm enough for lunch or dinner and serve with your favourite green leaves (thinking spinach, rocket, musclun). Here I have added almonds and some pieces of Italian style cheese from our local farmers market. But I also love grilled or … [read more]
Salsa~salad or side
I am in love with mint and it is taking over my garden, so a great ingredient to use lots of. I can't get over how much freshness and zing it adds to foods and drinks. It seems many recipes have forgotten about the herbs, but they transform a dish. So when I tried this salsa for the first time I was blown away by what the mint did for it. You've got to try it! The Salsa will keep in the fridge … [read more]