Quesadilla with avocado feta cream and papaya salsa

Quesadillas are a mom’s best week night friend: they take no time to prepare, can be gluten free, vegan or vegetarian, are really versatile and the kids ADORE them. To add a bit of extra goodness, I top them with homemade condiments. Here I use an avocado-feta cream (which by the way is just an […]

Surprising black bean chocolate cake

I have been on a gluten and sugar free chocolate cake testing spree of late, and to be honest was very doubtful of the results this recipe would yield. Turns out, it’s pretty darn good and you would never guess there’s a can of black beans in there. Moist, not too sweet and the children […]

Stunning Persian dill, feta and chicken salad

This has to be one of my favorite “meal salads”. Although it isn’t an actual Iranian recipe, it has a Persian feel that is reminiscent of a dill and chicken rice dish (“Shivid polow”) my mom used to make (she’s actually of Belgian origin but being married to my dad, she learned how to cook […]

Pretty beetroot gnocchis (gluten free)

Classic potato gnocchis always feel so labour-intensive and easy to mess up, so unless I know I’ve got the right potato variety, I don’t make them. But vegetable-based gnocchis, like these beet-flavored ones, are easy enough even for a novice. They have a subtle taste and a delicate, airy texture, making them perfect for a […]

Are emotions sabotaging your diet? Expert Interview with Laura Holland

These days, there are so many eating philosophies and lifestyles that you really don’t really know what is better, best or worst. Some swear by paleo while others wouldn’t dream of being anything but vegan and both have great arguments that are backed up by studies. And of course, there are some who live by […]

Moist chocolate almond brownies

This recipe is to “healthy” desserts what a little black dress is to a wardrobe: a must-have. In fact, it’s probably one of the first chocolate cakes I made (over and over again) when I went sugar and gluten free. It’s chocolatey, gooey and delicious – a perfect end to a meal or a great […]

Cauliflower cream “verrines” with roquefort walnut crumble

“Verrines” took the French appetizer world by storm about ten years ago and these days frequently show up at a French dinner parties. They are essentially little shot glasses elegantly filled with anything from gaspacho to tuna tartare. The reason I particularly affection them is because, unlike canapés, they are usually gluten free and you […]

Aperitif-style cauliflower crust pizza

I was skeptical about cauliflower crust when it became all the rage a few years ago. But when my quest for gluten-free solutions began, I finally took the plunge and was pleasantly surprised. No, it isn’t like the real thing, but it’s an interestingly tasty substitute to regular wheat-based dough and a great way of […]

Beat inflammation and heavy toxins: infrared saunas

People have been lauding the benefits of using infrared saunas for a couple of years now, but until recently, wasn’t particularly tempted. Perhaps it’s because Dubai’s heat and humidity already make us sweat a lot, or maybe it’s because I felt like I was eliminating enough toxins through the skin with my daily workouts…or could […]

“The” baby artichoke salad

I can count with one hand the number of times my husband and I have argued in the past 15 years. And our first – and most ridiculous – argument had to do with artichokes. Many years ago, while living in Montreal, we’d shop at the fruit and veg market every weekend. One fine day, […]