Comforting Mediterranean veggie bake

I always feel like I should be in a Mediterranean farmhouse kitchen when I make this rustic dish. It’s filled with warmth and flavor while also nourishing that part of the soul that needs comfort food. The eggplant, courgette and mushroom combination really deliver on the taste and texture side, while the tomato sauce and […]

Hide-a-stash crackers

If there was an award for the best seed crackers, I am sure these savory little guys would be leading contenders. They are so full of flavor, crunch and goodness, you won’t be able to just have one. In fact, I have to hide a stash when I make them otherwise they disappear before I […]

Flash two-tomato quinoa

Using a tomato base to cook quinoa instead of water is a ridiculously easy way to change up the trendy grain and gives it a nice Southern mediterranean twist. Here I’ve served it with some chopped fresh tomatoes, basil and a swoosh of olive oil but you also keep it simple and serve it as […]

Keeping-it-simple apple strawberry purée

Yep, it’s baby food, but when my 13-year old turning-into-a-foodie son earnestly told me this fruity purée was the best thing I’d made in ages (hmmm…), I felt compelled to share. And to be honest, I’ve made 3 batches since because we all love the stuff – apple and strawberry seriously rock. I also guess it […]

Ode-to-autumn brown rice risotto

I love a good risotto. But I also like getting lots of fiber in my diet, so as much as I’ve poopooed quinoa and brown rice versions in the past for their lack of onctuosity compared to Italian arborio or carnoli varieties, I am jumping on that bandwagon. Why the change of heart? Because I have […]

Brilliant Asian slaw

There are two ways I could present this beauty. The first would be that it is an dazzling little appetizer or side salad that will satisfy anyone’s tastebuds. The dressing is addictively good and the combination of carrot, radish, celery and cabbage just works brilliantly. The second way of describing it would be that it’s […]

Lemon olive chicken tagine

Back in the early 1970s, my parents were living in Morocco where my mom, a curious and talented cook, discovered North African cuisine. She especially liked the region’s legendary tagines, made of meat or poultry that’s been braised with fruits and/or vegetables in a traditional conic-shaped claypot. Her favorite one had chicken, green olives and […]

Smells-like-a-piece-of-heaven strawberry crumble

The wonderfully complex aroma that emanates from my oven when I make this summery crumble, is just out of this world. It’s quick, easy and a total feast for the tastebuds. I usually serve it for dessert, still bubbling hot, with a dollop of vanilla ice cream; but because it’s crowned with naturally-sweetened granola, I […]

Fried rice Mamma-style

Stir fries are one of the best ways to recycle leftover rice. I make this particular recipe a lot because you can put any veg you’ve got in the fridge, children really dig it and the whole affair requires all of 15 minutes. If you want you can add some leftover chicken, prawns or whatever […]

Chunky maple walnut granola

I’ve been making granola for a while now and love how practical, filling and delish it is. I have to admit however that most “healthy” granolas fall short of one thing: big crunchy clusters. While I like the idea of omitting the golden syrup and vegetable oil present in the processed variety, the child in […]