Aubergine Wraps with Sundried Tomato, Feta & Pesto

This has got to be one of my most requested recipes for a BBQ, followed by my Blue Cheese Burgers! Don’t be put off by the aubergine. My aubergine-detesting husband would agree… they are worthy. Many years ago, when I was living in London, I had a flatmate who let me do all the cooking….

Spicy Lentil & Carrot Soup

This soup recipe came about when a couple of my foodie friends and I went out for lunch, when we were all between jobs. We went to a little cafe which had the most generous selection of cakes and yet, the surprise was the soup. We loved it so much we asked for the recipe…

Alioli (Ali-Oli, Garlic Mayonnaise)

I remember as a child, my father would occasionally sneak into the fridge for food, this was significant as he wasn’t a grazer or prone to eating out with mealtimes, so it was a rare sight when it did happen. There were two things that would lure him, leftover cooked sausages and alioli. For the…

Taco Salad

This has got to be one of my favourite salads. The honey-lime dressing is light and refreshing. The salad ingredients provide a mixture of textures. It feels like it should be naughty and yet, it also feels very healthy. I could easily eat this most days. I have been using turkey mince in lieu of beef,…

Asparagus Tortilla (Spanish Omelet)

When the asparagus season arrives I am always reminded of my time living in Spain. I went to live there in my early twenties, to indulge in my family heritage and spend some time with my paternal grandparents (my Abuelos). My Abuelos had some horticultural land nearby Valencia and they would grow their own asparagus,…

Raspberry Peach Smoothie

Raspberries are one of my favourite fruits and this smoothie captures their sweetness beautifully. I have complimented it with ripe peaches and Lucuma powder. Lucuma powder has a light nutty, caramel sweetness to it – similar to custard. It comes from a fruit which has a texture like that of a hard-boiled egg. The powder…

Chocolate Banana Smoothie

The culprit for our excessive banana consumption can easily be attributed to our smoothies. On average we have one every second day for our breakfast. I wouldn’t say I have this one for breakfast, but it doesn’t mean you couldn’t. This just happens to be the very first smoothie I ever made – many years…

Almond Berry Açai Bowl

(Pronounced ah-sigh-ee)I was curious about Açai bowls for some time before I tried one. It was in New York where I happened upon a small place near our hotel where I finally gave in. I was buying a couple of smoothies for our breakfast and impulsively added the Açai bowl to our order. I was…

Bacon and Egg Pasta / Spaghetti

Growing up this was our favourite pasta dish. I recall my parents making this together and throwing the strings of spaghetti onto the wall behind the stove to check it was cooked Al Dente! We didn’t truly understand what that meant, we were just excited to see food being thrown. And by our parents no…

Espresso Martini

I wish I could say I came up with this lovely tipple on my own. However, I owe it all to a restaurant in Edinburgh’s old town called The Outsider. I have been introduced to the espresso martini only recently, at a friends for dinner. I was an instant convert! It might have something to…

Mango Turmeric Smoothie

I was introduced to this smoothie by a friend and have made it regularly since. I now keep a steady supply of frozen mango for just this purpose and will have it at least once a week for breakfast – even my kids will have one! Turmeric is believed to have many anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-bacterial…

Mushroom Risotto

I remember the first time I tried risotto. I was completely amazed at this savoury rice pudding-like dish. I was hooked instantly and couldn’t wait to have more. Once I learned how to make it, it became a regular in my meal planning. It also happens to be one of the few foods my children…