BBQ season is upon us – well, at least in theory (it’s been bitterly cold and rainy all week here this week) so I figured a BBQ friendly side is in order. Since we are nearing the end of British asparagus season I decided to make the most out of it and made a platter of roasted asparagus with charred lemon dressing, it’s super easy and quick to make and a delicious way to enjoy this early summer vegetable....

Today’s recipe is a simple yet delicious roasted grape and fennel salad that I’ve been meaning to make for at least a year and since I’ve been seeing lots of beautiful fennel bulbs in shops lately, I’ve finally decided that now is the time. When I go through my recipe notes I realise that I have many recipes like that. Recipes that I enjoy and intend to share, but somewhere in between coming up with the concept and buying ingredients for the photoshoot I manage to talk myself out of the idea entirely… I decide that it’s not good enough....

The cold is biting back again and I cannot wear enough layers and drink enough hot beverages to keep warm. I also crave healthy comfort food so my today’s recipe is my vegan take on a classic Indian dish – saag paneer. It’s a staple on Indian restaurants’ menus but in case you haven’t come across it, it’s a spinach and paneer cheese curry that hails from Punjab, the northern region of India....

Salmon is one of my favorite ways to get LOTS of bang for your buck in terms of nutrition in a short amount of time. But sometimes salmon is really expensive, which makes it harder to eat frequently. Enter: CANNED SALMON. It’s always wild caught, it’s super cheap (around $3 a can!), and it’s already cooked, just like canned tuna. My kids (age 1 and 2) are hit or miss when it comes to tuna, so I was a bit apprehensive to serve this to them, but I am pleased to report that they LOVED these salmon patties....

Crunch crunch crunch nom nom nom. Oh, pardon me, I was just noshing on the most addictive snack ever… Spicy Crispy Chickpeas! These are yummy, spicy, crunchy, and versatile… and they couldn’t be easier (or cheaper!) to make. Not to mention they are high in fiber, high in protein, and low in fat, which makes them the perfect guilt-free energy boosting midday munchie. I don’t know about you, I always find it difficult to find healthy snack foods that I actually WANT to eat....

Shepherd’s pie is the ultimate comfort food – warm and hearty, perfect for those harsh cold winter days. This sweet potato and ground turkey version is especially nutrient-dense, and just as cozy and delicious as ever! A note on semantics: shepherd’s pie is made with ground lamb, cottage pie is made with ground beef. I find most Americans use “shepherd’s pie” interchangeably for any pie with ground meat, so I’ll be calling this shepherd’s pie....

Other Karahi recipes: Chicken Karahi, Karahi Gosht and Charsi Karahi. WHAT IS BEEF KARAHI? Tender Pakistani Beef Karahi is a delectable Pakistani and North Indian beef recipe that features tender pieces of beef cooked in a flavorful tomato-based curry. This recipe uses a Homemade Karahi Masala free from preservatives, and is garnished with refreshing cilantro and zesty ginger. It’s traditionally served with hot, fresh chapati or naan for a satisfying meal....

Tuna melts are my number one go-to quick and easy meal for busy evenings. I’ve loved them ever since I was a kid (and bonus: my kid loves them too!). I love how they’re warm and creamy and such an easy way to enjoy comfort food. The other night, I was making tuna melts and I was trying to sneak some veggies in there. I usually add chopped celery (pretty standard) and grated carrots (which add an awesome texture)....

Happy weekend everyone and if, like me, you live in the UK Happy Bank Holiday! Hope the sun is shining on you and you have relaxing and invigorating things planned. We took some time out yesterday to sit by the river as the weather was nice, Duncan splashed around in his beloved kayak while I sat on the bank crocheting (which has become a bit of an obession of mine lately 😉 ) a chunky cardigan....

Happy weekend, folks! I’m really looking forward to this one in particular as not only is it a 3 day weekend for us (it’s a Bank Holiday in the UK), but in an unexpected twist it’s also going to be a warm and sunny once again. Yay! This hardly ever happens. I am stoked. Tomorrow Duncan and I are going to a walk followed by a picnic with a local vegan and vegetarian meet-up group and on Sunday we plan to cycle to Bath alongside the leafy Bristol-Bath bicycle path that we count ourselves lucky to live near....

I know, I know…I’ve been saying that it is way too hot for chocolate desserts these days, but it turns out that 6th of July was world chocolate day so this is a timely (almost) and a fitting tribute, don’t you think? With the aid of aquafaba magic, I created an airy black forest-inspired chocolate mousse that’s 100% vegan. This intensely chocolatey and creamy mousse goes super well with some drunken cherries and a small dollop of whipped coconut cream....

Ingredients and Substitutions Ground chicken – or turkeyBreadcrumbs – homemade breadcrumbs, panko, or regular are fine, as long as they are unseasoned.Milk – I used whole milk and it keeps the meatballs extra juicy and fluffy, but you can use another or plant-based milk, or even omit it if you like.Egg – this will bind the meatballs together.Butter – or ghee for a dairy-free version.Garlic powderChili powderHot sauce – I like Frank’s Red Hot for anything buffalo flavored....

I was inspired to make these “wet burritos” after watching The Kitchen this past weekend, in which Sunny Anderson whipped up a batch of these delicious looking burritos. Does anyone else love this show as much as I do? I usually don’t like talk shows in any form, but this has become something I really look forward to watching on the weekends. So many delicious recipes and kitchen tips and tricks!...

I love adding cinnamon to my fall and holiday baking, so you will see lots of that in the future recipes. I use it whole cinnamon sticks in my savory recipes too. It’s biggest and I think the most important benefit is that it lowers blood sugar levels. It’s loaded with antioxidants, plus it contains anti-inflammatory properties. I started out using 6 bananas when I started experimenting with this recipe....

I’m going to be a total cliche American/pre-teen child right now: my favorite food is pizza. That’s it. It has to be. It’s cheap, simple, quick, and versatile. You can take literally ANY combination of food- even desserts– and make it into a pizza. And when you make it from scratch at home and use whole wheat pizza dough, it’s a fairly healthy thing to eat despite its reputation. I like my pizzas simple....

A tray of fudgy in the middle and crispy on the outside brownies? Yes please! How about some Christmas flavours thrown in as we are nearing that time of the year again? Oh yes!!! And what if I told you they are dead easy to make and vegan to boot? OMG! Enter a tray of beautifully indulgent yet super simple to make Christmas brownies! You are welcome! Christmas is just round the corner and with that baking (and sampling ‘the fruit’ of our labour) becomes a pursuit so many of us indulge in at this time....

The one thing that is even more awesome about the dried red lentils used in this recipe is that there is no soaking required. All the ingredients go directly into the pan and are cooked until soft and delicious before spinach and lemon juice are added to freshen and brighten the whole thing up. It can be served on its own as a light meal, and also makes a great side to an Indian curry....

I made mine with kale, since I have more kale than I know what to do with growing in my garden. But spinach (baby or adult), or other random greens, such as beet greens, will work. It’s a great way to use up any greens you have lingering around your fridge about to go bad. You can use any kind of Italian sausage you want. I prefer spicy, so I usually make this with hot Italian sausage....

This is my favorite recipe for roast chicken. Cooking it in a dutch oven ensures the chicken is moist and flavorful, but still gets that awesome golden-brown, crispy skin. Here’s what I LOVE about this roast chicken recipe: It uses only five ingredients (assuming you already have butter, salt, and pepper); The flavor combination of lemon, garlic, and rosemary creates amazing flavor; There is no waste– the lemon zest, juice, and rinds are used, as well as the onion, garlic, and rosemary scraps; While it takes a while to roast in the oven, the prep time is only 10-15 minutes!...

Shepherd’s Pie is one of the first things I learned how to cook. To this day, I make it at least once a month in the cooler weather. It’s so comforting and hearty! The thing that makes it extra simple: unlike other recipes for shepherd’s pie, this version contains no gravy. Since the beef is not thickened with flour and broth, it makes it gluten free and a bit lighter tasting....