This fresh, aromatic salad highlighted by a sharp dressing is full of flavor and color! Thai basil used here works well in Asian cooking (there are over 60 varieties of basil). Interestingly enough, basil, which grows in many regions throughout the world, was first native to India, Asia and Africa. Thai basil has small leaves,…

The sweetness of the onions along with the distinct flavor of rosemary infused in this dish will have everyone asking for more. The regular consumption of onions has, like garlic, been shown to lower high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. Onions also help maintain healthy bones and are a very good source of vitamin…

The past few days have been very hot and humid (click here) and even though I am used to the heat, the other day was really too hot to cook. Something cool, refreshing and healthy was in order and this liquid salad was just what I was looking for. Traditional Gazpacho is made in a…

Summer is here when you serve these little delights to your family and friends. Make these ahead of time and leave in the fridge until your guests arrive. Serves 4 (as an appetizer)185g smoked salmon (flaked with a fork)226g smoked salmon cream cheese1 tablespoon garlic, finely choppedsmall bunch of chives, choppedfreshly ground black peppersea saltextra…

I’m always on the lookout for simple and refreshing recipes and this one hits the spot! The chilli adds color while the lemon zest and juice give it its zing. An easy meal to prepare especially for those unexpected visitors! This recipe is inspired by Nigella Lawson’s book, Forever Summer in which she uses crab…

One of the nice things I like about cooking Chinese food is that once the prep work is done, the food literally takes minutes to cook and then dish up. This recipe is adapted from Williams-Sonoma Asian cookbook. Chinese cooking is all about fresh ingredients bought the day you want to make the dish. Serves…

Not exactly a guilt free dessert but delicious just the same! The cheesecake topping rounds out this dessert. This recipe is adapted from Australian Good Taste magazine. Serve these muffins with a chocolate sauce for more decadence. Makes 12 muffins200g dark chocolate, coarsely chopped100g butter, melted225g (1 1/2 cups) self raising flour30g (1/4 cup) cocoa…

These veggie patties are an easy starter and compliments a green salad for a meat free summer’s lunch. Zucchini contains large amounts of folate (production and maintenance of new cells) and potassium (helps the kidneys function normally), and the rind contains the nutrient beta-carotene. Makes about 25 patties700g zucchini6 spring onions, finely choppedsmall bunch of…

Quinoa (pronounced keen-wa) is a grain that comes from the Andes mountains of South America. Quinoa’s origins dates back to that of the Inca’s. Quinoa has many nutritional benefits: rated 35 on the gylcemic index, high in iron, is a vegetarian’s delight when maintaining protein intake, a good source of dietary fiber, gluten free (easy…

I was visiting my favorite bookstore the other day and noticed a new magazine called Sumptuous. I love magazines that are glossy, with loads of photos, inspiring food content as well as the latest in food trends. I earmarked several pages with recipes such as slow roasted shoulder of pork with lemon, fennel and garlic;…

Zucchini is a popular summer squash and its mild, delicate flavor makes it suitable for this dish. When choosing garlic, make sure it is firm with dry heads and smooth skin. Avoid garlic with sprouting green shoots as this shows it had aged (loss of flavor and rubbery in texture).Carrots are delicious eaten raw or…

Growing up in the East coast of Canada, rhubarb was always one of the first desserts we would eat to welcome Spring. Throughout the rhubarb growing season, my Mom would make rhubarb and strawberry pies, rhubarb stews, rhubarb crumbles and of course rhubarb preserves. We never seemed to tire of this vegetable that is so…