Spicy fruit & nut couscous

in Savoury, Taste -

  Spicy fruit & nut couscous

Couscous is probably my favourite speedy food. It’s the perfect blank canvas for easy comfort food and while it can turn super delicious with very few additions, it never feels heavy, but always keeps its delicate flavour and appearance. Now that spring is (almost) around the corner, more so than before, I crave food that’s full of flavour, but also light; fresh salads filled with greens and herbs are on heavy rotation again and what I most often go for for a main is a plate of delicious couscous. I’ve made this vegetable variation with broccoli & cauliflower a couple times, but for this spicy fruit & nut couscous, the real thing is required. [READ MORE]

Soy sauce & lime seeds & nuts

in Small bites, Taste -

Soy sauce & lime seeds & nuts

Seeds and nuts are two of my favourite ingredients. I almost always grab a combo of both when I’m on the go and only about a handful can keep me full without weighing me down. They’re also perfect for topping salads, rice, couscous and quinoa dishes- I love their versatility & crunchy texture and I’m always amazed at how easily they can transform almost any dish, savoury or sweet. Nuts are the perfect addition to homemade granola and when combined with pure olive oil and cocoa powder, they make for the smoothest, healthiest, most delicious spread. Likewise, seeds are not only delicious on their own but also great when added to quick breakfast oats, a simple crust or a hearty winter soup. [READ MORE]

Mango & passion fruit vanilla bundt cake

in Desserts, Taste -

Mango & passion fruit vanilla bundt cake

I’m coming back with a bang, back with this mango & passion fruit vanilla bundt cake. But let me first explain my absence. Remember how in my last post I mentioned how kinda crazy my week had been? Boy, was I about to get schooled. The one that just passed was hands down the definition of crazy. Like, Mike up on the stage of Dolby Theatre, accepting an Academy Award for Best Short film, along with the director and producers of Stutterer, the most beautiful short ever, one that stole my heart from the first time I saw it- that kinda crazy. And staying up with friends till 4 in the morning, celebrating with too much bubbly and too much happy cursing and hugs and spending a couple days trying to reply to congratulatory messages- additional kinda crazy. [READ MORE]

Lemony & spicy eggs en cocotte

in Small bites, Taste -

Lemony & spicy eggs en cocotte

The last week or so has been kinda different; Mike’s in LA on business (and by business I mean the freakin’ OSCARS, for which Stutterer, the little gem he did the cinematography for, has been nominated WON AN ACADEMY AWARD! Wait, what?!?) and I’m in London, up to my eyeballs in work . Since he left, things have been infinitely more quiet, the house impressively decluttered and my days significantly less fun. [READ MORE]

Vegetable couscous with crunchy sumac chickpeas

in Savoury, Taste -

Vegetable couscous with crunchy sumac chickpeas

Probably my favourite way to come up with dishes is by making use of ingredients I already have in hand. While I’m very focused when I prep and cook, before I’m ready to get in the kitchen, I’m often found in a super enthusiastic, semi-chaotic, ultimately exhausting state: fresh produce, pretty Pinterest photos, new techniques, ideas from friends- you name it, they all to blame. When however I am trying to come up with an easy lunch or dinner recipe on the spot and having to rely on what’s available right there, right now, that’s often when more concrete, realistic inspiration strikes. Limited to specific ingredients and with the a little help from fresh herbs and spices, I’m inspired to combine everyday staples in new ways. The result is not always a showstopper (hell, sometimes it’s not even edible), but sometimes… sometimes it ends up becoming your new favourite dish, like this vegetable couscous with crunchy sumac chickpeas. [READ MORE]

Porcini, eddoe & chive frittata

in Savoury, Taste -

Porcini, eddoe & chive frittata

Before I walk you through today’s delicious porcini, eddoe & chive frittata, let me first provide some context: one of my favourite culinary discoveries is the versatility of eggs. Yup, plain ol’ eggs. I know, I know, big whoop for many of you already familiar with this magical wonderland. But for someone who’s grown up with a father who doesn’t cook and is absolutely, madly, forever and ever in love with eggs and a mother who is a nothing short of a miracle worker in the kitchen and despises eggs absolutely, madly and for ever, things can get a little tricky – egg-wise. [READ MORE]

Leek, cherry & goat cheese tart

in Savoury, Taste -

Leek, cherry & goat cheese tart

Tarts are one of my favourite things to eat, throughout the year and at all times of the day. To begin with, I love the different textures: the crumbly, at times crunchy exterior, usually bursting with buttery deliciousness and the usually soft, even juicy filling. And then there’s the endless variety of that soft juicy filling: sweet or savoury, fruity and sticky, sweet or a little sour, cheesy and herby- practically everything can be turned into a delicious tart. Ain’t that grand? [READ MORE]

Creamy & spicy peanut butter noodle salad

in Savoury, Taste -

Creamy & spicy peanut butter noodle salad

Today is the first day of February and every passing day to me is another little step closer to spring! ΥΑΥ for spring, I can’t wait for it to be here already! To make things more springy around here, I think a colourful recipe is in order. How about one that’s packed with tons of delicious flavours, too many pretty, fresh and crunchy vegetables and an absolutely irresistible creamy sauce? [READ MORE]