Frying is not an option so steaming, poaching, slow-cooking, braising, baking, grilling and boiling it has to be. Suddenly the options don’t seem quite so limited. Supplement weekly meat dishes with vegetarian and easily-digested fish options. Did you know fish is higher in vitamins and minerals than most meat dishes? Include it in your breakfast ideas too. Try poached haddock with soft-and-fluffy scrambled egg, made with one whole egg and two egg whites. It provides a healthy start to your day when your aim is to cut back.
Read MoreReviving the classical avocado Ritz seems appropriate for this traditional occasion. That’s what we’ll have because my parents’ avocado pear trees are laden with the very best of the creamy - smooth fruit. A crème fraiche spicy dressing drizzled over lightly-blanched, firm shrimps is best with a generous squeeze of fresh lemon juice and some crisp Melba toast. There are some flavour combinations that will never die.
Read MoreFor an entertaining suggestion try peanut-butter (only the crunchy variety must be used) semi-freddo dessert. Serve with loads of your favourite hand-broken chocolate bits and candied banana slices. This can be taken to another level by adding a large ball of maple syrup ice cream. Do it - it will make your day!
Read MoreSoups or herb frittatas are ideal hunger stoppers.
Read MoreEvery chef/restaurant has a unique pesto recipe - and they’re all good. Try Sapore’s as an alternative to mine. We must celebrate eateries that make their own because, I assure you, many restaurants these days buy in a lot of their products. Nothing tastes better than dishes home made with love, rather than commercially manufactured poor cousins!
Read MoreI have, over the years, given out my tomato-soup recipe which is a firm favourite of mine. It immediately springs to mind after a night on the town... Filled with untold goodness it promises to help you feel healthier. I know one should avoid a Bloody Mary and rather drink the virgin option.
Read MoreCoq au vin.. we can’t get more French traditional than this. I am sure you too will be captivated by its olde-worlde charm.
Read MoreNicoise salad is a traditional favourite. It’s gone out of fashion because it was over done and made without love. Make this salad with care otherwise it can go horribly wrong.
Read MoreIdeas don’t have to be off the wall to be impressive. The slightest ingredient changes can make all the difference. Think creamy-trout cottage pie for a variation of the traditional minced-meat cottage pie. This promises to be an interesting alternative to your normal weekly meals.
Read MoreStir fries take me back to my junior school days. I had a friend, Bryan, and his parents organised a make-your-own-stir-fry birthday party! I was in my element! It was a very novel idea considering there were no cooking shows or Master Chef competitions in those days.
Read More