Baked Italian meatballs

A prosaic title for what is a super dish, quick and easy, full of flavour, and pretty much loved by all (at least in my family). It’s so easy because the meatballs are simply prepared and then baked with a rich tomato sauce, with no need for cooking first. I like to make them on weeknights…

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Sweet potato wedges with thyme salt

My family fell in love with sweet potato wedges long before they became a cafe staple, principally because roast sweet potatoes were also a family favourite. I wanted something that was a little more healthy, and these oven baked wedges were perfect. They only use a little bit of olive oil, are seasoned with salt…

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Flatbread with smoked olives, brie and prosciutto

Flatbreads have ancient origins, with the simplest and earliest forms just a mixture of some sort of flour, water, and sometimes salt, kneaded together, patted flat and fried over a fire. I love flatbreads, and have a weakness for chapatis, toasted pita bread, and tortillas. I’ve tried lots of recipes and this one is my…

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Gnudi with pumpkin, burnt butter and sage

One of my cooking resolutions for this coming summer is to learn how to make pasta. It’s been on my to-do list for a couple of years and now is the time. Over summer our busy life slows down a little and I usually have a holiday break. Relaxation, and relaxed cooking and eating is…

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Grilled portabello mushrooms with polenta

Earthy, richly satisfying, and deeply warming on a windy winter’s day, these marinated and grilled portabello mushrooms with polenta are simply delicious. I love the almost meaty flavour  of the portabello mushroom, and because they are robust in texture, they respond well to grilling. The marinade is greedily soaked up, and prevents the mushrooms becoming…

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Orecchiette with salsa verde

This recipe is a whisper of springtime green in the middle of a wintry June. We still have herbs a-plenty in the garden at our place, even some basil that is remaining sweet, though it should have gone to seed long ago. The herbs called to me to make something bright and fresh and satisfying. Salsa verde,…

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Potato, leek and apple soup

In a couple of weeks two colleagues of mine are walking 100 kilometers non-stop in the Oxfam trailwalker challenge. They need to walk the 100 km within 48 hours as a team of four, and the money they raise will help to overcome poverty and injustice around the world through Oxfam’s programs and services. Their team…

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Brie and rocket salad with pomegranate dressing

This recipe is based on a well-known creation of Donna Hay, who publishes a wonderful food magazine and is one of my favourite cooks and cook book authors. She makes beautiful food using everyday ingredients – fresh, simple and creative – and her photography is spectacular. Her recipe uses dried cranberries in the dressing, but pomegranates are in…

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Spiced lamb with cous cous and tzatziki

The perfect week night dinner, this lamb with cous cous and tzatziki is full of flavour, but only takes about 15 minutes to get onto the table. At our place Tuesday is a massive day, starting with band rehearsal at 7:30 am, school, afternoon music lessons, evening choir practice, a long day of lectures for…

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Pasta la vista, baby

Pasta is the meal of choice for all three of my kids if I ask them what they would like for dinner. I guess it’s the same for many households across the country – and it’s quick, easy to prepare, and, if not covered with a creamy sauce or loads of cheese, pretty healthy, too. This…

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