Rocket isn’t just a lovely low calorie part of a summer salad; it has a wonderfully spicy flavour that can add a peppery note to omelettes, pizzas, or savoury tarts. Not just a tasty ingredient, rocket is a potent health weapon. A rich source of phytochemicals such as indoles, thiocyanates, sulforaphane, and isothiocyanates as well…
Want to supercharge your summer salads? Then make sure that crunchy cos lettuce is on your plate and it will be packed with nutrients before you add anything else. The rich nutrient profile, fibre, extremely low calorie and high water content combine to make the humble cos (also called romaine) lettuce a health superstar. An…
Food is fabulous all year round, but in summer, the freshest flavours really explode onto our plates! I’m a firm believer in all fresh foods as superfoods, but broad beans are one of those real nutrient powerhouses that absolutely must be seen regularly in a healthy diet, making the most of the seasonal stars. Health-wise,…
Fennel is another of those ‘marmite’ foods – you either love it or hate it, depending on whether or not you’re a fan of the flavour of aniseed! Its flavour is also rather different raw, thinly sliced in a salad, than it is cooked. An easy vegetable to cook braised, roasted or as a gratin,…
You might think the green juice thing is a bit off-putting for a number of reasons, but there’s nothing easier or more refreshing than cucumber and mint in a smoothie made for a summer’s day, for breakfast or a cooling snack. Peel a whole cucumber, cut small chunks straight into a smoothie maker or blender,…
The summer’s here, and the summer means strawberries. There are many ways to use them, apart from the ever-wonderful lusciously red slivers drizzled with cream. They go surprisingly well with pepper, basil, and in salads and savoury dishes, expanding their versatility beyond cakes, desserts and preserves. So, this week, I’m sharing a strawberry recipe for…
The sun has deserted us today, but summer is on its way, and the spectre of beaches, skimpier clothes and revealing our limbs to the sun begins to loom! Keep calm, and try this weight loss wonder…… This recipe is a fresh and lovely light lunch or snack which feels indulgent, but actually packs us…
Easter is upon us, along with the school hols, meaning two things – chocolate and keeping the kids occupied! It’s a while since I’ve posted a sweet recipe, and my mission to ‘healthify’ popular treats has moved to a cake already containing a vegetable element – the inimitable carrot cake! A healthy cake recipe? A…
One of the questions I’m frequently asked is what kind of foods are good as a healthy snack or easy light lunch. Dips with lots of veg crudités can be an excellent choice, especially if home made, and light on creamy ingredients. This one is a corker, based on tahini, so it’s creamy, rich and…
Sneezes and itchy eyes seem to have hit lots of people at the moment, and there are certainly a couple of nasty viruses about. With the spring beginning to make its presence felt, though, allergy season has also begun. The break in the persistent rain, and a spell of warmer weather, means the early pollens are…
The early season asparagus is starting to appear – one of my favourite veg, so as always I’m planning to make the most of its short but scrumptious season. What an amazing nutrient-packed spear it is too! As always, the fresher and more local, the better, so make the most of seasonal offerings, for your…
This week’s recipe is a delectable dahl with homemade naan, very easy, and a great way of eating more pulses to boost the intake and absorption of brain-balancing, mood-enhancing nutrients essential for mental health, reduce inflammation and generally provide a delicious dose of healthy comfort food. For an added aspect, make the naan breads to…