Food and Recipes: Archive

‘What to eat!’ series – Ginger #35

Ginger has been a staple ingredient for millenia. It belongs to the zingiberaceae family (as are cardamon & turmeric). Originating from Southeast Asia, it is a root vegetable (rhizome) rich in antioxidant & health properties. It can be used fresh, in powder, dried, candied, preserved or in oil or juice. Its medicinal properties come […]

‘What to eat!’ series – Lemons #34

As some of you know, I now divide my time between London & lovely South of France (yes the French Riviera ! 🤩) where I am blessed to enjoy lots of sunshine but also lots of fresh food (these French markets…🥰). Lemons are part of them & in fact there is a festival for them […]

‘What to eat!’ series – Courgettes #33

Although a fruit, courgettes are known as vegetables and are part of the Cucurbitaceae plant family. They are a type of squash & are loaded with water, making them low in calories. They contain vitamin (A, Bs & especially C, K) & minerals (iron, calcium, zinc, magnesium) as well as antioxidants (carotenoids, lutein, zeaxanthin) & […]

‘What to eat!’ series – Radishes #32

These bright & crunchy root vegetables are part of the Brassica cruciferous family & come in various colours, the most well-known being bright red. They are cousins of the white daikon (mooli) used in Asian cuisine (& also delicious! If you don’t know these, check your local Asian market & try them out 🙂). […]

‘What to eat!’ series – Pears #31

I don’t know about you but I absolutely love pears. When properly ripe, they are such a delicious, sweet & lovely taste. They also happen to be very healthy. Like apples, they come in many variety so it is up to you to try them out & find the one you prefer. Like most fruits, […]

‘What to eat!’ series – Quinoa #30

Quinoa is the seed of a plant very high in nutrients. Despite not being technically a grain, it is still categorised as a wholegrain food. It is a good source of antioxidants & minerals (manganese, copper, iron, folate, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc). It is an excellent source of fibre & has a low GI (glycaemic index) […]

‘What to eat!’ series – Figs #29

Ok, we are nearly at the end of the season so rush to get them! Figs are nutrient-rich fruits & are just delicious when nicely ripe. They are high in fibre (prebiotic source), copper, vitamin B6, A & C, potassium, calcium, magnesium and antioxidants. They contain natural sugars and are low in calories if […]

‘What to eat!’ series – Watercress #28

If you want to increase your intakes of leafy greens, why not think about watercress? Watercress is an aquatic vegetable that has a strong peppery flavour & is a great addition to our diet. It belongs to the cruciferous family which also includes cabbage, kale & Brussels sprouts. It is rich in vitamins (A, […]

‘What to eat!’ series – Strawberries #27

Summer brings the possibility of many wonderful fruits but for us living in London where the Wimbledon Tennis Championship takes place yearly, it is time for strawberries! And June is the perfect month for them. These lovely small, red and sweet fruits contain antioxidants, vitamins (C, B9), minerals (potassium, manganese), fibre and are low […]

‘What to eat!’ series – Lentils #26

As you will have noticed from my social media posts, I am a big fan of lentils. They are easy to prepare and are a nutrient-dense, cheap and healthy addition to any dish. They are a rich source of fibre as well as plant-based protein, polyphenols and B vitamins, magnesium, iron, potassium and zinc. […]