Special Diets

Pampered

If I come back as a vegetable I want to be kale. Ruffly, versatile, pretty kale. Not only would I be my favourite colour (green), I’d finally have unstoppable curls — something I can’t achieve even with hot rollers and a perm. But I’d be …

Dairy-free, Egg-free, Gluten-free, Healthy Choice, Original, Recipes, Salad, Savory, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Another Breakfast Soup

Soup for breakfast is working. Sort of. But after a couple of weeks of savory Asian Chicken and Quinoa Soup, and a gentle Lentil & Lemon Soup, I’m wanting to start my day with something sweet. While I crave a raspberry danish or waffles dripping …

Autumn, Book review, Egg-free, Gluten-free, Healthy Choice, Recipes, Savory, Soup, Vegetarian

Pushing Boundaries

I did it. Despite containing three ingredients I’ve never used before, I made onion bhaji. And I pronounce them to be good. Make that “very good.” Andrew, who inspired the selection, claimed they were “delicious” and “as good as the restaurant’s.” So, with a flourish …

Appetizer, Dairy-free, Egg-free, Gluten-free, Original, Recipes, Savory, Side Dish, Vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian

Soup for Breakfast

I struggle with breakfast at the best of times. Winter only makes it worse. It’s cold. It’s dark. One look out the window and any sensible person would dive back into bed until spring — or at least 10 AM — not head to the …

Dairy-free, Egg-free, Gluten-free, Healthy Choice, Original, Recipes, Savory, Soup

Rosemary Almond Crackers

So-and-so can’t touch gluten. Whatshisface is allergic to eggs. Dairy gives Thing-gummy a rash. And Hoojicky? Garlic sensitivity. Happy Holidays, indeed. I feel for you. I do. Having been on both sides of this equation (I have played the role of allergic guest and accommodating …

Appetizer, Baking, Dairy-free, Egg-free, Gluten-free, Healthy Choice, Recipes, Snack, Vegan, Vegetarian

Trying Again – Lazy Quinoa Lasagna Recipe

For some reason, the recipe for slow-cooker vegetarian quinoa lasagna didn’t attach to its post the other day. Could have been technology. Could have been me? I choose to blame technology. Either way, I had people asking for the recipe. So here it is.

Egg-free, Healthy Choice, Mains, Pasta & Grains, Recipes, Vegetarian

Words of Wisdom from Chef Michael Smith and Bacon Candy

Eleven minutes and ten seconds into our half-hour interview, Chef Michael Smith uttered the most honest, excuse-free cooking advice I’ve heard in a long time. I don’t have much patience for those who say they can’t cook. A hundred thousand generations have cooked. It’s a …

Appetizer, Beef & Red Meat, Condiments, Dairy-free, Egg-free, Gluten-free, Recipes, Snack

Lazy Quinoa Lasagna

Mairlyn Smith owes me a new crockpot. Sort of. She didn’t actually come to my house and break mine, but because of her I learned just how bad my old one was. At her recommendation I made the slow-cooker lasagna from The Vegetarian’s Complete Quinoa …

Egg-free, Healthy Choice, Pasta & Grains, Recipes, Savory, Vegetarian

Fig and Olive Tapenade

I almost feel like I’m cheating on this one. It’s far too easy to be this tasty. But on second thought, it’s a perfect illustration of Eric Akis’s approach to food. It delivers what he calls “obtainable goodness”, is suitable for all levels of cooks, …

Appetizer, Christmas, Dairy-free, Egg-free, Gluten-free, Healthy Choice, Recipes, Snack, Vegan, Vegetarian