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Welcome to my cooking blog about eating a simple life where I have journaled over 550 easy, delicious and nourishing recipes over the course of 12 years. My collection of weekly fresh recipes are mostly vegetarian (a lot of them gluten free and vegan) and always family friendly!

Fresh New Recipes /

Date Cashew Milk

August 14, 2018

If you would like to reduce or eliminate dairy from your diet and aren't sure about nut milks, cashew milk is the best place to start. It has a rich creaminess and a natural sweetness which is usually missing in other nut milks. I love adding some dates and a touch of salt to my cashew milk. It makes it truly delicious and addictive. In fact, in coffees and teas you won't even be able to tell that it is non-dairy. Cashew milk is the closest to coconut milk or soy milk in terms of thickness and texture, which makes it ideal for thinning curries or making vegan soups creamier. It is also a great base for vegan puddings, mousse or jellies... Read More >>

BasicsBlenderBreakfastDairy FreeDrinkGluten FreeHow ToQuickRawRecipe ArchiveSmall BatchVeganVegetarian3 Comments

Rainbow Veggie Coconut Dal

August 8, 2018

It is a bloody miracle that I haven't shared a dal recipe on the blog for a while now, considering I am cooking dals every week (much to my boys annoyance!). The last time I shared some delicious wholesome dal recipes, I received so many messages asking for more. Who knew, cheap dal dinners was a regular old thing - and not just in my home! So today, I am sharing another of my this-is-the-dal-i-want-to-eat-everyday obsessions. A Rainbow Veggie Coconut Dal. Mmm I feel nourished just rolling that name off my tongue. The story behind this dal is quite interesting. Since giving up dairy a year ago and basically taking stock of his own food... Read More >>

Beans And LegumesDairy FreeDinnerGluten FreeIndianMain CourseMeal PrepNut FreeQuickRecipe ArchiveSmall BatchVeganVegetarianWinter8 Comments

Fresh Green Salsa Verde

August 6, 2018

A jar of freshly made green salsa verde sitting on your fridge shelf is a powerhouse for your healthy gut. With chives, dill, parsley and capers driving the health component of this simple condiment through the roof, you will be able to strengthen your digestion, improve your blood circulation, flush out toxins and feel amazing. Add to that a whole heap of garlic, lemon and olive oil and you are sorted for the week. This salsa verde is so incredibly delicious that not a week goes by when I don't make it. It is basically a chuck in the food processor, 5 minute activity that I perform religiously at the start of my Sunday meal prep. ... Read More >>

BasicsDairy FreeGluten FreeHow ToNut FreeQuickRawRecipe ArchiveSauces And CondimentsSmall BatchVegan5 Comments

Mushroom And Lentil Vegan Bolognese

August 1, 2018

A few years ago, I started converting a lot of our regular traditional meat recipes to vegetarian (often vegan) flavour packed versions. It was simply to get the boys to eat more plant-based meals and open up their minds to healthier options. Little did I know that we would actually end up loving the vegetarian versions more than the original ones. Like this Vegan Bolognese made with an abundance of garlic, mushrooms and lentils slow simmered with more herbs than should be legally allowed in a Bolognese. The result is a rich, thick pasta sauce that hugs spaghetti lovingly and hits the sweet spot on a cold night. When you ... Read More >>

Dairy FreeDinnerGluten FreeItalianMain CourseNut FreePastaRecipe ArchiveSmall BatchVeganVegetarianWinter3 Comments

Grilled Cinnamon Pineapple

July 27, 2018

Last year for my birthday, we went to the snow at Thredbo. Ironically, my birthday dinner was at a Churrasco Brasserie. Me, the non meat-eater. The place looked fabulous. Smokey aromas wafted out every time the door opened and closed as we stood in the little village square debating where to eat while snow flurries settled on our eyelashes. It was enough to drive us in. I was very excited about all the grilled veggies and seafood that they brought to the table. But the star of the evening was the Brazilian Grilled Cinnamon Pineapple. Boy, was it good! I don't think I have ever eaten so much pineapple in my life before. When we got back, I... Read More >>

DessertFruitGluten FreeNut FreeQuickRecipe ArchiveSpringSummerVeganVegetarian4 Comments

Noodle Free Pad Thai

May 16, 2018

A traditional pad thai is one of my favourite things to eat. But it does take a bit of work. And needs to be enjoyed straight away as it has a tendency to get gluggy and sticky because of the rice noodles. Now imagine if there was a pad thai recipe that had all those nutty, sweet, sour, salty and spicy flavours but was extremely fresh and crisp and required absolutely no cooking. A noodle free pad thai! A healthy meal prep dream! Are you excited? I discovered a recipe for one such noodle free pad thai in one of the Green Kitchen cookbooks a couple of years ago. I tweaked it to suit our tastes and added more punch and flavour (because w... Read More >>