Tag: easyhomecooking
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Silverbeet & Parmesan Fritters
This is a super-easy recipe made with the most underrated leafy vegetable that will delight your taste buds and leave you wanting more. Silverbeet (swiss chard) is a nutrient-rich vegetable widely used in Mediterranean cooking. It’s used in all kinds of dishes, much the same way as spinach. As a child, silverbeet was one of…
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Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup
A deliciously creamy and comforting winter soup you can easily make mid-week. What you need What to do Preheat oven to 200°C (450°F). Place cauliflower in a large bowl; drizzle with 2 tablespoons of the oil, and add the cumin, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat. Place in a baking dish in a moderate oven…
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Pedro’s Scones
These aren’t just any old scones, they are extra special scones made with the helping little hands of my grandson Pedro. Scones are delicious served the traditional way with jam and cream or, as Pedro likes, with jam and peanut butter. Scones are easy to make and only need a few ingredients but, it seems…
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Hummus
Hummus not only tastes great, it’s good for you. It’s fast and easy to make and once you have made it at home, you will never go back to eating store-bought hummus again. What you need 1 x 400g jar or tin of chickpeas 3 tablespoons tahini 1-2 garlic cloves crushed ½ tsp sea salt 5…
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Mandarin & White Chocolate Cake
Not only are mandarins delightfully sweet, versatile and easy to peel, they are also packed with the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that our body needs to stay healthy. Mandarins are the perfect on-the-go snack and a great addition to kids’ lunch boxes. They’re fabulous in fruit salads, compotes and added to baked treats such as…
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Halloumi, chickpea and green bean salad
This salad is not only a great accompaniment to any meal, it’s delicious and hearty enough to eat on its own for lunch or a light dinner. There is such a great contrast of flavours and textures in this salad with the sweetness of the cherry tomatoes and capsicum, saltiness of the halloumi, crispiness of…
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Anzac Cookies
The last Anzac cookie recipe I shared was a healthy version that tastes delicious. But, as we are currently living in unusual times and can’t do our usual things, like celebrate special events with the ones we love, I felt the need to bake traditional Anzac cookies this year to remind myself of how life…
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Moist orange and chocolate cake
Not only is this cake moist, chocolatey and utterly delicious, it’s gluten free and really easy to bake. It’s also versatile, because you can bake it as a whole cake or as mini cakes* using paper muffin cases. What you need 2 oranges, washed 250g caster sugar 6 free range eggs 250g almond meal 1…
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Caprese Salad
Nothing screams summer louder than Caprese salad. The sweetness of sun ripened juicy tomatoes is enhanced by the aromatic basil and creaminess of the burrata mozzarella. This is such a simple salad and, it’s that simplicity, that makes it so delicious. This traditional Italian summer salad originates from the Isle of Capri in the Gulf…
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Greek Moussaka – the healthier way
Moussaka has always been a favourite Greek dish of mine, not only because it tastes so amazing, but because it reminds me of where I came from. For me, it’s a quintessentially Greek dish that, when I bake it, it fills my senses with the flavours and aromas of my mother’s kitchen. It’s one of…
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Roasted Cauliflower Soup
When I walk into my greengrocer during the cold winter months, and see heads of beautiful bright white cauliflower encased in tender green leaves on the shelf, I get the undeniable urge to make a pot of silky Roasted Cauliflower Soup. Roasting the cauliflower transforms it from a delicate, mild to a more robust earthy…
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Maria’s Yemista
A while back, I posted my recipe for my GREEK YEMISTA (or stuffed capsicums & tomatoes) which is a delicious vegetarian dish with fresh fragrant herbs, pinenuts and tiny sweet currents. Now I have another version to share with you. This is one my mum used to make that I loved as a child. Yemista was a…
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Seeds & Sesame Crackers
One on my favourite ways to spend time with family and friends is to have a glass of wine with dips, cheese and crackers and these seeded crackers are a real ‘cracker‘, pardon the pun! I came up with these deliciously healthy crackers one day when I needed some GF crackers for Sunday family dinner.…
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Cabbage & Potato Bake
Cabbage and Potato Bake would have to be my family’s favourite vegetable dish. It’s a dish they wouldn’t get sick of, even if I made it every week for Sunday dinner! This cabbage and potato bake is one of those comfort foods that people crave for on a dreary cold winter’s day, because eating it makes…
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Falafel – crispy on the outside, fluffy on the inside – perfect!
Have you eaten homemade falafels? If you love chickpeas and haven’t ever made your own falafels, you are truly missing out! I promise you, that once you make them at home, you will never again want to eat store-bought falafels. Not only do they taste fantastic when they are just cooked, but they are incredibly easy…
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Sugar Challenge Day 6 – Peanut Butter & Cocoa Bliss Balls
Today is Day 6 of my personal challenge to replace refined white sugar with healthier alternatives in the food I cook. It’s been an interesting challenge so far and in the process I’ve gone a bit mad on making healthy bars and little balls of yumminess. Well, the fact is that I can’t help myself…
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Agh!…What to cook for dinner tonight?
How about a quick and easy, but oh so very delicious Thai Beef Salad? The question of ‘what to cook for dinner‘ is one that many mothers agonise over every day. This is especially true for working mums – I know because I am one of them, but it doesn’t have to be so difficult.…
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Summer Fruit Salad
If you read my last post, then you’ll know this is the Summer Fruit Salad that I promised to share with you. It’s topped with Greek yoghurt, a sprinkling of toasted muesli and a drizzle of honey. It’s so simple it’s almost embarrassing, but if you’re after something refreshing, delicious and very nutritious, then this is…
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No Fuss White Chocolate and Raspberry Muffins
Hello, thanks for popping by! Summer has arrived and that means beautiful sweet RASPBERRIES and lots of them – yay! Right now, raspberries are plump, sweet and juicy, making them ideal to eat in all sorts of ways. One crowd pleaser that I’d like to share with you are my NO FUSS WHITE CHOCOLATE AND…
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Yemista – Summer on a Plate
Also known as Tomatoes & Capsicums Stuffed with Rice & Herbs Yemista is one of the most traditional of Greek dishes made all over Greece, but there are many variations depending on the region. This version is one of my favourites.To me, Yemista is summer on a plate! The vibrant colours of the vegetables drizzled with a little extra virgin…
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Roast Chicken with Fragrant Brown Rice Stuffing
Roast chicken has always been a favourite dish in my household. In fact, when my boys where teenagers, I would have to roast 2 large chickens because 1 was never enough and, even then, I’d have to choose my piece quickly or I’d end up with the carcass to eat. I have yet to come…
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Easy Spaghetti & Meatballs
This is one of my ‘go to’ dishes when I need to cook a hearty meal but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. I can have this dish on the table in 15 minutes from start to finish. Although it’s not made the traditional way, my version of spaghetti and meatballs is just…
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Special Dinner for Two
Hello again, Recently I shared a post with you about a wonderful dinner I had with my son Anthony. It was one of those special moments that I got to spend one-on-one time with one of my boys. “Gee, it must be great now that your 3 boys have all grown up and are independent.…
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Asparagus with Shaved Parmesan and Aged Balsamic
Hi Reader, Here is another asparagus recipe as part of my Spring series that I know you and your family will enjoy. This is a ‘no brainer’ dish to make during the working week when you come home after a long day at work and need to cook something quick and easy for dinner. This…
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Zucchini Muffins with Pancetta & Dukka
I decided to ‘joosh up’ my zucchini muffins by adding pancetta and dukka to make an adult version of the plainer zucchini & cheese ones I have previously shared that kids love. These muffins are a little spicy, so they’re perfect as finger food to serve with drinks or as a snack when you get…
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Asparagus, Ricotta and Feta Tart
This is another dish that celebrates Spring! This delicious tart has a creamy filling and light buttery pastry. It’s one of those recipes that you will go back to again again because it’s easy to make and so delicious to eat. It makes a perfect lunch served with my BABY LEAVES & HERB SALAD on…
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Grilled Asparagus with Toasted Walnuts & Feta
I came up with this dish recently quite by accident and I loved it so much that I decided to share it with you as part of my series of asparagus dishes. But, there is a story behind this dish. It was last Friday when I had gone shopping to pick up a few things,…
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Asparagus – an impressive vegetable
You don’t need to do very much to asparagus to make it any more delicious than it already is. Simply lightly grilling it on the BBQ or baking it, then drizzle over a really really good extra virgin olive oil and aged balsamic vinegar and sprinkle a little sea salt, brings out the unique earthy…
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Not just another cheesecake
Rhubarb and Almond Cheesecake This is one of those cheesecakes that you will never forget once you taste it the first time. It has a sensational tangy flavour that makes you want to eat more than you know you should.
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Spring in a Bowl
After what seems to have been one of the longest and coldest winters, it’s such a relief to see evidence of what looks like spring. Birds are once again singing, rose gardens are blooming and, best of all, my greengrocer has started stocking fresh spring vegetables -YES! Now don’t get me wrong, I love winter…
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Eat Fish – your heart will love you for it
Hi Reader With heart disease on the rise, I thought I’d share some good heart health information with you today. Did you know the Australian Heart Foundation recommends that people should eat fish and seafood 2-3 times per week to maintain good heart health? How often do you eat fish and do you have a…
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Good Food for Little People – Veggie Fritters
Getting children – big and small – to eat more vegetables is a never-ending challenge for parents. And like many parents, I spent a lot to time and effort trying to encourage my sons to eat vegetables by serving them in creative ways and as a result, they grew up to love most greens and…
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Mussels – a sustainable food that boosts the immune system
Not only are mussels delicious, they are inexpensive and sustainable and, most importantly, they are very good for you. The vitamins and minerals contained in mussels help to boost your immune system, your brain function and overall wellbeing. Farming methods for mussels have very little impact on surrounding ecosystems – which is great news for…
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Spanakopita with a twist
Greek ‘pita’ (or ‘pie’) is a popular savoury dish made with filo (phyllo) pastry, feta cheese and eggs (as the base ingredients) and baked until golden and crispy. It makes a healthy addition to any lunch box, a delicious anytime snack or served as finger food with drinks when family or friends gather. Although Spanakopita…
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Tip for Busy Parents: Waste not, want not!
For years, I would discard the stalks from leafy greens such as silverbeet, spinach, chicory, broccoli and even parsley, until I saw my mum use the stalks of spinach to make a simple but very delicious salad. My mum would cut off the spinach leaves and use them to make ‘spanakopita’ (a Greek spinach and…
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Nuts, dates, coconut and cocoa
With nuts, dates, coconut and cocoa as the basic ingredients in this delicious slice, you don’t have to feel so bad about eating it. However, this CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER SLICE will test your willpower, because stopping at one slice is almost impossible – just ask Cath and Bree – haha! What you need For the Base…
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Rainbow Coleslaw – tastes great, packed with goodness
Growing up, coleslaw was never a favourite of mine. I found the traditional way of making coleslaw using only cabbage and carrots was boring so, over the years, I’ve experimented by adding other ingredients including sweetcorn, capsicum, spring onion and apple, which lifts the flavour to a whole new level. No matter which way you…
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Summer means green beans!
With Winter behind us, I”m thinking about the great vegetables that will soon be in season and all the dishes I will be able cook for Sunday dinner. A summer vegetable that is always a family favourite are green beans, which is great because green beans are a rich source of vitamins A, C, and…
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Tip for Busy Parents – Homemade Tomato Sauce
Home made tomato sauce is great to make and have in the fridge or freezer ready to use for a multitude of dishes. It’s particularly good with spaghetti – a dish that Pedro loves to eat (with his hands)! Just boil spaghetti according the instructions on the pack. Once cooked, strain and add to warm…
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What makes a Greek Salad great?
You haven’t had a great Greek salad until you’ve eaten a Greek salad in Greece. And you haven’t had an amazing Greek salad until you eaten one made from tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers grown in the garden of a house in a village in Greece. Once you eaten a tomato in Greece (or Italy for…
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Cheese on spaghetti and seafood – really?
Picture this…You’re sitting on the balcony of a funky seaside cafe on a perfect summer’s day on the Greek island of Lefkada. The sky is the bluest of blues, the water below is an array of spectacular shades of blue and the seashore is a milky white. Instead of sand, beautiful white pebbles of varying…
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Brussel Sprouts – a new favourite
Brussel sprouts have become a new favourite for my family which is great, because it’s one of those vegetables that have many health benefits (like cabbage), but are hated by most people – including me. That is until recently, when I saw them at my green grocer.
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Food Creates Memories
I have fond memories of my mum coming home after a long day at work to cook a delicious meal for us for dinner. I would watch how she would go about preparing a chicken and vegetable casserole – cutting up the chicken and chopping the vegetables – I would always love to help. When…
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Tip for Busy Parents: Homemade stock
Stock is a must for busy mums to have ready in small containers in the freezer to make healthy soups for little ones (and big ones too). Just defrost the stock, place in a pot and bring to the boil. Add some diced vegies, small pasta or diced chicken breast (or all three for a hearty…
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Hummus is good for the heart, mind and soul.
Emerging research suggests that chickpeas may play a beneficial role in weight management and glucose and insulin regulation, as well as have a positive impact on some markers of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Hummus, which is made primarily of chickpeas (which is a legume) and tahini, oil, lemon juice and garlic, is a great tasting dip…
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Simple but delicious!
A healthy lunch does not have to be difficult to make or expensive, but it must taste great, so here’s what it could look like! A crisp green salad made with fresh lettuce, baby rainbow silverbeet leaves, rocket and mint (picked from my vegie garden) dressed simply with a little sea salt, extra virgin olive…
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Who says poaching eggs is difficult?
Most people go out to a café to have poached eggs for Sunday breakfast because they think it’s the hardest thing to cook but, actually, it’s not as long as you know one very important secret – the eggs MUST be very fresh and preferably organic or free range. You can tell if your eggs are fresh…
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Our first Sunday dinner for 2017
With the craziness of Christmas and New Year done and dusted, life is quickly returning back to normal with our first Sunday dinner for 2017. It was the perfect day to have our first family dinner for the year on our balcony – our favourite place to eat – and it was great to have my family back…
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Cabbage – hate it or love it…
Hate it or love it, the fact is that cabbage is a vegetable everyone should eat to stay healthy! Cabbage is one of the few vegetables that I hated as a kid, but have learned to love as an adult. I’m not sure why I didn’t like it, but it may have something to do…
Meatballs and Muffins 