23 June 2020

Raspberry granita with prosecco and mint

Sandra snacks, sweet dairy free, fresh herbs, gluten free, granita, mint, no refined sugar, prosecco, raspberries, raspberry granita, summer, vegan 0 Comments

Do you prefer your summer refreshment on a stick or on a spoon? As you will guess from the picture, I’ll pick the spoon any time. Granita must be my favourite icy summer treat. It’s light, crisp and full-flavoured and there’s just nothing like the feeling of those flaky crystals melting on your tongue with […]

13 June 2020

Basil and lemon syrup made with whole lemons

Sandra drinks, sweet basil, basil and lemon syrup, basil syrup, cake decoration, candied citrus, candied lemon, lemon, lemon syrup, lemonade, summer, summer cocktail 0 Comments

Summer has arrived and summer drinks are in order! These days I’m alternating between large jugs of fresh, unsweetened iced green tea and glasses of a sweeter alternative: sparkly lemonade made with homemade basil and lemon syrup. Making your own lemonade syrup is much easier than you may think. Its base is a simple sugar […]

6 May 2020

Nettle bread rolls with lemon and tarragon

Sandra breakfast/brunch, side dishes, snacks bread, fresh herbs, nettle bread, nettles, spring, vegan, vegan baking 0 Comments

Few wild plants evoke such strong, negative emotions as nettles. Everyone who has ever been stung by them (and who hasn’t?) knows to steer clear of those hairy leaves. With my own childhood burns almost as vivid in my memory as the teary faces of my girls after having walked straight into them, I used […]

6 May 2020

Cashew cream cheese with wild garlic and spring herbs

Sandra breakfast/brunch, side dishes, snacks cashew cream cheese, cashew nuts, cream cheese, dairy free, dip, fresh herbs, gluten free, ramsons, soy free, spread, spring, vegan, vegan cream cheese, wild garlic 0 Comments

The shaded corners of my garden are filled with pretty white flowers, which means that the season for wild garlic is almost at its end. The pointed leaves of wild garlic are among the first to start growing after winter, which makes them a welcome herald of spring every year. And as I adore their […]

10 April 2020

Oven-roasted asparagus with vinaigrette, fresh herbs and capers

Sandra main dishes, salads, side dishes asparagus, fresh herbs, roasted asparagus, seasonal cooking, spring, vegan, vegetarian 0 Comments

Asparagus season is here! As I love this veg, I’m making the most of its wide availability and cook bunches of it every week these days. The sturdy green variety is particularly versatile. It can be blanched or griddled, used as part of a stir-fry or shaved in raw ribbons to make up a salad […]

31 March 2020

Soft chai-spiced Easter buns with tea-infused cranberries

Sandra breakfast/brunch, snacks, sweet chai spices, cranberries, Easter, Easter buns, Easter rolls, no refined sugar, spring, sweet rolls, vegan, vegetarian 0 Comments

Easter is just around the corner. This year it is expected to be an unusual occasion. With people all over the world doing their bit in practicing social distancing, public celebrations will be limited to a minimum and instead of visiting family, many people will likely be staying in. All the more reason to make […]

17 March 2020

Spaghetti with cashew cream, peas and mushrooms

Sandra main dishes cashew cream, cashew nuts, cashew sauce, lactose free, mushrooms, pasta, peas, spaghetti, vegan, vegetarian 0 Comments

Some days comfort food is called for. And on days like these, nothing beats pasta in a creamy sauce. Below you’ll find my current favourite version: spaghetti with cashew cream, peas and mushrooms. This one ticks all the boxes: it’s creamy, nutritious, filled with different textures and flavours and easy to whip up. As said, […]

4 March 2020

Buckwheat biscotti with orange and fennel seed

Sandra snacks, sweet almond flour, aquafaba, biscotti, biscuits, buckwheat, cantuccini, cookies, egg replacer, eggless biscotti, gluten free, no refined sugar, vegan, vegan baking, vegetarian 0 Comments

Before I went vegan, biscotti were one of my favourite kinds of cookies. With their crisp texture and subtle citrus flavour, they embodied elegant munching, with a small espresso on the side. As I loved my shop-bought ones, the thought of baking them myself never occurred to me. A pity, really, because everybody knows EVERYTHING, […]

16 February 2020

Vegan steamed buns with peppery hoisin glazed mushrooms

Sandra breakfast/brunch, snacks Asian, aubergine, bao buns, Chinese food, dim sum, eggplant, Indonesian food, mushrooms, snacks, steamed buns, street food, vegan, vegetarian 1 Comment

When comfort food is called for, steamed buns are the thing. There’s just something about these pillowy Chinese rolls that makes you forget everything around you the moment you sink your teeth in them. You can buy them fresh or frozen at supermarkets and oriental stores, but did you know it’s actually quite easy to […]

13 January 2020

Vegan paella with lots of veg

Sandra main dishes beans, fennel, gluten free, grilled veg, paella, pepper, rice, vegan, vegan paella 0 Comments

Happy new year everyone! We’re already well into January and on our way to longer and lighter days. After weeks of indulging in holiday treats, I’m up for fresh veg-packed food, with a hint of the sunshine that’s carefully peeking through the clouds as I’m writing this. So for those of you who are looking […]