parmesan crisps

Are you ready for a guilt-free, no-carb appetizer to munch on this summer? There is only one ingredient in this recipe, grated parmesan cheese, and it was super quick and easy to create. Ok, so I added a pinch of ground black pepper, but that was it, really. I made these delicious cheesy crisps, topped them with smoked salmon, creme fraiche, and baby dill and carried them on a plate across the road to a neighbor's cocktail party for taste…

Oprah’s white wine sangria

I had decided that sangria was probably going to be my go-to cocktail for the summer, that was until I tasted a glass (or two!) of white wine sangria last week. It was delicious! I couldn't wait to make it at home. This recipe used even more exotic fruits than the one I was served, but it was lacking a little sweetness. When I added a teaspoon of sugar to each glass, it was perfect. I'd like to try honey…

what our grandparents knew about skinny eating

A classic 70's photo - note the teak wall unit behind me complete with copper fondue set and reel to reel music system When my Mum gave me my grandmother's old place mats, it brought back a flood of memories from the 70's: happy family dinners (the meat always over-cooked and dry), the grown ups sipping sherry from tiny glasses, the smell of my grandfather's pipe, loud laughter, and my favorite dessert of pavlova topped with passion fruit grown in…

easy spring appetizer

This is a great appetizer if you need to take it to a friend's place or on a picnic. It travels well and can be made ahead of time (on the same day).  Just refrigerate it until you need it. You've probably tried a similar appetizer to this before, with proscuitto wrapped around wedges of cataloupe. (more…)

Donna Hay’s rustic simmered chicken

The cookbooks I always reach for first in my kitchen, are by Australian chef, Donna Hay. The photography is beautiful and the recipes; fresh, modern and delicious. Her books are available here. I thought I owned every one of her books (one is even signed by the author!), but as soon as I realized there was a new one I put it straight onto  my birthday wishlist (they make great gifts). Donna's Rustic Simmered Chicken recipe can be seen here (but…

DIY handmade greeting cards

Thank you notes are one of the nicest things to receive. Many successful people swear by them, including the great Barbara Walters. I go through stages where I'm really good about writing thank you notes and then I trail off. Keeping a stock of professional looking stationery, blank greeting cards, and stamps makes it easy to quickly scribble out a heart-felt note and pop it into the mail (see more tips on sending professional thank you notes below). (more…)