Vegetarian

Bean salads are excellent stick-to-the-ribs fare, especially when they’re jazzed up with the bright flavours of the Southwest, where beans have long been a staple food.

This salad really shows off why fennel is one of my favourite vegetables. It’s loaded with crisp sweetness and subtle licorice flavours. Try it. Its simplicity will blow you away! It’ll soon be one of your favourites too.

This is my all-time favourite summer salad. It’s amazing how much savoury flavour your grill can add to a simple pineapple and some red onion. Next time you fire up the works try this salad and you’ll have a new favourite for your repertoire too!

This classic salad has come a long way because its 1924 invention by Caesar Cardini at his Tijuana restaurant. It’s now found on virtually every menu in the country at home and in restaurants. Because there are as many ways to make it as there are cooks, I don’t spend a lot of time worrying about authenticity, just flavour. My version includes the wonderfully aromatic addition of whole basil leaves.

There are as many ways to pile flavour on a slice of crisp bread as there are cooks. Here are some ideas to help you find your favourite!

Smoked salmon is the ultimate party guest. It’s versatile, gets along with lots of other ingredients and always adds a luxurious twist to the proceedings. It’s also easy to work with because you’re limited only by your imagination.

You don’t need a recipe to make a great grilled-cheese sandwich. Some great cheese, hearty bread and a bit of butter will do just fine. You can also easily finesse this humble snack into a classic treat by adding some of your favourite personalized flavours.

This fun snack is a tasty way to add some healthy flavour to a lunchbox or your table. It’s one of our family favourites partly because it’s so easy to make.

An omelette is a great way to start your day but it’s also right at home on the dinner table. Farm-fresh eggs, cheddar cheese and aromatic herbs are all you need to create an elegant, simple meal. Some purists insist that the perfect omelette must never colour, but I prefer the flavour that a touch of browning adds.

In Arabic, the word “hummus” means chickpeas. In the world of food, hummus is a dip or spread made from a purée of chickpeas, tahini, lemon, olive oil and garlic. It’s very easy to make, very tasty and very healthy. It’s a convenient snack and a frequent guest at our table.

Brown Rice with Apples

Rice is a grain, lentils a legume. Combine the two and you have a perfect source of vegetarian protein. Of course, you don’t have to be a vegetarian to enjoy the wholesome, tasty richness of this healthy duo.