Chili Crisp Rainbow Carrot Salad
I was not fully convinced about chili crisp and was very late to jump onto the bandwagon, but now I fully get it and can’t stop putting it on everything. It’s more than just chili- there’s so much flavour packed in that tiny jar. It works so perfectly with this carrot salad. It packs a slight punch, while the vinegar keeps it bright, and the carrot ribbons stay crunchy and soak up all of the flavour from the marinade.
Charred Tomatillo Salsa
I recently discovered tomatillos, and I needed to make a salsa with them. They are sour, citrusy, and tangy and are great when roasted or charred and blended to make a delicious, bright salsa. Serve this with nachos or as a topping to your Mexican bowl.
Charred Ginger Soy Bok Choy
If you’ve never tried bok choy before, I would highly recommend this underrated vegetable. It has a mild, almost sweet flavour, and has a beautiful crisp crunch to it. Cooked right, it can easily be the star of the show, and I think this recipe does that.
It’s charred in a pan, then cooked with ginger, garlic, and a medley of Asian sauces. Topped with sesame seeds, and it’s well on its way to becoming your new favourite Asian side dish.
Beef Samosas
This is something that I loved to eat growing up. These are crispy on the outside, baked until golden, and filled with a perfectly spiced beef filling. They are a great snack, and are baked instead of fried, so they are healthier for you. Pair them with a peach or mango chutney, or a mint yoghurt dipping sauce.
Italian Tomato Bruschetta
This is one of those things that you can throw together quickly if you need an appetiser or side for your meal, and it comes out perfect every time. You won’t believe how much flavour is in these! It’s one of my favourite ways to use fresh tomatoes and basil, and it’s always a crowd-pleaser.
Tomato, Cucumber, & Basil Salad
This is such a simple salad, but it is a celebration of how tasty tomatoes and cucumbers can be. They are cut into bite-sized pieces, then tossed with basil, olive oil and apple cider vinegar and seasoned with salt and pepper, and that’s honestly all that they need. Using colourful baby tomatoes gives a beautiful pop of colour. It makes for a perfect side salad for a lovely summer lunch.
Steamed Ricepaper Prawn Dumplings
These dumplings are so delicious and such a lovely starter or side dish. They are steamed and made with ricepaper, so they are a healthier alternative to other dumplings. If you are intimidated by making dumplings, don’t be! Give it a try and see how easy it is to make these prawn dumplings at home.
Sticky Miso Maple Roasted Beetroot
These are sticky, sweet, and full of umami flavour from the miso maple sauce. The beetroot is roasted until tender, which caramelises its natural sugars, then it is tossed in the miso maple sauce, making it sticky and even more delicious. If you don’t love beets, give this recipe a try, and I can almost guarantee that you will love them.
Marinated Tomato & Burrata Salad with a Cherry Dressing
This is such a fresh salad, perfect as a side dish for a steak, or as a meal of its own! The tomatoes are marinated with oil and herbs, the arugula is tossed in a cherry dressing, and the burrata is bursting with creamy stracciatella. The homemade cherry dressing brings a beautiful sweetness that pairs well with the creamy burrata.
Cheddar & Creamed Corn Bake
If you’ve never tried a corn bake before, you are in for a treat! This is cheesy, creamy on the inside, and slightly crispy on the outside. I love to make this cheddar & creamed corn bake as a side for a BBQ because it’s so easy to whip together, then leave it to bake while the meat is cooking outside.
Marinated Minty Grilled Eggplant
If you don’t love eggplant, try this recipe, then tell me if you still don’t like it. The eggplant is cut into thin disks, grilled for a bit of char, then marinated to soak up all of the minty flavours. It is so delicious, fresh, and they keep a firm texture, so it’s not the smooshy texture most people associate with eggplant. It pairs well with any Mediterranean dish as a lovely side.
Heirloom Tomato Carpaccio
I love using heirloom tomatoes for this because they are so beautiful and colourful, but you can use any tomatoes that you have on hand. It’s a simple appetizer or side dish, but it’s so fresh and vibrant that any tomato-lover will be happy to have this served.
Miso Butter Charred Cabbage
I’m not even joking when I say that this is the best way to eat cabbage. The miso butter elevates this simple veg to a whole new level, and the char bits give it such a lovely smoky taste. It is a dish that people often tell me is their favourite part of the meal.
Olive & Feta Checkerboard
This is such a cute way to present an appetizer. It elevates your usual bowls of feta and olives to a whole new level that will have guests commenting on how much effort you must’ve put into it (but really, it just took a few minutes). These make for a great appetizer when you are in a rush and need to get something beautiful out quickly.
Gochujang Garlic Carrots
These are tender, slightly spicy, and full of flavour. It is a great way to use up a lot of carrots, and they are so tasty that people will be eating them up like fries. It pairs well with any Asian dish or Sunday roast as a side.
Mexican Elote Fritters with a Lime Mayo
These are crispy fried corn fritters with a creamy, zesty lime mayo to dip into. They are absolutely delicious and make for a great appetizer for your next Mexican food night. I love a homemade mayo, and this brings a zesty freshness to the corn fritters.
Mango Avocado Pico De Gallo
This chunky pico de gallo is fresh, sweet, and makes the perfect side for your tacos. I love to serve a big helping of this next to my birria tacos or to scoop up with some nachos. It brightens any dish and is a great spring or summer side dish.
Guacamole
There’s nothing better than cutting open the perfect avocado. I get so excited when my avos are perfectly ripe and the flesh is buttery. Besides using my perfect avo for an avocado toast, my other favourite thing to do is make fresh guac. It’s so flavourful and makes the best snack with some nachos.
The Best Roast Potatoes
These are crunchy and golden on the outside, but soft and fluffy on the inside. It is minimal in ingredients, but it’s the method that makes the big difference in getting that perfect roast potato. Pair it with a roast chicken and a fresh salad, and you have yourself the perfect Sunday roast.
Easy Purple Pickled Deviled Eggs
These are a showstopper but are actually really easy to make! I’ve made these the easiest version there is by using the pickle juice from a can of pickled beets. They make a great appetizer for Easter or a dinner party.