Recipe

Cherries are a fabulous source of vitamin C, which is vital for maintaining healthy skin and for boosting the body’s immune defences. Vitamin C contains potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory phytonutrients that help combat inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. Cherries are also a great source of dietary fibre to support healthy digestion and bowel regularity.

Carrots are bursting with health-promoting antioxidants and vital nutrients needed for good eye health and vision. Orange carrots are packed with beta-carotene, which is a precursor to vitamin A. We need this important vitamin for healthy skin and mucous membranes and for a strong immune system. Carrots also provide plenty of lutein, a potent antioxidant that helps protect the eyes from age-related macular degeneration.

This apple and cinnamon teacake is an oldie but a goodie. It’s super easy to make and uses coconut sugar rather than refined sugar. To make this vegan, swap the egg for a flax egg, use a vegan butter and a plant-based milk.

This is the perfect mid-week meal. The key to baking quinoa in the oven is to make sure the liquid is hot before you pour it into the baking dish. Feel free to add any combination of vegetables, such as corn or cherry tomatoes.

For a fuller flavour, you can marinate the chicken for up to two hours if you have the time as the flavours intensify.

This quick and easy one-pan fish is baked in a rich tomato sauce and is bursting with Mediterranean flavours.

This has got to be one of my top 10 easy dinner options. It comes together in one pan, requires minimum attention and is delicious and filling.

Eggplants are rich in flavonoids called anthocyanins. These health-promoting phytonutrients are responsible for giving eggplants their bright purple colour and high antioxidant levels. Including anthocyanin-rich foods in the diet will offer protection against cardiovascular disease and help improve immune function.

Stoemp is one of the most popular, widely made Belgian dishes. Traditionally, it is a dish of mashed potatoes with one or more additional vegetables. Because variety is so important nutritionally, this is a supercharged side that’s certainly worth the extra effort and so much more nourishing and delicious than plain old mash.

Mussels are a staple in Belgium and they are traditionally served with crunchy fries (frites). They are most often cooked French-style but can also be found cooked a multitude of ways, including curried.

Speculaas are traditional Belgian biscuits made with a delicious spice blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, cardamom and cloves. This is a version using more nutrient-dense flours; a mix of brown-rice flour, blanched almond meal and spelt flour. These biscuits are pressed into a decorative wooden mould in the shape of a windmill, boat or person before baking, but any biscuit shape will do.

Waterzooi literally translates to “watery mess”, but this dish is anything but. Rich and creamy comfort food has been lightened up with a quick swap of the traditional full cream for evaporated milk. It’s a hug in a bowl.