Food, travel and photography

Category: 30 minutes meal ideas

CHORIZO AND RICOTTA PINWHEELS

CHORIZO AND RICOTTA PINWHEELS

Prepared in no time, you can even adapt this recipe with a variety of different flavors, these bites are always a great hit! This recipe is an inspiration of Zoé de Las Cases’s published in the French Figaro Magazine Cuisine as a spotlight for country 

RED PEPPERS WITH GENUINE HALLOUMI AND CHOPPED CHERRY TOMATOES TOPPING

RED PEPPERS WITH GENUINE HALLOUMI AND CHOPPED CHERRY TOMATOES TOPPING

Halloumi cheese originates from Cyprus, it is white, it is quite stiff, and strangely makes your teeth grind. I love it! It is made of goat and ewe milk. I like to have it sliced and grilled, often with grilled vegetables, salad, olives, citrus fruits, 

BLACK PUDDING SPICED WITH BANANAS & CINAMMON COOKIES

BLACK PUDDING SPICED WITH BANANAS & CINAMMON COOKIES

This dish is ideal when you don’t have much time but wish to impress your guests with an exotic unique delight. Moreover, it’s quick and easy to make. Served with a large green or mixed salad on the side, it stands as a main course 

FRESH BEETROOT, COCONUT MILK, GINGER & LIME SOUP

FRESH BEETROOT, COCONUT MILK, GINGER & LIME SOUP

My friend Karin has a gift for introducing me to fanciful and delicious recipes. I love it! This velouté releases all its flavours once it has been mixed. It’s easy to warm up and to freeze as well.

Limonana (Middle Eastern Mint Lemonade)

Limonana (Middle Eastern Mint Lemonade)

Limonana, also called Lemon & Mint Lemonade in the Middle-East, is very popular in Egypt, Israel, Lebanon and Jordan. There are so many versions! It is sipped during lunch, at bars on the beach, and grabbed on the go on a hot day. I’m sharing 

Vine peach, nectarine, and mango fruit salad

Vine peach, nectarine, and mango fruit salad

The type of peaches I like to use here are called vine peaches. They are flat rather than round, are sweet and tasty, and their flesh is delicate and white. They are not as available as the other type as they are quickly perishable. You 

Persimmon goat cheese and roasted hazelnuts salad

Persimmon goat cheese and roasted hazelnuts salad

Choose firm and crunchy fuyu persimmons for this recipe as their pulp will not be too juicy. This variety is crunch, sweet, and best for salads.Thank you, Hélène, for sharing this delicious starter. Hélène’s French recipe website is now running under the name “Minute Papillotte”. 

Alexandra’s healthy soup

Alexandra’s healthy soup

This is a genuine healthy soup: made with leeks, garlic, and onions for the pre-biotics (high in fibers), and with kale known to be high in nutrients and anti-oxydants (carotenoids, flavonoids, glucosinolates, calcium, magnesium, potassium and vitamin C, K …) I love it and I 

Kale chips

Kale chips

The key to perfect kale chips? A slow and low bake. Why does kale get so much credit? It’s remarkably high in fibre and iron. It is packed with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. It’s also a great source of calcium and high in vitamins K 

Blueberry smoothie

Blueberry smoothie

When your blueberries are stored in the refrigerator, this delicious smoothie can be prepared and served in 5 minutes-time.

Mango chutney

Mango chutney

Traditionally served with venison, meat, or grilled fish, this chutney is also excellent with shrimp, lamb, or chicken curries.

Pork filet mignon with maroilles cheese sauce

Pork filet mignon with maroilles cheese sauce

This recipe is terrific and is made in no time! Many thanks to my friend Benedicte, a great cook, and who had me discover this dish served with braised endives. It was amazing!

Perfect soft-boiled eggs

Perfect soft-boiled eggs

Here are some useful tips to make your soft-boiled eggs: -Eggs should be extra fresh; here is how you check on their freshness: dip the eggs in cold water. The perfect egg for the soft-boiled recipe is the one that remains at the bottom of 

Chinese fried rice

Chinese fried rice

Simple to make, this delicious and easy to make recipe is one of my teenage years-favorites … thanks, Chantal, for this and for your appetizers I shared on my site too!

Leek fondue – “fondue de poireaux” in French

Leek fondue – “fondue de poireaux” in French

Fondue de poireaux is a common side-dish in France. Due to the delicate taste of leeks, it goes well with a wide variety of main dishes. Placing your fish fillet or your scallops on a bed of leek fondue is simply sublime! It takes no time to prepare, 

Combava steamed cod fish

Combava steamed cod fish

Steamed cod is a sure value as it is always delicious. For this recipe, I used a steam oven, but you also may cook in a bamboo steamer or wrapped in wax paper in your oven. 

Harissa grilled Eggplant

Harissa grilled Eggplant

Preparing this delicious dish couldn’t be easier. Thank you Mapie for this recipe. Harissa comes from North Africa. It is made of chillies and a mix of various spices including cumin and caraway. The difference in chilli strength between one harissa and another can be 

My watercress dressing

My watercress dressing

This dressing is ideal when served with fish and potatoes and it is incredibly easy to make. You will need a food processor.

Radicchio citrus and burrata salad

Radicchio citrus and burrata salad

When I discovered this cute, tempting salad at my favorite vegetable market, I had to go on the internet to look for a recipe. And I found Magali the founder of Quatre Saisons au Jardin website who authorized the publication of her recipe on my 

Grilled duck breast with honey and rosemary

Grilled duck breast with honey and rosemary

A classic in French cuisine, so simple to make … you can’t miss it! Use French and high-quality duck breasts.

Citrus fruit, ginger & honey alcohol-free grog

Citrus fruit, ginger & honey alcohol-free grog

The famous grog: we all know this ancient lemon and honey recipe from our grandmothers. With or without rum, cloves, cinnamon or not and served nice and hot; it smells winter alright and soothes our sore throats. I discovered this recipe in the great ELLE 

French mussels curry

French mussels curry

This family recipe is easy to make and simply delicious. Known to be highly iodized and fleshy, these shellfish are rich in protein, calcium and iron; to benefit from all the richness, they should be cooked just before eaten. Mussels from the French Atlantic or 

Goat cheese truffles

Goat cheese truffles

Suzanne’s chives, raisins and pomegranate goat cheese truffles is an original and easy recipe that can be prepared ahead of time.

French Beurre Blanc my Way (butter sauce)

French Beurre Blanc my Way (butter sauce)

Champagne and shallots are the prime ingredients used in this recipe to flavour this butter sauce. White wine is also often used in this classic French cuisine recipe too … Don’t hesitate to try it!

Catherine’s tuna salad

Catherine’s tuna salad

On a bed of lettuce, as a tuna sandwich spread, or stuffed in a tomato this American Tuna Salad recipe is a winner in all families. You can even use it to make a delicious Tuna Melt! And if you have leftovers, it is still 

cream of butternut and chestnut with roasted seaweed

cream of butternut and chestnut with roasted seaweed

My friend Armelle, who had me discover this great starter, used pumpkin and I did too. She steamed the vegetables in her steam oven at a temperature of 100° for 15 minutes. If you use a pressure cooker, allow 5 minutes to cook after it 

christine’s mango avocado and shrimp salad

christine’s mango avocado and shrimp salad

This salad is an all-time winner in our family. It is nutritious and well balanced and may well be considered a full meal in the summer. If you plan to serve it as a lighter starter, don’t use so much vinaigrette dressing and don’t use 

scallops with parma ham

scallops with parma ham

Tender, succulent, surprisingly very easy to cook, these scallops with parma ham are ready in 15 minutes. Enjoy!

Zaatar beetroot & yogurt spread

Zaatar beetroot & yogurt spread

For an elegant presentation, top with sunflower young leaves or any other ingredient baring the colour you wish to decorate your colourful spread. Special thanks to Chrystele who had me discover this delicious recipe created by the famous Yotam Ottolenghi.

Jeanne’s tomato – kiwi salad

Jeanne’s tomato – kiwi salad

A very light and energetic recipe. Personally I’m a fan! Jeanne always has incredible recipes. Jeanne’s quinoa caprese is another one you should try.

Saïda’s pancakes

Saïda’s pancakes

The dough may be prepared ahead of time, but the pancakes are best when cooked before serving. They don’t come out the same when re-heated.

cheeseburger my way

cheeseburger my way

This dish is from California and its recipe was inspired by a small recipe book I love named: Jordan Feilders’ California Canteen. Special thanks to him and his team. This recipe served with my Quinoa almond and feta cheese salad is a best seller!

Courgette & Stilton velouté

Courgette & Stilton velouté

This is a very simple and light soup. You’ll need a blender and if you have a Thermomix it will be ready in 20 minutes!

Spinach leaf basket

Spinach leaf basket

If you are not feeling confident about cooking, limiting yourself to this kind of recipe is a good way to start.