Candyflosslife

Candyflosslife

Down to earth food for flexitarians

Soup season

Cauliflower and Corn Chowder

Cauliflower and Corn Chowder

There’s a particular kind of soup that I crave once the weather turns: something that uses up a whole head of cauliflower, leans on sweetcorn while it’s still tender, and turns creamy without a drop of dairy in the pot. This chunky cauliflower corn chowder …

Clear Chicken Soup with Carrots & Potatoes (Romanian-Style)

Clear Chicken Soup with Carrots & Potatoes (Romanian-Style)

Romanian-style clear chicken soup with carrots and potatoes, served family-style. Chicken pieces are poached, skimmed once, then simmered with a whole onion for sweetness. Halved potatoes cook until tender, then chicken, potatoes and onion are lifted out so the broth stays clear. Finish with parsley and garlic sauce.

Carrot and coriander soup (soup maker)

Carrot and coriander soup (soup maker)

Winter weeknights call for something that tastes like comfort, but it’s nourishing and fast. My carrot and coriander soup maker version is bright and gently spiced. I add a generous amount of lentils to keep it satisfying and a good squeeze of lemon to balance that carrot sweetness.

Broccoli and Stilton Soup in Soup Maker (White-Bean Velvet)

Broccoli and Stilton Soup in Soup Maker (White-Bean Velvet)

A cozy broccoli and Stilton soup in a soup maker with a white-bean twist: silky, high-fibre, no cream needed – finished with lemon and a crunchy seed topping.

Tomato Soup in Soup Maker

Tomato Soup in Soup Maker

This Tomato Soup in Soup Maker is my go-to when tomatoes peak: I roast vine tomatoes, onion, and a whole garlic bulb until jammy, then let the soup maker blitz with miso paste for a velvety, umami-rich bowl.


Flexitarian Recipes

Buttermilk Crepes (Thicker, Tangier, Way More Fillable)

Buttermilk Crepes (Thicker, Tangier, Way More Fillable)

These buttermilk crepes are thicker than classic crepes, slightly tangy, and easy to flip. Perfect for sweet toppings or savory fillings.

Tomato Soup in Soup Maker

Tomato Soup in Soup Maker

This Tomato Soup in Soup Maker is my go-to when tomatoes peak: I roast vine tomatoes, onion, and a whole garlic bulb until jammy, then let the soup maker blitz with miso paste for a velvety, umami-rich bowl.

Brown Sourdough

Brown Sourdough

I’ve baked sourdough every week for ~4 years, and this brown sourdough is the one I trust when life gets busy. It’s nutty from wholemeal flour, but with a soft crumb even though it packs in that extra fiber.

Fermented radishes

Fermented radishes

Fermented radishes bring the sass to your plate. This is a beginner-friendly lacto-fermentation recipe that turns humble radishes into tangy, crunchy, and yummy gems good for your gut. You can make a small batch in minutes and enjoy it for weeks!

Creamy Gluten-Free Corn Chowder

Creamy Gluten-Free Corn Chowder

This creamy corn chowder is gluten free and perfect for cozy fall nights. I make it with fresh corn, a healthier twist on a classic recipe.

Mediterranean Stir Fry

Mediterranean Stir Fry

Soft, crunchy veggies and juicy, garlicky and smoky chicken morsels make this Mediterranean stir fry your new go-to dinner under 30 minutes. I love me a stir fry, but a stir fry packed with all my favorite Mediterranean flavors and that doesn’t require a wok? …

Crispy Peri-Peri Chickpea Halloumi Salad

Crispy Peri-Peri Chickpea Halloumi Salad

Crispy peri-peri chickpeas, salty grilled halloumi, and a garlicky tahini dressing turn this salad into a full meal, and best thing: it’s ready in twenty minutes.

Apricot Galette

Apricot Galette

I cannot get enough of the perfect balance of sweet and tart with this easy-to-make apricot galette. I want ripe, juicy apricots that are wrapped in a buttery, flaky crust, making it such a delicious summer treat. Apricots are one of my favorite summer fruits, …

Chicken and Halloumi Skewers

Chicken and Halloumi Skewers

Tender, juicy chicken and salty halloumi grilled to perfection on skewers, marinated in a simple Greek-style dressing. Perfect for a summer BBQ.

Turkish stuffed peppers

Turkish stuffed peppers

These Turkish Stuffed Peppers are filled with fluffy rice & juicy meaty herb stuffing, then baked in a tangy tomato sauce. Bursting with flavor and even better the next day! My mum used to make stuffed peppers in the summer, when freshly ripe bell peppers …

Wagyu beef meatballs

Wagyu beef meatballs

Get ready to amazeballs your taste buds and anyone lucky enough to join you for dinner with these Wagyu Beef Meatballs. Happy rolling!

Apple crumble tarts

Apple crumble tarts

Picture this: a golden-brown crust, oozing with spiced apple goodness, crowned with a generous sprinkle of buttery crumble.

Grilled Harissa chicken kebabs- a fiery experience

Grilled Harissa chicken kebabs- a fiery experience

These grilled chicken Harissa kebabs require a small amount of work to make them sophisticated enough for a celebratory meal. Harissa, the fiery North African spice blend brings together smoky, robust, and aromatic notes, combining earthy cumin, tangy lemon zest, fiery chili peppers, and a …

French Strawberry Cake ( no sour cream)

French Strawberry Cake ( no sour cream)

This French strawberry cake spells the start of the English summer for me. No other strawberries will do, as I wait patiently until English strawberries make their presence in the shops and farms. As a child of the 70’s, I have been brought up with …

Romanian Meatball Soup (ciorba de perisoare)

Romanian Meatball Soup (ciorba de perisoare)

Romanian meatball soup is a slightly sour affair, traditionally soured with “bors” (a fermented wheat-bran liquid), but lemon juice will work nicely for the home cooks.

Sourdough Brioche Bread

Sourdough Brioche Bread

Soft, buttery sourdough brioche bread raised entirely with your starter. Mix it in the evening or first thing in the morning, let it rise on the bench, and bake a tall, golden loaf that tears into soft strands.

Spelt Fig Galette with Pistachios and Balsamic Glaze

Spelt Fig Galette with Pistachios and Balsamic Glaze

A rustic spelt galette with a nutty, flaky crust, a layer of milled flaxseed to help keep the base from going soggy, sliced fresh figs and crunchy pistachios. Serve each slice with a drizzle of balsamic glaze.

Cauliflower and Corn Chowder

Cauliflower and Corn Chowder

There’s a particular kind of soup that I crave once the weather turns: something that uses up a whole head of cauliflower, leans on sweetcorn while it’s still tender, and turns creamy without a drop of dairy in the pot. This chunky cauliflower corn chowder …

Soft Blueberry Sourdough Bread with Tangzhong

Soft Blueberry Sourdough Bread with Tangzhong

My blueberry sourdough boule, with a tangzhong worked into the dough for a loaf that’s still soft on day two and three, not just fresh out of the oven.

Barley Stuffed Peppers

Barley Stuffed Peppers

Barley’s been in my regular rotation for a while now, and these stuffed peppers are where a lot of that barley ends up. A weeknight dish that’s tidy, a bit elegant to plate up, but with real substance packed into a neat parcel.

Creamy Zucchini Feta Pasta (Whipped Feta Sauce)

Creamy Zucchini Feta Pasta (Whipped Feta Sauce)

A big bowl of fusilli with golden zucchini and sweet peas in a creamy herby whipped feta sauce. A proper summer dinner in about half an hour.

Runner Bean Salad

Runner Bean Salad

A fresh runner bean salad with gremolata dressing and toasted flaked almonds. Simple, seasonal, and ready in under 20 minutes.

Grilled Halloumi Watermelon Salad with Sourdough Croutons

Grilled Halloumi Watermelon Salad with Sourdough Croutons

This watermelon halloumi salad is cold, salty, crisp, and a little bit panzanella-inspired – because stale sourdough deserves a better outcome than the bin. Warm grilled halloumi, chilled watermelon, toasted bread that soaks up the balsamic dressing, and fresh mint on top. Question is lunch or a light summer dinner?

Avocado Pineapple Salsa

Avocado Pineapple Salsa

This avocado pineapple salsa started life as the topping for my al pastor pork tacos, and it was so good I couldn’t keep it locked inside one recipe. Juicy pineapple, soft avocado, sharp lime, shallot, herbs, and a little heat if you want it. It …

Fluffiest Sourdough Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Fluffiest Sourdough Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

These sourdough lemon ricotta pancakes have become the thing I make on slow weekend mornings. The ricotta keeps them tender and almost custardy in the middle. Pile some blueberries on and you get the softest, most pillowy blueberry lemon ricotta pancakes you’ve ever dreamt of.