Rustic food

Sweet and tender roasted carrots in a tasty maple dijon glaze.

Homemade Greek yogurt (no rise) pizza crust, boursin cheese, heirloom tomatoes and fresh herbs, baked until golden and bubbly.

When researching recipes for this classic French stew, I found them to be complicated, some requiring 2-3 days of prep. I couldn’t help but think, there must be a better way. Then, as I got into the ingredients lists, it was mainly duck and stuffed sausages. I’ll let you in on a teeny, tiny secret:

Picnic with cheese plate at a dinner party on wood table. Cheese, sage, jam, nuts, crackers, fruit, olives, bread, honey and beer and wine are on the table.

Spice rubs and marinating before cooking or grilling can mean the difference between a good piece of meat and in this instance, the best smoky beef fillet ever! As a nation of braai-obsessed South Africans, we know how to light the fires and take outdoor cooking to the next level. Inexpensive and versatile, spice rubs are my go-to ingredient when it comes to imparting flavour into meat bound for the coals. In the cooler months when comfort is king, my trusty cast iron pots are home to hearty…

These Rustic Paprika Potatoes with sweet Spanish paprika, quickly caramelized onions and fresh herbs are totally cooked on the stovetop and loaded with comforting flavors. From breakfast to dinner to the holiday table, these potatoes are absolutely amazing.

Replace just a few ingredients in your typical beef stew recipe and you'll have...

Rustic Ratatouille Hand Pies are stacked with layers of roasted eggplant, ripe tomato, melty cheese, & a sprinkling of fresh herbs & briny olives, all wrapped up in a hearty cornmeal crust.

Editorial work

2 tablespoons olive oil 3 pounds beef stew meat 1 cup diced onion 3 garlic cloves, minced 5 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 cup Irish stout beer 4 cups beef broth 1/4 cup tomato paste 2 pounds small baby potatoes quartered 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme 1/2 bag baby carrots Additional salt and pepper to taste