Flossie

Candyflosslife The Almost-Thanksgiving Sunday Roast If your inbox has been drowning in turkey talk this week, same here. So instead of adding to the noise, I thought I’d send you a quieter kind of feast: a Sunday roast that just happens to work beautifully if you are celebrating, but is just as good on a regular chilly November weekend. Break tradition with this juicy Thanksgiving chicken! 1. My “Thanksgiving” chicken, but make it Sunday-friendly This is the roast I make when I want all the...

Candyflosslife Be kind to your gut This time of year we naturally drift towards heavier food, so I’ve been asking myself a very simple question: “How can I keep the comfort, but make this plate a bit kinder to my gut microbes?” A few things that are working, in case you want to try them too. Broccoli & Stilton Soup with seeds and croutons 1. Add one more plant to whatever you’re making Instead of redesigning dinner, I’ve been asking “what’s one more plant I can throw in?” Broccoli and Stilton...

Candyflosslife It’s still 30 plants a week… even with custard This is the kind of Sunday where slow baking genuinely soothes the soul… especially if it’s grey outside and you need something warm and reassuring. Apple & Blackberry Crumble with crunchy oat topping This apple & blackberry crumble is one of those puddings that is impossible not to love. Soft fruit, bright berries, the perfect buttery crumble and a little jug of custard to finish. Just cosy, simple goodness. Watch the YouTube...

Candyflosslife Simple plates, gentle balance November is here, but it's a mild one, and all I want is food that feels grounding but still colorful. Enough protein to keep me steady, and enough plants to keep my gut happy, easily reaching 30 a week. Grilled chicken supreme with purple potatoes Chicken supreme was on the weeknight dinner menu this week since my local butcher remembered to display some, so I quickly marinated the chicken pieces for grilling (you can also roast these). I served...

Candyflosslife Good food without overthinking Some weeks glide, others drag - and right now, I’m definitely in the drag zone. Darker evenings, longer workdays, and suddenly dinner feels like another job. So this week I’m keeping it simple: food that doesn’t fight back. Easy to cook, satisfying to eat, still on the gut-friendly side of things. Golden peri peri chicken thighs with oven baked rice Peri Peri Chicken + Rice 🍗 This is a put it in the oven and walk away dinner - juicy chicken, smoky...

Candyflosslife Sweet, salty, simple Pears are beautifully in season right now - soft, fragrant and at their best with very little effort. I grabbed a heap from my local farm shop, they have beautiful orchards laden with pears right now. Not so juicy as last year, as it rained quite a bit for the past few weeks, but they are big and lovely for baking. Pears & Gorgonzola with Hot Honey These baked pears with gorgonzola, honey and pecans are everything I love in a bite: soft fruit, salty cheese,...

Candyflosslife Realistic Eating in Real Life Some experts say it’s easy to eat healthy - plan ahead, eat whole foods, keep it balanced. Simple, right? You want to know what I think as a food scientist and seasoned home cook? Well, I think it can be really hard at this time of year. Darker evenings roll in, energy dips, and all I want is comfort food. And I wouldn’t blame you if you feel the same. Wagyu Beef Meatballs with Fresh Bay Leaves from my garden So this week I wanted to share...

Candyflosslife Sunday Prep, Smashed Potatoes & a Little Calm This week I'm finally sharing something I’ve been meaning to show you for ages: my weekly meal prep. It’s the real routine I do most Sundays to make the week run smoother. Think roasted veg, cooked grains, quick proteins and a few dips that somehow turn into five (or more!) easy meals. 5 Easy Meals for a Healthy Gut My Meal-Prep for Gut Health 🍲If you’ve ever wondered how to hit that 30-plants-a-week goal without overthinking it,...

Candyflosslife Fall's fruit and veg are beckoning It's that time of year and I am literally overwhelmed and spoilt for choice. Cozy soup? Sweet and salty fig salad? Yes please! Fig and Pistachio Salad Pumpkin Season Is Here 🎃Pumpkins aren’t just for carving - they’re fiber-rich and packed with beta-carotene, which your body converts into vitamin A. If pumpkin is your love language, I’ve got you covered - from my amazingly warming spiced Moroccan pumpkin soup (topped with crunchy chickpeas),...

Candyflosslife Mountain Roads, Golden Apples & Sweet Souvenirs We’re just back from Transylvania and what a road trip it was - mountain roads curling through the Carpathians, autumn colors peeking through, and food that was hearty, rustic, and comforting. Stayed in some amazing places with the best views, taking a relaxing but deliciously full break. Golden Delicious Apples in my parents yard I thought I’d share a taste of it plus what I carried home in my suitcase, you guessed it! More...