Flossie

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...

Candyflosslife 7 Plants in a Pan, 30 in a Week We’ve just arrived at my parents and had a quick tour of their veg garden, watched suspiciously through the net by the world's most athletic chickens (mum and dad rear their own chickens mostly for eggs and they roam freely through a large section of the garden while picking at fruit that falls on the ground). Cabbages are so lush in my parents' garden Cabbage standing proud, apple and pear trees heavy with fruit… it feels like autumn is already...

Candyflosslife September Kitchens: Full of Fruit, Full of Plans Mid-September already - can you believe it? My cherry tomatoes (yes, they’re fruit!) are still hanging on, plums are abundant in farm shops, and I'm sure preserves are bubbling away in kitchens everywhere. Spot the black-and-white cat in my parents' tomato patch My parents’ garden is overflowing, and next weekend we’re heading over (likely roped into helping with the jars!) before sneaking off for a few days in Transylvania....

Candyflosslife Balmy Days & Fermentation Station This weekend’s announcing itself warm and golden, but I know summer’s slipping away. I wanted to give it a proper send-off with three things: a fresh jar of fermented cucumbers, a cozy chowder, and one last watermelon salad before the season disappears for good. Dill Pickles Naturally Fermented Fermented Cucumbers 🥒 If you’ve got a glut of cucumbers, now’s the moment. A simple brine, garlic, dill, and a little time - and you’ve got crisp, tangy...