May 6, 2020

Healthy Tuscan Bean Soup

Tuscan Bean Soup is the perfect one pot meal for stormy weather and busy weeknights!  Also, it’s super healthy!  Save some and freeze ahead for next time. INGREDIENTS
  • 1 large red onion
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 carrot
  • 2 sticks celery
  • 400g can chopped tomatoes
  • 1 tbsp tomato purée
  • 600ml well-flavoured vegetable stock
  • Handful of chopped parsley
  • 400g can borlotti beans, drained and rinsed
  • 400g can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
  • 75g small pasta shapes of your choice, optional
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
METHOD
  1. PREPARE your veg by chopping
  2. HEAT the oil in a large non-stick saucepan
  3. SAUTE the onion for about 5 mins or until soft.
  4. STIR in the garlic, carrot and celery and cook for a further 5 mins.
  5. ADD the tomatoes, tomato purée, stock and seasoning.
  6. BRING to the boil, then reduce the heat to a simmer, cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for 20 mins or until the vegetables are soft.
  7. REMOVE half of the vegetable mixture and blend until smooth in a food processor. Return to the pan.
  8. ADD the beans & pasta, and simmer for a further 10 mins or until the pasta is cooked.
NOTES
  • If using pasta add an extra 200ml of water
  • Serve & garnish with some chopped parsley
  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Cooking: 30 mins
  • Difficulty: easy
  • Serves: 4-6

Chicken, Beet & Lentil Power Bowl

By Zina Stone • March 26, 2026
Ingredients 700–800g chicken breast (raw) 2 cups cooked lentils 3–4 small beetroot (about 400g total) 6–8 cups rocket (arugula) or spinach 2 cucumbers (sliced) 1 small red onion (thinly sliced) 2 tsp olive oil (total) Juice of 1–2 lemons Spice rub 2 tsp turmeric 2 tsp paprika 3 garlic cloves (minced) Salt + black pepper Method Step one - Cook The Chicken Coat chicken with spices and garlic. Grill, bake, or pan-cook with minimal oil until cooked through. Slice. Step two - Prepare The Beetroot Roast at 200°C for ~30–40 min (or use pre-cooked), then slice. Step Three - Build The Bowl Divide greens, lentils, beetroot, cucumber, and onion across 4 bowls. Top with protein Add sliced chicken evenly. Step four - Dress It Lightly Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over each bowl. Step five - Serve & Enjoy Toss lightly if desired, or keep layered for presentation. Serve immediately while the chicken is warm for the best flavour. Nutritional Information & Cooking Times Prep time: 15 minutes Cook time: 35 - 40 minutes 450 kcal | 7g Fat | 53g Protein | 37g Carbohydrates

Smoked Salmon & Avocado Green Bowl

By Zina Stone • March 19, 2026
Ingredients 100g smoked salmon ½ large avocado, sliced 2 boiled eggs (soft or hard, halved) 1 cup baby spinach or mixed leafy greens ½ cup cucumber, sliced ¼ cup asparagus (lightly steamed or raw shaved) 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp lemon juice 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds (optional) Salt & black pepper to taste Fresh dill or parsley (optional) Method Step one - Boil the eggs Bring water to a boil, add eggs and cook: 6–7 min for soft-boiled / 9–10 min for hard-boiled. Cool, peel, and halve Step two - Prepare greens Wash and dry spinach/greens, place in bowl. Step Three - Prep veggies Slice avocado and cucumber. Lightly steam asparagus if desired. Step four - Assemble bowl Arrange smoked salmon, eggs, avocado, cucumber, and asparagus over greens. Step five - Dress it Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice, season with salt and pepper. Step six - Finish & serve Add herbs and pumpkin seeds, then serve. Nutritional Information & Cooking Times Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 7–9 minutes (for boiling eggs + optional asparagus) Total time: ~15–18 minutes 620 kcal | 48g Fat | 37g Protein | 11g Carbohydrates

Pan-Cooked Fresh Sardines

By Zina Stone • March 5, 2026
Ingredients 250 g fresh sardines, cleaned and patted dry 1–2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil Sea salt, to taste Freshly cracked black pepper Instructions Step 1 - Heat the pan Place a non-stick or stainless-steel pan over medium heat. Add the olive oil and allow it to warm (not smoke). Step 2 - Cook the sardines Lay the sardines gently into the pan in a single layer. Cook for 2–3 minutes per side, until the skin turns lightly golden and releases easily from the pan. Step 3 - Season simply Sprinkle with sea salt and cracked black pepper while cooking or just after removing from the pan. Step 4 - Serve immediately Transfer to a plate and enjoy warm. Optional: If you're not doing an offical sardine fast, a great addition is to serve with fresh lemon with added chilli and parsley flakes. Nutrition and Cooking Times | Cook time: 5-7 minutes Serves: 1-2 Nutrient Value (per serving): Calories: 520cal | Protein: 62g | Fat: 38g | Carbohydrates: 0g |