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Cauliflower & Chickpea Stew with Couscous

This Cauliflower & Chickpea Stew with Couscous is one of those recipes that came together on a day when I wanted something comforting, nourishing, and uncomplicated. It’s the kind of meal that fills the kitchen with cozy aromas and reminds me why simple, plant-based cooking can feel so satisfying. I love how cauliflower transforms in a stew…. soft, tender, and perfectly suited to soaking up spices. Paired with chickpeas, it becomes hearty enough to stand on its own, while the couscous adds that fluffy, comforting base that makes the whole dish feel complete. This is the sort of food I make when I want to slow down, sit at the table, and really enjoy my meal. This stew has become a quiet favourite in my kitchen. It’s warming without being heavy, nourishing without trying too hard, and exactly the kind of dish I turn to when I want comfort food that still feels fresh and wholesome. Ingredients: ½ onion 350g cauliflower 2 medium carrots Olive oil ½ teaspoon chili flakes 1 teaspoon gro...

Cancer and Faith: A Journey of Reflection

When I think about my journey with cancer and faith, it’s hard not to feel a deep sense of gratitude and reflection. My recent trip to Mecca, this time with my mum, daughter, and sister, was a powerful experience. It felt different than my first trip there three years ago, before I was diagnosed with cancer. It wasn’t just a trip to a holy place; it was a journey that made me think about how much has changed and how much has stayed the same. Three years ago, when I visited Mecca for the first time, I had no idea what was ahead. I was healthy, full of hopes for the future, and going through life with the kind of certainty that comes with being in good health. It was a beautiful experience, filled with deep spirituality, but there was still a sense of taking life for granted. I was thinking about what I wanted, not necessarily about the fragility of life. This second trip, however, was different. My diagnosis has shifted the way I see life, and in many ways, it made my faith feel stronge...

Ouzi Rice

Ouzi is one of those dishes that instantly feels like a celebration. Traditionally, it’s a Middle Eastern rice dish made with fragrant basmati rice, warm spices, mince meat, peas, and a generous topping of toasted nuts. While classic ouzi is often prepared with slow-cooked lamb or ground meat, this version is my plant-based, one-pot take - all the flavour, none of the meat. This recipe is perfect when you want something comforting yet impressive, without spending hours in the kitchen. Using plant-based mince keeps it quick, hearty, and weeknight-friendly, while still honouring the rich spices that make ouzi so special. Ingredients For the Rice & Plant-Based Meat: 2 cups basmati rice, rinsed 1 lb (450g) plant-based mince meat 1 large onion, diced 1½ cups frozen peas 3–4 cups vegetable broth 2 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp vegan butter or olive oil Spices (or 2 tsp Lebanese 7-Spice blend): 1 tsp ground allspice ½ tsp ground cinnamon ½ tsp ground clove...

If You Know, You Know: Living with Scanziety

If you know, you know. The blood tests, the scans, the quiet moments in the waiting room. The deep breath before the needle or the scan, the forced smile at the technician, the casual small talk that feels anything but casual. The sound of your name being called, the shuffle of papers, the cool touch of the examination table. And then… waiting. Waiting for the call. The email. The portal update. Refreshing the page like it changes anything. Telling yourself not to overthink, but your mind runs through every possibility anyway. Trying to stay busy, but the thoughts sneak in between tasks, creeping in like an uninvited guest. This is scanziety… It’s the fear of the unknown, which keeps building from the moment I get the letter about my annual screening. The what-ifs that stir at 2 AM when the world is quiet but your mind is loud. It’s the mental tug-of-war between optimism and dread, between hoping for good news and preparing for the worst. It’s the exhausting cycle of reminding yourself...

Creamy Butternut Squash Gnocchi with Rocket & Amaretti Crumble

There are some dishes that instantly feel like a hug in a bowl, and this one definitely makes that list. I first discovered it through Jamie Oliver, and it’s become one of my go-to comfort meals... especially when I want something cosy without spending hours in the kitchen. Soft, pillowy gnocchi, a velvety squash sauce, and a surprising crunch from crushed amaretti biscuits… trust me, it just works. Ingredients: 300–350g prepared butternut squash, peeled and diced 3 tbsp water 3 tbsp double cream Freshly grated nutmeg (just a pinch) Salt & black pepper 1 tsp olive oil (plus 1 tsp extra for the rocket) 15g butter 1 small onion, finely diced 1 garlic clove, crushed 500g fresh gnocchi 30g grated parmesan 2 amaretti biscuits, crumbled A couple of handfuls of rocket leaves Juice of ½ lemon Method: Cook the Squash: Place the diced squash into a microwave-safe bowl with 3 tablespoons of water. Cover tightly with cling film and pierce once to release steam. Microwave on high for 12–15...

When Cancer Isn’t a Battle, But a Reality

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month; a time when pink ribbons appear everywhere, stories are shared, and so many of us are reminded of the people we know and love who have been touched by this disease. But as we raise awareness, maybe it’s also time to rethink the words we use. So much of the language around breast cancer, and cancer in general, sounds like a war: fight , battle , survivor , warrior . But did any of us really sign up for a fight? When I was diagnosed, I didn’t feel like a hero putting on armor. I felt scared, confused, and exhausted. From the moment I heard the word cancer , people called me brave and told me to keep fighting . But what choice did I really have? I showed up for the appointments. I sat through the treatments. I took the pills, endured the side effects, went to bed tired and woke up tired… not because I’m a fighter, but because I wanted to keep living. And what about the people we’ve lost? We say they “lost their battle with breast cancer.” But they...

Shakshuka

Shakshuka is one of those meals that makes you feel like you put in way more effort than you actually did. It’s rustic, vibrant, and comes together in one pan, which means less cleanup and more eating. Plus, there’s something ridiculously satisfying about cracking eggs right into a bubbling tomato sauce and watching them gently poach. It’s said to have started in Tunisia and spread through North Africa and the Middle East, which makes sense, everyone who tries it seems to adopt it. What I love most is that it isn’t only a breakfast meal. I’ve had it for brunch, lazy dinners, and even “I forgot to grocery shop” nights, and it always hits the spot. Ingredients 2 tbsp olive oil 1 small onion, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced 2–3 garlic cloves, minced 1 tsp ground cumin 1 tsp smoked paprika ¼ tsp chili flakes (optional, for heat) 1 can (14 oz / 400 g) crushed or diced tomatoes Salt and pepper to taste 4–5 eggs Fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (for garnish) Optional: crumbled feta, olives, ...