Private Tokyo opening lines: Muchen Wang had been set on fire in Somalia, evaded grenade attacks in Congo, and dodged bullets in Sudan, but he'd never faced tachycardic danger like this. My blurb: Jack Morgan has no idea what he is walking into when he arrives in Tokyo. And it soon becomes clear to him … Continue reading Private Tokyo, James Patterson
Tag: lavender and lime
10 Healthy Eating Habits for Students
The text and image for the post on 10 Healthy Eating Habits for Students was provided to me. 10 Healthy Eating Habits for Students Student life can be exciting, but it often comes with busy schedules, late-night study sessions, and limited budgets. Between attending lectures, completing assignments, and maintaining a social life, many college students … Continue reading 10 Healthy Eating Habits for Students
Overnight Oats
These overnight oats can be left in the fridge for up to 3 days. This makes preparing ahead for breakfasts quite simple. A serving is 220 grams and to each serving you can add 80 grams fruits, 2 tablespoons of yoghurt or sour cream, and a heaped tablespoon of toasted flaked almonds. For an extra … Continue reading Overnight Oats
Small Sourdough
My mom took some of my sourdough starter home with her in December, and has started baking bread for my dad. As he is the only one eating bread, my mom asked me to create a recipe for her, for a small sourdough loaf. This is great if you are baking often, or if you … Continue reading Small Sourdough
Protein Bars
With the economy the way it is, making your own protein bars makes a lot of sense. Also, this way you will know exactly what has gone into them. And, they have a very short ingredient list compared to some commercial ones. The chocolate is totally optional in my opinion, but it does make them … Continue reading Protein Bars
Ravioli Con Burrata
This recipe for ravioli con burrata looks complicated. But it comes together quite easily, and the results are worth the effort. The colour of the pasta comes from the black garlic that I used to make the ravioli. Skip ahead to the recipe for Ravioli Con Burrata Getting things right When we were in Italy … Continue reading Ravioli Con Burrata
Carrot Gazpacho
Jamie Oliver described this carrot gazpacho as being refreshing, surprising and vivacious in his recipe book, Eat Yourself Healthy. I decided to try it as Dave made such an amazing ajoblanco, which I loved. And, as promised, this was a beautiful cool soup. For someone who does not enjoy fruit in savoury dishes, the grapes … Continue reading Carrot Gazpacho
May 2026 Showcasing In My Kitchen
May 2026 was brutal! The month started off quiet and calm. I flew back from Johannesburg on the 1st and Dave and I spent the long weekend doing as little as possible. The following Saturday we celebrated my aunt's 70th birthday. This was special for many reasons, but mostly for seeing all of my cousins. … Continue reading May 2026 Showcasing In My Kitchen
Rocket’s Red Glare, James Patterson
Rocket’s Red Glare opening lines: Sergeant Jeff Carnes sat paralyzed in the passenger seat of the smoldering Humvee, slowly regaining consciousness after the concussion of the RPG. My blurb: Nat Phillips is the right person, in the right place, not once, but twice. First in Baghdad, then in Nantucket. The company he works for has … Continue reading Rocket’s Red Glare, James Patterson
Eat Yourself Healthy, Jamie Oliver
Like Jamie, many of us are asking the same questions. How do we help our bodies be the best they can be? What do we need to do to maintain a healthy weight? How do we sleep better? How do we support our immune systems so they can protect us from common illnesses? And ultimately, … Continue reading Eat Yourself Healthy, Jamie Oliver
Easter Bread
Tuck this recipe for Easter bread away for next year, and bake it on the first morning of your long weekend. It will not keep well, so make sure you have people to share it with. Skip ahead to the recipe for Easter Bread Baking up a storm Every now and then, the baking bug … Continue reading Easter Bread
26 Beauties, James Patterson
26 Beauties opening lines: Tina Barnes turned the key to the BMW X3. All she got was a series of clicks. "Awffffuck the Bavarian Motor Works!" My blurb: Something is leading Detective Lindsay Boxer to believe that two seemingly unrelated cases are indeed connected. And, in the midst of her investigation her friend Cindy is … Continue reading 26 Beauties, James Patterson
Spiced Almond Biscuits
I print recipes on a whim, to make during December, when time is on my side. But, last year I did not make many recipes, so I do not have that much ready to go. With that in mind, I am working my way through quick and easy recipes. This one for spiced almond biscuits … Continue reading Spiced Almond Biscuits
Tuscan Chicken Bake
In The Big Tasty Bite, Lila says that this Tuscan chicken bake is packed with flavour. And she is right! It is easy to prepare ahead of time, and I am going to make this for when we are on the barge in France in September. You can serve this with pasta, rice, mash or … Continue reading Tuscan Chicken Bake
Mediterranean Roast Vegetables
In The Big Tasty Bite, Lila calls the recipe for one-tray Mediterranean roast vegetables one that just works. This will make enough to feed four as a side bite. But for me, it was perfect to have extra cooked vegetables ready for the next time I did not feel like cooking. Skip ahead to the … Continue reading Mediterranean Roast Vegetables
Mini Basque Cheesecakes
I did not manage to line my muffin pan as well as Lila did when I made these mini Basque cheesecakes. I would recommend using non-ribbed muffin cases, or a deep muffin tin. Or, have some wonky looking cheesecakes which will still taste amazing. Skip ahead to the recipe for Mini Basque Cheesecakes Let's talk … Continue reading Mini Basque Cheesecakes
Sourdough Naan
Using an active sourdough starter, I made these sourdough naan. These made enough for 4 people so feel free to reduce or double the recipe, depending on your needs. Skip ahead to the recipe for Sourdough Naan Let's talk about naan Whenever we go out for Indian food, we always order naan bread to go … Continue reading Sourdough Naan
April 2026 Showcasing In My Kitchen
It is a well known fact that Easter marks the start of winter in the Western Cape. It usually rains at least one day over the long weekend, scuppering plans for outside entertainment. However, Easter was early in April 2026, and winter did not show her face until the middle of the month. It will soon … Continue reading April 2026 Showcasing In My Kitchen
The Big Tasty Bite, Lila Lerie
According to Lila, good food should not be limited by your budget, time, creativity or skill. She showcases this in her recipe book, The Big Tasty Bite. The Big Tasty Bite For Lila Lerie, food is an endless avenue for creativity and freedom. Good food shouldn’t be limited by your budget, time, creativity or skill, … Continue reading The Big Tasty Bite, Lila Lerie
Sourdough Pretzels
The trick to shaping these sourdough pretzels is to start by rolling a long rope of dough, with ends that are thinner than the middle. You then lay the dough in a U shape and twist the ends twice to create the loop. These ends are then turned over towards the base of the U, pressed … Continue reading Sourdough Pretzels


















