I firmly believe that you can learn a lot about a person from their diet and eating habits, so I’ve always found it fascinating to take a peek into someone else’s kitchen.
What are their staple dishes? Which recipes do they make on a regular basis? Do they prioritise convenience, taste or nutrition?
While I can’t bring you all into my own kitchen, I wanted to give an update on what my diet looks like these days while sharing some fresh recipes that I’ve been making on repeat.
Some of you may have been here since I first created my website, back when I was a strict vegan. I’m much more comfortable with my diet these days, and don’t conform to strict rules about what I eat.
With a lot of trial and error, I’ve learned that eating a predominantly plant-based diet with the occasional serving of fish and eggs works best for me.
Of course, food is meant to be enjoyed. I do allow myself chicken and dairy on occasion, simply because I find them delicious!
I’m enjoying a lot of Asian-inspired meals lately, particularly dumplings – I was gifted a bamboo steamer for Christmas and it’s been a lot of fun to make my own steamed dumplings at home.
I’m planning to step outside my comfort zone and try some Korean-inspired dishes in the near future. I bought some high-quality gochujang and kimchi from Starry Mart along with my usual Japanese pantry staples, and will be attempting to cook tteokbokki, japchae and dakbokkeumtang in the near future.
I also have my eye on a hotpot cooker, for authentic shabu shabu and delicious hotpot meals shared with family.
I’ve always been fascinated by Japanese, Korean and Chinese eating habits. They seem to eat a lot of small dishes in a single meal, each one packed with vegetables.
I used to think Chinese food was unhealthy, simply because all I knew were the sodium-packed dishes at the local Chinese restaurant! But when these dishes are made at home, they are often much lighter and healthier than anything you would order from a menu.
You may remember that I got seriously into Japanese cuisine a couple of years ago, and I now have a number of recipes that I make on repeat. I haven’t included these meals in the following recipe list, as I talked about them fairly extensively in this blog post about Japanese cooking.
I’ve become a pro at making dishes such as okonomiyaki, katsu curry and noodle soups, and I’m currently working on perfecting my sushi skills.
In addition to Asian-style dishes I’ve also been loving cosy, warming meals as we power through the winter months. There’s no denying that creamy pasta, hearty soups and vegetable-packed shepherd’s pies are by far the best way to keep out the cold.
Now that you’re all caught up on my current diet, it’s time for some more practical advice!
Below are a handful of new recipes that I’ve been enjoying lately, including my favourite steamed dumplings and the best cinammon rolls I’ve ever tasted.
These may just be the best noodles I’ve ever tasted, and they’re so easy to make. The trick is to use the highest-quality soba noodles you can find, as it really does make a big difference to the end result.
While these cabbage rolls can be a little fiddly, they’re definitely worth the end result. They taste like something from an authentic Chinese restaurant, and I just can’t get enough.
There’s something special about traditional British meals, and I love whipping up this homemade shepherd’s pie. I recommend adding a dash of Worcestershire sauce and subbing the beef for lentils – you honestly won’t notice the difference!
Spicy Butternut Squash Dumplings
I always adapt this recipe by steaming the dumplings instead of pan-frying them, as I prefer the taste and texture of steamed dumplings. They’re deceptively easy to make, particularly when you use pre-made dumpling wrappers!
I signed up for Riverford towards the end of last year and now receive a box filled with organic, seasonal produce delivered to my door every week (a full review of Riverford is coming very soon!) I found this recipe for cime di rapa pasta on their website and now make it on a regular basis – it’s easy, delicious and healthy!
I’m a huge fan of Mexican cuisine, but it’s a little tricky to get my hands on the good stuff where I live. So, I make my own! I always make sure to sub the chicken for cannelloni beans, halve the amount of chilli powder in the enchilada sauce and serve these enchiladas with sour cream and chopped coriander.
I have a soft spot for one-pot dishes, particularly when they taste as delicious as this creamy mushroom pasta. The mushrooms give it a savoury, umami flavour while adding a splash of cream (vegan or otherwise) makes this pasta completely addictive.
I could talk about these cinnamon rolls all day. I love to get up early on a Sunday morning to whip up a batch – they’re a little time-consuming to put together, but they’re absolutely amazing and will make you a clear favourite at any brunch occasion.
Starting my day with a bowl of porridge almost guarantees me a cosy morning during winter, and it’s made even better with the addition of orange zest and warming spices.
I don’t use a recipe for this curry noodle soup dish, as I tend to throw whatever I have in the fridge into the soup. My favourite combination is potato, carrot, leek, kale and onion, finished off with a generous serving of fresh udon noodles. I always use the S&B Tasty Curry cubes, as they’re completely meat-free as well as being completely delicious.
I’ve never really thought about making marmalade before, preferring to stick to homemade jams. So when I received a bag of organic, juicy blood oranges from Riverford, I decided to try my hand at this sticky orange spread. I’ve never looked back!
All the cosy, warming recipes and ingredients available at this time of year makes cooking our meals feel more like a hobby instead of a chore, a bright spot in an often grey February day.
I hope you enjoyed this little peek into my kitchen, and that it serves as some inspiration for your future meals!
From The Pumpkin Patch 
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