Imperfectly Paleo

Spring is trying to emerge (see daffodil!) and the marginally less inclement weather means I feel less freakish for indulging in my perennial smoothie bowl fixation. The crunch of the cacao nibs interspersed in the smoothie gives little bites of texture as well as pops of deep cacao flavour. It goes especially well with the earthy sweetness of the sweet potato. This is more dessert than smoothie bowl. Purple Sweet Potato Smoothie Bowl with Crunchy Cacao Nibs

Unlike regular potatoes, which can be toxic to humans in their uncooked form, owing to a dangerous alkoloid called solanine, sweet potato can actually be consumed raw. However, it is worth highlighting that large quantities are not recommended as they do contain an enzyme inhibitor (trypsin) that can make digestion of proteins difficult, so don't go chowing down on multiple portions in one sitting! Mango and Sweet Potato Satay Noodle Salad

Imagine the scenario: it is 5pm on Valentine's Day. I am in the midst of role as tea time chef to one child, while already en route to donning my chauffeur cap to pick up the other one. Simultaneously I am cooking tonight's dinner for the grown ups and flinging laundry off the clothes line to make way for the next load about to come out of the washing machine. Washing up is piled almost to head height and bedtime is closing in. Suddenly I am struck by the realisation that on this most commercially recognised romantic day of the calendar year, I probably should have made an effort to prepare a romantic meal encompassing a decadent dessert. Oops. Super Super Simple Chocolate Pots

I have no idea how I've travelled this food blog journey without yet making a coffee flavoured dessert. Every day after lunch I have my regular daily cup of coffee - nothing fancy as I don't own a coffee machine but I totally enjoy that moment of blissful idleness. It's the chasm between the morning's mania and the impending afternoon chaos. It's a small fissure of freedom but that's what coffee o'clock denotes to me. Chestnut Mocha (Coffee) Dairy Free Vegan Cheesecake  

Warm and fragrant but so simple to throw together. I used a mix of oyster, maitake and shiitake mushrooms but the soup works just as well with a handful of enoki or plain old chestnut or button if less exotic options are available. Include the chilli seeds if you like it hot or alternatively omit chillies altogether and add a few thinly sliced red peppers for colour without heat. Thai Coconut Soup with Mushrooms, Pak Choi and Sweet Potato

There is nothing my daughter loves more when we go for dim sum than the Mango Pudding (aka 芒果布甸) that we ritualistically order for dessert. It is without doubt her favourite part of the meal. This year we decided to celebrate Chinese New Year with a meal at home and I couldn't let her down! Mango Pudding 芒果布甸