Author: Healthy Diet Tips

Did you know there are more than 1,800 named cheeses in the world? In the UK alone, there are over 700 varieties – more, some argue, than France. And, that’s not to mention the dozens of new cheeses being created by the artisan community every year – all of it, by the way, made from just four ingredients: milk, starter culture, rennet and salt.No wonder then that no matter how hooked we are on the hard stuff (and the soft, washed, smelly and blue), we shy away from adventure and instead default to the blocky, pre-cut, shrink-wrapped cheeses available in…

Protein powder was once associated mainly with bodybuilders and athletes, but it’s now a mainstream supplement used by people with a wide range of health and fitness goals. As a fitness expert, I’ve seen first-hand how useful it can be for supporting recovery after exercise, supporting muscle mass maintenance and making it easier to meet daily protein needs when life gets busy. But what does protein powder do, exactly? Its primary role is to provide a convenient source of protein that can help support muscle repair, recovery and growth.It’s also become increasingly popular among women, particularly those over 40. As…

Getting away from it all has special meaning on Sardinia – the wildness and resulting seclusion of its people are considered central to why so many live to 100, earning it Blue Zone status.A stay at the Conrad Chia Laguna puts you at the southerly tip, well away from populated centres, beside protected coastal wetland. Rocky hillsides are stubbled with aromatic myrtle, rosemary and juniper, giving way to the eponymous grass-fringed lagoon and, beyond that, glittering sand and the azure Mediterranean.Deferring to these natural wonders, the Conrad’s 107 rooms offer understated luxury, most with a generous balcony to celebrate that…

Georgia is a foodie traveller’s dream, with a unique cuisine influenced by diverse neighbours. With Russia, Turkey, Armenia and Azerbaijan at its borders, its cuisine shows similarities with both the Middle East and Central Asia, whilst making use of the abundant nuts, pomegranates and cheese from the country.The earliest evidence of winemaking was found in Georgia, meaning that many travel to the country for its wine alone.Tbilisi, its capital city, is an exciting and convenient destination, with new direct routes from UK airports, and the fantastic wine region of Kakheti within reach.KhachapuriGeorgia’s national dish is the khachapuri, which is a…

Recipe tipThe Tangzhong methodIf you’ve ever wondered how bakery-style buns become so light, fluffy and soft, the answer often comes down to two things: an enriched sweet dough and the tangzhong method. Sweet dough is usually made with butter, milk, eggs and sugar, which all create rich flavour anda tender crumb. This style of dough also stays softer for longer than standard bread dough would. Many modern bakers take this a step furtherby making a tangzhong first, which involves cooking a small portion of the flour and liquid into a paste before adding it to the dough. The paste helps…

One base, three twistsBeans on toast with maple bacon crumbleHeat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Arrange 6 rashers smoked streaky bacon in a single layer on a baking tray lined with baking parchment. Cook in the oven for 5 mins until starting to turn golden. Flip the bacon over, then brush over 1 1/2 tbsp maple syrup. Return to the oven for 12-15 mins until the bacon is dark brown and crispy. Leave to cool completely on the tray (the bacon will continue to crisp up as it cools). Finely chop the cooled bacon or whizz in a food…

Recipe tipPuttanesca roast chickenThe same punchy puttanesca flavours of the traybake base work brilliantly for a one-pan roast chicken. Mix the oil, garlic, chilli flakes and tomato purée together as before, then rub the mixture all over a whole chicken and season well. Roast for 40 mins in a roasting tin as before, then lift the chicken onto a board and stir the tomatoes, olives and capers into the sauce in the tin, scraping up any sticky bits. Sit the chicken back on top and roast for another 40 mins, or until the chicken is cooked through and the sauce…

An old-school California date shake is definitely not a smoothie. A specialty of Southern California’s Coachella Valley, where date palms thrive in the desert climate, it’s a rich, sweet milkshake that’s spawned countless iterations made with frozen bananas, almond milk, Greek yogurt, or nut butter. This date shake recipe keeps the focus on the dates and store-bought vanilla ice cream.Pitted Medjool dates give the shake its signature caramel-like sweetness and thick texture, while a pinch of cinnamon brings warmth. Our version also adds tahini for nutty flavor and an extra-silky texture. For the smoothest shake, soak the dates in hot…

Meet Lulu Lulu Grimes is Good Food’s head of brand trust, and previously served as our managing editor. “Okra is one of my favourite vegetables. I spent my early childhood in India and grew up eating it as an everyday vegetable – it was easily grown and widely available. In the area of London where I live now, I can buy it both fresh and frozen, and always have a bag of frozen sliced okra in the freezer. I like it fried with turmeric and cumin.”   What is okra?Okra, also known as ladies’ fingers, bhindi or gombo/gumbo, is the…

Combine the paprika with 1 tsp black pepper, the caraway seeds, garlic granules, dark brown sugar and fine sea salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle 2 tsp of the spice mix over the onions, and stir to coat well. Sprinkle the rest of the spice mix all over the pork, making sure to rub it into the cuts you’ve made. Sit the pork on top of the onions, then roast in the oven for 20 mins until the skin has puffed up. Pour the cider into the tin around the pork, scraping up any caramelised bits, then cover the tin…