Dazzle your guests with an elegant and simple Greek mezze board, or follow our advice on how to prepare one for your next dinner party.

Quinoa is one of the staple carbohydrates in a “free-from” diet. On its own, it’s not the most interesting food to eat, its flavor sits somewhere between couscous and brown rice but when paired with other ingredients and whole foods, it makes a wonderful base for pilafs, a side dish for stews and roasts and an excellent ingredient in salads.

They say learning something new is good for your brain as well as your self-confidence. In celebration of World Food Day, I decided to learn a new recipe using as many locally or regionally sourced ingredients as I could find. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization hopes to achieve zero hunger by wasting less, eating healthier and adopting a more sustainable lifestyle. The recipe, Ratatouille, is ideal as the ingredients are very simple and inexpensive. Fortunately one of my neighbour’s, whose family lives in South of France, was willing to teach me her family’s version of this classic dish.

Turmeric, a powerful anti-inflammatory and gut-healthy spice known for its mild earthy flavour and vibrant yellow colour is lightly dusted onto olive oil tossed potato wedges to make a delicious golden healthier chip alternative.

Baba Ganoush is a very popular Middle Eastern eggplant dip. Eggplants, or aubergines, are grown year round in the region and often used in the local cuisine.

A delicious twist on a classic Greek spanakopita with halloumi cheese and herbs in the traditional filling, and shaped into crispy finger sized rolls. Serve as a snack or starter.

Greens and eggs are a traditional combination enjoyed in many Greek households. Simply prepared using seasonal greens–usually courgettes (zucchini) or wild greens known as Horta–local olive oil, fresh herbs and a few eggs.