Pesto Pine Nut and Parmesan Muffins, and my Basil Pesto Recipes

 

Here's a simple little muffin recipe for you, for when you need a savoury addition at your morning or afternoon tea or even for breakfast. Bake them large or small, and you will be delighted with the result. Pesto, Pine nuts and Parmesan are perfect ingredients in so many savoury goods.

French Pear Cake

 

This is just a quick post late on a windy Sunday afternoon, to share with you a cake which is a firm favourite of mine. The soft and tender cake combined with juicy pears will leave you wanting a second slice. 

Monte Carlo Biscuits

Hope's delicious Monte Carlos have been a favourite biscuit amongst our family for as long as I can remember. When our daughter said she would love Ma Ma's (my Mum's) original recipe, I was inspired to find it. I've really enjoyed doing some research, baking a few batches of biscuits, comparing her handwritten recipe with others, and now I am very happy that I can bake Monte Carlo's exactly the same as Mum did, from her original recipe. They taste perfect.

In My Tropical Kitchen, March 2026

 What a memorable month February was. It might have been the shortest month of the year, only 28 days, but it was action packed, with a Pickleball tournament to be entered, and I can mention that as even the sport we play has a foodie name; and my birthday was almost "smack bang in the middle" of fabulous February as well. 

Slow Cooker Yellow Chicken Curry

 

My chicken curry is finely flavoured with a homemade curry paste made from aromatic herbs and spices typical of Thai and Vietnamese cooking, and with the addition of healthy vegetables. It is also gluten free and low calorie. The curry cooks slowly and quietly in the pot of your slow cooker, to reward you at the end of your busy day with a delicious meal. 

Zucchini and Ricotta Gnocchi with Lemon Sauce

This gnocchi recipe is based on creamy Ricotta Cheese and Zucchini instead of the usual potato, resulting in dumpling treats that are slightly richer in flavour, and with the added bonus of a delicious lemon sauce. Gnocchi is an Italian family food favourite and might just be your new favourite as well. 

Roasted Cauliflower, Lentil, and Pomegranate Salad

 

I was so taken with the perfect looking and reasonably priced cauliflower at the markets that two found their way into my basket, and this recipe evolved. The humble but oh so versatile Cauliflower is quite abundant at the moment and deserves to be the star of the show in this salad. However, the pink pomegranate jewels are definitely trying to steal the limelight, but it's not a competition really.