Nina is a our very own domestic goddess.
She is a stay-at-home mum who is wildly passionate about her family and all things delicious.
Nina taught disabled children for 15 years before flinging herself full-force into her beloved kitchen. She has an amazing talent for photography and her blog ‘My Easy Cooking‘ is filled with her professionally styled fare. It’s edible artwork and very hard not to lick the screen when salivating over her latest dish.
‘I believe I am on this planet
called earth to serve rather than to be served. I am my own worst
critic and aim only for the best in whatever I do!’
How about some coriander and beer braised pork? Or faint over this spring risotto with peas and goats cheese.
Feast your eyes on her gazpacho or thai chicken burgers.
And to really send you over the edge, take a look at her beautiful plum tarte tatin with cardamom ice cream
or flop-proof carrot cake. Drool.
You could really spend hours just looking through all her wonderful recipes.
Here is an insight into the world of Nina:
Q:What do you do when you’re not spending time in the kitchen making gorgeous food?
A: I spend time with my gorgeous husband and children. I also do scrap booking and love to read,I love gardening and do charity work. We also have a busy schedule at church.
Q: What would be your perfect foodie destination holiday and why?
A: My Shirley Valentine inspired dream of living on a Greek Island and eating from the fruits of the land and sea, still remains vivid.
‘Under the Tuscan Sun’, a book and movie set in Italy also inspired a dream destination.
Q: What would you eat for your last supper and why?
A: I think a poached egg on toast….lots of black pepper and salt.
Q: What is your style of food?
A: I like to cook all styles, but the style that comes naturally is Mediterranean.
Q: Who is your hottest celeb chef and why?
A: You know they come and go, but the two that inspires me most to cook is definitely Rick Stein and Jamie. The hottest guy around for me is the mysterious Raymond Blanc, remember I like the older ones now.
Q: What 5 ingredients would you take to a deserted island?
A: Olive oil, salt, smoked paprika, lemons.
Q: If you had a restaurant what would you name it, and what would your specialty be?
A: Nina’s – Lots of meze-style starters, good meat dishes and definitely more interesting food for the vegetarians.
Q: Name one thing that you refused to eat when you were young?
A: Oh gosh, I hated potato salad. I always told my mom it has a floury taste, now I love it!!!
Q: What is your foodie vice e.g. chocolates, fast food etc?
A: In summer mangoes and watermelon….in winter hot curries.
Q: What is your favourite restaurant and why?
A: My hubby’s favorite restaurant is Nina’s so we seldom go elsewhere.
Q: If you could be a fruit – which one and why?
A: Watermelon for size, but I am quite a tough person outwardly, but once I let you in, I am actually quite sweet.
Q: What is the worst meal you’ve ever cooked?
A: Last Saturday night I cooked a pasta meal that no one in the family ate….not even me and the dog, horrible stuff. Pasta with curry sauce and smoked salmon….can you ever??
Q: What is the one implement in the kitchen you cannot do without and why?
A: My homemade butcher’s block and my knives.
Q: Who would you like to sit down for dinner with 5 other people?
A: My gran(passed away in 2006), Sharon Osbourne(I adore her), one of
Zuma’s wives to find out what is his hidden talent, Meryl Streep, Susan
Boyle.
Q: Do you prefer baking or cooking? Why?
A: Cooking is far more intuitive than baking. Maths has never been my strength, baking requires too much Maths.
Q: What is your all-time favourite occasion?
A: Suppertime with my family, it keeps me real and grounded!