I believe in healthy eating on a daily basis - less salt intake, use olive oil, less sugar intake, avoid deep-frying food possible.. etc. Thus, a bowl of vegs and fruits brings more good than harm and it doesn’t take a lot of time to prepare.

It’s always good to start a meal with a bowl of salad, which is said to rev up one’s appetite. I love salads - all sorts. Not only they fill me up but it makes me feel less guilty sometimes when I think I have eaten too much.

I made a real simple salad that took probably less than 10 minutes to prepare. Ingredients? Here are the main ingredients you need.

Serve 2 persons

A
2 handful of ice lettuce (break into small pieces if desired)
4-5 cherry tomatoes
12 small buffalo mozzarella
some melon/cantaloupe balls

B
Dressing:
2 tbsps of walnut oil
1 tsp of vinaigre de xérès (sherry vinegar) or balsamic vinegar
some salt & pepper
some herbes de provence (mixed herbs)

Put all ingredients A in a salad bowl, then pour in the dressing and give it a good toss. I sometimes like to serve the dressing separately - to dress my salad as and when I want to eat it - to welcome my meal in a more exciting way!

Yes, I made a drink that’s from South of France! It’s very easy to make this drink. All you need are Ricard, almond syrup, water, and ice cubes. The name is Mauresque.

You probably have heard of Ricard, the Pastis of Marseille, a very well known star anis flavoured liqueur from France. This drink is particularly popular during summer, when it’s nice and warm outside! (I know summer is over, but, hey it doesn’t matter, does it?) Normally, Mauresque is taken as an apéritif.

To make this drink, first is to fill a highball glass with some ice cubes, pour in 10ml of almond syrup, then about 40ml of Ricard. Finally, fill the glass with water. That’s how easy it is.

As I didn’t use highball glass, (which usually is used to serve this drink) I just pour the quantity based on my own estimation and liking (in a sensible way, of course!) By the way, DO NOT drink like this: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2mk9c_boire-du-ricard-cest-tout-un-art_fun

Refereshing, easy to drink…..what do you think it would be? Stay tune……

Raffraichissant, facile a boire….. que pensez-vous que cela soit? Stay tune….. ” Marseillais, pitaing!”

Yeah… I have been slacking… so badly. Well, it’s difficult to be back to the routine after a short break in…… FRANCE.

We have been invited for a wedding. It was another wonderful occasion! If you guys are reading this post, Seb & Claire, again, thank you for the invitation! (Seb, I was too busy taking pictures of both you and your lovely wife, thus I had forgotten to take some shots of the food! Seb, J’etais trop occupe a prendre des photos de toi et de ta charmante femme que j’en ai oublie de photographier les plats du diner!) Here are some pictures taken during the wedding.

However short the trip was, I always feel privileged to be able to eat the classic and authentic French food by Arnaud’s mom. Not to mention how tasty and spot-on the food constantly is. She is always the source of inspiration.

This time to France, she made one of my favourite dishes, Ratatouille, served with stuffed Escalopes in creme sauce. The taste? Unbelievably delicious!! I will definitely make this at home.