I woke up particularly well this morning. For two reasons; Firstly, I am en route to the Cape Town Good Food & Wine Show – which makes me giddy beyond recognition! And secondly, Mr Higgins snuggled right up against me the entire night, and I woke up with his little nose breathing small amounts of snot onto my cheek. Bliss  It certainly beats one Winter morning last year when – still half asleep – in an effort to cover my shoulders with the duvet, my hand slipped and I punched myself in the face. Yes, I would take a bit of Scottie snot any day.

Forgive me, I digress. Building up to the GF&WS where I plan to sample EVERYTHING, because the novelty of sampling different cheese, or dipping those small pieces of bread into little pots of pesto just never wears off for me. So, I need to be extra careful on the food I CAN control, and have decided on a Carbo Embargo this week leading up to my Big Day Out. Having been to Thailand twice in my travels – I am sure you can agree how incredible and fresh the flavours are, and there is a strong Thai influence in this salad. It is also fast, fat-free, simple and satisfying! Born up a tree!

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Nothing turns my husband on more than if I announce I am making either brownies, or a pot of my Chilli Con Carne. Actually, this is a lie. I never ‘announce’ I am making either of these; I use them in my web of manipulation to get what I need from him. ‘I would love to go and watch Breaking Dawn, baby. If you come with me, I promise to make a pot of chilli tomorrow night.’ I learnt this in wife-training school.

This dish is hot. It is spicy. It is not for the faint-hearted. We love it because it’s packed with flavour, its hearty, it’s inexpensive, it’s FAT-FREE – and it delivers exactly what a great meal should: the meat sweats. This is my pot of love and chilli. Enjoy.

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