Dazz Switalla Flavour Secrets No.1 The Strand Chef www.no1thestrand.co.nz

We seem to take it for granted but here in God's own we are surrounded by great fresh produce.

With preservatives, pesticide residue and over-processed foods now the norm, sometimes for your own health we need to make changes.

In some parts of Africa for example there are no signs at all of bowel cancer, degenerative diseases, colon cancer, even coronary disease because the diet is mainly fresh fruits and vegetables. The Tauranga Farmers Market fresh produce is outstanding, recently award-winning in fact, as most of it is picked and packed the evening before or even on the day of sale. Something sadly lacking in some of the so-called ‘fresh' produce at the local supermarket. Nutrients and valuable enzymes begin to deteriorate from the time of harvest. Then because we boil, steam or bake, even more of the goodness is lost, so what is the answer? We are not all raw food eaters, although the benefits of juicing vegetables and fruit is well proven.

Another point is we can't all be vegetarians. This is because the digestion of certain foods depends a lot on everyone's individual blood group. The nutrition we get from the food we eat is vitally important at a cellular level, as is proper food combining. Fats are broken down into fatty acids, carbohydrates are converted into glucose, proteins transforms into amino acids. These building blocks give us the vitality we need to have a healthy life. Confused? Well, don't be. Just try this easy recipe for the superfood broccoli. You may even find your children eating broccoli!

Simply Incredible Broccoli Bake

2 fresh broccoli heads, cut into florets

50 grams flaked almonds

2-3 tablespoons olive oil

Juice from 1 lemon

2 cloves fresh garlic, sliced thin

50 grams grated parmesan

Sea salt flakes and fresh ground pepper

Method

Wash the broccoli then dry it really well. Spread out on an oven tray lined with foil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, a little of the olive oil, then bake in oven for about 20 minutes at about 180 degrees Celsius.

Let the broccoli caramelise and brown then sprinkle over the almond flakes, garlic, and parmesan and return to oven briefly, for about one minute. Then pull out, squeeze on lemon juice and drizzle with more olive oil to taste. Serve immediately and enjoy.