Blueberry muffins are a treat on their own, especially with a glass of milk or a cup of coffee. They’re fast and inexpensive to make, and quite possibly everyone’s favorite. However, what happens to the taste when you add a hefty portion of orange zest… because they can’t possibly taste better. Or can they?

Some of the food additives that we can still find in New Zealand manufactured foods, have already been banned in other countries. This includes certain food colours and dyes, artificial sweeteners and flavouring agents. With a recent study saying that 69% of food products in our supermarkets are ultra-processed, there is a high probability that we are consuming these potentially harmful additives on a regular basis.

This dish takes its name from “phla”, the herb-heavy Thai salad (not to be confused with “pla” or fish), and “goong,” which means prawn or shrimp. Fresh, juicy shrimp takes center stage in this easy-to-make salad, which can be served warm or chilled or at room temperature.

Ginkgo has been used in traditional natural medicine for thousands of years, but its real medicinal value has only been recognised in the last fifty years. Today, in Germany, Ginkgo is approved for the use in treatment for dementia.

While this is a simple gluten free recipe, I would suggest replacing traditional rolled oats with steel cut oats if you have Coeliac disease, just in case to make sure that there is no cross contamination.