Allyson Gofton

The food writer enjoys healthy eating but not calorie-counting. “I make sure each meal has a balance of healthful foods, and if we’re having something rich, I pay attention to the portion size. Good family eating means keeping everything in balance.”

What’s inspiring you in the food world? The talk about buying fresh and local. We need to be aware of food’s provenance and get to know and respect Kiwi producers. We should be prepared to pay a bit more for locally grown produce and eat less calorie-dense, nutritionally deficient food.

Do you follow a special diet? I follow the Allyson Gofton diet – a little of everything. Not too many treats, as we are not so special that we need to treat ourselves – culinarily speaking – every day, and that includes overpriced lattes and oversized muffins or friands at the local cafe. I love the expression, “If your grandmother wouldn’t recognise it, don’t eat it” – that’s our family.

What do you like for breakfast? Today, I had loads of home-grown rhubarb cooked with a touch of sugar, some sliced banana, homemade full-fat yogurt and a cup of tea.

What about lunch? Lunch is usually the night before’s leftovers, and today it will be a rather lean affair: a cold-meat sandwich made with thinly sliced bread, a salad ingredient and Mum’s tomato relish.

What’s your typical evening meal and who cooks it? I cook all the time, and the children help. Our plates will include at least four vegetables, some possibly out of the freezer; protein, usually meat, as my daughter is a meatatarian; and starch. It could be a stir-fry, pasta dish or a roast. Whatever I prepare, I make enough to have leftovers, which I love. What’s your favourite kitchen tool? The dishwasher. I’ve cooked for more than 30 years and

I tell my family I no longer do the dishes. So if it’s not in the dishwasher, they do it. It’s taught the kids and hubby to learn how to load and unload the dishwasher well.