At this year’s Eat In DStv Food Network Produce Awards we announced a shiny new award. Recognising the role that local food bloggers play in growing the food industry, the award for Best Local Food Blog was voted for by you, our readers. Its inaugural winner is a veteran food blogger, who’s been an inspiration to many. Her easy, delicious recipes are meticulously tested and beautifully photographed.

The lovely Nina Timm is the blogger behind www.my-easy-cooking.com. We caught up with Nina to learn more about how she started out, her fail-safe midweekdinners, and how to entertain on a shoestring.

How did My Easy Cooking start?

My husband forgot my birthday and, after being reminded by my son, sat through the night creating this website, because he felt I had vast knowledge to share. So My Easy Cooking started in September 2007.

Have you always loved food?

I have a very rich food heritage and our family comes together often around great food, whether we celebrate the birth of a new family member or mourn the death of a gran or grandpa, there’s always lots of love and laughter. I understand flavour and combinations and I know classics because I was taught by my mother and grandmother.

What makes a good recipe?

It is simple: one that works. Especially for us in the media, print or online; we have such a responsibility towards our readers. They spend money on ingredients, the last thing they need is a recipe that doesn't work! On my website, the recipes that work are the very simple ones, like three-ingredient sweet and sour chicken.

Where do you get inspiration for your recipes?

I literally wake up with a recipe and, throughout the day, it develops and forms in my mind… Sometimes when life happens and I could not make that recipe, I feel utterly deflated… It's like painting, when inspiration hits, you must act! I also have many classic recipes that I got from my gran; I like to simplify them or give them a modern twist.

What’s your fail-safe weeknight meal?

I have to say risotto! It is so quick, yet so delicious. Plain risotto is like a canvas, but adding your own personal flavour combinations is so exciting, like my blue cheese risotto with honeycomb. Of course, a delicious sandwich also fills me with delight, like this leftover lamb sandwich. Especially after a Sunday roast…

And your kids’ favourites?

Without a doubt, lamb curry. What are your five desert island ingredients? Lemon (my favourite flavour in the kitchen), pepper, smoked paprika, olive oil and any cheese – but most probably parmesan, because it’s so versatile.

You have some lovely advice for cooking on a shoestring. Do you have any tips for people entertaining on a budget?

I find that friends are sometimes intimidated to cook for me (if only they knew that I love Marmite sandwiches!), so I would make a list of who bringswhat and make a huge pot of curry. I would ask friends for five potatoes or a few stock cubes, etc. Everyone enjoys the food and all feel they have contributed. In winter we have soup nights: five different soups, a big loaf of bread and you have a wonderful meal with friends.

Which are your favourite blogs?

Locally, without a doubt Jane-Anne Hobbs Rayner’s Scrumptious South Africa. Not only is she an excellent writer, but she cooks amazing food. Internationally, it’s Cannelle et vanille.

What do you think about the explosion of food blogs?

There are so many food blogs starting every day and that’s great, because it means more and more people are enjoying food. If you are simply using your blog as an online diary, it is your space, so enjoy it. If, however, you think you have something to share with the world out there, make sure your recipes are flop-proof and easy to follow. If you can take a decent photograph, it’s even better. As I have said, we have a responsibility towards our readers.

Are you a MasterChef fan?

I am for sure. Glued to the TV when it’s on! I admire their courage, I could never do it!

Any exciting projects in the works?

Oh yes, we are building a brand new website; hopefully it will be live soon. There is also some very interesting news, which I hope to share soon. For now my lips are sealed!

Try Nina's fabulous, simple chocolate samosas.

For more about the winners of the 2012 Eat In DStv Food Network Produce Award winners, buy a copy of the new Eat In magazine or visit our facebook page for photographs of the awards ceremony at the Eat In market.