Health and safety environment consultant Jasmine Pereira was born and bred in Dubai, but is a native Indian, hailing from Mangalore. Currently living in Abu Shagara – in the heart of Sharjah – with her family, the 22-year old enjoys reading and learning about new cultures and cuisines, considers herself a movie buff and is always snapping pictures of her scrumptious looking dishes – food photography is one of her fondest hobbies – for her blog.

About the blog

Pear Tree Food Diaries was launched on a summer’s night in 2012 when I decided I needed a platform to share my love for food and passion for baking. The name Pear tree is a Portuguese translation of my surname Pereira, and because of its foodie connection, I thought it made a perfect fit! The blog features restaurant reviews, as well as a collection of recipes combined with my own cooking experiences stirred up in the kitchen. Through the blog I try to cater to people’s cooking needs or simply help them treat their tastebuds to a new experience or cuisine. I love dining out which is why the restaurant review element is important to me. I talk about where to dine, what dishes to try at a certain venues and which restaurants are best for a particular type of cuisine.

Culinary icons

My mother! She has a knack for creating flavoursome dishes and has always been awe-inspiring. My mum has no fear when it comes to trying new ingredients in a dish which may otherwise seem out of the norm.

Fondest food memory

Sitting at a cosy seafood shack in Cyprus fronted by the Mediterranean Sea, when I was there on holiday a few years ago. I remember tucking into the catch of the day, cooked with simple Mediterranean ingredients. The seafood was fresh and delicious!

This Valentine’s Day

I’m indulging in Homemade lobster with lemon butter sauce, and chocolate Kahlua fondant for dessert.

Top cooking tips

*When baking cakes and cookies, add a pinch of nutmeg to give it a subtle, sweet taste.

*When marinating chicken, add a teaspoon of dark treacle to give it a deeper colour.

*A drizzle of sesame oil in shrimp salads or stir-fries adds
a toasty flavour.

My favourite midday snack fix

A homemade granola bar, mixed nuts or just some fresh fruit.

Catch me dining at…

More Caféfor their More eggs Benedict over breakfast.

Ping Pong Dim Sum restaurantfor the Chicken char siu bun and crispy prawn balls for lunch.

Lemongrass Thai restaurant for the Gai hor bai teuy (Pandan chicken) and my all-time favourite Panang curry at dinnertime.

I would love to dine with

Nigella Lawson! I’ve always been fascinated with her and her cooking. She is one woman that never shies away from a generous helping of butter and oil when cooking. I would treat her to my favourite dish – cashew chicken curry.