Welcome to Spice Chronicles
Welcome to Spice Chronicles, where recipes, stories, and the alchemy of spices come together. This is my space to share what I’ve been cooking, thinking about, and discovering, whether in my kitchen, clinic, or travels.
At its heart, Spice Chronicles is about the warmth of a well-spiced meal, the joy of cooking with intention, and the simple pleasure of gathering around food. Here, I explore the deep connections between spices, nourishment, and the way we live.
I’m Lisa McLean, and Spice Chronicles is where my love of spices, food, and storytelling come together.
For years, I’ve explored the way spices shape our cooking and our health, through my work as a naturopath, nutritionist, and cooking teacher, and through my own daily kitchen adventures. Here, I share that journey with you, one recipe, one story, one spice at a time.
But this isn’t just about cooking with spice, it’s about understanding the traditions, ingredients, and simple joys that turn everyday meals into something special.
Spices are more than just flavour enhancers; they carry history, culture, and deep-rooted health benefits. In Spice Chronicles, I weave together recipes, kitchen reflections, and insights into how these ingredients nourish us, not just in the physical sense, but in the way they connect us to the world and to each other.
What You’ll Get as a Subscriber
Free Subscribers
🔸 A Monthly Newsletter – A spice-forward recipe, a kitchen round-up of what I’ve been cooking and thinking about, and a recap of my Apero posts for the month.
🔸 Occasional Apero Posts – A sneak peek into my Apero series, designed for relaxed gatherings with friends and family.
🔸 Occasional Free Cooking Inspirations – Recipes from my Soup and Salad Bar, featuring nourishing soups and vibrant salads.
🔸 Community Access – Join the conversation in the comments and chat, where we talk food, share ideas, and swap kitchen inspiration.
Paid Subscribers
🔸 A Weekly Spice-Centric Newsletter – Every week, I’ll share a recipe that celebrates the depth and complexity of spices, with nutritional and spice insights woven in, not too heavy on the science, just enough to enrich your understanding.
🔸 Second Weekly Apero Posts – A Thursday or Friday morning recipe designed for easy, delicious Apero-style snacks, something to prepare and enjoy with friends over the weekend.
🔸 Full Community Access – Engage in chats, share your own recipes, and be part of a spice-loving, food-focused community.
🔸 Full Archive Access – Explore past recipes and stories at your leisure.
If you love cooking with spices, enjoy stories woven through recipes, and want to deepen your knowledge of how ingredients shape both flavour and well-being, Spice Chronicles is for you.
About Me
I’ve always believed that the best meals tell a story. They carry the memory of who we were when we first tasted them, the hands that taught us how to cook, and the spices that make them come alive.
I’m Lisa McLean, cook, writer, naturopath, and an eternal student of food. My life has been shaped by the scents and sounds of kitchens around the world, from the spice bazaars of Asia to the home kitchens of the Mediterranean and the Middle East.
Cooking is my way of understanding the world, and spices are my language. They turn the simplest ingredients into something extraordinary, deepening not just flavour, but connection—to culture, to history, and to the rhythms of the seasons.
Through my work as a naturopath and nutritionist, I’ve explored how spices nourish beyond taste, supporting health, longevity, and well-being in ways both ancient and scientifically grounded. But more than anything, I love the sheer joy they bring to cooking.
Spice Chronicles is where all of this comes together, my kitchen experiments, my reflections on food, and my deep appreciation for the way spices shape our meals and our lives.
Join me, and let’s explore the world through spice—one dish, one story, one shared table at a time.
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