Mel Discepola in studio portrait with Italian Tuscan vibe

Hi you, welcome to Sage & Parsley. 🌿

I'm Mel, and Sage & Parsley is a place for anyone looking for vegetarian and vegan recipes that put vegetables centre stage and thoughtfully elevate everyday cooking. Vegetarian cooking doesn’t have to be complicated, and it certainly doesn’t have to mean only smoothie bowls and salads (though I love those too). There’s a rich range of textures, flavours, and gourmet possibilities when we let vegetables lead. Think roasted cauliflower steaks brushed with spiced oil, grilled leeks with Romesco sauce, or a creamy farro risotto with roasted mushrooms and thyme.

These recipes celebrate everyday cooking with a touch of gourmet flair, giving accessible ingredients a thoughtful, elevated feel. My goal is to help you cook with confidence, savour the seasons, and bring fresh, joyful flavour to your table every day.

Vegetable-Forward First, Vegetarian Second

Sage & Parsley isn’t about labels, judgement, or specific diets. It’s a place where we celebrate the vast, delicious world of vegetables and all the flavour they bring when we let them shine. For some, the word “vegetarian” can sound like a restriction, but here it’s an opportunity: taking meat off the plate doesn’t reduce a meal, it simply makes room for something new.

This blog lives in that creative space — from the deep umami of well-browned mushrooms, to the fresh, green lift of gently cooked leeks and herbs, to the surprisingly luxurious textures vegetables like cauliflower develop when they’re cooked to perfection. There’s so much possibility when vegetables take centre stage.

And truly, everyone is welcome at this table, from omnivores and flexitarians to level-10 vegans, because sharing a meal should bring us together. At its best, good food has always been a source of connection, comfort, and warmth. ✨

What You’ll Find at Sage & Parsley

  • Vegetarian and vegan recipes with an elevated touch designed for everyday cooking, with vegetables always at the centre of the plate

  • Weeknight-friendly meals that balance ease with flavour, ideal for busy evenings and no-stress cooking

  • Seasonal recipes inspired by fresh produce, shifting naturally with the time of year

  • Entertaining and holiday dishes, from generous mains to elegant sides suited for sharing

  • Globally inspired flavours, drawing from a variety of cuisines while staying rooted in approachable, home-style cooking

These recipes reflect the way I cook every day: vegetable-forward, seasonal, and thoughtfully elevated.

Or explore all recipes → Browse the recipe collection

Mel Discepola cooking in the kitchen

Thoughtfully Tested, From My Kitchen to Yours

I create and test every Sage & Parsley recipe with care, focusing on clear instructions, balanced flavours, and results you can rely on. Recipe development happens in my real home kitchen, shaped by everyday meals, seasonal ingredients, and a love of thoughtful, vegetable-forward food.

In practice, the process usually looks something like this:

  • Research & inspiration
    Ideas usually grow from my lived experience — cooking for friends and family, memorable meals out, and paying attention to the produce that’s at its best right now.

  • Kitchen trials
    I cook, taste, adjust, and cook again. Seasoning is fine-tuned, textures are considered, and dishes are shared with my expert taste testers (both vegetarian and non-vegetarian), then re-tested until everything feels balanced and complete.

  • Final recipe & photography
    Once a recipe is ready to share, I photograph the process and write the final version with clarity and care, so it’s easy to follow and genuinely enjoyable to cook.

Every recipe is tested in real life and written with intention — meant to feel just as good to cook as it does to eat.

Curious to learn more about my cooking influences and the story behind Sage & Parsley?

Learn More About Mel

Five pomegranates from above with moody lighting on dark background

Frequently Asked Questions

Sage & Parsley features a wide range of vegan and vegetarian recipes, but not all recipes are exclusively vegan. You’ll also find some naturally gluten-free dishes. The common thread is a vegetable-forward approach, with recipes designed to celebrate flavour, texture, and seasonality in an inclusive way.

Not at all. Sage & Parsley is for anyone who enjoys cooking with vegetables, whether that’s every day or once in a while. Omnivores, flexitarians, vegetarians, and vegans are all welcome here. Adding more vegetables to your meals, however often that looks for you, is always a good place to start.

The name is inspired in equal parts by Simon & Garfunkel’s Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme, a love of fresh herbs in everyday cooking, and the playful nod to S & P, like salt and pepper. It felt fitting for a kitchen that values flavour and a little joy.

Vegan cooking contains no meat, fish, or animal products of any kind. Vegetarian cooking excludes meat and fish but may include eggs and dairy. At Sage & Parsley, both approaches are welcomed and clearly labelled, making it easy to find recipes that suit your preferences.

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