Days of Jay

Eierlikörtorte – German Advocaat Cake

28th March 202028th March 2020 baking, German, sweet-things

The sun is out, I’ve got my balcony door open to the kitchen letting in some lovely fresh air and I’ve been baking one of my all-time favourite cakes. All things that are so good for the soul. I think it’s so important at the moment when we’ve all had

Gin and Tonic Jelly with Lemon Granita

27th March 202027th March 2020 cocktail-hour, summer, sweet-things

I don’t know about you, but there is only so much serious news and doom and gloom I can take before I get completely overloaded, so today’s recipe is pure fun. Gin and Tonic Jelly with Lemon Granita is a fabulous dinner party dessert and always gets people talking. The

Honey and Ginger Chicken

26th March 202026th March 2020 Asian, main-event

Day 6 of our lockdown in Bavaria. The streets are still quiet here in the inner city, though there are signs of life out there. I headed to the supermarket this morning, and unlike last week, I had the whole place nearly to myself. Shelves fully stocked, no queues, no

Super Tasty Chickpea Burgers

24th March 202024th March 2020 main-event, vegetarian

More glorious sunshine and blue skies over Munich. I’ve taken to sitting in the front rooms where the sun shines in all day, and I can watch the world going by on the street outside. I’ve even moved a table into the bay window where we can have an indoor

Creamy Chicken and Mushroom Pies

21st March 202024th March 2020 baking, main-event, New Zealand / Australia, Pastry

Munich is quiet today. The streets are empty of all but the occasional car, and the weather has turned to cool and drizzly. We’re all staying inside by order of the government, hoping to keep ourselves and our loved ones healthy and safe. It feels like the city is collectively

Vibrant Wild Garlic Pesto

20th March 202024th March 2020 light-bites, preserving, spring, vegetarian

We’ve had three days of glorious sunny weather here in Bavaria. It seems hard to believe all the goings-on in the world when the sky is a brilliant blue, the birds are singing and the first tender leaves of wild garlic are pushing through the ground. Currently, we have been

Chicken and Chickpea Pilaf

16th March 202024th March 2020 Cypriot, main-event, Store Cupboard, Turkish, vegetarian

COMFORT FOOD ALERT! (And we all need a little comfort at the moment, don’t you think?) Today’s recipe is a firm favourite in my kitchen. Gently spiced chicken and onions served with a warming pilaf of rice and chickpeas. Topped with juicy tomato and a hint of bright and zingy

Turkish Red Lentil Soup

13th March 202024th March 2020 Cypriot, light-bites, Soups & Stews, Turkish

Sometimes there is nothing better than coming home to a big, comforting bowl of soup. When the week has been full-on and the media full of hysteria, I need something earthy and grounding. A moment of calm to close the week and steady the nerves. There is something truly peaceful

Classic Chocolate Berry Roulade

12th March 202024th March 2020 baking, sweet-things

One of the surest signs that summer is on the way to Munich is the re-emergence of my local fruit stand on Munich’s Sonnenstraße. Perched in the most unlikely place amid the hustle and bustle, trams, buses, commuters and traffic of this busy street, this fruit stand appears only for

Peaches and Cream Cake

11th March 202024th March 2020 baking, German, Pastry, sweet-things

Blue skies over Munich today. There is a hint of summer in the air, in the warmth of the sun and the gentle smell of grass and hay that wafts through the city when the wind comes from the south. I know, we haven’t even had spring yet, but the