Days of Jay

Walnut and Orange Blossom Baklava

22nd May 202023rd May 2020 baking, Cypriot, Dessert, Pastry, sweet-things chicken, quick

Tatlı yiyelim, tatlı konuşalım or ‘Let’s eat sweet and talk sweet’ has to be my favourite Turkish expression. It’s definitely the perfect way to describe having a slice or two of sticky, sweet, nutty Orange Blossom and Walnut Baklava with a strong Turkish coffee and a good gossip with friends.

Vietnamese Chicken Roll – Bánh Mì

20th May 202022nd May 2020 main-event, Asian, Fakeaway, Main Course chicken, quick

There are many things that I miss about the fabulous city of Sydney: the sparkling harbour, the beautiful beaches, the vibrant nightlife and the creative and colourful friends who live there. Of course, me being me, whenever I am away from the harbour city I also miss the amazing selection

Homemade Marshmallows

18th May 202019th May 2020 baking, Dessert, sweet-things confectionery, sweets

Believe it or not, I don’t actually have much of a sweet tooth. I love a slice of cake as much as the next person, but I am definitely a savoury kind of guy. I do, however, have a weakness for that ultimate childhood treat - marshmallows. Funnily enough, they’re

Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake

15th May 202015th May 2020 baking, cakes, Chocolate, Dessert, sweet-things

Chocolate lovers rejoice! Today I am sharing the recipe for my ultimate Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake! This is a fabulous recipe if you are having people round for dinner. It's a real crowd-pleaser and everyone always seems to find room for a little slice - even if they were claiming

Easy Thai Beef Salad

13th May 202015th May 2020 main-event, Asian, Fakeaway, summer, Thai

I’ve written before about Thailand, a magical country where I’ve been lucky enough to spend quite a lot of time. The cuisine of Thailand is world-renowned and rightly so. Often balanced on the finest edge of salty, sweet, sour and spicy, good Thai food is a flavour sensation, enough to

Ricotta Stuffed Zucchini Flowers

11th May 202018th May 2020 Flower, Italian, light-bites, summer

As the weather warms up and more and more fresh produce hits the market stands, I can spend many happy hours searching for ingredients. There is no food that attracts my eye quite as much as a tumbling display of colourful fruit and veg, but the most beautiful of all

Gluten-Free Chocolate Cake

8th May 202015th May 2020 baking, cakes, Chocolate, summer, sweet-things

The sun is shining, the sky is brilliantly blue and the fields are full of waving green grass that has sprung up seemingly overnight. The bowl of strawberries on the kitchen table is filling the kitchen with the sweet smell of summer. Juicy and succulent, they are the perfect topping

Turkish Chicken Shish Kebabs

7th May 202015th May 2020 main-event, Cypriot, Dinner, summer, Travel, Turkish

I’m declaring barbecue season officially open! To get the ball rolling I have a truly delicious recipe for you, one that I have on rotation all summer long. Turkish Chicken Shish Kebabs (Tavuk Siş) are tender, tangy and so easy. The chicken is marinated in yoghurt, lemon and spices which

Beef and Lentil Cottage Pies

3rd May 202023rd May 2020 main-event, baking, Dinner, New Zealand / Australia

It’s a sunny Sunday, still and quiet here. The clouds and blustery winds of the last few days have finally departed, leaving a bright blue, cloudless sky in their wake. It’s the ideal day to get some work done on the house, a pleasure rather than a chore when the

New Zealand Louise Cake

1st May 20205th May 2020 sweet-things, baking, cakes, New Zealand / Australia

It’s been howling a gale the last two days, huge gusts of wind whipping through the valley, bending the trees sideways and turning the field into a sea of rippling and waving grass. I feel a bit sorry for the birds and bats flapping away day and night in the