Days of Jay - Good Mood Food, Recipes and More!

My recipes are packed with photos and useful tips and tricks to help you as you cook. They are all inspired by healthy, seasonal ingredients and my travels across the globe, especially in Germany, Italy, Cyprus, and Australasia.

I am so excited to have you here, so let's dive in and get cooking!

Recipes By Main Ingredient

Assorted fish fillets on a platter, including smoked salmon. "FISH" text overlay.

Roasted lamb dish with potatoes and tomatoes. Text: LAMB.

Raw beef cubes on a white plate. The image includes the text "BEEF".

Pork tenderloin with chimichurri sauce. "PORK" text overlay.

Cakes & Bakes: Close-up of frosted cakes with sprinkles and a lit birthday candle.

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The Latest Recipes From My Kitchen

Discover my latest and greatest recipes below, or use the search function to find exactly what you're looking for.

One Bowl Vanilla Cake (with oil!)

I absolutely adore this wonderfully old-fashioned Vanilla Cake. It's a breeze to make, with all the ingredients mixed in one bowl. The result is a light and fluffy cake, sturdy enough for transporting to picnics and parties. Topped with lavish amounts of buttercream, it's fantastic for birthday cakes too.

Turkish Poached Eggs (Çılbır)

Perfectly poached eggs, nestled on a bed of herby, garlicky yogurt, drizzled with red pepper oil, and served with fresh, crusty bread, is one of the most fantastic brunch dishes I know. If you've never tried Turkish Poached Eggs or Cilbir, you've been missing out!

Seared Duck with Pomegranate

Juicy duck breast served with a sweet and sour pomegranate sauce. Seared Duck with Pomegranate is a delicious meal for two or perfect for a dinner party. Serve with jewelled couscous for a showstopper dinner.

Asparagus and Lemon Risotto

Creamy, rich risotto with fresh in-season asparagus and bright zingy lemon. The perfect meal for two.

Stifado (Greek Beef Stew)

This rich and sumptuous recipe comes from my good friend Deirdre Guthrie, owner of the Gardens of Irini in Bellapais, Cyprus. The secret to this dish is the long, slow cooking time, which makes the flavours extraordinarily intense and the meat meltingly tender.

Turkish Bread (Ramazan Pidesi)

Pillowy soft, golden brown bread with a crunchy topping of nigella and sesame seeds? It can only be Turkish Bread or Ramazan Pidesi. This delicious bread is so simple to make and is perfect for filling, stuffing, dipping and more.

Looking for Dinner Inspiration?

Below are some of my most popular dinner recipes. Quick and easy with simple ingredients and big flavours.

Portobello Mushroom Burgers with salad and pickled red onions on a plate.

Turkish bulgur salad (kisir) on a decorative plate with cucumber, tomato, and parsley.

Mussel au gratin or as the Italians call them Cozze al Forno are a fantastic starter or light meal for two. So quick and easy to prepare they are packed with Mediterranean flavour.

Italian sausage stuffed zucchini boats with melted cheese and tomato sauce, garnished with basil.

Recipes By Meal Type

Light Bites: Asparagus and salmon appetizers on dark bread with cream cheese.

Main event: Stuffed bell peppers and poppy seed pastry, showcasing the main course.

Sweet Things: Fresh strawberries, raspberries, and rosé wine in a split image.

Summer cocktails: Mojito and wine for cocktail hour. Refreshing drinks!

My FAvourite German Cake Recipes

While people often associate Germany with pretzels and beer, it's really all about coffee and cake!

Get the recipes!

Seasonal Recipes for Autumn

When the temperature drops, my oven goes on! Below you'll find some of my favourite rib-sticking comfort food, perfect for Autumn or Fall.

German Apple Strudel

With a tender, flaky crust, crisp apples, and rum-soaked raisins, my easy recipe for homemade apple strudel is sure to become one of your 'favourite things' too! Possible the most famous German dessert of all, strudel is perfect for fall baking with orchard fresh apples.

Fig and Honey Tart

Fig and Honey Tart with fresh figs and almond frangipane wrapped in buttery short pastry and drizzled with honey is the perfect sweet recipe for autumn or fall.

Hasenpfeffer (German Rabbit Stew)

Nothing beats a rich and comforting stew when the weather turns cold outside. Hasenpfeffer, or German Rabbit Stew, is a deliciously flavoursome meal made from tender red wine marinated rabbit. Serve this traditional German dish with plenty of mashed potatoes and braised red cabbage. Guten Appetit!

Zwetschgendatschi plum tart, a Bavarian dessert, close-up showing plum arrangement and slice.

Zwetschgendatschi (Bavarian Plum Tart)

Zwetschgendatschi or Bavarian Plum Tart is a glorious late summer baked treat made from crumbly sweet pastry and a topping of juicy Zwetschgen Plums.

Sweet Autumn Fruit Chutney

My easy recipe for Sweet Autumn Fruit Chutney with figs, plums, and apples is so delicious. Lightly spiced, it is perfect served on a cheeseboard or with cold meats. With free printable labels!

Chili Stuffed Sweet Potatoes

I love baked potatoes, but you know what's even better? Chilli Stuffed Sweet Potatoes! Sweet potatoes, baked until tender, loaded up with a spicy chilli and covered with cheese and sour cream. So tasty!

White Wine Poached Pears

Tender and sweet, White Wine Poached Pears filled with creamy mascarpone are a light and fragrant dinner party dessert.

Chicken Lentil Soup

Hearty and nutritious, my Chicken Lentil Soup is a great big warm hug of a meal, perfect for chilly winter days. Loaded with lean chicken, veg and pulses, a big pot of this comforting soup will feed the whole family and warm you up from the inside out.

French Pot Roast Chicken

A heart-warming classic, French Pot Roast Chicken or 'Poulet au Pot' is a terrific recipe for beautifully juicy, tender chicken with flavoursome root vegetables and a rich gravy. As a bonus, it's all cooked in one pot so less washing up!

Welcome

Hi, I'm Jay!