Delicious, easy recipes by Jay Wadams

Hi, I'm Jay!

I'm a cookbook author, food photographer and recipe developer.

Days of Jay is my website dedicated to sharing simple, tasty recipes for home cooking.

Jay Wadams - Cook, Author and Photographer. Owner daysofjay.com

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!


Lamb Recipes
Chicken Recipes Category Page.
Pork Recipes
Beef Recipes.
Vegetarian Recipes Category.
Fish Recipes

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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.


Candied Orange Peels title card.

Candied Orange Peel

Candied Orange Peel makes a great gift (especially when coated in lashings of dark chocolate). It’s easy to make at home and a great way to turn orange peel (which would usually be tossed out) into a tasty candy.
Classic British Christmas Cake recipe title card.

Classic British Christmas Cake

Even though I grew up on the other side of the world in New Zealand, it wouldn’t be Christmas Day without a Classic British Christmas Cake. This dense and sweet cake, packed with dried fruit, spices and plenty of brandy is an absolute must for the festive season and is something I look forward to every year.
Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti Title Card.

Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti

Crisp, nutty and deeply chocolatey, my Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti are so simple to make and absolutely irresistible! This classic Italian cookie (known as Cantucci in the motherland) is ideal for Christmas baking and makes a perfect edible gift.
Fried Apple Rings Title Card.

Fried Apple Rings (Apfelkücherl)

Sweet, juicy and fragrant with a cinnamon sugar coating, Fried Apple Rings or Apfelkücherl are one of my favourite German Christmas market treats. You don’t have to stand around in the snow to enjoy them though, with my simple batter they are super easy to prepare at home.
Chicken lentil soup title card.

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 meat, veg and pulses, a big pot of this comforting soup will feed the whole family and warm you up from the inside out.
Lemon Shortbread Cookies Title Card.

Lemon Shortbread Cookies

Crumbly, zesty and utterly delightful, my Lemon Shortbread Cookies are like a burst of sunshine on a winter’s day. These buttery cookies make the perfect gift for lemon lovers and are delicious alongside a cup of coffee or afternoon tea.

Looking for Dinner Inspiration?


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

Chicken Parmigiana Australian style
Salmon en Croûte Title Card.
Sticky Orange Chicken Drumsticks title card.
Pork San Choy Bow Title Card.
Packed with roasted peppers, tangy feta, fresh herbs and chewy orzo, this bright and beautiful pasta salad is a summer favourite. Orzo and Roast Pepper Salad gets better as the days go by, so make a big batch to take you through the week!
Beef Shank Osso Buco
One Pan Chicken Biryani

Recipes By Meal Type


light-bites
Main Event
Sweet Things
cocktail hour

Fresh and Easy Recipes for the Summer


When it’s hot and sunny, it’s the perfect time to embrace fresh and healthy eating. Below are some of my favourite simple and healthy recipes.

Homemade Tomato Relish Title Card.

Homemade Tomato Relish

A classic recipe for generations of New Zealanders and Australians, my summer wouldn’t be complete without Homemade Tomato Relish. Perfect for BBQs, sandwiches, cheeseboards and more, this delicious recipe is super simple.

A picture of Imam Bayildi, roast Turkish eggplants stuffed with tomatoes and onions in a white bowl

Imam Bayildi

Made from meltingly tender roasted eggplants, stuffed with a spicy tomato sauce and lashings of olive oil, İmam bayıldı or ‘the Imam fainted’ is one of the most famous of all Turkish dishes.

Packed with roasted peppers, tangy feta, fresh herbs and chewy orzo, this bright and beautiful pasta salad is a summer favourite. Orzo and Roast Pepper Salad gets better as the days go by, so make a big batch to take you through the week!

Orzo and Roast Pepper Salad

Packed with roasted peppers, tangy feta, fresh herbs and chewy orzo, this bright and beautiful pasta salad is a summer favourite. Orzo and Roast Pepper Salad gets better as the days go by, so make a big batch to take you through the week!

Aperol Spritz jellies in glasses with orange slice garnish.

Aperol Spritz Jellies with Prosecco and Orange

Turn the iconic Aperol Spritz into a make-ahead summer dessert. These sparkling jellies are sweet, citrusy, and unapologetically grown up – the perfect summer party treat, with a touch of la Dolce Vita!

No cook refrigerator pickles Made with a simple brine, and a combination of cucumber, shallots and red pepper

No Cook Refrigerator Pickles

Sweet, crunchy and with a hint of spice, No Cook Refrigerator Pickles are brilliant in sandwiches, with cold meats or just for snacking on. My simple recipe is so quick and easy to put together and is easily adjusted to suit your tastes.

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

Portobello Mushroom Burgers

These veggie burgers are seriously tasty, with juicy portobello mushrooms filling in for meat patties. Packed with flavour, I’ve tested this recipe on the most committed meat eaters I know, and it is a real winner.

Peach and Ginger Pie

Peach and Ginger Pie

Peach and Ginger Pie is the perfect bake for those long, lazy, late summer days when the trees are full of ripe, juicy fruit. Ideal for taking on a picnic, or serving for dessert.

Steak and Salsa Salad

Spicy Steak and Salsa Salad

If you are looking for big, punchy flavours then Steak and Salsa Salad is the recipe for you. Smoky grilled steak with a vibrant salsa and a zesty lime and coriander dressing. Perfect for summer barbecues or a weeknight dinner at home.

Italian Eggplant Caponata in a cooking dish.

Sicilian Caponata (Italian Eggplant Stew)

Caponata is a bold, tangy, and slightly sweet Sicilian eggplant stew. perfect with crusty bread and a cold glass of wine. Make a big batch as it lasts for ages and is even better on day two.

Greek Village Salad – Horiatiki

It’s super easy to make a delicious Greek Salad at home. This summery favourite is tasty even in the cooler months, with loads of fresh veg and salty Feta cheese.