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!

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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.

Chicken and Chickpea Pilaf

Turkish Chicken & Chickpea Pilaf or Tavuklu Nohutlu Pilav, made from shredded barbecue chicken with rice and chickpeas is always filling and delicious. Especially when loaded up with juicy chicken and topped with spicy pickled peppers.

Mushroom Ragu with Creamy Polenta

Mushrooms with Creamy Polenta is autumn on a plate. This famous North Italian speciality is so warm and comforting, and so easy to make. I like to use a mixture of mushrooms for texture and flavour.

Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto

Pure comfort food, Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto or ‘Risotto alla Zucca’ is a classic of the Italian kitchen. The combination of creamy risotto rice with sweet roasted pumpkin and fragrant sage is a match made in foodie heaven.

Apricot Puff Pastry Braid

Whenever I need a sweet or dessert in a hurry, I always make a Puff Pastry Braid. The combination of flaky puff pastry, juicy apricots and sweetened cream cheese is always a winner, and only takes minutes to prepare.

Farmhouse Apple Cake

Crumbly, buttery, nutty streusel tops this moist and tender apple cake. This rustic farm-style cake is made with no special equipment, just a couple of bowls and a whisk.

Baked Breaded Cod

My recipe for Baked Breaded cod, with juicy fish fillets and a golden brown, crunchy topping of lemon, herb and Parmesan breadcrumbs makes a perfect weeknight dinner. It’s a great way to get more healthy fish into your diet – and it’s tasty too so the whole family can enjoy it!

Looking for Dinner Inspiration?

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

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

Greek Lamb Shank in parchment paper with potatoes, olives, tomatoes and onions. Title card.

Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Chicken recipe

Recipes By Meal Type

My FAvourite German Cake Recipes

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

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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

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.

Tangy Redcurrant Jelly – No added Pectin!

I have written a lot about how much I love redcurrants, those ruby-coloured strands of beautiful summer berries. While I usually use them in baking, as they are so good in a Redcurrant Crumble Cake, they also make a brightly coloured and tangy Redcurrant Jelly, made with only two ingredients. That’s right—this recipe has no…

Wurstsalat (German Sausage Salad)

A German Sausage Salad (in this case, pepped up as a Swiss Sausage Salad with plenty of delicious cheese) is the ideal light meal for hot summer days with an ice-cold German beer. Serve it with good-quality rye bread, or make it part of a beer garden feast!

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Hi, I'm Jay!