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!


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


German style Gingerbread hearts

Gingerbread Hearts ‘Lebkuchenherzen’

My easy recipe for making traditional Oktoberfest Lebkuchenherzen or Gingerbread Hearts at home. Hang these brightly decorated hearts around the neck of your sweetheart (or eat and enjoy!)
Oktoberfest Roast Chicken

Oktoberfest Roast Chicken

Oktoberfest Roast Chicken is a Bavarian classic recipe. The secret to tender, fall off the bone meat is to roast the chicken extra low and slow, or poach then roast. I’ve given two fool proof methods below.
Chicken and Chickpea Pilaf

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.

Looking for Dinner Inspiration?


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

German Potato Dumplings Title Card.
Easy Chicken Lo Mein Noodles 1
Herby Brown Butter Ravioli
Herby Tomato Salsa Chicken Title Card.
Mediterranean meatball skewers with mixed vegetables on a white plate

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.

Strawberry Ripple Semifreddo

I have been watching the news from Australia with a bit of a heavy heart – due to industrial sabotage the strawberry growing community has been devastated. For those who haven’t been following, someone, or someones unknown has/have been hiding needles inside fresh strawberries with over 100 cases so far across the whole continent.  While…

German Strawberry Cake or Erdbeerkuchen is made from a heavenly combination of soft sponge cake, creamy vanilla custard, and fresh spring strawberries,

German Strawberry Cake

German Strawberry Cake or Erdbeerkuchen is made from a heavenly combination of soft sponge cake, creamy vanilla custard, and fresh spring strawberries, all topped with a sweet, clear jelly. The most beautiful of all summer cakes.

Whipped Feta and Honey

Whipped Feta and Honey

Smooth, salty and seriously tasty, Whipped Feta and Honey is the perfect dip to serve on a summer grazing platter with loads of grilled Mediterranean vegetables.

Panzanella Tuscan Bread Salad

Panzanella – Tuscan Bread Salad

This delicious recipe for Panzanella Tuscan Bread Salad comes from my Aunt Peggi and it is a glorious summery meal. With ripe tomatoes, salty cheese and fresh basil, it’s perfect for a summer BBQ.

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.

Easy Thai Beef Salad Recipe Card.

Easy Thai Beef Salad

The ULTIMATE salad! My easy Thai Beef Salad recipe is packed with flavour. With juicy beef steak, fresh vegetables & fragrant herbs, the sweet & spicy Thai dressing is the secret ingredient in this mouthwatering dish.

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.

Italian Caprese Pasta Salad

Italian Caprese Pasta Salad

Yesterday, it rained properly for the first time in weeks, and today, we woke up to cool, misty weather. It wasn’t long, of course, before the sun burst through, but it was a little hint that my favourite season of all, autumn, is on the horizon. Don’t get me wrong, I love summer as much…

Chicken and Farro Salad

Chicken and Farro Salad

Chicken and Farro Salad is hands down one of my favourite lean and green chicken recipes! Packed with nutritious grains, lean poached chicken and fresh vegetables, this super salad is healthy and incredibly delicious too!