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!


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

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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.


Homemade Bavarian Pretzels Title Card.

Bavarian Pretzels (with and without Lye)

There’s nothing quite like a traditional Bavarian pretzel with a golden-brown, salt-studded crust and a chewy, perfect texture. My recipe for homemade pretzels with step-by-step instructions and photos is simple to make at home.
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.

Looking for Dinner Inspiration?


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

Turkey Stroganoff Title Card.
Zigeuner Schnitzel or Gypsy Schnitzel on a plate served with french fries and a glass of beer
Feta and Pesto Stuffed Chicken
Honey and Ginger Chicken
Hazelnut crusted salmon title card.
Tender, moist turkey breast filled with traditional stuffing and roasted to perfection. This delicious roast only cooks in under 2 hours, making it perfect for smaller celebrations.

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.

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.

Wurstsalat or Sausage salad title card.

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!

Chocolate Popsicles Recipe title card.

Homemade Chocolate Popsicles

Forget the ice cream truck! You won’t believe how easy it is to make the most DELICIOUS Creamy Chocolate Popsicles at home with just 2 ingredients. The perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day, this delicious treat is so easy. The hardest part is waiting for your homemade fudgesicles to freeze!

Apricots Poached in Rosé Wine

Gently cooked in rosé wine, scented with vanilla, served with a big scoop of ice cream and some buttery homemade shortbread cookies, my Rosé Vanilla Poached Apricots are truly heavenly.

Apricot Puff Pastry Braid.

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.

Slow Roasted Tomato Sauce

Slow Roasted Tomato Sauce

Roasting the tomatoes for Slow Roasted Tomato Sauce intensifies their delicious, summery flavour. Make up a big batch when tomatoes are at their best and you’ll have a taste of summer all year round.

Tomato Burrata Caprese Salad

Tomato Burrata Caprese Salad

Bright, colourful and perfectly delicious Tomato Burrata Caprese Salad (Insalata Caprese) is the ultimate Italian summer salad with fresh green basil, creamy white burrata and juicy red tomatoes representing the colours of the Italian flag.

Ricotta Stuffed Zucchini Flowers

Ricotta Stuffed Zucchini Flowers

Baked, rather than fried, these Ricotta Stuffed Zucchini Flowers are filled with creamy cheese, zingy lemon, fresh herbs and salty anchovy. Perfect for a summer party or a light dinner.

Cherry Tomato and White Bean Salad in a bowl with wooden salad servers and a baguette.

Cherry Tomato and Bean Salad

My Cherry Tomato and Bean Salad is a simple and tasty recipe that you’ll want to make all summer long. Perfect as a light lunch or as an easy side dish for grilled meats.

Turkish Bulgue Salad Kisir

Turkish Bulgur Salad (Kısır)

Hearty, delicious and filling, Turkish Bulgur Salad or Kısır is a terrific meal all year round. It is the perfect accompaniment to grilled and barbecued meat or as part of a Turkish or Cypriot inspired feast!