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.

Perfectly tender, rosy roast beef is easier than you think! Slow Roast Beef where the beef is seared before roasting at a very low temperature produces juicy, delicious beef every time.

Perfect Slow Roast Beef

Perfectly tender, rosy roast beef is easier than you think! Slow Roast Beef produces juicy, delicious beef every time.

Sticky Toffee Pudding

It must be nearly winter because I am craving Sticky Toffee Puddings. The magical transformation of dried dates into a luxurious pudding is what I call kitchen alchemy. Make one big pudding to share or bake in individual ramekins.

British Style Baked Beans

So much better than beans from a tin, Homemade British Style Baked Beans are rich and tomatoey – perfect for a weekend brunch. Make up a big batch when you have time and you can have your breakfast or brunch ready in a flash.

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.

Garlic Butter Mussels au Gratin

Herby, buttery, crumbed mussels are a French delight. Perfect as party snacks, these tasty Garlic Butter Mussels disappear in a flash!

My all-time favourite veggie dish, my friend Sabine’s Pumpkin Seed Lasagne is so rich and satisfying even meat-eaters love it! Filled with healthy and delicious seeds this is the ideal dish to serve for your next vegetarian meal.

Pumpkin Seed Lasagna

Pumpkin Seed Lasagna is so rich and satisfying even meat-eaters love it! Filled with healthy and delicious seeds this is the ideal dish to serve for your next vegetarian meal.

Looking for Dinner Inspiration?

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

Pork and Shrimp Gyoza on a tray with spicy dipping sauce and fresh herbs. Title Card.

Ricotta Gnocchi with Lemon and Sage title card.

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.

Shrimp, Watermelon and Feta Salad

Shrimp, Watermelon and Feta Salad is a glorious mixture of textures and tastes, with cool watermelon perfectly pairing with garlicky shrimp, salty feta cheese and a pop of chilli. This simple recipe is summer on a plate!

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.

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.

Warm Potato Salad with Roasted Salmon

I love potato salad in all its forms, but this has to be one of my favourites. My Warm Potato Salad with Roasted Salmon is so simple. It’s the perfect midweek meal with fresh herbs, capers, and a lemon dressing. Yum!

Peach and Tomato Chutney

My easy recipe for Peach and Tomato Chutney is sweet and just a little bit spicy. Perfect for your next cheese board, BBQ or Indian feast!

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.

Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Chicken

Bursting with fabulous Mediterranean flavours, Sun-dried Tomato and Basil Chicken is the ideal one-pan meal. Quick to prepare and cook, maximum flavour, minimum effort. Dinner perfection.

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.

Beef Cannelloni

Fresh pasta tubes filled with a rich Bolognese ragu and smothered in creamy Bechamel sauce? We must be talking about Beef Cannelloni. Sometimes known as Manicotti, this traditional Italian recipe is a delicious crowd pleaser that the whole family are guaranteed to enjoy.

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.

Welcome

Hi, I'm Jay!