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
Lamb Recipes
Fish Recipes
Vegetarian Recipes Category.
Beef 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 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.
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!
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.
Panko Coconut Fried Shrimp on a plate with salad and lime wedges.

Coconut Panko Fried Shrimp

Coconut Panko Fried Shrimp (or prawns!) is such a gloriously summery dish and makes a quick and easy starter or light lunch.
Quinoa and Lentil Salad with feta and fresh herbs.

Quinoa and Lentil Salad with Feta and Herbs

A fresh, flavour-packed salad of quinoa, lentils, herbs, cranberries, capers and feta, finished with a lemony yoghurt dressing and plenty of crunch. This quinoa and lentil salad is one of my favourites!

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!

Looking for Dinner Inspiration?


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

Juicy Maple Glazed Pork Chops
Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Chicken recipe
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!
Perfect Roast Goose title card.

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.

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.

Wildly popular across Europe, the Hugo Spritz cocktail is a refreshing mixture of lime, mint, elderflower and sparkling wine. Served over ice in a large wine glass, this is the perfect drink on a sunny day.

The Hugo Spritz Cocktail

We are in the middle of those golden autumn weeks, where the days dawn bright and sunny, the early fog burning off quickly under the sun. While the nights are already too cool to sit outside for long, it’s the ideal time for afternoon sundowners on the balcony, and what could be better than a…

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.

Tomato and Rosemary Focaccia

Tomato and Rosemary Focaccia

Focaccia is fantastically easy to make, even if you have never made bread before and infinitely variable. Tomato and Rosemary Focaccia is a summer classic.

Sun Dried Tomato and Basil Chicken recipe

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.

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!

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!

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.

Italian Beef Cannelloni Recipe

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.

Italian Roasted Peppes stuffed with tomatoes and goat's cheese served with rice

Italian Roasted Peppers

My Italian Roasted Peppers recipe is a simple and flavoursome dish full of all those summery flavours that we associate with la dolce vita; peppers, tomatoes, basil and lashings of good olive oil. Buon Appetito!