Delicious, easy recipes by Jay Wadams

Welcome to
Days of Jay

I'm Jay, cookbook author and food photographer.

Days of Jay is my website, where I share easy, delicious recipes for home cooking.

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.

Welcome to
Days of Jay

I'm Jay, cookbook author and food photographer. Days of Jay is my website, where I share easy, delicious recipes for home cooking.

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!


It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas!


Well, the countdown is until the year’s end, and Christmas is just around the corner. Check out some of my most popular Christmas and festive recipes below!

German Braised Red Cabbage title card.

No festive table in Germany would be without a big pot of braised red cabbage, flavoured with apple, cloves and juniper berries. Depending on where in the country you are, this could be called Rotkohl or Blaukraut and it is the perfect accompaniment to roast goose.

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Classic British Christmas Cake recipe title card.

Even though I grew up on the other side of the world in New Zealand, it wouldn’t be Christmas Day without a Classic British Christmas Cake. This dense and sweet cake, packed with dried fruit, spices and plenty of brandy is an absolute must for the festive season and is something I look forward to…

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Beetroot Cured Salmon Gravadlax

We’ve landed back in beautiful Munich to the clear and crisp skies and very chilly nights of late winter. It’s not quite spring yet, but the promise of it hangs in the air, brightening the mood and sending the locals outside to soak up every last bit of available sun. I’m rather enjoying the opportunity…

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Mini Berry Pavlova title card.

My simple recipe for Mini Berry Pavlovas with lots of tips and techniques to make sure you get the perfect Christmas pavlova!

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Speculaas Dutch Spice Cookies

Speculaas or Dutch Spice Cookies are a wonderfully old fashioned Christmas treat and so delicious! These light and crisp cookies are full of fragrant and exotic spices, perfect for the festive season.

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Biscotti or Cantucci are a deliciously crunchy Italian treat. My recipe for Almond and Apricot biscotti is so easy and perfect for the festive season. Serve with a strong espresso or a glass of Italian vin santo.

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Perfect Roast Goose title card.

Beautifully bronzed Roast Goose is one of the most impressive festive meals. The dark and succulent meat is wonderful served with a rich gravy, red cabbage and potato dumplings, ideal for family celebrations like Christmas dinner. Brining the goose ensures that the meat is perfectly juicy and seasoned. Yum!

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Fried Apple Rings Title Card.

Sweet, juicy and fragrant with a cinnamon sugar coating, Fried Apple Rings or Apfelkücherl are one of my favourite German Christmas market treats. You don’t have to stand around in the snow to enjoy them though, with my simple batter they are super easy to prepare at home.

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With beautifully bright colours Cranberry Orange Cured Salmon is a wonderful dish to serve as a starter at your festive table. It’s so simple to make and home and delicious with a creamy horseradish sauce.

With beautifully bright colours Cranberry Cranberry Orange Cured Salmon is a wonderful dish to serve as a starter at your festive table. It’s so simple to make at home and so delicious with a creamy horseradish sauce.

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Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies

With perfect spirals of chocolate and vanilla, my melt-in-the-mouth Chocolate Pinwheel Cookies are as good to look at as they are to eat. Made from crumbly, buttery shortbread they make a perfect and beautiful Christmas gift, though they are delicious any time of year!

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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.
Revani or Kalo Prama Title Card.

Revani (Kalo Prama)

Revani, or Kalo Prama, is a traditional syrup-drenched lemon cake that I first discovered in Cyprus. Served chilled it is the ideal summer dessert!
Soft potato burger buns title card.

Potato Burger Buns

Potato Burger Buns are the ultimate burger buns! Pillowy, soft yet strong enough to hold stacks of delicious fillings without falling apart, they are perfect for the summer grilling season.
Strawberry Cream Puffs Title Card

Strawberry Cream Puffs

Strawberry Cream Puffs, or profiteroles, are a delightful tea-time treat. The simple choux pastry, filled with whipped cream and strawberries, makes a dessert perfect for any occasion. You’ll be amazed at how light and airy they are. Love at first bite!
Full of punchy, invigorating flavours and loads of fresh veg, Ginger Beef Stir Fry is made in minutes and tastes incredible. Get all your ingredients prepped before you start cooking and you’ll have dinner ready in a flash.

Ginger Beef Stir Fry

Full of punchy, invigorating flavours and loads of fresh veg, Ginger Beef Stir Fry is made in minutes and tastes incredible. Get all your ingredients prepped before you start cooking and you’ll have dinner ready in a flash.
One Pan Chicken and Orzo title card.

One Pan Chicken and Orzo

Bursting with fresh, Mediterranean flavours, my One Pan Chicken and Orzo recipe makes a delicious dinner all made in one pot. With juicy chicken thighs, tomatoes, olives, fresh herbs and orzo pasta, this is a feast the whole family will enjoy. This simple dinner is perfect for busy weeknights as there is less washing up! Winner!
One Bowl Vanilla Cake Title Card.

One Bowl Vanilla Cake (with oil!)

I absolutely adore this wonderfully old-fashioned Vanilla Cake. It’s a breeze to make, with all the ingredients mixed in one bowl. The result is a light and fluffy cake, sturdy enough for transporting to picnics and parties. Topped with lavish amounts of buttercream, it’s fantastic for birthday cakes too.
Turkish poached eggs recipe title card.

Turkish Poached Eggs (Çılbır)

Perfectly poached eggs, nestled on a bed of herby, garlicky yogurt, drizzled with red pepper oil, and served with fresh, crusty bread, is one of the most fantastic brunch dishes I know. If you’ve never tried Turkish Poached Eggs or Cilbir, you’ve been missing out!

Recipes By Meal Type


light-bites
Main Event
Sweet Things
cocktail hour

Marillenknödel – Austrian Apricot Dumplings
Wurstsalat (German Sausage Salad)
Easy Cherry Tomato Tart
Zwetschgendatschi (Bavarian Plum Tart)
Homemade Chocolate Popsicles

Looking for Dinner Inspiration?


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

Chilli Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Garlic Herb Crusted Chicken
Honey and Ginger Chicken
Chicken and Chickpea Pilaf
Spicy Chicken Burgers serves with homemade coleslaw and fresh corn
Turkish Bulgue Salad Kisir

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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Easy German Cake Recipes