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!


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.


Classic British Christmas Cake recipe title card.

Classic British Christmas Cake

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 every year.
Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti Title Card.

Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti

Crisp, nutty and deeply chocolatey, my Chocolate Hazelnut Biscotti are so simple to make and absolutely irresistible! This classic Italian cookie (known as Cantucci in the motherland) is ideal for Christmas baking and makes a perfect edible gift.
Fried Apple Rings Title Card.

Fried Apple Rings (Apfelkücherl)

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.
Chicken lentil soup title card.

Chicken Lentil Soup

Hearty and nutritious, my Chicken Lentil Soup is a great big warm hug of a meal, perfect for chilly winter days. Loaded with lean meat, veg and pulses, a big pot of this comforting soup will feed the whole family and warm you up from the inside out.
Lemon Shortbread Cookies Title Card.

Lemon Shortbread Cookies

Crumbly, zesty and utterly delightful, my Lemon Shortbread Cookies are like a burst of sunshine on a winter’s day. These buttery cookies make the perfect gift for lemon lovers and are delicious alongside a cup of coffee or afternoon tea.
Homemade Spreadable Butter Title Card.

Homemade Spreadable Butter

Did you know it’s incredibly easy to make your own spreadable butter at home? With this clever recipe, you can have lovely soft butter directly out of the fridge all year round.
German Braised Red Cabbage title card.

German Braised Red Cabbage (Blaukraut)

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.

Recipes By Meal Type


light-bites
Main Event
Sweet Things
cocktail hour

Classic Apricot Tart
Chicken Parmigiana (Chicken Parmesan)
Creamy Lemon Posset
Easy Baked Meatballs in Tomato Sauce
Beetroot and Orange Relish

Comfort Food for Autumn and Fall


It’s my favourite season! Autumn or Fall is such a wonderful time for foodies and cooks. The markets are still full of late produce, the kitchen has FINALLY cooled down, and everyone is hungry for rib-sticking comfort food. Check out some of my favourite recipes below!

Juicy, perfectly cooked pork tenderloin, wrapped in prosciutto, mushrooms and buttery puff pastry. This is truly the Perfect Pork Wellington, my dinner party secret weapon. Better yet, it is even easier to make than it looks!

Juicy, perfectly cooked pork tenderloin, wrapped in prosciutto, mushrooms and buttery puff pastry. This is truly the Perfect Pork Wellington, my dinner party secret weapon. Better yet, it is even easier to make than it looks!

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Real Bavarian Roast Pork

The ultimate Bavarian Sunday roast: Krustenbraten with Dunkelbiersoße. My classic recipe for crispy, juicy Bavarian roast pork with a lip-smackingly good dark beer sauce is always a winner and perfect for cooler weather.

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Spanish Chicken Soup is a wonderfully warming Spanish or North African inspired stew, loaded with chicken, spicy chorizo sausage, nutty chickpeas and sweet peppers. This delicious recipe for homemade soup is perfect for those chilly winter evenings.

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Roasted Feta Stuffed Mushrooms

I love mushrooms. Truly, mushrooms would have to be one of my desert-island foods. Whether fancy shiitake, the prized porcino, colourful pfifferlinge or plain old button mushrooms, they are all delicious, with their earthy flavour and delicate texture. Whatever time of year it is, mushrooms will find their way into my shopping basket, ready for risotto, a salad, a quiche,…

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A heart-warming classic, French Pot Roast Chicken or ‘Poulet au Pot’ is a terrific recipe for beautifully juicy, tender chicken with flavoursome root vegetables and a rich gravy. As a bonus, it’s all cooked in one pot so less washing up!

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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.

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Looking for Dinner Inspiration?


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

Chicken lentil soup title card.
Italian Beef Cannelloni Recipe
Chilli Stuffed Sweet Potatoes
Zigeuner Schnitzel or Gypsy Schnitzel on a plate served with french fries and a glass of beer
Turkey Stroganoff Title Card.
Perfect Roast Goose title card.

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