Crazy Cucumber Blog
What can be better than a large bowl of juicy salad for lunch on warm days! Warmer days finally came to New Zealand, we really enjoy our bountiful fresh produce. And I found out that strawberry and tomato can play nice together. Try this combo! Panzanella is a traditional Tuscan […]
When traveling in Japan I noticed how widely a fermented food presented in Japanese cuisine. I also noticed that people in Japan love to eat, they eat a lot (I’m not surprised, the food in Japan is amazing), but stay healthy and fit. So what is the secret? I guess, […]
During the chilly part of the year I usually have a craving for pickled vegetables rather than a fresh salads. The sweet and sour pickles work great with winter fatty and hearty dishes. Additionally, lactic acid fermented vegetables are rich in probiotic and enzymes and helps to improve our digestion […]
No Japanese table is not completed without tsukemono or Japanese lactic-acid fermented vegetables (pickles). In Japanese culture, everything has its own place and purpose. Pickled vegetables are rich in probiotic cultures that promote digestive health (check my previous posts with the secrets of a Japanese healthy diet). Pickled daikon is […]
What could be better than a bowl of delicious and nutritious warm porridge when you wake up in chilly winter morning. I have a collection of porridge recipes created especially as winter warmer. I like variety in good and prefer seasonal ingredients. Variety is the point, we have to get […]
Timeless classic and a great winter warmer. Creamy dreamy and healthy broccoli soup. Both broccoli and blue cheese are strong flavors, but they mellow out in the soup, so don’t be afraid of this recipe! Broccoli is so nice and lush in autumn-winter time here in NZ, it became one […]
Nothing screams autumn louder than mushrooms. They available in supermarkets all year round, but most enjoyable in autumn time, seasonal foods always taste better. The shiitake mushroom is a symbol of longevity in Asia because of its health promoting properties, especially boost for the immune system. These meaty and flavorful […]
Kiwi classic salad with a twist. This simple but sensational sauerkraut potato salad with delicious homemade vegan mayo will really add a wow factor to your BBQ season. And with the sauerkraut, it becomes a fabulous fermented probiotic side dish that’s equal parts healthy and delicious.
Soup weather is here again. Time to come back to my favorite theme Soup of the day! Quick and easy vegan soup which is inspired by Japanese vegan recipes. Pumpkin season is in full swing now and I really enjoy it this year. This pumpkin broth is so creamy and […]
Light and Fluffy Lemon Ricotta Waffles with Poppy Seeds. These lemon ricotta waffles are fluffy and tender with the delicate crunch of poppy seeds. There is no better dessert than tasty waffles drizzled with honey and lemon juice. Get the recipe here. 2. Blood orange crepes Suzette. Retro classic with […]
Yuzu Kosho is a hot and citrusy fermented Japanese condiment made with fresh yuzu citrus zest, green chilli peppers, and salt. After years of exploring Asian food, I didn’t think I would get surprised by anything so much, but I did! A few months ago my friend Neville sent me […]
Are you familiar with hoshigaki, shockingly delicious, melting in your mouth amber coloured air-dried persimmon with a caramel flavour? These labour-intensive Japanese sweets made from peeled persimmon fruits hanged on strings and air-dried during the winter. The fruits are massaged during the drying process, it gives absolutely amazing mellow gelatinous […]
This unforgettable Chinese stir-fry is a feast of tastes and textures. Crunchy exotic mushrooms, meaty bean curd skin, snappy lotus root and rich in umami a garlic black bean sauce. Serve it with aromatic jasmine rice. It was happy to get the last Cuisine magazine issue dedicated to Asian food. […]
A few days ago I did Mari Kondo-ing of my kitchen cupboard. I do tidying up pretty often, just because this is an important part of my work if you do the recipe development your pantry has to be always full of fresh ingredients. Guess what I found there? Rice, […]
Delicious vegan dinner in less than 20 minutes. While you are trying to protect yourself from cold and flu, may I suggest to eat more lemony garlic pasta? A bit of divine green topping will add zing to the dish. I know this is the third lemon recipe I share […]
During the hot days of summer, there’s no better way to cool off than with a refreshing bowl of melon and cucumber gazpacho. The recipe is super easy!Blitz in the blender: 1 small melon (peeled, seeded, chopped), 1/2 of telegraph cucumber (seeded, chopped), 2 tablespoons chopped red onion, a few […]
Enjoy this refreshing summer dessert. Limoncello works beautifully in desserts, creating a bright, summery citrus flavour. Limoncello is a sweet Italian liqueur with fresh lemon, citrus flavour that is well balanced between sweetness and alcohol. Panna cotta, a molded chilled dessert popular throughout Italy, is easy to make and can […]
I’m obsessed with natural food coloring for many years. We lived in Bali these days when I got this inspiration for food coloring. I remember it was a hot lazy day, I’m looked for something refreshing and got stuck near local warung (street food stall) where old lady served tropical […]
Spring is full of inspiration as new flowers bloom and the views become more green. Almost all my lunches and dinners have become green too. Fresh spring herbs and veggies smell fantastic. I really enjoy peppery watercress, flat leaf parsley, aromatic basil, and tender asparagus. This recipe combines two of […]
I have a relaxed weekend with lots of sleep, a healthy smoothie, avo toast and a bit of yoga. Just because we need to pamper yourself sometimes! How do you pamper yourself this weekend? 🍅🥑🍅🥑🍅🥑🍅🥑🍅🥑🍅🥑🍅🥑🍅Tomatoes-confit Avocado Toast Recipe: Preheat the oven up to 150C. Place cherry tomatoes on the baking […]
