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 […]
Have you tried ajvar yet? It’s a widely available in many NZ supermarkets. Ajvar (pronounced “EYE-var) is a treasure of the Balkans, particularly the cuisines of Bosnia, Serbia, North Macedonia, and Romania. Ajvar is a versatile roasted red capsicum sauce or spread, sometimes made with eggplant adding. Ajvar has a […]
A simple and absolutely delicious dish! I like to make this dish for special occasions, it’s a festive looking, tastes divine and so easy to do. I’ve even prepared it for father’s day this year, my husband likes light and healthy meals and he really enjoyed this dish.Stracciatella cheese. If […]
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 […]
I totally forgot to mention in my previous pasta recipes posts that pasta is the best served with a leafy salad. If pasta is fuel for you, salad is oil for your engine. Your Ferrari won’t drive without oil! This is one of the favorite salads in our family. Bitter […]
It’s time to share the three my fave pasta recipes that I never shared before: Orecchiette with Broccoli and Sausages. Butternut Squash, Caramelised Onion and Sage Gnocchi Sardi. Bucatini with Anchovy, Parsley and Sourdough Bread Crispy Crumbs They are little bit unusual and may differ from the pasta dishes from […]
Love avocado toast? Take your avocado toast to the next level. Be sure your bread slices are chunky enough to hold all the delicious toppings. Creamy mashed avocado, sweet green peas, fresh herbaceous Mamia’s green chilli sauce topped with a perfectly poached egg. Delicious!
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 […]
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 […]
One of my latest projects I’ve made for my clients from Canada. Absolutely amazing experience .Recipe, food photography and food styling https://www.lenoregush.com Tender eggplant slices are layered with mozzarella, Parmesan, basil, and tomato sauce, and baked until bubbly. 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 […]
Rehydrated freeze-dried tofu simmered in a sweet and rich in umami dashi stock. This dish is a feast of Japanese flavours and textures. Continuing my research on Japanese cuisine. Everyone knows sushi and ramen. But besides this, there are a huge number of less popular but absolutely delicious dishes in […]
A nice twist on boring old rice. Try this healthy and delicious recipe inspired the Mexican dish ‘arroz verde’. Serve it as a side dish for family dinner. Or enjoy as a soothing meal after a big party. Living Goodness freeze-dried Heart Beet Kraut is extremely rich in probiotics to […]
This colourful thick and creamy vegetable soup served with crispy BBQ corn nibbles will become your new favourite soup! It’s the perfect blend of light and easy when you want a quick, hearty meal.
Kitchari is a one-pot dish made from white basmati rice, yellow split mung beans, ghee butter, vegetables and digestive spices that are traditionally used in Ayurveda to balance the digestion and gently detoxify, whilst nourishing all the tissues of your body. Kitchari is also known as an incredibly healing Ayurvedic […]
Blue cheese and pear crostini is an easy appetizer ready in 20 minutes. The pear slice and a dollop of peppery kawa kawa jelly are the perfect complement for the blue cheese and toasted baguette slice. This simple crostini appetizer is amazingly delicious when paired with Riesling wine.
