Crazy Cucumber Blog
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 […]
A refreshing light cake made with aromatic lemon zest and olive oil with a light touch of lavender and floral honey. Did you know you can use lavender in your cooking? I really like how the flavour of lavender plays with lemon, vanilla and honey. Aromatic and floral, lavender is […]
Serve it as a dip on a cheese platter. Or as a killer dessert for breakfast, rich in protein and vitamin C. It’s great on bagels, toast, or crackers as well. Thanks to De Winkel I’ve been able to get involved in September’s fantastic Bee Aware Month NZ! I’m so honoured […]
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, […]
This 2-ingredient flatbread is simple to make, quick to cook and tastes delicious served straight from the pan with your favourite soup, stew, kebab or shakshuka. Brush the flatbreads all over with garlic butter and you will get garlic naan-style flatbread, the perfect side for any Indian or Middle Eastern […]
Happy to share with you, guys, my three favourite open-faced sandwich recipes. Take your sandwich to the next level.
Mind-blowing summer dessert that take less than 10 minutes. Don’t miss a chance to indulge your family with this delicious classic dessert. Cut the strawberries, drizzle with honey/syrup or sprinkle with a little powdered sugar. Drizzle with some good quality balsamic vinegar ( real Modena balsamic is so good?) and marinate […]
Gather your family and enjoy the festive fun. This delicious Christmas dinner will make your stomach and your heart happy. The delicate flavour of cod is wonderfully paired with lemon bulgur, velvety warm butter sauce, and fennel salad. I never published so complicated recipes before, where several dishes are paired […]
As any chef will tell you, nothing beats seasonal local fresh produce. Spring/summer is the best time to visit your nearest farmers’ market. Crunchy baby cucumbers, peppery and juicy radishes, sweet snow peas. What is a better way to celebrate summer’s harvest than with this epic display? Labneh cheese, olives, […]
Discover a whole new world of amazing flavours with this recipe inspired by Africa. Sweet and creamy vegetables roasted with Berbere spice mix, served with yoghurt, mint, and Dukkah. The delicious warm salad that could be lunch or even light dinner.
Spring is in the air, herbs in my little garden already wake up after winter. Mint, parsley, borage and nasturtium flowers, aromatic and full of vitamins. Can’t wait to see asparagus and broad beans on a farmers markets. My dinners transformed into lighter meals with seasonal vegetables, greens, and herbs. This dish […]
Another one chocolate cake recipe from my collection. This chocolate cake is made with oil and not butter so it is super moist and rich. Deep, dark, chocolate cake infused with cocoa and cherry liqueur, covered with sensational avocado chocolate frosting. You will be surprised how delicious avocado paired with chocolate in […]
Sweet and earthy beets team up with crunchy toasted walnuts and creamy goat cheese to make a perfect salad for a lunch or side dish. After several months of roasted veggies, stews and soup I’m more than ready to say goodbye to winter food. And to say hello to spring […]
Want something very rich and chocolatey? This chocolate cake is a flavour explosion in your mouth. Bittersweet chocolate, spicy pear, and smooth date caramel. Delicious! This dairy-free and flourless cake made with olive oil and the almond meal will surely impress your foodie friends. I like to use vegetable oil […]
Mexican food is famous for a reason. Try this healthy and delicious nachos recipe that’s loaded with mince, cheese, and refreshing vegetables, and comes together in half hour or less! We eat this all the time – its simply the best! Best served with a bottle of Mexican beer. I […]
If you’re looking to cook something delicious at weekend, why not make French recipe to celebrate Bastille Day? Let’s celebrate with this glorious savory sweet toffee-topped French treat, best served with a glass of crispy-white. You could make this quick and easy tart using the apples, pears or plums. But […]
So many times I’ve tasted the dishes with truffle oil and tried to understand what is the mysterious smell of a truffle. And no, all these truffles infused things can only offer you a hint of what to expect. The best way to imagine what a black truffle tastes like […]
Stay warm with this smoky vegetable warm salad. Grilled zucchini, sweet carrot and crispy broccoli, charred outside and firm inside is perfectly paired with fresh basil pesto and toasted cashews. The delicious and nutritious salad can be served any season. Most likely, you already know how much I like Pesto […]
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so make it special. Looking for inspiration? Try this delicious, quick and simple breakfast sandwich with creamy ricotta cheese, caramelized banana, and honey on a toasted English muffin!
Just look at these absolutely delicious New Zealand root vegetables (and butternut squash?) that I prepared for Sunday roast. Sweet kumara, crispy swede, lemony oca (NZ yams), nutty parsnip, baby carrots, peppery kohlrabi and creamy butternut squash. I like to combine all these wonderful vegetables for perfect winter roast. Different […]
