Crazy Cucumber Blog
Winter weather can be nasty in Auckland but proper food always makes it better. Some dishes like this chicken, ginger and mushroom congee porridge will make you feel good even in stormy weather. Congee is a classic Chinese breakfast dish. It is also a staple in many other countries, including […]
Healthy weekday dinner with a Japanese twist. This delicious salmon is marinated in a magical koji salt (Shio Koji) and lemon zest, then roasted and charred to perfection. The koji marinade tenderizes the fish and makes its taste richer. The creamy broccoli gratin with a cheesy crispy crust is a […]
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 […]
Put your burger to the next level. Make it juicy, light but gourmet. Such a great spring low carb meal. Sun-dried tomatoes, olives and capers add extra flavour and nutrition. The zingy green sauce Salsa verde will bring all the ingredients together and turn it to a delicious dish. To […]
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 […]
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, […]
Quick and easy meal that can be done in minutes. Cavolo Nero season is in full swing now. Cavolo Nero is a rich in fibre and good for health because it packed with nutrition in every bite. My neighbour Greg grows organic produce in his urban garden. I really impressed […]
Continuing my previous pasta posts. Three my fave pasta recipes that I never shared before: Butternut Squash, Caramelised Onion and Sage Gnocchi Sardi. and Orecchiette with Broccoli and Sausages. Recipe Number 3: Bucatini with anchovy, parsley and sourdough bread crispy crumbs For those who know that sourdough bread, anchovy, butter […]
Continuing my previous posts with unique pasta recipes: Butternut Squash, Caramelised Onion and Sage Gnocchi Sardi. Bucatini with Anchovy, Parsley and Sourdough Bread Crispy Crumbs Another quick and easy pasta dish made from easy to find ingredients. For the best results I would recommend to invest in good quality finishing […]
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!
Have you ever tried chicken sausages? I noticed that there are a lot of new brands of chicken sausages on market. We live in a very interesting time, when our food shops look like huge temples where you can be lost easily. This is great that we have a choice […]
A comforting winter lamb curry which bursts into flavours of rich warming spices. The key to making a great curry are the freshest whole spices, as fresh as you can find. Layering is another secret of good curry, adding the spices a few times during the cooking you will get […]
Ponzu sauce is a soy sauce based Japanese dipping sauce made with adding of yuzu juice, a famous Japanese citrus that smells divine. Serve Ponzu as dipping sauce for gyoza dumplings, or sashimi. Use it as dressing for beef tataki or seared tuna or salad. When you will try this […]
This easy black pepper beef stir fry is incredibly flavourful and easy! Chinese beef in black pepper sauce is a real guilty pleasure and takes less time than to pick up your order from the nearest takeaway shop. Beef stir-fried in black pepper sauce is a typical Cantonese cuisine. Beautifully […]
One time, our friend from Japan invited me and my family to his house and whipped up some Osaka-style okonomiyaki which is iconic Japanese street food. Okonomiyaki is a melting in your mouth savoury pancake, or giant vegetable bacon fritter, which is crispy outside and tender inside, and packed with […]
Soup is my favorite winter dish. It’s warming and nutritious, and really helps me to stay in comfort during chilly winter without the nasty weight gain. I learned this secret from my grandma and my mom. All our family are collecting soup recipes. This recipe is inspired by classic Portuguese […]
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 […]
Thick and silky smooth udon noodles and beef mince, stir fried in kimchi butter sauce, topped with runny yolk saucy egg and spring onion.This dish is full of umami flavour and it only takes 15 minutes to make from start to finish!
