French Crepes

A simple and delicious recipe for basic crepes, or thin French pancakes. Recipe with step-by-step photos. French Crepes Recipe My husband hails from the French region of Brittany where crepes (or more correctly spelt, crêpes) are thought to have originated. And so it goes without saying that, in this part of the world, it is completely acceptable to have pancakes at breakfast every morning, or even as a goûter, the French equivalent of afternoon tea.

Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken with Vermicelli Noodle Salad

vietnamese lemongrass chicken noodle bowl

A healthy and delicious Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken with Vermicelli Noodle Salad (Bun Ga Nuong), full of fresh and bold flavours. The chicken is marinated in a classic Vietnamese marinade and served grilled over a bed of vermicelli noodles, salad, fresh herbs and a traditional Vietnamese dipping sauce (nuoc cham). Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken If I could only eat one dish throughout the summer, it would have to be my mother’s Vietnamese Lemongrass Chicken with Vermicelli Noodle

Read More

Beef Wellington with Green Peppercorn Sauce

How to make the perfect Beef Wellington. Beef filet mignon coated in mustard and wrapped in a mushroom duxelles, prosciutto and puff pastry. Served with a delicious Green Peppercorn Sauce. Beef Wellington If you are looking for a show-stopping recipe which will wow your family and friends at your next dinner party, look no further than this Beef Wellington with Green Peppercorn Sauce.

Roast Lamb Racks with Lemon and Garlic

A quick and easy marinade for Roast Lamb Racks with Lemon and Garlic which takes just a few minutes, perfect for busy weeknights and entertaining. The lamb is first cooked on the stove and finished off in the oven for perfectly cooked and tender meat. Roast Rack of Lamb As an Australian, lamb features a lot on our menu at home and I particularly love cooking with lamb racks. You don’t have to

Read More

Vietnamese Chicken Pho (Pho Ga)

An easy Chicken Pho recipe (Pho Ga) with step-by-step photos, just like my mother’s recipe. Make an authentic and delicious Vietnamese Chicken Pho in less than 30 minutes with your Instant Pot or pressure cooker! Instructions for stovetop, Instant Pot and pressure cooker. Pho Noodle Soup A fragrant and soul-soothing Beef Pho Noodle Soup is often what I crave when only a steaming bowl of noodle soup will do. But when time is

Read More

French Madeleines

These classic French madeleines are dainty little sponge cakes baked in a scallop-shaped mould. This madeleine recipe includes tips on how to make the perfect madeleines with step-by-step photos. Classic French Madeleines Something which my children and I associate with our visits to France are homemade madeleines. I have loved eating madeleines since I was a child, and even though I bake them quite regularly at home, my son associates madeleines with his

Read More

Yakisoba (Japanese Stir-Fried Noodles)

A delicious recipe for Yakisoba, or Japanese Stir-Fried Noodles, using pork belly, cabbage and carrots. Make this tasty dish in 30 minutes, perfect for busy weeknights! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Japanese Noodles During my early years as a young professional, my girlfriends and I often met for dinner after work at a cheap and cheerful Japanese restaurant, and this was when I was introduced to Yakisoba. Up until that point, my knowledge of

Read More

Apple Pie Bliss Balls

These Apple Pie Bliss Balls are sugar-free, nut-free and gluten-free! Perfect for school lunch boxes and for snacking. Lunch Box Ideas I have a love-hate relationship with Instagram. I hate it for many reasons which I will not go into here, but, at the same time, I love scrolling through my Instagram feed when I am looking for ideas.

Bircher Muesli – The Original Overnight Oats Recipe

The Swiss Bircher Muesli is the original overnight oats. Make this quick and easy overnight oats recipe for a healthy and delicious breakfast. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Bircher Muesli One of the most popular recipes from Switzerland is bircher muesli, perhaps even more so than fondue or raclette. But if you have never heard of bircher muesli, it is probably because it is better known as overnight oats in the rest of the

Read More

Sticky Pork Bao Buns

Delicious Sticky Pork Bao Buns with Quick Pickled Carrots and Quick Pickled Cucumbers. Perfect as a snack or a tasty meal. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Steamed Buns If you have been following me on my Instagram Stories, you may have noticed that I like to make homemade steamed buns for dinner … quite often!

Swedish Chocolate Cookies (Chokladsnittar)

Irresistible Swedish Chocolate Cookies (Chokladsnittar) decorated with pearl sugar, perfect for Fika. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Visiting Stockholm If you follow me on Instagram, you may have noticed that we were recently in Stockholm. It’s a city which I always enjoy visiting for both the local food scene, as well as to indulge in Scandinavian-designed home decor and kitchenware. You can read my comprehensive guide on where to eat and shop in Stockholm

Read More

Cannelés

Cannelés are golden and crispy cakes with a custardy centre, flavoured with a hint of rum and/or vanilla. Recipe for Cannelés with step-by-step photos, with instructions for using copper cannelé moulds or silicone cannelé moulds. Recipe also for Mini Cannelés. Cannelés If you have ever travelled to France, you may have come across these little specialty cakes called cannelés (also called canelés or cannelés Bordelais). Unlike their more successfully exported cousins, the madeleines

Read More

Zurich-Style Veal with Creamy Mushroom Sauce and Smashed Potatoes

Zurich-Style Veal with Creamy Mushroom Sauce (or Züricher Geschnetzeltes), served with crispy and golden Smashed Potatoes. A classic dish from Zurich which is easy to make at home. Züricher Geschnetzeltes Züricher Geschnetzeltes (or Zürcher Geschnetzeltes) is a popular dish in Switzerland, particularly in and around the Zurich region. Pronouncing the name of the dish in German is a bit of a mouthful, even more so in Swiss German, the latter being Züri Gschnätzlets.

Read More

Strawberry Jam

A foolproof and easy Strawberry Jam recipe with step-by-step photos. Tips on how to make strawberry jam and which sugar to use when making jam. Strawberry Jam Recipe A homemade strawberry jam is hard to beat. When strawberries are at their peak and, hence, cheap to buy, it’s hard not to buy a large tray of them to feast on as a sweet summer dessert.

Potato Pie with Smoked Salmon and Dill

A stunning Potato Pie with Smoked Salmon and Dill. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Potato Pie with Smoked Salmon and Dill Smoked salmon is, admittedly, not an everyday ingredient, but I do love to keep some in the fridge for a quick lunch with some lightly buttered white toast, thinly sliced onions, a scattering of salty capers and a good squeeze of lemon.

Rhubarb & Vanilla Friands

Delicious Rhubarb & Vanilla Friands to make the most of vivid pink forced rhubarb. Friands One of the most popular recipes here on Eat, Little Bird is for Lemon Drizzle Friands, a little cake which is widely popular in Australia and which has surprisingly intrigued so many readers worldwide.

Soft Peanut Butter Cookies

These soft peanut butter cookies are chewy and deliciously addictive and best served with a dollop of raspberry jam! They keep really well and are a hit with kids and adults alike. Peanut Butter Cookies Like most children, I grew up addicted to peanut butter sandwiches. These days, one of my favourite ways of consuming peanut butter is in cookie form. And these peanut butter cookies are simply addictive; they are totally moreish

Read More

Creamy Tarragon Chicken

Make this classic Creamy Tarragon Chicken recipe in 30 minutes for a delicious weeknight meal! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Tarragon Chicken When it comes to cooking traditional French food, most people think of a complex concoction of ingredients in a Le Creuset pot which has been simmering away on the stove for hours and hours à la Julia Childs.

Ham and Cheese Hand Pies

Tasty Ham and Cheese Hand Pies which are a great way of using leftovers. These hand pies are filled with ham, béchamel sauce and vegetables, but you can use any leftover meats and vegetables you like. Cooking with Leftovers My mother is someone who can effortlessly create a delicious three-course meal from a simple fridge raid, with an uncanny ability to never let anything go to waste. Sadly, I did not inherit this

Read More

Swiss Macaroni and Cheese with Applesauce (Älplermagronen)

A creamy Swiss Macaroni and Cheese with Applesauce (or Älplermagronen mit Apfelmus). This is a classic alpine dish from Switzerland and is simply the best macaroni and cheese recipe you will ever try! Swiss Macaroni and Cheese Every winter, my family and I try to make the most of the ski season by spending most of our weekends skiing. And every winter, we always spend a few weeks in the Swiss alps for

Read More

Welsh Cakes

welsh cakes on white plate with spoonful of jam

A delicious and authentic recipe for Welsh Cakes which are gently spiced and filled with raisins for sweetness. These Welsh Cakes are lovely served warm with some butter and jam, or simply with a sprinkle of sugar. Recipe with step-by-step photos. What are Welsh Cakes? The next time you think about making scones, perhaps you might like to try your hand at these Welsh Cakes. Both recipes require more or less the same

Read More

Easy Fluffy Pancakes

Make these Easy Fluffy Pancakes with Blueberry Syrup for the perfect brunch or breakfast. These easy pancakes use everyday pantry ingredients and take 10 minutes to prepare! Recipe with step-by-step photos. Fluffy Pancakes Although my husband is French and crêpes make a common appearance at both breakfast and dinner (savoury crêpes are among my favourite dishes), these American pancakes are what we like to have for brunch on weekends.

Spinach Lasagna

A simple and delicious Spinach Lasagna using a homemade béchamel sauce and marinara sauce. This vegetarian lasagna will be a hit even with the meatlovers! Spinach Lasagna I love a good lasagna and it’s a satisfying dish to make when you have time to potter about in the kitchen. With spring having finally arrived in Zurich and warmer weather slowly creeping into the forecast, I wanted to make a baked pasta dish, but

Read More

5 Ingredient Granola Bars

5 ingredient granola bars

These No-Bake 5 Ingredient Granola Bars are soft and chewy, and just the thing to make for a snack on the go. Perfect for lunch boxes. Snack Ideas for Kids When it comes to snack time for the children, I frequently reach for easy options like cut up fruit, yoghurt, or maybe rice crackers spread with butter and Vegemite. If we have friends visiting during morning or afternoon tea, I love to make

Read More

Cinnamon Donut Balls

Nothing beats hot and fresh cinnamon donuts, and this is an easy donut recipe using yeast to produce light and fluffy donuts rolled in cinnamon sugar. Hot Cinnamon Donut Balls I love, love donuts. I particularly love them hot, fresh from the vat and sprinkled with lots of sugar and ground cinnamon. Give me a donut and a cup of coffee for breakfast and I’m a happy camper.

Cherry Tomato Relish

A simple and delicious tomato relish recipe, perfect for keeping in the fridge or to give as gifts. Recipe with step-by-step photos. Tomato Relish If you are looking for a delicious accompaniment to serve at a barbecue, whether alongside some grilled meats or sausages, or perhaps to dollop on a Classic Meat Pie, this tomato relish is for you.

Plain Scones

An easy scone recipe with step-by-step photos. These plain scones are light and fluffy, and go perfectly with jam and cream for a gorgeous afternoon tea. Plain Scone Recipe When I was in London a few years ago, I was reminded of my fond affection for Devonshire Tea, which is essentially a plain scone served with jam and cream. As scones are not widely available in Zurich, I made it my mission to eat as

Read More

Cream of Tomato Soup with Roasted Chickpeas

A quick and easy Cream of Tomato Soup with Roasted Chickpeas – the perfect meal using pantry ingredients. Homemade Tomato Soup As a busy mother of two, I always try to make sure that my fridge and pantry are well-stocked with regular favourites so that I can make certain recipes at a moment’s notice. A homemade tomato soup is one such recipe.

Spinach and Feta Pies

mini spinach feta pies

These Spinach and Feta Pies contain just a few ingredients but have maximum flavour. Make them as small or as big as you like, perfect for snacks or light meals. Spinach and Feta Pies When it comes to entertaining, it’s always good to have a few vegetarian options, and these Spinach and Feta Pies (also known as Spanakopita) are one of my stand-by options. As an Australian, I also have a fond affection for

Read More

Cottage Pie

This Cottage Pie recipe has a rich meaty beef sauce as the base, topped with creamy mashed potatoes and baked until deliciously golden. An easy Cottage Pie recipe – make a double batch of the sauce to serve with pasta! Difference between Cottage Pie and Shepherd’s Pie One of my winter favourites is this traditional Cottage Pie which I have, confusingly, wrongly called a Shepherd’s Pie for most of my life. It appears that

Read More

Cinnamon Cake

An easy recipe for cinnamon cake with step-by-step photos that is fast and simple to make, and perfect for breakfast or dessert. Cinnamon Cake I love a simple cinnamon cake at afternoon tea but, the truth is, I love it even more at breakfast. The combination of vanilla cake topped with a generous sprinkling of sugar and cinnamon reminds me of eating a donut, especially when the cake is still warm from the

Read More

Easy Raspberry Scones

Quick and easy Raspberry Scones with Almonds which are baked in one large cake and sliced up to share. Recipe using fresh or frozen raspberries. Easy Raspberry Scones I wasn’t planning on making raspberry scones today, but with the dreary weather we have been having in Zurich lately (why is it often sunny during the working week but not on the weekends??), I needed to find a way to entertain the children once

Read More

Chinese Hot and Sour Soup

This Hot and Sour Soup is a Chinese restaurant classic which takes only 30 minutes! Chinese New Year As a child, my mother went to great lengths each year to prepare a Chinese New Year feast which could feed our entire neighbourhood. The menu always featured a sticky rice cake filled with mung beans and pork, a Chinese Turnip Cake, endless platters of spring rolls (egg rolls), roast pork with gorgeously seasoned crackling – all served with fresh

Read More

Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks with Red Wine Sauce

slow cooked lamb shanks red wine

Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks with Red Wine Sauce, served with a fresh gremolata. The lamb shanks are deliciously tender and the rich, full-flavoured sauce is perfect for serving with mashed potatoes, polenta or pasta. Slow Cooked Lamb Shanks It’s no secret that I love slow-cooking. With two young children to entertain, I find it easiest to do the sort of cooking that requires a leave-it-and-forget-it approach. But I hardly need the children as an

Read More

Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken

easy sweet sour chicken

Get dinner on the table in 30 minutes with this Easy Sweet and Sour Chicken. A fresh and healthy version with less calories, but tastes amazing with a homemade sweet and sour sauce. No need for Chinese takeaway anymore! Sweet and Sour Chicken Recently, my son’s kindergarten teacher asked me if I cooked sweet and sour chicken at home. At first blush, I thought she was asking me (you know, the only Asian mother

Read More

Bun Cha – Vietnamese Meatballs with Vietnamese Noodle Salad

A tasty recipe for Bun Cha – grilled Vietnamese meatballs served with a Vietnamese noodle salad with fresh herbs and citrus dipping sauce (nuoc cham). A healthy and delicious dish, perfect for lunch or dinner. Bun Cha My latest contribution to Discovery, the in-flight magazine for Cathay Pacific, is currently out now on all Cathay Pacific and Cathay Dragon flights. This month’s foodie feature is the classic Vietnamese dish called Bun Cha, consisting

Read More

Chinese Barbecue Pork (Char Siu Pork)

A delicious and simple recipe with step-by-step photos for Chinese Barbecue Pork (Char Siu Pork) which you can make at home with everyday pantry ingredients in just 10 minutes! Char Siu Pork One thing I miss about living in Australia is being able to visit the local Chinatown, whether it be for a traditional Dim Sum breakfast, a browse through the colourful aisles of the Vietnamese grocer, or a visit to the Chinese bakery for their

Read More

Spaghetti Bolognese

A traditional Spaghetti Bolognese recipe which is rich, meaty and full of flavour. This traditional bolognese sauce requires slow cooking to develop the rich and meaty flavours, and uses fresh and good quality ingredients for an authentic taste.  Spaghetti Bolognese Recipe Growing up, my mother never really cooked Italian food. I think our closest encounter with Italian cuisine was Pizza Hut, and I loved it! When she did attempt any Italian food, it

Read More

Pad See Ew (Thai Stir-Fried Noodles)

Quick and easy Pad See Ew (Thai Stir-Fried Noodles) using fresh rice noodles or dried noodles, beef and vegetables. Have dinner on the table in less than 30 minutes! Asian Noodles There are a few popular Asian grocery stores in Zurich which cater to the very small Asian population living here. But they are so popular that they often sell out of their fresh produce on the same day that they receive their

Read More

Raspberry Friands

Delicious Raspberry Friands with step-by-step photos, including notes for making Mini Raspberry Friands. Friand Recipe If you are someone who, like me, makes a lot of custard, pastry or shortbread, you might find yourself with a lot of leftover egg whites. I follow Nigella Lawson’s tip to freeze egg whites in small zip-lock freezer bags – usually in pairs – which means that I always have egg whites on hand to make pavlovas,

Read More

Coconut Chicken Noodle Stir Fry

Serve dinner in less than 30 minutes with this incredibly tasty and easy Coconut Chicken Noodle Stir Fry using basic Asian ingredients which you can find at your local supermarket. Coconut Chicken Noodle Stir Fry This is one of my go-to recipes for when I need to get dinner on the table quickly. Any by quick, we’re talking less than 30 minutes!

Chouquettes (French Cream Puffs)

Recipe with step-by-step photos for Chouquettes, which are French cream puffs (or pastry puffs) sprinkled with pearl sugar or chocolate chips. They are a delicious bite-sized snack made from choux pastry. Chouquettes Something which I love to bake throughout the year are these little French cream puffs called chouquettes.

Steak with Peppercorn Sauce (Steak au Poivre)

A delicious Steak with Peppercorn Sauce (Steak au Poivre) which can be made in 30 minutes! Use beef fillet or filet mignon for a delicious treat with this easy and creamy peppercorn sauce. Steak with Peppercorn Sauce (Steak au Poivre) A nice piece of steak is hard to turn down, especially when it is served with a creamy peppercorn sauce. Served simply with some steamed greens or even just a green salad, Steak

Read More

Grilled Thai Chicken

This Grilled Thai Chicken is bursting with flavour with lots of lemongrass, coriander (cilantro), ginger and chillies in the marinade. You can roast, grill or barbecue the chicken for crispy and golden skin. Great to make on a weeknight or for entertaining. I love marinated and grilled chicken and am always on the lookout for new recipes, though I think my mum makes the best version which I have tried endlessly to recreate

Read More

How to Cook Artichokes

How to cook artichokes – instructions for boiling, Instant Pot, pressure cooker, grilling and frying. Don’t be intimidated by artichokes any longer! Plus recipes for a delicious aioli and vinaigrette to go alongside. I adore artichokes. As a child, my mother would boil a whole artichoke for my dinner on those nights when she was preoccupied with other things or, more likely, fed up with cooking and needed to give me a no-fuss

Read More

Chocolate Coconut Bars

These Chocolate Coconut Bars are a classic recipe from the Australian Women’s Weekly. No fancy ingredients (just good quality cocoa). Perfect for school bake sales or to bring to work for morning tea. Recipe with step-by-step photos. With Australia Day approaching, my thoughts have been turning to traditional Aussie cakes and pastries, and these Chocolate Coconut Bars are hard to go past. Perhaps these slices are not what one would think of eating on Australia

Read More

Lamingtons

lamingtons on wire rack

A delicious recipe for Lamingtons using real chocolate, perfect to serve on Australia Day or for a school bake sale. Lamingtons Lamingtons have an iconic status in Australia and, although they are traditionally made on Australia Day, they are also enjoyed throughout the year. Lamingtons are quite popular at bake sales, and anyone growing up in Australia will know of the lamington drives, a fundraising event (usually in schools) where lamingtons would be sold by

Read More

Jam-Filled Pikelets

jam-filled pikelets

Tasty jam-filled pikelets which are perfect for lunch boxes. Swiss Eating Habits My son started kindergarten last summer and, like in many Swiss schools, it is customary for the children to sit down to a hot lunch each day at a shared table. This practice starts as early as daycare where the children are taught to remain seated at the table, to develop social skills when eating, to clear their plates and put

Read More

Jamie Oliver’s Get Ahead Gravy

jamie oliver get ahead gravy

Jamie Oliver’s Get Ahead Gravy is the perfect accompaniment to any roast. Make it ahead of time for maximum flavour with minimum stress! Christmas Gravy When it comes to roast dinners, I think the gravy can make or break the meal. And as someone who needs lashings and lashings of hot gravy with her roast potatoes, I take no chances in this department and always try to make my gravy ahead of time.