How to eat artichokes

  Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

 Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

There was this boat in Paris. Where every moment felt magical.

I didn't expect anything from this trip, but those trips are the best.

Jordan and Emilija, Alex and Paul. We were a strange combination. And our many guests.

One night, Paul taught us how to eat whole artichokes.

This is the recipe, a bit different maybe.

Enjoy! eat with your fingers :)

love, Irena

Carrot + Orange soup

 Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

Click HERE to download the printable A4 size PDF version (one page). 

Perfect for summer! :)

I tried it for the first time on a sunny day in the cafe of the Wellcome Collection ;)

love,

Irena

walnut cookies

 Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

Click HERE to download the printable A4 size PDF version (one page). 

These are my mum's favourite cookies!

Please be careful about baking them - as soon as they get light brown - they are done!

(maybe it will be less than 30 minutes)

Sorry about not posting, I got very busy...

:)

love,

Irena

Chicken rice + soup

Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

Click HERE to download the printable A4 size PDF version (one page). 

Hello :)

I am posting this recipe a little early, because I just made this dish tonight, for dinner!

Oh, I forgot to take a photo, I was too hungry.

This dish is amazing because you use the chicken to make the soup, and use the same chicken to make fried rice. Fried rice + soup is a popular combination in Japanese restaurants.

If you like eggs, you can make a scrambled egg, or make a thin egg pancake - and cut it in strings, and decorate the rice.

I am adding vodka because SAKE is expensive in London, but using Japanese sake or shochu will make this dish even better. My mum taught me that vodka is the best substitute for sake in cooking. If you don't have vodka, use white wine.

ENJOY :)

Love,

Irena

Aubergine pasta

 Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

Click HERE to download the printable A4 size PDF version (one page). 

I wanted to eat aubergine the other day, and created this recipe for the best pasta sauce ever :)

Tip: do not rush - cook the aubergine veeeery slowly with lots of love!

love,

Irena

My mum's (fried) dumplings

Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

I am late with my post today, I was watching Alice in Wonderland :)

Most people didn't like it, but I enjoyed it.

I love that story. I feel like Alice sometimes.

I am in a very good mood these days. Will tell you about it soon ;)

Good night!

p.s. PDF tomorrow, I promise!

Chicken in LOVE ♥

Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

Hi! :)

It was Valentine's Day, and I never actually celebrated it,

especially in Japan, where girls have to give chocolate to boys.

But for this Valentine's Day, I stayed home, and cooked three types of fish, with 2 bottles of white wine, and 1 special person!

It was better than going to a restaurant.

I posted this recipe because it is called Chicken in LOVE,

and I called it this way, because yogurt makes the chicken so soft, she almost looks like a girl in love.

Tips: Just take the chicken from the yogurt dip, without washing it with water, yogurt will cover the chicken nicely.

You can also use this chicken for pasta ;) just add aubergines and more garlic, and some mushrooms if you like!

Click HERE to download the printable A4 size PDF version (one page). 

Sardine pasta

Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

Hello again!

Today I present my favourite quick dish! It is sooo delicious, it makes me happy - but at the same time, it maybe the cheapest pasta ever :)

The lemon makes the pasta so interesting! It does not become too sour, because lemon cooks slowly and release this amazing aroma.

You can leave out the chilli if you don't like spicy, I personally add even more pickled chillies on top!

Click HERE to download the printable A4 size PDF version (one page). 

Pumpkin soup

Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

Click on the image to see the original size (1028x768).

Click HERE to download the printable A4 size PDF version (one page). 

 When you make this dish, please do not skip the step of putting the pumpkin in the oven, and just cook it in water. It makes the soup much, much tastier, and makes another  layer in the layers of taste. Amount of water depends on how big the pumpkin is, it should almost cover all the pumpkin cubes. If you want to make a thicker cream, use less water. You will have this paste that is creamy enough to use it as a spread.

enjoy!

Irena

p.s. My friend Kasia made the soup and sent me a photo! Look at her cooking page (in Japanese)

First day of my blog!

Hi there!


My name is Irena and I love to cook.
I decided to share some of my recipes, and some recipes from my mother with everyone I know.


All the recipes are illustrated, and published every Wednesday (hope I keep this up!).
If you click on the image, you will see it in original size 1028x768px,
which perfectly fits on an iPod, so you can save images and flip through them in the kitchen!


If you like to look at, or collect recipes on paper, there is a link to a PDF which you can print out in A4 size, so you have two recipes on one page. :)


I never measure precisely when I think of a recipe - usually use what I have in the fridge,
and be creative. That's the way cooking should be done. Creative, fun, and made with love.


If you see something in the list of ingredients you don't like - don't skip the recipe, have fun. Replace it with something you love. Maybe you will come up with something even better!
If you like garlic, add some more, if you don't like salty, skip the salt and add it later.


Be free to whatever you want. These recipes are here just to inspire you :)


Have fun, and enjoy your meal!

love,

Irena