Candyflosslife

Candyflosslife

Down to earth food for flexitarians

Loaded Salads

Runner Bean Salad

Runner Bean Salad

A fresh runner bean salad with gremolata dressing and toasted flaked almonds. Simple, seasonal, and ready in under 20 minutes.

Grilled Halloumi Watermelon Salad with Sourdough Croutons

Grilled Halloumi Watermelon Salad with Sourdough Croutons

This watermelon halloumi salad is cold, salty, crisp, and a little bit panzanella-inspired – because stale sourdough deserves a better outcome than the bin. Warm grilled halloumi, chilled watermelon, toasted bread that soaks up the balsamic dressing, and fresh mint on top. Question is lunch or a light summer dinner?

Asparagus Pasta Salad with Avocado Lime Dressing

Asparagus Pasta Salad with Avocado Lime Dressing

This asparagus pasta salad with avocado lime dressing is a fresh, filling lunch made with wholewheat penne, crispy tofu, grilled asparagus, pickled red onions, herbs, and pumpkin seeds.

Swiss Chard and Potatoes with Miso Tahini Dressing

Swiss Chard and Potatoes with Miso Tahini Dressing

When you think of comfort food, potatoes and greens might not be the first duo that comes to mind – but in this Swiss chard and potatoes recipe with the creamiest dressing, they absolutely shine. It brings together crispy smashed potatoes, garlicky sautéed Swiss chard with lemon and sumac.

Roasted Pepper Pasta Salad

Roasted Pepper Pasta Salad

Roasted Pepper Pasta Salad is one of my favorite ways to turn grilled peppers into something hearty and satisfying. They take on that deep, smoky sweetness that works beautifully in this pasta salad.


Flexitarian Recipes

Buttermilk Crepes (Thicker, Tangier, Way More Fillable)

Buttermilk Crepes (Thicker, Tangier, Way More Fillable)

These buttermilk crepes are thicker than classic crepes, slightly tangy, and easy to flip. Perfect for sweet toppings or savory fillings.

Tomato Soup in Soup Maker

Tomato Soup in Soup Maker

This Tomato Soup in Soup Maker is my go-to when tomatoes peak: I roast vine tomatoes, onion, and a whole garlic bulb until jammy, then let the soup maker blitz with miso paste for a velvety, umami-rich bowl.

Brown Sourdough

Brown Sourdough

I’ve baked sourdough every week for ~4 years, and this brown sourdough is the one I trust when life gets busy. It’s nutty from wholemeal flour, but with a soft crumb even though it packs in that extra fiber.

Fermented radishes

Fermented radishes

Fermented radishes bring the sass to your plate. This is a beginner-friendly lacto-fermentation recipe that turns humble radishes into tangy, crunchy, and yummy gems good for your gut. You can make a small batch in minutes and enjoy it for weeks!

Corn chowder gluten free

Corn chowder gluten free

This creamy corn chowder is gluten free and perfect for cozy fall nights. Made with fresh corn, it’s a healthier twist on a classic recipe. Trust me, you, like me, will be craving this chowder every time you see corn on the cob! What you’ll 

Mediterranean Stir Fry

Mediterranean Stir Fry

Soft, crunchy veggies and juicy, garlicky and smoky chicken morsels make this Mediterranean stir fry your new go-to dinner under 30 minutes. I love me a stir fry, but a stir fry packed with all my favorite Mediterranean flavors and that doesn’t require a wok? 

Chickpea Halloumi Salad

Chickpea Halloumi Salad

Is the word “salad” synonymous with “flavorless boring meal when I’m on a diet”? Well, you have stumbled upon a delicious and nutritious salad, because this Chickpea Halloumi Salad is packed with flavor and protein. You get smoky crispy chickpeas, salty halloumi, and a creamy 

Apricot Galette

Apricot Galette

I cannot get enough of the perfect balance of sweet and tart with this easy-to-make apricot galette. I want ripe, juicy apricots that are wrapped in a buttery, flaky crust, making it such a delicious summer treat. Apricots are one of my favorite summer fruits, 

Chicken and Halloumi Skewers

Chicken and Halloumi Skewers

Looking for easy, flavorful skewers perfect for grilling? These chicken and halloumi skewers with a Greek style marinade are colorful, juicy and full of texture! Trust me: you will make them all summer long on repeat! What you’ll love about this recipe Greek flavors are 

Turkish stuffed peppers

Turkish stuffed peppers

These Turkish Stuffed Peppers are filled with fluffy rice & juicy meaty herb stuffing, then baked in a tangy tomato sauce. Bursting with flavor and even better the next day! My mum used to make stuffed peppers in the summer, when freshly ripe bell peppers 

Wagyu beef meatballs

Wagyu beef meatballs

Get ready to amazeballs your taste buds and anyone lucky enough to join you for dinner with these Wagyu Beef Meatballs. Happy rolling!

Apple crumble tarts

Apple crumble tarts

Picture this: a golden-brown crust, oozing with spiced apple goodness, crowned with a generous sprinkle of buttery crumble.

Grilled Harissa chicken kebabs- a fiery experience

Grilled Harissa chicken kebabs- a fiery experience

These grilled chicken Harissa kebabs require a small amount of work to make them sophisticated enough for a celebratory meal. Harissa, the fiery North African spice blend brings together smoky, robust, and aromatic notes, combining earthy cumin, tangy lemon zest, fiery chili peppers, and a 

French Strawberry Cake ( no sour cream)

French Strawberry Cake ( no sour cream)

This French strawberry cake spells the start of the English summer for me. No other strawberries will do, as I wait patiently until English strawberries make their presence in the shops and farms. As a child of the 70’s, I have been brought up with 

Romanian Meatball Soup (ciorba de perisoare)

Romanian Meatball Soup (ciorba de perisoare)

Romanian meatball soup is a slightly sour affair, traditionally soured with “bors” (a fermented wheat-bran liquid), but lemon juice will work nicely for the home cooks.

Barley Stuffed Peppers

Barley Stuffed Peppers

Barley’s been in my regular rotation for a while now, and these stuffed peppers are where a lot of that barley ends up. A weeknight dish that’s tidy, a bit elegant to plate up, but with real substance packed into a neat parcel.

Creamy Zucchini Feta Pasta (Whipped Feta Sauce)

Creamy Zucchini Feta Pasta (Whipped Feta Sauce)

A big bowl of fusilli with golden zucchini and sweet peas in a creamy herby whipped feta sauce. A proper summer dinner in about half an hour.

Runner Bean Salad

Runner Bean Salad

A fresh runner bean salad with gremolata dressing and toasted flaked almonds. Simple, seasonal, and ready in under 20 minutes.

Grilled Halloumi Watermelon Salad with Sourdough Croutons

Grilled Halloumi Watermelon Salad with Sourdough Croutons

This watermelon halloumi salad is cold, salty, crisp, and a little bit panzanella-inspired – because stale sourdough deserves a better outcome than the bin. Warm grilled halloumi, chilled watermelon, toasted bread that soaks up the balsamic dressing, and fresh mint on top. Question is lunch or a light summer dinner?

Avocado Pineapple Salsa

Avocado Pineapple Salsa

This avocado pineapple salsa started life as the topping for my al pastor pork tacos, and it was so good I couldn’t keep it locked inside one recipe. Juicy pineapple, soft avocado, sharp lime, shallot, herbs, and a little heat if you want it. It 

Fluffiest Sourdough Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Fluffiest Sourdough Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

These sourdough lemon ricotta pancakes have become the thing I make on slow weekend mornings. The ricotta keeps them tender and almost custardy in the middle. Pile some blueberries on and you get the softest, most pillowy blueberry lemon ricotta pancakes you’ve ever dreamt of.

Easy Black Bean Fajitas

Easy Black Bean Fajitas

These black bean fajitas are smoky, colorful, and easy to make in one skillet with peppers, onions, canned black beans, and warm spices. Serve them in tortillas with sour cream, salsa, or pickled jalapeños for a plant-forward dinner with plenty of texture.

Pan di Spagna Cocoa Loaf Cake

Pan di Spagna Cocoa Loaf Cake

This light and airy Pan di Spagna comes from my mum’s recipe repertoire and is one of the few cakes I can make by heart. Made without butter, the sponge keeps soft and moist, with a gentle cocoa swirl through the middle and toasted pecans on top.

Shrimp Marinara With Cherry Tomatoes

Shrimp Marinara With Cherry Tomatoes

What do you crave when you only have to cook for yourself? For me – shrimp marinara – clean flavors, deeply satisfying, no negotiating dinner options, no extra sides, oh well maybe a slab of foccacia bread to mop that glossy sauce. Juicy prawn morsels, 

Piadina Pizza Napoli-Style With Quick Marinara

Piadina Pizza Napoli-Style With Quick Marinara

This piadina pizza bakes fast, even with a homemade Marinara sauce. No apologies for eating slices folded straight from the tray.