Hi, I'm Helen. I share easy, nutritious, seasonal, flexitarian recipes, often with a British-Jewish twist. Expect a weekly dose of delicious dinner ideas, news and positivity!
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How to eat like you're on holiday!
Published about 2 months ago • 3 min read
Hello again my friend!
Holiday season is very nearly upon us, and I'm here to remind you that you don’t need travel plans to start eating like you’re on holiday. Below I've set out my top tips for holiday dining at home, but first...
Shabbat recipe of the week - avocado, orange & watercress salad with olives
This is absolutely one of my all-time favourite salads. It was one of my Mum's recipes, and it never fails to delight. The citrussy fruit is the perfect foil to the creamy avocado, and the salty olives and peppery leaves make each mouthful even more delicious. It's fresh, summery, and packed with gorgeous flavours and textures. A wonderful addition to your Shabbat lunch menu.
The real magic of holiday food isn’t some fancy ingredient from a tiny local market or foreign corner shop, it’s the feeling of relaxation as you eat it. Fresh, ripe tomatoes and herbs that taste of sunshine, long lazy lunches with a glass of something cold and crisp... Holiday meals are often super simple but still feel special. So how to capture that essence without leaving home?
The easiest place to start is to create your meals around foods that instantly feel like summer - ripe vegetables, olive oil, juicy lemons, handfuls of fresh herbs, sweet fruits, soft and salty cheeses... Basically anything you can throw onto a platter and call dinner. Aim to create a mood where everything tastes better because you’re eating outside, wearing sandals, and not worrying about what you have to do when the plates are cleared.
Think a 'picky tea' but upgraded. Great holiday meals can come together from just a few excellent things assembled with confidence. Think of crisp salad, warm bread, fragrant olives, posh tinned fish - done! Bonus points if you serve everything on one big dish and let everyone help themselves. Minimal washing up = distinct holiday vibes!
Below are some recipes that are easy to make, load onto a plate, and serve with a few readymade bits you grabbed from the fridge. Bread and humous is already basically a meal, so add a vibrant salad and you're all set! Think low effort, high reward, and you're heading in the right direction.
Have a great holiday season, wherever you are! Bon appetit!
Delicious holiday-at-home recipes
All these recipes are ready in 30 minutes or less, and lend themselves to relaxed dining. Add some great bread and oil, ripe fruit for dessert, and maybe even a glass of wine, and you'll be wondering why you need to go away at all!
Tagliatelle with fresh herb pesto A handful of fresh and fragrant herbs is whizzed up with garlic, olive oil and pine nuts into a delicious herb pesto, then tossed with noodles for a simple Summertime feast.
Tuna puttanesca pasta This unctuous, flavoursome pasta has olives, capers and tuna in a rich tomato sauce, to create a deliciously Mediterranean dinner.
Baked cod with tomato and herb crust Juicy cod fillets with a tasty topping of sun-dried tomatoes, lemon and herbs. An easy and delicious main dish that's perfect with salad and crusty bread.
Easy beetroot carpaccio with feta and mint Thinly sliced raw beets are marinated in lemon juice and olive oil, then topped with feta and fresh mint. Use golden or chioggia beets for a colourful and unexpected twist!
Giant couscous salad with fresh herbs & crunchy nuts A delicious, filling, summery salad made with Israeli giant couscous, lots of fresh herbs, and a zesty citrus dressing. Salty roasted nuts add crunch and protein.
Courgetti with avocado pesto & baby plum tomatoes If you've not tried 'courgetti' - fresh crisp courgette noodles – now's the time! Tossed with olives, juicy tomatoes, and a creamy avocado dressing, they make a fantastic summery meal.
Freekeh salad with pomegranate and herbs With pomegranate seeds, fresh herbs and a zingy sweet-tart dressing, this hearty grain salad is a delicious summer side dish.
No-bake raspberry cheesecake mousse Fresh and fruity, this luscious dessert is light, creamy, sweet but tangy, and just fabulous! No cooking required and you can make ahead so it's in the fridge when you're ready to eat.
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Shabbat Shalom
I hope you've been enjoying the summer and soaking in the holiday vibes, even if you're still at home.
Wishing everyone a wonderful summery Shabbat. Shabbat Shalom - Good Shabbos! - to one and to all. May this Shabbat and the week ahead bring us peace, health, happiness and many good things.
With love, Helen x.
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Hi, I'm Helen. I share easy, nutritious, seasonal, flexitarian recipes, often with a British-Jewish twist. Expect a weekly dose of delicious dinner ideas, news and positivity!
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