Serves 12. Preparation time: 30 minutes. Cooking time: 40 minutes.

INGREDIENTS:

Cake:

• 3 eggs
• 3 tbsp of rapeseed oil
• 175 grams of sugar
• 175 grams of flour
• zest & juice of 1 lemon
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp vanilla essence

Lemon curd: 

• 150 ml of milk
• 2 tbsp of flour
• 125 grams of sugar
• 125 grams of butter
• juice of 1 lemon
• 1 egg yolk

Method: 

Preheat your oven at 180° Celsius. Line a 8 inch tray with baking paper and set aside.
Using an electric mixer, mix the eggs and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the oil, vanilla essence, lemon juice and zest and mix again. Finally, add flour and baking powder and incorporate slowly.
Pour your batter in the prepared tray and bake for 30 - 40 minutes until slightly golden. Once baked, let it cool completely before cutting in half and adding the lemon curd. 
While the cake is baking, you can make your lemon curd. Add all ingredients apart from the butter in a pan on a low heat. Keep mixing until it starts to thicken up. Take off the heat and incorporate the butter. Let it cool down before using it to fill up the cake. 
Once the cake is cooled and filled with the cream, sprinkle icing sugar on top and enjoy!

I loved making this cozonac with my grandma when we were growing up in the countryside. She was the best cook. I have changed her recipe to my cooking style, and I use my stand mixer instead of kneading by hand but the essence of her cooking is still here with me. I miss her.

Makes 1. Serves 10. Preparation time: 1 hour. Proving time: 3 hours. Cooking time: 1 hour.

RECIPE:

DOUGH :

- 500 grams strong white flour
- 250 ml almond milk/any milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
- 100 grams salted butter
- 4 egg yolks
- 25 grams dried yeast
- zest of a lemon
- pinch of salt
- 150 grams brown sugar

FILLING:

- 4 egg whites
- 100 grams Turkish delight
- zest of an orange
- 2 tablespoons cacao powder
- 150 grams brown sugar
- 100 grams walnuts (chopped finely)

METHOD:

Use a stand mixer. Add the egg yolks and sugar and beat until soft and fluffy. Add one by one, half of the butter(melted), lemon zest, pinch of salt and vanilla essence.
Separately, warm up the milk, add the yeast and mix.
Incorporate the yeast and milk to the egg mixture.
Change the attachment on the stand mixer to the dough one. Add the flour and mix until a dough is formed. Melt the rest of the butter and add it to the dough slowly.
Take it out of the mixer bowl and mould it to a round shape using your hands. Place in a bowl, cover with a kitchen towel and let it proof until doubled in size (about 2 hours) in a warm place.
Meanwhile, make the filling. Using the stand mixer, beat the egg whites and sugar to soft peaks. Add the chopped walnuts, cacao, Turkish delight(cut in small pieces) and orange zest and incorporate slowly. Leave it aside until the dough has doubled in size.
Once risen, add the filing to the dough while shaping it. I like to make it look like  loose braids, but the bread loaf look works too. Place in a buttered loaf baking tin and let it proof again for another hour. Once risen, preheat your oven at 180 ° Celsius, beat an egg with a bit of almond milk
(or your preferred milk) and brush the dough gently.
Bake for 60 minutes/until nice and golden.
Enjoy! 

Preparation and cooking time: 30 minutes. 

INGREDIENTS: 

- 85 grams cheddar/parmesan cheese
- 35 grams mixed nuts (pine, almonds, cashews, brazil) 
- 80 grams wild garlic leaves
- 130 ml olive oil 
- pinch of salt 

METHOD: 

Start by washing your wild garlic and set aside to drain. Using a food processor, start by grating the cheese. Add your ingredients one by one and blitz until a paste is formed. Store in a tight jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.  Use it in your pasta sauces or as a garnish for fish or chicken. Enjoy!

I am fortunate to live in London, UK, this vibrant, multinational city that never sleeps. You will constantly be surrounded by an energetic city life thanks to the many cultures, busy streets, theatres and restaurants around. However, getting away to the coast for fresh air and the calming sound of waves might feel like pressing the reset button after a long work week.
For many, having the luxury of going to the seaside whenever they choose is merely a dream, whereas for us Londoners, having the seaside only an hour away by train is a dream come true. Imagine having a little hideaway with breath taking sunsets and chilly sea breezes waiting for you; we all know how crucial it is to strike a balance between work and fun.
Weekend trips become stress-free when you live an hour from the coast. As there is no requirement for lengthy planning or travel, imagine deciding to leave on a Saturday morning and arriving at the seaside before you know it, It is like having a private hideaway right at your fingertips.
Living near the seaside has several positive effects on your health, including lowering stress levels and improving general wellness, helping you have a better and happier lifestyle. Living in London, about an hour from the seaside, allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds: the energy of a big city, combined with the peace and beauty of the countryside, which opens a world full of exploring and adventure.

My Favourite seaside town, Brighton, is known for its iconic pier stretching out into the sea, colourful beach huts, long stretches of pebbled beach and lots of gorgeous street art. You will have a great day listening to the waves from the Brighton Palace Pier while enjoying a delightful plate of Fish & chips (tip, watch out for the seagulls). The afternoon is best spent in the bustling city where you can shop to your heart’s content. Finish the evening with a nice cocktail before catching the train back to London.

Southend-on-Sea is an unforgettable experience! You get to walk on the world’s longest pleasure Pier and have a nice cuppa with a slice of cake at the end of it. If you feel you have walked too much, you can also take the pier train back (tickets are only £7). Do not forget to also explore the Adventure Island theme Park where you can enjoy amazing rides and feel like a child again.
This charming coastal town offers a retreat from the everyday hustle and a chance to enjoy simple things in life as soaking up the sun on a stroll by the shore and watching the world go by.

Eastbourne is a hidden treasure on the coast, nested at the bottom of The Beachy Head Cliff, offering breath taking views along the shore. Climb the steep hill to get to the top of the Beachy Head for only £10/day! Take the Hop on Hop Off Sightseeing Tour Bus that will take you up to where you will find an amazing pub that serves food and hot drinks for those colder days; there is also a small museum of the history of the cliffs. Take a ride in the big Wheel on the beach to admire the sea from above, and do not forget to enjoy an ice cream while walking in the beautiful City Gardens.

One of my top 5 seaside towns, Bournemouth, is a coastal paradise along the stunning Jurassic Coastline. You can bask in the glorious sun while walking the beautiful sandy beach that stretches as far as the eye can see.
You will get to enjoy great food here; the town caters to every taste, from little cafes to gourmet restaurants and beautiful tea parlours.
Bournemouth opens its arms wide open to offer you a memorable seaside experience. You will want to stay. One day, I hope I will live here!

Portsmouth is on the Southern Coast of England and is brimming with maritime history. Visit the picturesque harbour and go out shopping in the Luxury Outlet Centre. Stop for a bite in one of their luxurious restaurants. Walk along the pebbled beach and enjoy a trip in a Hovercraft to the Isle of Wight for £31; return in just 10 minutes! Savour the beautiful waterfront with its bustling cafes and the serene beauty of the Southsea Common—this vast green space stretches along the seashore. You will have a day to remember in Portsmouth, so enjoy exploring this unique coastal area. What an amazing experience it will be!
Living in London is the closest I will get to the seaside for now, and I am happy to take an hour’s train journey now and again to get some deserved fresh sea air. 

I love the mini eggs at Easter. But we always end up with a few bags left and I always make this quick Cheesecake. It tastes absolutely divine and it is perfect if you still have guests after Easter.
Serves 8. Preparation time: 30 minutes. Chilling time: 24 hours. 

INGREDIENTS:

Base:

- 200 grams digestive biscuits
- 80 grams melted butter

Cream filling:

- 400 ml double cream
- 400 grams full-fat cream cheese
- 150 grams of icing sugar
- 1 tablespoon vanilla essence
- 150 grams of mini eggs cut in small pieces

METHOD:

Use a springform cake tin. Butter it and cover with baking paper. Set aside.
Melt the butter, crumble/blitz the biscuits in a food processor and mix them together. Use a teaspoon and press the mixture down in the tin. Refrigerate for an hour.
In the meantime, beat the cream cheese with the sugar and vanilla until smooth. In a separate bowl beat the double cream to stiff peaks. Chop the mini eggs and set aside.
Gently fold the double cream to the cream cheese mixture. Add the mini eggs and fold them gently. Spoon the mixture over the biscuit base, smooth the surface, cover with clingfilm and refrigerate over night.
The next day, use a hot knife to loosen the cheesecake from the baking tin. Chop up more mini eggs and decorate.
Enjoy! 

My favourite dessert is Crème Brulée. Of course I love it as a pie too. This one is one of my little inventions, I just added my Crème Brulée on top of a puff pastry sheet and made a pie. So easy to make and equally as delicious. 
Serves 8. Preparation time: 20 minutes. Cooking time : 100 minutes. 
​
INGREDIENTS:

- one shop bought pie crust
- vanilla essence
- 6 egg whites
- 400 ml cream 
- pinch of salt
- 130 grams brown sugar
- brown sugar for the burnt sugar crust

METHOD: 

Keep the pie crust cold until is time for the bake. Place the pie crust in your pie dish, use a fork to pierce it, cover with baking paper and beans and blind bake at 180 Celsius for 20 minutes.  
In the meantime, place the cream, sugar, vanilla and salt in a pot. Let it simmer gently. Once boiled, let it cool down for about 20 minutes. Whisk the egg whites with the cream and add to the prebaked crust. Return to the oven for an extra 40 - 50 minutes until it looks golden but still has a slight wobble in the middle. Once baked, sprinkle more fine sugar/brown sugar on top of the pie and burnt it using a torch to create the sugar crust. 
Enjoy it with cream or on its own. 

I grew up in a household where stuffed veggies were considered a norm! You can stuff cabbage, peppers, aubergines, Vines leaves, Courgettes, Pumpkins...The recipes my grandma used to make are still on my favourites list! I have only started using aubergines lately a lot more just because they are high in fibre and they will help your digestion running smoothly! 
I kept on cooking this recipe lately as it is delicious and easy to make! 
Serves 4. Prep Time - 30 min. Cooking time - 60 min. 

 INGREDIENTS:

- 2 aubergines
- 250 grams mince/Quorn/rice
- 1 onion
- 1 red pepper 
- 100 grams mushrooms
- 1 garlic clove
- 1 can chopped tomatoes
- 200 grams feta cheese 
-salt, pepper, fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, oregano)

METHOD: 

Wash your aubergines and cut lengthways. Use a sharp knife to score diagonally without removing the skins. Sprinkle olive oil, salt and pepper and bake at 180 Celsius for 20 minutes. 
Meanwhile, add the chopped onions, mushrooms and peppers with a drizzle of olive oil in a pan. Cook for about 5 minutes, until tender. Add the mince, garlic, salt and pepper and cook for about 10 minutes until the meat changes colour (if you use rice, cook it separately for about 20 minutes). Add the chopped tomatoes and garlic and let it simmer on low heat for another 10 minutes. 
When the aubergines are cooked, fill them with the mince (it will overflow, no worries if it does, it will be delicious anyway). Add crumbled feta cheese on top and fresh parsley.
Bake for another 20 minutes. Serve hot with Greek yogurt and warm bread! 
ENJOY!