Vibrant food. Bold flavours.

Helping you find joy in cooking with easy, delicious recipes.

Hello and welcome!

My name is Zena and I’m a passionate recipe developer and food content creator. I love food, but I love the act of cooking itself even more. Cooking can be fun, engaging, therapeutic, relaxing, gratifying, and so much more! Whether you’re here for the first or fiftieth time, I hope that my recipes help you find joy in cooking. Expect lots of vibrant food and with big, bold flavours. Bland isn’t in my vocabulary!

Pasta Recipes

Delicious pasta dishes. From rich, slow-cooked ragùs to no-cook pasta sauces, my collection of pasta recipes has something for everyone.

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Vegan Recipes

Vegan food doesn’t have to be bland or boring. My tasty plant-based recipes with satisfy even the most avid of meat eaters.

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Chicken Recipes

Chicken is king in my house so I feel it deserves its own category. Whether it’s wings, curry or the perfect roast, I’ve got you covered.

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DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT Ep 4: Peanut Chilli Crisp! @zenaskitchen 

This mild, crunchy chilli oil is about to be your new favourite condiment. It’s great with SO many different things, but my favourite way to enjoy it is simply with rice and a fried egg.

Shoutout to @whitemausu and @chefthomebateman, whose peanut rayus inspired mine! The full recipe is on my website zenaskitchen.com, which is also linked in my bio. 

#chillioil #chillicrisp #condiment #spicyfood
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MARINATED AUBERGINE (EGGPLANT) CIABATTA! @zenaskitchen 

TAG someone you’d share this with! 

It’s no secret that I love aubergines. One of my favourite ways to enjoy them is roasted and marinated. This particular marinade uses preserved lemons as the base, to which you add lots of herbs, garlic, chilli and good-quality olive oil.

I’ve loaded them up into a ciabatta sandwich but they’re equally delicious in a salad, with pasta or simply as is. The full recipe is on my website zenaskitchen.com, which is also linked in my bio. Enjoy!

#aubergine #auberginerecipes #eggplant #eggplantrecipes #sandwich
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ALL ABOUT THE VEG Ep 16: Crunchy Sesame Cucumber Salad! @zenaskitchen 

And just like that, summer is BACK. It’s too hot for any actual cooking, so why not make this crunchy, refreshing cucumber salad? Tossed in a delicious toasted sesame dressing, served over whipped tahini and topped with crispy onions, what’s not to love?

The full recipe is on my website zenaskitchen.com, which is also linked in my bio. Enjoy!

@zenaskitchen x

#cucumber #cucumbersalad #summerrecipes #easyrecipes #veggierecipes
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ALL ABOUT THE VEG Ep 15: Hot Honey Charred Cabbage with Whipped Goat’s Cheese! @zenaskitchen 

Cabbage gets an unfairly bad rap. It’s affordable, incredibly versatile and absolutely delicious when cooked correctly. Charring cabbage creates the most beautiful sweet, nutty flavour. Topped with a simple hot honey made with just 2 ingredients and served over tangy whipped goat’s cheese, it makes for a stunning veggie centrepiece. 

The full recipe is on my website zenaskitchen.com, which is also linked in my bio. Enjoy!

@zenaskitchen x

#cabbage #cabbagerecipes #vegetables #easyrecipes #veggierecipes
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ALL ABOUT THE VEG Ep 14: Tomatoey Green Beans with Giant Couscous! @zenaskitchen 

This dish is loosely inspired by fasolakia, a Greek dish made of tender green beans, stewed with tomatoes, garlic and lots and lots of extra-virgin olive oil, among other things. I like my green beans on the crisper side, so instead of braising them, I’ve cooked them until just tender and finished them in a very flavourful fresh tomato sauce. Served over giant couscous and topped with lots of parmesan, it makes for a very delicious veggie dish. 

Feel free to substitute the giant couscous for pasta, rice, potatoes or even bread - the tomatoey green beans pair beautifully with them all.

The full recipe is on my website zenaskitchen.com, which is also linked in my bio. Enjoy!

@zenaskitchen x

#greenbeans #vegetables #veggierrecipes #easyrecipes
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CREAMY PEA PASTA! No-Cook Pasta Sauces Season 2, Episode 2 @zenaskitchen 

The secret ingredient in this creamy pea pasta might surprise you… cottage cheese! A rogue one, I know, but combined with peas, basil, parmesan and garlic, it makes for a very delicious pasta sauce that has the added benefit of being high in protein. 

I’m not ordinarily a fan of cottage cheese but I love this dish, so if you’re in the same boat, there’s a high chance you’ll love it too! But if you really, really can’t stomach the stuff, you can substitute it for ricotta, mascarpone, creme fraiche or even cream cheese. 

The full recipe is on my website zenaskitchen.com, which is also linked in my bio. Enjoy!

#pasta #pastarecipes #pastasauces #peas
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NO COOK PASTA SAUCES S2 Ep1: Roasted Red Pepper and Feta Pasta! @zenaskitchen 

As the weather’s finally warming up, I’ll be sharing some of my favourite no-cook pasta sauces that come together in the time it takes to cook your pasta. 

This one only uses 3 ingredients: jarred red peppers, feta and garlic. Add some rocket for freshness (and veg!) and you’ve got yourself a pretty dreamy dinner. 

Tag someone who’d love this! The full recipe is on my website zenaskitchen.com, which is also linked in my bio. 

#pasta #pastarecipes #pastasauces #summerrecipes
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MISO GINGER GREEN TAHINI NOODLES! @zenaskitchen 

Inspired by the @bunchuk queen herself, @christina.sots

This fresh, zingy vegan noodle salad is perfect for summer. It’s loaded with veggies and smothered in the most delicious dressing, packed with fresh coriander, tahini, miso, ginger and other tasty bits. 

The beauty of this salad is that it’s so easily customisable - substitute the noodles and/or veg for whatever noodles/veg you fancy! 

#noodles #salad #noodlesalad #vegan #veganrecipes
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WHICH WOULD YOU PICK? The burrata & mortadella ciabatta or the roasted tomato and basil crostini? 

Ad | When @amazonfreshuk set me an afternoon tea challenge, sandwiches were the first thing that came to mind. Because savoury > sweet, always! 

For the burrata & mortadella ciabatta: 
125g fresh mozzarella ball
100g creme fraiche
1 tbsp EVOO
1 x 400g ciabatta loaf (or baguette)
160g mortadella 
50g rocket 
handful fresh basil leaves 

For the roasted tomato and basil crostini:
400g cherry tomatoes 
125g fresh mozzarella ball
100g creme fraiche
1 tbsp EVOO
1 x sourdough loaf
handful fresh basil leaves 

To make the cheat’s burrata, tear up the mozzarella and mix it with creme fraiche, EVOO and a good pinch of salt. Let it sit for 30mins to 1hr, then it’s ready to use. Happy cooking! 

#ad #sandwich #afternoontea #AmazonUK #AmazonFreshUK @AmazonUK
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SPICY TOMATO AND PRAWN PASTA! @zenaskitchen 

This fresh, summery pasta number is the perfect weeknight dinner. It takes less than 20 minutes to make and it’s packed with flavour. 

Fun fact: tomato vines are incredibly flavourful, so don’t discard them! Add them to your sauce and fish them out just before serving. 

The full recipe is up on my website zenaskitchen.com, which is also linked in my bio. Enjoy!

#pasta #pastasauce #pastarecipes #summerrecipes #prawnpasta
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ALL ABOUT THE VEG Ep 13: Chilli Lime Butter Corn on the Cob! @zenaskitchen 

I love corn and this is one of my favourite ways to enjoy it. Grilling it gives it a charred, crisp exterior, all while keeping the interior sweet and juicy. It’s great on its own, but it’s even better smothered in this homemade chilli lime butter, which comes together in just a couple of minutes. 

SAVE this one for the sunny days ahead (are they ever coming? 😫)

The full recipe is on my website zenaskitchen.com, which is also linked in my bio.  Enjoy!

#sweetcorn #easyrecipes #summerrecipes #allabouttheveg
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GYRO-STYLE CHICKEN FLATBREADS! @zenaskitchen 

When I saw @honeyandsmokerestaurant’s gyros, I knew I need needed to make my own. Mine are loaded with homemade tzatziki, chargrilled chicken, fresh tomato salad and crispy potato stick crisps (because who wants to deep fry on a weeknight??).

TAG someone you’d share this with. The full recipe is on my website zenaskitchen.com, which is also linked in my bio. 

PS: for those asking, the potato stick crisps are @tescofood own brand and the flatbreads are from @mydelikitchen (not an ad).

#gyro #gyros #chicken #flatbread
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GARLIC AND CHILLI BUTTER SALMON! @zenaskitchen 

Throwing it back to what might just be the tastiest fish I’ve ever made! And though it looks impressive, it’s actually so incredibly simple to make. The star of the show is definitely the garlic and chilli butter sauce, which is just so rich and flavourful. It’s got the perfect amount of spice and the minced garlic turns into a crispy garlic crumb of sorts, which just takes everything to the next level. 

SAVE this one for your next dinner party. The full recipe is on my website zenaskitchen.com, which is also linked in my bio.

#salmon #salmondinner #fish #fishrecipes #easyrecipes
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CRISPY CUMIN LAMB GYOZAS! 🥟

These might just be the BEST dumplings @angelica.jells and I have ever made! They’re crispy on the outside and juicy in the middle. The homemade chilli oil is technically optional but we highly advise you make it as it takes everything to the next level. 

The full recipe is on my website zenaskitchen.com, which is also linked in my bio. We hope you love these as much as we did!

@zenaskitchen & @angelica.jells x

#gyoza #gyozas #dumplings #dumplingrecipe
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DROP IT LIKE IT’S HOT Ep 3: Coconut Lemongrass Chilli Crisp! @zenaskitchen 

This spicy, umami-forward chilli crisp will soon be your new favourite condiment. It’s inspired by some of my favourite Thai flavours – coconut, lemongrass, fish sauce, shallots, garlic, the list goes on. It’s great on just about everything – rice, noodles, fish, chicken, eggs, vegetables, soups… you name it.

The full recipe is on my website zenaskitchen.com, which is also linked in my bio. Enjoy!

@zenaskitchen x

#chilli #chillioil #condiments #spicyfood
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ALL ABOUT THE VEG Ep 12: Whole Roasted Cumin Cauliflower! @zenaskitchen 

A whole roasted cauliflower is a beautiful thing and it makes for the most stunning veggie centrepiece. This one is brushed with cumin oil and roasted until caramelised and tender. It’s served over muhammara, a Syrian red pepper and walnut dip, and topped with a fresh, zingy herb salad. Because herb salads are delicious and refreshing and should be more of a thing here. 

SAVE this one for the sunny days ahead. The full recipe is on my website zenaskitchen.com, which is also linked in my bio. 

Follow me @zenaskitchen for the next episode of All About The Veg, a series dedicated delicious veggie centrepieces. 

#cauliflower #veggies #vegetarianrecipes #easyrecipes #summerrecipes #allabouttheveg
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HONEY HARISSA CAULIFLOWER PARATHAS! @zenaskitchen 

I say this all too often but if you’re going to make any of my recipes, please let it be this one. Spicy, sticky cauliflower. A zingy green tahini dressing. Buttery, flaky parathas. What’s not to love? 

And if you’re about that low carb life, this recipe works without the parathas, too.

The full recipe is on my website zenaskitchen.com, which is also linked in my bio. I hope you’ll give it a go! 

#cauliflower #vegetarianrecipes #frozenparathas #easyrecipes
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MARINATED OLIVES! @zenaskitchen 

Marinated olives are having a bit of a moment on social media. And with good reason! They’re quick and easy to make and they get better and better over time. 

If you’ve always hated olives, I highly recommend giving them another go. I’ve been told that our taste buds change every 7 years. I don’t know how true that is but I do know that I now love so many foods I used to hate 🤷🏾‍♀️

The full recipe is up on my website zenaskitchen.com, which is also linked in my bio. 

#olives #marinatedolives #snacks #partyfood #easyrecipes
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Work with me

For all business and partnership inquiries please contact my lovely agent, Ellis.

ellis@fresh-partners.com

020 3861 8200

30 Newman St, London W1T 1PT