• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
VJ Cooks
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Shop
  • About
  • Meet the Team
  • Dinners
  • Baking
  • Desserts
  • Slow Cooker
  • GFO
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Buy My Cookbooks
  • Dinners
  • Baking
  • Recipe Index
  • FREE EBOOK: Top 10 Recipes
  • FREE APP TRIAL
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Easy and delicious family food

    Welcome to VJ cooks! A place where you'll find loads of tasty recipes the whole family will love. From easy midweek meals to desserts and baking, there's something for everyone here.

    Most Popular Recipes

    • A close up of One Pot Mince and Pasta in a white bowl on a grey bench.
      One Pot Mince and Pasta
    • Three pieces of Chocolate Weetbix Slice sitting on a white plate.
      Chocolate Weetbix Slice
    • Cheesy potato bake
      Cheesy Potato Bake
    • lolly cake from VJ cooks
      Lolly Cake
    • Lemon weetbix slice
    • Tuscan chicken
      Tuscan Chicken Thighs
    • A close up of Creamy Spinach Cob Loaf on a tray with dipping vegetables.
      Creamy Spinach Cob loaf
    • Homemade Pork Meatballs

    Browse recipes by...

    • Chicken
    • Beef
    • Vegetarian
    • One pot meals
    • Baking
    • Desserts
    • Slow Cooker
    • Freezer Friendly

    Easy Family Meals

    Answering the question of "what's for dinner tonight?" since 2016. Browse the extensive range of simple, family meals and read the positive reviews for yourself. Tried and tested by thousands of families, there really is something to suit every taste here.

    • Chicken Stroganoff
      Chicken Stroganoff
    • A bowl of white rice topped with beef curry containing carrots, green beans, and eggplant, garnished with fresh cilantro and two lemon wedges.
      Slow Cooker Beef Red Curry
    • A close-up of a rectangular zucchini tart with puff pastry crust, topped with zucchini slices, cheese, and fresh basil leaves.
      Courgette and Feta Tart
    • A bowl of penne pasta with sliced sausage and mushrooms in a creamy sauce, served on a gray surface.
      Slow Cooker Sausage Pasta
    • A white bowl filled with baked macaroni and cheese topped with breadcrumbs, placed on a gray and white tablecloth.
      Slow Cooker Mac and Cheese
    • A close up of Slow Cooker Shredded Chicken in a burger bun.
      Slow Cooker Creamy Shredded Chicken
    • A bowl of braised lamb shank with sauce, served over mashed potatoes and garnished with green beans.
      Slow Cooker Lamb Shanks
    • Two white bowls filled with fettuccine pasta and pieces of cooked chicken, garnished with herbs, placed on a wooden table with two forks and a green napkin nearby.
      Creamy Fettuccine with Chicken Bites
    See more Family meals →
    vanya insull

    Hi I'm Vanya,

    Thanks for visiting my website! I hope you find some inspiring recipes and ideas for family-friendly meals.
    I live in beautiful Taupo, New Zealand with my husband, two sons and Golden Retriever. I love cooking, baking, sharing recipes and of course, eating.

    Learn more about me →

    Baking Recipes

    From biscuits to brownies, cakes to muffins and so much more. My baking recipes cover everyone's family favourites including the classics from Nana's kitchen. For your next birthday, anniversary or celebration, be sure to try my easy and delicious baking treats.

    • A loaf of sliced banana bread or date loaf with visible raisins or nuts rests on a wooden board, one slice topped with butter; a plate and butter dish are in the background.
      Nana's Date Loaf
    • A two-layer cake with light brown frosting and chopped nuts on top, displayed on a glass cake stand with a slice removed.
      Coffee and Walnut Cake
    • Four chocolate chip cookies are stacked on a white textured plate, which sits on a blue cloth and a rustic white wooden surface.
      New York Style Choc Chip Cookies
    • Seven golden-brown soft pretzels sprinkled with coarse salt are cooling on a wire rack atop a wooden surface.
      Homemade Pretzels
    See more Baking →

    Salad Recipes

    My favourite dish to take to a shared meal is a platter salad. Full of big flavours, punchy dressings, fresh vegetables, protein and carbs, these are not your every-day green salads.

    • A blue bowl with cooked salmon, sliced avocado, shredded red cabbage, edamame, lemon wedges, green onions, and sesame seeds, on a green polka dot surface.
      Grilled Honey Soy Salmon Rice Bowls
    • Oval dish with a vibrant grilled salmon and potato salad, featuring avocado, cucumber, fresh greens, and a light dressing, placed on a wooden surface with serving utensils beside it.
      Grilled Salmon and Potato Salad
    • A plate of salad featuring rice, cucumbers, edamame, avocado, and shredded protein topped with sesame seeds, served with chopsticks on the side.
      Smoked Salmon and Crispy Rice Salad
    • Bang bang chicken salad served in a round green plater on a wooden table. Sesame seeds and coriander leaves have been scattered over the top
      Bang Bang Chicken Salad
    See more Salad →

    Dessert Recipes

    Satisfy any post-dinner sweet-craving with one of my indulgent, yet easy dessert recipes. From chocolate lovers to those who prefer something fruity, I have an extensive collection of desserts to impress all your friends and family.

    • A spoonful of chocolate chia pudding is held above a glass jar filled with the same dessert, topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Another jar is in the background.
      Chocolate Chia Puddings
    • A luscious Black Forest Gateau, featuring layers of chocolate cake with cream and cherries nestled between, is elegantly topped with chocolate shavings. It sits invitingly on a glass plate, set against a backdrop of soft pink cloth.
      Black Forest Gateau
    • A round flan dessert with caramel sauce on top is placed on a white plate with a grey background.
      Crème Caramel
    • 4 Easter Cheesecake Cups on a blue platter with easter bunnies and eggs surrounding it.
      Easter Cheesecake Cups
    See more Desserts →

    Latest Recipes

    Have a look at the newest recipes to hit the website, with more coming every week!

    • A plate with French toast, grilled plantains, and strips of bacon, drizzled with syrup, served on a white and blue-rimmed dish.
      French Toast with Bacon and Banana
    • A poke bowl with diced tuna, seaweed strips, sliced cucumber, shredded carrots, edamame, green onions, sesame seeds, and a dollop of mayonnaise.
      Fresh Tuna Poke Bowls
    • A bowl of chicken soup with carrots and parsley sits next to a slow cooker, three bread rolls, stacked bowls, and spoons on a white tablecloth.
      Slow Cooker Whole Chicken Soup
    • A slow cooker filled with meat sauce sits on a counter next to a colander containing cooked spaghetti noodles.
      Slow Cooker Spaghetti Bolognese

    Products

    Check out my recently published cookbooks, ebooks and online courses.

    • A blonde woman standing in her kitchen holding a apple pie. There are apples and baking equipment on the table in front of her.
      Everyday Comfort Food Cookbook
    • Summer Favourites Cookbook cover
      Summer Favourites Cookbook
    • Everyday Favourites Cookbook Cover
      Everyday Favourites Cookbook
    • A pink background with the words "VJ Cooks App - Meal Planning" in white over a picture of a woman holding a phone.
      The VJ Cooks App - Meal Planning
    See more Shop →
    Pin391
    Share
    391 Shares

    Primary Sidebar

    Meal Plan With Ease

    A woman holding a phone and smiling below the words "download the VJ Cooks App today!" on a blu background.

    Search the website

    Want to learn about freezing meals?

    Popular Posts

    teriyaki chicken bowls

    Quick Teriyaki Chicken Bowls

    A platter of Crispy Chicken Drumsticks on a wooden bench.

    Air Fryer Crispy Chicken Drumsticks

    Tuscan chicken

    Tuscan Chicken Thighs

    Lemon weetbix slice

    Never miss a recipe + FREE Ebook with my 10 favourite family recipes!

    Copyright © 2025
    Privacy Policy