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Paul Hayes
@aforkandapencil.bsky.social
31 followers 3 following 45 posts
I cook and write at aforkandapencil.com
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Cheeky little Thai yellow fish curry to kickstart the weekend.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
A large pan of Thai yellow fish curry with a vibrant golden coconut-based sauce, containing pieces of white fish, bright green snap peas, caramelized shallot wedges, red chilies, and fresh Thai basil leaves. The curry is served in a round cooking pot with handles. Fresh lime wedges are arranged in a small black bowl in the background. The dish is photographed from above on a light blue surface. #ThaiCurry #YellowCurry #FishCurry #ThaiFood #AsianCooking #HomemadeThaiFood #CurryRecipe #CoconutCurry #ThaiCuisine #AuthenticThai #SeafoodCurry #ComfortFood #FoodPhotography #HomeCooking #CurryLover #ThaiRecipes #AsianFood #HealthyDinner
October 3, 2025 at 12:58 PM
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🍤 Prawn toasts turned into balls – same ingredients, rolled in panko.

For dipping, Kewpie mayo mixed with ponzu, a drop of sesame oil and a little Sriracha for heat.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
Golden crispy prawn toast balls coated in panko and sesame seeds, served with a creamy dipping sauce on a wooden tray.
September 26, 2025 at 12:43 PM
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Burnt spring onion oil with hokkien noodles.

A bit of soy sauce and black vinegar are supporting players here, but the star is the oil, flavoured with spring onions cooked until the thinnest parts are dark and crisp.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
Burnt spring onion oil with hokkien noodles in a white bowl, garnished with crispy caramelised spring onions and chili flakes, served with chopsticks on a dark textured background.
September 13, 2025 at 11:39 AM
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Sunday night taverna special, yiouvetsi, slow-cooked lamb with orzo, feta and oregano, and sneaky heat courtesy a few tiny dried Calabrian chillies.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
A black bowl filled with Greek lamb and orzo stew (yiouvetsi), garnished with crumbled feta and fresh oregano leaves, served on a wooden table with a side plate of feta cubes, fresh oregano sprigs, and a glass of red wine.
August 17, 2025 at 9:47 AM
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Duck legs with blood oranges for a winter Sunday night.

First blood oranges of their maddeningly short season. Duck salt-cured with aromatics (thyme, coriander seeds, garlic, ginger) for a few hours for crispness and flavour. Pan sauce with orange juice and some chicken stock.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
Golden-brown roasted duck legs with caramelized blood orange slices in a white enamel baking dish, surrounded by rich pan juices and served on a textured kitchen towel. #DuckLegs #BloodOranges #RoastedDuck #CitrusDuck #ComfortFood #WinterCooking #FoodPhotography #HomeCooking #Foodie #Delicious #RoastedMeat #CitrusFlavors #DinnerIdeas #FoodBlogger #Yummy #KitchenCreations #SeasonalCooking #FoodPorn #CookingAtHome #Gourmet
August 3, 2025 at 11:16 AM
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Prawn laksa for lunch

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
A vibrant bowl of prawn laksa filled with juicy prawns, fresh bok choy, bean sprouts, rice noodles, and a rich, spicy coconut curry broth. Garnished with spring onions, coriander, and crispy shallots, with fresh vermicelli noodles and a lime squeezer nearby. #PrawnLaksa #LaksaLovers #SpicyNoodles #AsianCuisine #CoconutCurry #SeafoodSoup #ComfortFood #FoodPhotography #HomemadeLaksa #NoodleSoup #ShrimpLaksa #LaksaTime #StreetFoodVibes #EasyAsianMeals #Foodstagram
August 2, 2025 at 3:14 AM
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Having a real nonna moment on a cold night

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
A cast iron skillet filled with homemade meatballs in rich red sauce, garnished with fresh oregano leaves and served with a wooden spoon, photographed from above on a rustic wooden surface. #meatballs #homemade #marinara #italianfood #comfortfood #castiron #homecooking #dinnerideas #foodphotography #pasta #spaghettimeatballs #italian #recipe #delicious #foodie #cooking #homemadefood #familydinner #weeknightdinner #foodblogger #instafood #yummy #oregano #tomatosauce #meatballrecipe #italianrecipes #comfortmeals #heartymeals #foodlove #cookingfromscratch
June 28, 2025 at 5:25 AM
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Corn and cheddar polenta muffins, made to go with a warming Catalan beef stew, estofado.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
Freshly baked golden corn and cheddar polenta muffins with beautifully domed tops and rustic, coarse texture from cornmeal, arranged on dark wooden surface. One muffin sits elegantly on a cream-colored ceramic plate while four others are scattered around, all nestled in white paper liners. The muffins display a rich golden-yellow hue throughout, indicating the perfect blend of cornmeal, corn, and melted cheddar cheese. The slightly cracked tops and tender crumb structure showcase the classic characteristics of polenta-based baking, with natural lighting highlighting the warm, inviting colours and homemade appeal of these savory-sweet breakfast or snack treats. #polentamuffins #cornmuffins #cheddarmuffins #homemadebaking #cornmeal #glutenfreebaking #goldenmuffins #bakingfromscratch #comfortfood #rusticbaking #homemadegoodness #bakinglife #muffinmonday #cornbread #cheesemuffins #foodphotography #bakingcommunity #homecook #freshbaked #morningtreat
June 8, 2025 at 7:05 AM
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Leftovers transformed: a bit of risotto, some bolognese sauce ... Friday night arancini with roasted garlic aioli. Cocktail of choice, at the start of a three-day weekend: Campari and prosecco.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
Six golden-brown arancini (Italian rice balls) arranged on parchment paper on a dark metal plate, with one cut open revealing the rich bolognese filling inside. Garnished with grated Parmesan cheese and served with a small bowl of creamy roasted garlic aioli on a blue textured surface. #arancini #italianfood #homemade #risotto #bolognese #leftovermagic #foodphotography #italianriceballs #homecooking #comfortfood #sicilianfood #garlicaioli #parmesan #foodie #delicious #crispy #goldenbrown #italianrecipe #foodstagram #homemadefood #zerowaste #leftovers #riceballs #authenticitalian #foodblogger
June 6, 2025 at 9:09 AM
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Chicken and chickpea cassoulet, a cornerstones of my winter rotation. A nod to a French classic made with haricot beans, pork rinds and goose, which I've dragged into the 21st century with chickpeas, pancetta and chicken.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
A rustic overhead shot of chicken and chickpea cassoulet served in cream-colored bowls alongside a blue cast iron Dutch oven. The hearty stew features golden chickpeas, shredded chicken, and rich tomato-based sauce, garnished with fresh green parsley. The Dutch oven sits on a weathered wooden surface with a serving spoon, showing the remaining cassoulet with visible herbs and tender ingredients in a deeply coloured, savoury sauce. #cassoulet #chickpeacassoulet #frenchcooking #toulousaine #wintercomfortfood #onepotmeal #homecooking #castironcooking #dutchoven #chickpeas #comfortfood #slowcooked #heartymeals #wintereats #frenchclassic #moderntwist #foodphotography #rusticfood #wholesome #cozyeats #stew #chickendinner #weeknightdinner #foodblogger #homemade #seasonalcooking #warmingfood #traditionalwithtwist #foodstagram #delicious
June 4, 2025 at 10:36 AM
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Beef shank osso buco with chilli gremolata and soft polenta.

It takes two hours of patient simmering and basting to cosset this dish into melting perfection using nothing more than a shallot, some wine and beef stock. Worth every second.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
A beautifully presented bowl of beef shank osso buco, braised to a deep mahogany brown, rests on a smooth, pale yellow bed of soft polenta. The meat is topped with a finely chopped chilli gremolata, adding a vibrant contrast of red chilli, green parsley, and flecks of garlic and lemon. The bone at the center reveals rich marrow, glistening slightly. The bowl is set atop a navy cloth napkin on a dark wooden surface, creating a striking visual contrast. #OssoBuco #BeefShank #BraisedBeef #ComfortFood #ChilliGremolata #PolentaLove #SlowCookedGoodness #WinterEats #HeartyMeals #FoodStyling #HomeCooked #ModernComfortFood #FoodPhotography #DinnerGoals #ForkYeah
May 31, 2025 at 3:25 AM
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Brunch goals: all the flavours of bagels and lox in tart form – smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers, tomatoes, red onion, dill.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
A rustic puff pastry tart with golden, flaky edges sits on parchment paper with one triangular slice cut and partially removed. The tart is topped with a creamy base layer dotted with slices of vibrant orange smoked salmon, halved cherry tomatoes showing their bright red interior, thin purple onion rings, and dark green capers scattered throughout. Fresh dill fronds are generously sprinkled across the surface, adding delicate green accents to the colorful composition. The pastry has a beautiful golden-brown color with visible layers, and the overall presentation looks rustic yet elegant against the neutral background. #bagelslox #brunchtart #smokedsalmon #puffpastry #brunchgoals #homemade #savory #tart #dill #capers #creamcheese #brunchvibes #weekendcooking #comfortfood #rusticbaking #foodie #homecooking #brunch #pastry #salmon
May 24, 2025 at 3:08 AM
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A bit of leftover roast chicken upcycled and transformed, with curry powder, dry sherry, sour cream and coriander, into a glorious Italy-meets-India sauce for rigatoni that comes together while the pasta cooks.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
Creamy curry chicken rigatoni pasta in a white bowl on a wooden table. Golden-yellow sauce coats each pasta tube, with tender chunks of roast chicken throughout, garnished with fresh green coriander. #CurryChickenPasta #LeftoverChickenRecipe #FusionCooking #EasyWeekdightDinner #CreamyPastaRecipe #IndianItalianFusion #UpcycledMeals #ComfortFood #HomeCooking #QuickMeals #CurryPasta #FoodPhotography
May 21, 2025 at 4:00 AM
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Frangipane bars, a bit of rainy day baking.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
Freshly baked frangipane bars arranged in a neat grid, showcasing their golden-brown almond topping. The squares feature a rich, moist almond filling layer atop a buttery shortbread base. Thin sliced almonds create a beautiful textured top, all lightly dusted with powdered sugar that catches the light. The bars display the perfect balance of caramelisation at the edges and tender centers with visible almond cream. #FrangipaneBars #AlmondDessert #HomeBaking #PowderedSugar #FrenchPastry #TeaTimeTreats #SlicedAlmonds #ButteryCrust #DessertPorn #WeekendBaking #SweetSquares #BakersOfInstagram
May 17, 2025 at 9:10 AM
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Korean spicy braised chicken, dakbokkeumtang.

Gochujang (red pepper paste) and gochugaru (red pepper flakes) are the main players, bringing vibrant colour, mild heat, slight sweetness and deep, smoky savouriness.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
This image shows a beautifully prepared dakbokkeumtang (Korean spicy braised chicken stew) served in a cast iron skillet. The dish features tender pieces of chicken, carrot slices, and green onion stalks swimming in a vibrant red-orange sauce. The stew is garnished with a generous sprinkling of white sesame seeds that stand out against the rich, glossy sauce. The skillet is photographed from above against a dark background, creating a dramatic presentation that highlights the colourful, appetising dish. #KoreanFood #Dakbokkeumtang #SpicyChickenStew #KoreanCuisine #HomeCooking #ComfortFood #CastIronCooking #FoodPhotography #KoreanHomeCooked #SpicyFood #KoreanStew #FoodiesOfInstagram #KoreanFlavors #DakDoritang #SesameSprinkle
May 15, 2025 at 7:53 AM
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Catalan-style fisherman's stew with saffron and potatoes. I'm sure actual Catalan fishermen are getting Glovo deliveries to their boats these days, but a boy can dream.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
The image shows a circular cast iron pot containing a vibrant Catalan-style fisherman's stew. Large, pink shrimp with their shells intact are prominently featured throughout the dish, nestled in a golden-orange broth. Yellow potato chunks, diced red bulls horn peppers, and a bay leaf are visible among the seafood. The stew is garnished generously with parsley sprinkled across the top. The black pot has two handles and is photographed from directly above against a light gray background, showcasing the colorful, appetising contents. #CatalanCuisine #FishermansStew #SeafoodLover #HomemadeSeafood #ShrimpStew #MediterraneanFood #ComfortFood #CastIronCooking #FoodPhotography #SpanishCuisine #GambasPil #FreshSeafood #WeekendCooking #HomechefCreations
May 10, 2025 at 12:12 PM
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Bigoli in salsa, a bit of Venetian magic. I make it with spelt spaghetti, 2 shallots (shaved straight into the pan with a mandoline), 4 anchovies, and parsley. The secret: giving the shallots a full 20 minutes to soften, and using pasta water to create the silky, clingy sauce.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
A white bowl containing bigoli in salsa - long pasta strands coated in a glossy, light-colored onion and anchovy sauce, garnished with finely chopped fresh parsley. The pasta appears silky and well-dressed, with visible bits of softened onions throughout. The dish is photographed from above against a minimalist pale blue background. #BigolInSalsa #VenetianCuisine #ItalianPasta #AnchovyPasta #HomemadePasta #TraditionalItalian #VeniceFood #AuthenticItalian #SimpleItalianRecipes #PastaRecipe #MediterraneanDiet #SlowFood #RegionalItalianCuisine #PastaLover #FoodPhotography #HomeChef #ComfortFood #WeekdayDinner #ItalianCooking #CulinaryTraditions
May 8, 2025 at 12:11 PM
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Atoning for my weekend sins with a soulful bowlful of coconut lentils, gently spiced (turmeric, cumin, cinnamon, garlic, ginger and a few chilli flakes) with every last baby spinach leaf in the fridge drawer, some toasted cashews for crunch and a spritz of lime. Naan, couch, Hitchcock's Suspicion.
The image shows a white bowl filled with a golden-yellow coconut lentil curry. The creamy dish is topped with cashew pieces and has green spinach leaves mixed throughout. The bowl sits on a light grey linen napkin with decorative stitching, placed on a darker grey surface. To the right edge of the frame, there are pieces of naan bread with light charred marks. The dish appears rich and comforting, with visible spices giving it a warm, golden colour. #ComfortFood #LentilCurry #CoconutLentils #VeganRecipe #SpinachRecipes #HomeCooking #HealthyMeal #IndianInspired #CozyMeals #MeatlessMonday #TurmericRecipes #NaanBread #MovieNight #Hitchcock #ComfortCooking #SpicedLentils #PlantBasedDinner #WholeFoods #CashewGarnish #SoulfulFood
May 5, 2025 at 8:10 AM
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I made Jean-Georges Vongerichten's chocolate cake – not the famous lava cake, the one from his home-cooking book – for dessert because it only needs 17 minutes in the oven, making it perfect to serve warm.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
Close-up of a sliced chocolate cake dusted with cocoa powder on a white surface. The cake has a rich, moist texture with a slightly cracked top surface. One slice has been cut and partially removed from the round cake, showing its dense, fudgy interior. The cake is coated with a fine layer of cocoa powder which also lightly dusts the surrounding surface.
April 26, 2025 at 11:17 AM
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The extra blanket is down so I'm calling it: autumn has arrived – at last – in Melbourne. To mark the moment, my favourite brick-red one-potter, chicken paprikash, made with a scandalous amount of paprika and served with its customary sour cream on the side.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
April 24, 2025 at 1:28 PM
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Salmon, sorted. I make a brushable paste from cumin, coriander, sweet paprika, chilli flakes, garlic and lemon juice, then paint the fish and roast in a hot oven for 8 minutes. When it comes out, I carpet it in finely chopped parsley.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
This is a well-prepared piece of roasted salmon with a vibrant orange-red spice rub, topped generously with freshly chopped bright green parsley. The fish is placed on parchment paper in a white baking dish with a red rim. The contrast between the colorful salmon and the fresh herbs creates an appetising presentation, showing the perfectly cooked fish with its aromatic spice coating. #SpicedSalmon #HomemadeSeafood #HerbCrustedSalmon #HealthyDinner #CuminCoriander #ParsleyTopped #EasySeafoodRecipe #BakedSalmon #CleanEating #FreshHerbs #SpicySeafood #WeekdayDinner #MediterraneanFlavors #FoodPhotography #GlutenFree #ProteinRich #LemonGarlicSalmon
April 16, 2025 at 7:15 AM
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A bit of midnight madness: my small batch brownies.

I can make these from muscle memory these days and I do, more often than I should probably admit.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
The image shows freshly baked small-batch brownies in a small aluminium foil baking pan. The brownies have been cut into squares and feature a classic crackly top with a rich, fudgy chocolate appearance. The brownie edges are slightly raised along the sides of the pan, suggesting a chewy texture. The aluminium pan sits on a dark blue background, creating a nice contrast with the warm brown colour of the brownies. The chocolate dessert looks homemade and deliciously indulgent, perfect for sharing or enjoying as a personal treat.
April 12, 2025 at 1:43 PM
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A simple, sensational way to trick up one of those supermarket tubs of brine-packed olives with with garlic, chilli, fennel and orange zest. Recipe in comments.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
The photo shows two containers of marinated olives in olive oil. The top one is a small white ceramic bowl, while the the other one is a large glass jar with a white spoon. Both contain deep burgundy-colored olives soaking in golden olive oil with visible orange zest strips and spices. The bowls are placed on a textured blue-gray surface. This homemade olive appetiser features olives marinated with garlic, chilli flakes, fennel seeds, and orange zest - a perfect accompaniment for cocktails or pre-dinner snacking.
April 5, 2025 at 10:03 AM
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The way I make chicken with holy basil, pad kra pao gai, ticks all my boxes for home-alone heaven: far too many chillies, an unreasonable amount of garlic and no one complaining.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
Thai basil chicken (pad kra pao gai) served over white sushi rice, topped with a perfectly fried egg with runny yolk and accompanied by a fresh lime wedge. The aromatic ground chicken is stir-fried with Thai holy basil and red chilis for an authentic street food experience. #ThaiFood #PadKraPao #BasilChicken #ThaiCuisine #ComfortFood #HomeCooking #EggOnTop #AsianCuisine #FoodPhotography #StreetFood
April 2, 2025 at 7:44 AM
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Pear and raspberry cobblers

I've been thinking about a way new to make a buttermilk cobbler topping using my favourite tool: the processor's plastic blade. It works brilliantly for pastry and here as well, producing a light, buttery crumb.

🍽️🍜 #food #foodsky
This image shows two individual berry cobblers in white ceramic baking dishes on a light grey surface. The cobblers have golden-brown crusts with visible cracks, revealing a vibrant red-purple berry filling bubbling around the edges. In the upper left corner is a small white bowl containing thick cream with a black spoon. The desserts look freshly baked with the contrast between the rustic, crumbly tops and the bright berry filling creating an appetising presentation. Homemade pear and raspberry cobbler with a golden, crumbly crust served in a white ceramic dish. A generous dollop of thick cream melts into the warm, vibrant berry filling. The spoon reveals chunks of tender fruit beneath the perfectly baked topping. #homemadedessert #fruitcobbler #comfortfood #bakingseason #foodphotography
March 29, 2025 at 11:37 AM