About Soulef and Amour de Cuisine
Welcome to Amour de Cuisine, my little corner of homemade food, family recipes and generous flavours.
I’m Soulef Zaoui, née Latreche, the cook, writer and photographer behind this blog. I live in England with my family, but my kitchen is deeply rooted in the flavours of Algeria, the Mediterranean, and the comforting dishes I grew up with.
Here, you’ll find recipes that are tested, explained with care, and written for real home cooks: busy parents, beginners, curious food lovers, and anyone who wants to bring something warm, homemade and delicious to the table.
My story with food started in a simple way.
When I was younger, cooking was not my main passion. I was more focused on my studies, especially chemistry. I studied in Algeria, then continued my academic journey in Strasbourg, where I completed my master’s thesis in Industrial Chemistry and Chemical Engineering.
But life has a beautiful way of changing our path.
After getting married, moving to England, and becoming a mother, cooking became more than a daily task. It became a space for creativity, comfort and connection. My scientific curiosity never disappeared; it simply moved into the kitchen.
Little by little, I became a “chemist” in my own way: testing textures, understanding ingredients, exploring spices, and learning how small details can completely transform a recipe.
Why I Created Amour de Cuisine
I started Amour de Cuisine in 2007, first as a place to learn, share and keep track of the recipes I loved.
At the beginning, I simply wanted to recreate the dishes of my childhood and preserve the recipes of my mother and grandmother. Over time, the blog became much more than a personal recipe notebook.
It became a way to share:
- Authentic Algerian recipes, from everyday family meals to festive pastries
- Mediterranean-inspired dishes, full of colour, vegetables, spices and warmth
- Easy family meals for busy days
- Baking, desserts and homemade breads explained step by step
- World recipes that I discover, test and adapt with my personal touch
Every recipe I publish has a story, a reason, or a place in my kitchen.
What Makes This Blog Different
Amour de Cuisine is not just a collection of recipes.
It is a blog built around trust, experience and real cooking.
I don’t want you to only read a recipe. I want you to feel confident enough to make it in your own kitchen. That is why I try to explain the steps clearly, give useful tips, mention possible mistakes, and share the little details that make a recipe work.
My goal is always to help you understand:
For me, a good recipe is not only beautiful in a photo. It should be practical, generous and repeatable.
Recipes Rooted in Family and Sharing
The heart of Amour de Cuisine is family cooking.
Some recipes come from my Algerian roots. Others are inspired by my life in England, my travels, my curiosity, or the dishes my children enjoy at home.
You will find comforting soups, festive cakes, traditional Algerian pastries, easy dinners, homemade breads, colourful salads, desserts, and recipes for Ramadan, Eid, family gatherings and everyday meals.
I love recipes that bring people around the table.
Whether it is a simple soup, a tray of baklava, a couscous, a cake for afternoon tea, or a quick dinner after a long day, I believe homemade food has the power to create memories.
My Promise to You
When you visit Amour de Cuisine, I want you to feel guided, not lost.
My promise is to share recipes that are:
I also love hearing from readers. Your questions, comments, changes and experiences help make the blog more useful for everyone.
So please feel welcome to leave a comment under a recipe, ask a question, or share how it turned out in your kitchen.
Stay Connected
You can also find me on
where I share more recipes, ideas and inspiration from my kitchen.
Thank you for being here, for cooking with me, and for allowing Amour de Cuisine to be part of your table.
With love,
Soulef