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Daen's Kitchen

5 simple recipes for a cosy weekend at home

Published 6 days ago • 1 min read

There’s something about weekend cooking that just feels different. There’s no mad rush, no “what can I throw together in 20 minutes” and usually no hungry kids screaming at me because my partner is home to keep them busy… just slower, more relaxed meals that feel a little bit special, without actually being complicated.

So if you’re staying in this weekend, here are 5 recipes I always come back to. They’re simple, comforting, and just have that weekend energy (so of course we needed to include a cake!)

If you make anything this weekend, let me know! I love seeing what you’re cooking.

And remember… good food doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes the simplest meals are the ones that feel the most special.

👇 You can find all recipes below!

xoxo Daen

✨ Cozy Weekend Cooking ✨

This lemon olive oil cake is one of the sweetest little cakes you’ll ever make. It’s bursting with citrus from both fresh lemon juice and zest, and the olive oil keeps it incredibly moist, light and naturally dairy-free.

This scallop pasta with cherry tomatoes is a breeze to make, using only the freshest ingredients for a light yet indulgent dish. While many leave scallop recipes to the pros, this one will have you cooking them like a seasoned chef in no time.

There are a few flavour combinations that are always a winner: lemon and fish, chocolate and berries, and lamb and garlic. These honey garlic butter lamb cutlets are juicy, tender and a little bit sweet and a little bit savoury.

A bowl of my creamy mushroom pasta on a cosy night… nothing better. It’s rich, savoury and comes together so easily, but still feels like something you’d order at a really good restaurant.

This Cheesy Sesame Seed Focaccia is made with my signature no-knead focaccia dough and is packed with melty cheese in every bite. It’s topped with golden baby bocconcini, plenty of parmesan, and a generous sprinkle of sesame seeds for crunch and flavour.

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I keep all my recipes free so everyone can cook along. If you’d like to support my work, leaving a tip helps me keep creating and sharing with you 💛

Melbourne, Australia 3000

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Daen's Kitchen

The internet's garlic & olive oil girl

Hi! I'm Daen, the internet’s garlic and olive oil girl and the creator behind Daen’s Kitchen. I am a Mediterranean inspired home cook with Italian and Spanish roots, and I have built a community of over 8 million people who love simple yet impressive and delicious Mediterranean food. My cooking is all about big flavours, approachable recipes and the little foundations that make home cooking feel effortless. Expect lots of garlic confit, no knead focaccia, homemade breadcrumbs, one pot orzos, olive oil cakes and all the nostalgic dishes I grew up with.

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