Hello Reader,

A few years ago, I almost lost my mum.

It was a beautiful sunny day at Bondi Beach and my mum and I were playing on the beach with my daughter and cousins. But within moments, everything changed. My mum suddenly grabbed her head, said she felt dizzy and then collapsed after suffering a stroke caused by a blood clot on her heart. For a long time, we truly didn’t know if she was going to survive.

Watching someone you love fight so hard for their life changes you forever.

And in the middle of all that fear and uncertainty, I realised something... There were so many family recipes I had never properly learnt. So many questions left unanswered. But that's the thing about life. You always think you have so much time with those you love until one day.... you don't.

Growing up, I was always being called into the kitchen to help roll croquettes, stir arroz con leche on my Abuelo's stove or help chop garlic for a lentil stew. And more often than not, I would say no because I was too busy being a bratty teenager and never realised how important those little moments actually were.

After my mum got sick, something shifted in me.

I suddenly felt this deep urgency to learn every recipe I could. To stand beside my mum while she cooked, ask questions, write everything down and preserve the dishes that shaped my childhood before they were lost.

And honestly, that journey completely changed the way I cook today.

So today, I wanted to share a few of my favourite Spanish recipes with you. The recipes that feel nostalgic, comforting and deeply connected to my family.

And as a little bonus, I’m also sharing one of the most special recipes from my cookbook…Croquettes

This recipe means everything to me because it reminds me of my mum, my nanna and our whole family gathered around the kitchen bench together. Talking, laughing and carefully shaping every croquette by hand.

​Croquettes Recipe.pdf​

If you make any of these recipes, I would absolutely love to see them. Thank you for letting me share these little pieces of my family and childhood with you.

👇 You can find all recipes below!

xoxo Daen

✨ Spanish Favourites ✨

This Spanish Potato Salad (Patatas Aliñadas) is filled with hard boiled eggs, tuna, crunchy vegetables, tender potatoes, sharp red wine vinegar and of course, lots of olive oil. It’s completely free of dairy and mayonnaise which makes it feel light, refreshing and incredibly satisfying. RECIPE

Growing up in a Spanish household, Huevos a la Flamenca (Spanish baked eggs) was a dish that brought everyone to the table. It’s filled with classic Spanish flavours from the chorizo, pimentón (paprika), jamon, tomatoes, onion and garlic. It is also filled with crispy fried potatoes and can be made in under 30 minutes! RECIPE

Growing up with a Spanish mum, Sopa de Ajo (or Spanish garlic soup) is such a nostalgic dish for me to eat. Made with simple pantry staples like garlic, olive oil, eggs and day-old bread, this comforting soup is extremely easy and cheap to make! RECIPE

Lentejas (Spanish Lentil Stew) is one of those comforting dishes that could make any day better. It’s a hearty, flavour-packed stew made with lentils, lots of vegetables, garlic, smoked paprika and olive oil. And this version is also completely vegan-friendly and dairy-free! RECIPE

Torrijas (Spanish french toast) was such a treat for us to eat! Thick slices of stale bread are soaked in orange-infused milk, dipped into eggs, and fried in olive oil until golden and crispy before being dusted in cinnamon sugar. The result is a tender, custardy centre with a caramelised crust. ​ RECIPE