Ben Dinat!

Ben Dinat! Authentic Family Recipes from the Island of Mallorca contains family recipes that date back hundreds of years. Going through Great- Great Grandma’s recipe box full of handwritten notes depicting what we know them today as ‘recipes’ was no easy task. Each ‘recipe’ has a personal legacy and a reminder of ‘good family times’ as we all sat around the kitchen table waiting for the “Coca de Verdura” followed by “Sweet Cookies” – Sangria was for the adults! This book brings together my research into family recipes from my precious mother, Margarita (and my father Pedro who spent many hours helping in my quest to find and gather these recipes), my Tia Francisca, my Padrina and my Abuela – all who contributed so much. Unfortunately, some are no longer with us. But there is an extra bright star or two in the heavens that remind us of them. In this book, I hope their culinary and personal legacies will continue to be enjoyed and appreciated. Ben Dinat! is a family cook book that gives you an uncomplicated, easy to read recipe collection with clear instruction and lists of ingredients that are readily accessible and cost-effective. Legend has it that after the battle for the conquest of Mallorca in 1229, a famished King James I of Aragon came upon a tent near the Port of Mallorca. where a simple meal consisting of bread and garlic was being prepared. The meal was to the King’s satisfaction and when finished he declared: Ben Dinat! (“We have eaten well”) — Our family tradition of offering our thanks after a meal comes from the King’s saying. Even today, we still say “Ben Dinat!” after our family dinners. My hope is not only to honour my family with this book but to offer this to anyone who may have a special interest in “Receptes Mallorquinas de la meva familia” and for anyone who has visited the most beautiful island in the world – Mallorca – this book will be a small piece of the Island’s history that can serve to bring back or create happy memories of a place so many of us love. “My heart will not let me say farewell!”

Author Biography

I was born in Palma de Mallorca. I grew up surrounded by loving parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles and wonderful cousins. In my younger years, I started to recognize and appreciate the value of ‘family life’. I often think back to those days and try and embrace the experience of family getting together around the dinner table. This is important to me. This is one other reason for placing together this wonderful collection of family recipes!