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Photo of Francisco Correia, creator of Nela's Recipes, smiling in the center of Prague.

About Me

Hey there and welcome to Nela's Recipes! 👋
I'm Francisco, a 24-year-old Portuguese software engineer currently living in Copenhagen.

Back in 2023, I moved to Denmark for my studies, and somewhere between coding projects and student life, I found my happy place: the kitchen. Cooking quickly became more than just a necessity — it turned into a way to relax, experiment, and take better care of myself.

This blog started as a small side project — a mix of curiosity, creativity, and yes… a bit of procrastination 😄. Today, it's where I share simple, flavorful recipes, often with a healthier twist.

The Origin

Nela's Recipes began as a personal project where I combined my interest in coding with my growing passion for cooking. I built this website from scratch as a place to store and share my favorite dishes.

The name "Nela" is a tribute to my mom — the biggest influence in my cooking journey. She taught me the basics, inspired my love for food, and is still the first person I call when I run into trouble in the kitchen.

My Journey

Moving abroad and living on my own completely changed my relationship with food. I went from relying on home-cooked meals to learning everything from scratch — and I ended up loving the process.

Around that time, I also decided to improve my lifestyle. I started going to the gym and focusing on healthier habits. That's when I began experimenting with low-calorie recipes — trying to make food that is both nutritious and genuinely enjoyable.

Not every attempt was a success (far from it 😅), but over time I improved, explored different cuisines, and developed my own style. Every recipe I share here is part of that journey — balancing flavor, simplicity, and a healthier approach to cooking.

Beyond the Kitchen

When I'm not coding or cooking, you'll probably find me traveling, working out, or watching football. I enjoy staying active and discovering new places, and a lot of my inspiration comes from the foods and cultures I experience along the way.