About
Pra Mesa! was created with my grandma Nana in mind.
Those two words echoed through every summer of my childhood.
My grandmother’s voice would ring through the house warm, commanding, joyful calling everyone to the table. No matter
where we were or what we were doing, the moment we heard
pra mesa, we all came running, especially the children. It meant more than just “come eat.” It meant gathering, sharing, belonging.
This cookbook, Pra Mesa, is a tribute to those moments.
It brings together traditional Portuguese recipes and the dishes my grandmother lovingly cooked throughout her life. Each recipe carries a memory: the scent of the kitchen in the afternoon heat, the chatter of the whole family squeezed around a table that somehow always had enough room, and the comfort of food that felt like home long before I understood what home truly meant.
Growing up, I owe a lot to my grandparents.
My parents had me when they were young, so while they spent most of their time working, I spent mine at my grandparents’ houses with my cousins. Those days were filled with heartfelt memories, laughter, and—most of all—food.
Even after immigrating to another country, I still find myself longing for their cooking. Sometimes I wonder if the food truly tasted better, or if it was simply because it was made by them, with their love.
This project comes from a Portuguese girl who left her hometown too young and learned to hold on to the few summers she spent back home—surrounded by her grandparents’ food and love.
A girl whose grandparents were already old when she was born, and who never grew any younger through the years. Some of them have already left, but their love and the stories shared around the dinner table have never faded.
With this book, I hope to preserve the memories and the flavors of my loved ones and the country that will always feel like home.