Meet Natalia
My name is Natalia Paiva-Neves. I was born in Portugal and came to the US when I was 6. I have loved food and cooking for a long as I can remember. In fact, my mother says I was practically born in a restaurant kitchen.
I have always had a love affair with all things related to food and feel the need to feed people, to feed their soul. I see food differently than others and pride myself on being able to take simple ingredients and transform them into delicious dishes. I truly believe anyone can cook but it is the PERSON cooking who brings feeling and soul to the dish. If you cook with feeling your food will show that.
I have many different cooking styles, but I do tend to go back to my Portuguese roots, which have influenced cuisine all around the world including Africa, Asia, India, and South America. So, if you like fabulous food made a little simpler then you’ve come to the right place.
Delicious Dishes
Natalia shares savory recipes that will have your guests eager to sit around the table.
Creative Cocktails
Natalia shares drink recipes that will turn any get together into an affair to remember.
Travel with Natalia
Join Natalia as she travels around the world exploring foods, culture, and customs.
Entertain with Natalia
Whether it's a casual get together or an elegant affair, Natalia shares entertaining tips that will inspire.
Latest Blog Entries
The Navigator Cocktail
A twist on the classic Aviation cocktail – this handcrafted drink is made with Jinjinha – a Portuguese cherry liquor – and Wild Snow Dog Gin – which is made in northern Portugal.
Chilled Octopus Salad
Natalia created this dish using her recipe for snail salad as the basis. Since octopus is more readily available, she tweaked her recipe by swapping out the protein.
Florida’s Gulf Coast – Natalia Finds Local Catch! Makes Whole Roasted Hog Fish…
Natalia traveled in April 2021 to Madeira Beach in Saint Petersburg, Florida on the Gulf Coast for a surprise birthday celebration with her best friend and sisters! When Natalia travels, her style is to mix with the locals, get to know them and find local faire to...
Vegetarian Pasta – Quick & Easy!
Natalia Pavia-Neves shares a quick and easy Vegetarian Pasta dish!
Valentine’s Day 2021
Natalia Paiva-Neves shares two recipes for appetizer to dinner ease and two cocktails all to help you celebrate Valentine's Day at home! Or, if you want to order take out at O Dinis Restaurant in East Providence. Rhode Island we have posted out Valentine's Day menu!...
Braised Brisket
Natalia Paiva-Neves shows us how to make delicious Braised Brisket served with buttered egg noodles and parsley.
Salted Cod: Bacalhau à espanhola
Natalia shows us how to make Bacalhau à espanhola – Spanish Style Salted Cod. This is the Spanish Style twist on the O Dinis Restaurant version of this classic dish called Bacalhau na brasa.
Dia de Portugal: Portuguese Sunday Brunch
Dia de Portugal (Rhode Island Day of Portugal) was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID-19 and the pandemic, but Rhode Island Day of Portugal produced videos to be seen virtually. Ana Isabel dos Reis-Couto of Rhode Island Day of Portugal (Dia de Portugal) interviews Natalia...
A Traditional & A Spicy Margarita
Natalia celebrates Cinco De Mayo with ESPOLÓN Tequila – both Agave Blanco and Reposado with margaritas two ways!