About Gourmet Spoonie

Hi, I’m Spoonie Chef Daan, disabled foodie, and the creative mind behind Gourmet Spoonie.

My mission is a simple one—in theory: to make cooking accessible to people living with chronic illness, disability, and limited energy.

Because I believe every Spoonie deserves to eat well—even on their worst days.

Image of Spoonie Chef Daan, creator of Gourmet Spoonie, in wheelchair on grass

Why Gourmet Spoonie Exists

Cooking is supposed to be a simple everyday task. Something you can do without much braining or physical energy.

But real spoonie life doesn’t work like that.

So-called simple recipes requiring a dozen ingredients, twenty steps to follow in just the right order, and half a million dishes dirtied… When you’re a Spoonie, those recipes are overwhelming instead of helpful. 

Substack note about low-energy cooking and spoonie-friendly recipes

That’s why Gourmet Spoonie exists: to give Spoonies recipes that allow them to bake their cake and eat it, too.

What Makes Gourmet Spoonie Different

I believe cooking a pot of pasta should not feel like climbing Mt Everest.

The recipes I develop for Gourmet Spoonie are grounded in lived experience as a Spoonie. 

Every recipe I share is developed, prepared, and refined in my own wheelchair-accessible kitchen. Next comes testing by a small team of dedicated food lovers. Using their feedback, I optimised for both taste and ease of preparation. 

Once these steps have been successfully completed, I move on to the next phase: writing and photography.

Where possible, I include optional shortcuts and adaptations for every recipe I publish, so you’ll actually stand a fair chance of cooking without wiping yourself out.

The recipes here don’t need to earn any Michelin stars. Because awards mean nothing if you remain hungry. 

At Gourmet Spoonie, Fed is Gourmet Enough.

If a recipe helps you get there, it has done its job.

Cooking as a Dutch Spoonie Chef

Growing up and living in the Netherlands for most of my life (with a short stint in the UK when I was in my late teens) means my cultural background shows in many of my recipes—like stoofperen, boerenkool met worst, and other Dutch staples. 

Dutch Stoofperen—Slow Cooker Version
Stoofperen, a favourite Dutch classic, are small, hard pears gently simmered in spiced liquid until they are tender and a lovely deep pink. This version uses the slow cooker and spiced wine for an extra-deep ruby colour and a rich festive flavour. Perfect for winter evenings, desserts, or even breakfast leftovers.
See the recipe
A glass dessert dish with creamy custard and whole Dutch stoofperen (stewed pears) covered in red wine sauce. A cinnamon stick and spoon lie beside it on a rustic blue wooden surface, with a black background and a Gourmet Spoonie logo above.
Delicious Dutch Kale Mash (Boerenkoolstamppot)
Delicious Dutch Boerenkoolstamppot (kale mash), my favourite winter comfort food. This is the authentic recipe, the way my mother and grandmothers used to make it. The only change I made is to swap the pork sausage for a vegan version, and to use plant-based milk instead of dairy.
See the recipe
A plate of Dutch Kale Mash, topped with sliced sausage and gravy.

In this densely populated country, shops are always close by (often within walking distance), and many Dutch people—including me—run several quick shops per week. 

While I order groceries online when I’m at my worst, I typically go grocery-shopping using my add-on handbike. In a bicycle-friendly country like the Netherlands, biking is often quicker and easier than driving. Plus, biking gets me a valuable workout as a bonus.

man in black leather jacket riding a handbike

But… there’s always a price to pay. On the days I shop, I cannot cook, so planning ahead is vital.

What You’ll Find Here

Gourmet Spoonie focuses on three areas to help you navigate the challenges of chronic illness living: how you cook, how to create a supportive home environment, and how to live your best life as a Spoonie.

  • Spoonie Recipes
    • Simple, reliable meals designed for low-energy cooking and real-life conditions.
  • Spoonie Home & Interior Design
    • Accessible, low-effort ideas for making your kitchen and home easier to live in.
  • Spoonie Lifestyle
    • Practical insights and lived-in strategies for managing everyday life with chronic illness and limited energy.

Ready to jump in?

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Try one of my favourite recipes:

The Spoonie Meal Hack That Works (Almost) Every Time
This easy 10-minute skillet meal is the ultimate low-effort dinner for days when you can’t plan, measure, or think. Start with onion and garlic, add whatever vegetables and legumes you have, season to taste, and finish with a splash of acid. A flexible, one-pan vegetarian pantry meal that turns random fridge ingredients into a real dinner.
See the recipe
A close-up of a black plate filled with a chickpea and vegetable curry, topped with sliced cherry tomatoes. An easy Spoonie Meal Hack for hard days.
The Best Homemade Hummus
A quick, foolproof recipe for creamy hummus with a rich flavour and perfectly smooth texture. Made in minutes, using just a handful of common ingredients.
See the recipe
A bowl of creamy hummus garnished with chickpeas, olive oil, spices, and herbs sits on a wooden tray with crackers and sliced bread; a hand dips a cracker into the hummus.
Vegan Gluten-free Banana Bread
This easy gluten-free banana bread is soft, moist, and perfectly comforting. Made with simple ingredients and optional vegan swaps, it’s a reliable, Spoonie-friendly bake you can make in the oven or bread machine with minimal effort.
See the recipe
Two slices of banana bread are cut from a loaf on a wooden chopping board, with a teapot, sugar bowl, and floral teacup in the background.
Easy Gluten-Free Muesli
An easy gluten-free muesli that’s vegan, no-cook, and perfect for low energy mornings. Quick to make, endlessly customisable, and ideal for meal prep.
See the recipe
A bowl of yoghurt topped with dark cherries, easy gluten-free muesli, nuts, seeds, and dried fruit sits on a wooden surface.
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