This guide walks you through setting up the Mediterranean Recipes app and generating your first personalized recipe. A complete and accurate setup helps the app suggest recipes that match your tastes, dietary needs, cooking skill, and available equipment.
The setup covers your access code, cuisine preferences, dietary restrictions, cooking preferences, and the meal details for each request. The app draws from the authentic culinary traditions of 22 Mediterranean countries — every recipe is personalized for you based on your saved profile.
Important
The Mediterranean Recipes app generates recipe suggestions using AI. Recipes are cultural and culinary in nature and are not designed to diagnose, treat, or cure any condition. If you manage a health condition or follow a medically prescribed diet, always confirm recipe choices with your healthcare team or a registered dietitian before applying them.
Getting Started
1Enter your access code
Open the Premium Access section in the sidebar and enter the access code you received after purchase. You can get your first pass through Etsy (code sent manually via Etsy Messages, usually within a few hours) or directly from our Plans page via Stripe (code generated instantly at checkout). Once a valid code is entered, the app shows a live status panel with your recipes used, recipes remaining, and your pass expiry date. Your daily recipe limit depends on your plan — Single Pass: 10/day, Duo Pack: 20/day, Family Pack: 40/day. See Plans for the full comparison.
2Your profile travels with you
Your profile is saved in your browser and also securely on your account, linked only to your access code — never to your name or email. Enter the same code on another phone, tablet, or computer and your profile loads automatically, so you never have to set it up more than once.
3What devices does it work on?
Any device with a modern web browser — phone, tablet, or computer. There is nothing to download or install. The app works directly in your browser.
Building Your Profile
4Preferred country or region
Choose the country or region whose cuisine you most want to explore — from Spain, Morocco, Greece, Lebanon, Italy, Turkey, and 16 more. Select "Surprise me" if you want the app to rotate freely across the full Mediterranean. You can change this any time to explore a different tradition.
5Recipe style & skill level
- Recipe style — Choose from Traditional & Authentic, Home Cooking, Festive / Celebration, Street Food / Casual, Fine Dining Inspired, Ancient / Historic Recipe, Coastal / Seafood Focus, or Mountain / Inland. This shapes the tone and character of every recipe.
- Cooking skill — Choose Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced. Beginner recipes have fewer steps and simpler techniques; Advanced recipes may include slow-cooked preparations, handmade dough, or complex spice blends.
6Servings
Set how many people the recipe should serve — 1, 2, 4, 6, or Family style (8+). The ingredient amounts in each recipe are scaled accordingly. Update this if you're cooking for a different number than usual.
7Dietary needs
- Check all dietary rules that apply: Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Low sodium, No pork, No shellfish, or Nut-free.
- Use the Ingredients to avoid field for anything not already listed — for example: eggplant, anchovies, cilantro, or any specific allergen. Write these clearly so the app excludes them reliably.
- Use the Other notes field for additional requests such as "low oil," "I prefer bold spices," "no raw onion," or "preparing for Ramadan."
Safety reminder
If an allergy or dietary restriction is serious, review every generated recipe carefully before preparing it. AI suggestions should never replace professional medical or nutritional guidance.
8Save your profile
After completing your preferences, click "Save profile." This saves your current settings locally in your browser and also to your account, so they load automatically on any device where you enter your code. Save again whenever you change any detail.
Quick Setup Checklist
- Access code has been entered correctly.
- Preferred country / region is selected (or "Surprise me" for variety).
- Recipe style and cooking skill are set accurately.
- Servings match how many people you're cooking for.
- Dietary needs, ingredients to avoid, and other notes are filled in clearly.
- Profile is saved before generating a recipe.
Generating a Recipe
9Choose your meal type
Select Lunch, Dinner, Breakfast, or Appetizer using the meal type buttons at the top of the generator. This tells the app what kind of dish to create, so it stays appropriate to the occasion.
10Generate your personalized recipe
Click "Generate personalized recipe." The app creates a full recipe — including ingredients, step-by-step instructions, cook time, nutrition information, and a plating tip — based on your saved profile. Each recipe you generate uses one of the recipes included in your pass. The status panel updates automatically with your new remaining count.
Generate wisely — Each generation uses one of your pass recipes. The system applies a daily limit based on your plan to ensure fair use for everyone.
Save before you go — Unsaved recipes are permanently lost when you leave the page or generate a new one. Always tap Save Recipe before moving on.
Take your time — Review your recipe carefully before generating a new one. Once you generate another, the previous one is gone if it wasn't saved.
11What's included in the recipe?
- Full ingredient list with quantities scaled to your servings.
- Step-by-step instructions adapted to your skill level.
- Nutrition panel showing estimated calories, protein, carbs, fat, fiber, and key micronutrients.
- Cook time and serving information.
- Chef's tip — a plating or preparation suggestion from the recipe context.
Saving & Renewing
12Save a recipe to My Recipes
Click "Save Recipe" to keep a recipe you like. Saved recipes appear on the My Recipes page, where you can open them again or download them later. Your saved collection is linked to your access code and stored on your account, so entering the same code on another device loads your whole library there too.
13Download as a PDF
Click "Download PDF" to save the recipe as a printable file — useful for meal planning, sharing with family members, or keeping an offline collection. Review the recipe carefully before downloading to confirm it matches your preferences and dietary needs.
14Check your status & renew your pass
Whenever your access code is entered, the sidebar status panel shows “Recipes Used: X of Y,” “Remaining: Z Recipes,” and “Expires: [date]” — no need to generate a recipe to see it.
15Renew your pass from the Plans page
When your pass runs out — or even before it does — go to the Plans page and scroll to the Renew Your Pass block. Enter your existing code and the panel instantly shows your current status: recipes used, remaining, total, and expiry date. Once you confirm it’s the right pass, click Renew Now and complete checkout via Stripe. The moment payment goes through:
- Your recipe count resets to 100
- Your 90-day timer starts fresh from today
- Your same code stays active — no new code needed
- Your saved recipes carry over — nothing is lost
Good to know
A saved or downloaded recipe is still an AI-generated suggestion. Always confirm that the ingredients, portions, and preparation method are right for you before cooking.
A Note on Recipes
Every recipe the app generates is rooted in the authentic culinary traditions of the Mediterranean — from the olive groves of Spain and the spice markets of Morocco to the coastal kitchens of Greece and Lebanon. The app draws from 22 countries and adapts each suggestion to your preferences, dietary needs, and cooking level.
If a generated recipe isn't quite right, simply generate another. Each request draws from a different combination of ingredients, techniques, and regional traditions.
FOR PROFESSIONALS & BUSINESSES
Looking for something custom-built for your clients?
Beyond this pass, we also build custom versions of this app for healthcare professionals, nutritionists, culinary educators, and wellness businesses. If you're interested in a tailored Mediterranean recipe tool for your own audience, reach out and let's talk.
Contact us about a custom app