A Creative Spirit
For this week's #foodiefriday, I decided to focus on Bacalau (salted cod) because in Portugal, Christmas is not Christmas without it. I don't know why, because it is as stiff as a board, smells disgusting, and looks about as appetising as the prospect of munching on cardboard. In fact, it’s so stiff that it has... Continue Reading →
Let's talk about eating out ... I am not referring to basic eating establishments such as 'McDonald's', 'Pizza Hut', and other fast-food chains; I mean restaurants that create their own menus and food. Okay, so “Ambience” is just a fancy word for the feel or atmosphere of a place. If I walk into a restaurant... Continue Reading →
This week, we were recommended a traditional Portuguese restaurant in Lagos, Restaurante o Lamberto. The restaurant is located well away from the tourist trail. I think we were probably the only English people there. I ordered a Bifes à Portuguesa to see how it was presented and compared to the one served at restaurant Cais... Continue Reading →
Shopping in Intermarche this week we (actually the OH) noticed this Bacalhau Christmas tree. What a creative way to display and promote Bacalhau! This certainly made me smile. Related Posts: Bacalhau anyone? It’s as stiff as a board, smells disgusting and looks about as appetizing as the prospect of munching on chipboard. In fact,... Continue Reading →
The theme for this week's WordPress Photo Challenge is "Unusual". This is an unusual photograph of a piglet's ear. Yes, you read correctly, and what's more, I was about to eat it! Lunching with some friends I reluctantly ordered Leitão assado à Bairrada (suckling pig). "Okay, no pig deal," I thought as squirmed in my... Continue Reading →
Since moving to Portugal one of my favorite meals, when we eat out, is a fish stew (Caldeirada) but the type which is cooked and served in a copper dish called a Cataplana. As you can see from my photograph the dish has two hinged clam-like shells which are clamped tightly together during cooking. Researching... Continue Reading →
Cozido à Portuguesa is a typical Portuguese stew cooked from a range of wholesome ingredients such as cabbage, pig's ear, porco rabo, blood sausage and other various "unmentionables". I'm assured it's absolutely delicious and a real gastronomic delight...err...experience. I'm not normally one to back down from a challenge (except for eating snails and oysters),but as... Continue Reading →
This traditional Portuguese recipe is courtesy of Fernanda I'm always keen to try Portuguese recipes so when Fernanda kindly shared this recipe I thought I would experiment. I tried to discover what the word "Farófias" actually meant but unfortunately it did not translate. Any clues please? I've never tasted Farófias before so my taste buds... Continue Reading →
The first time I tasted Bacalhau à Brás I spat it out in surprised horror, downed a glass of water and swore at the assault on my taste buds. My tongue reacted in much the same way as that of a slug when you pour neat salt on it. I realise a tongue and slug... Continue Reading →
Recipe Brigadeiros are traditionally made from condensed milk, sweetened cocoa powder and butter. Cooked to a fudge consistency, rolled into little balls and coated in chocolate granules (sprinklers). Ingredients 1 can of sweetened condensed milk 1oz of butter 3 large tablespoons of cocoa powder Chocolate 100s and 1000s (chocolate granules) for decoration Method Place cocoa... Continue Reading →
This traditional Easter recipe is courtesy of a friend in Northern Portugal. Tarte de Páscoa (Easter Tart) Ingredients Filo pastry (18 circles). I used 2 x 230g packets of *PÂte Feuilletée which I think is ready-made filo pastry. 1 medium onion (finely chopped) 500gr Spinach 4 Hardboiled Eggs 2 Uncooked eggs 70gr Parmesan Cheese 30gr... Continue Reading →
Or perhaps better known as Chocolate Salami! Chocolate Salami is very popular in the Algarve and is a great biscuity-cake to serve with tea or coffee. It's extremely rich so it's wise to cut the slices as thin as possible. I can only assume the name comes from its chouriço sausage-like appearance. So after my... Continue Reading →
Caldo Verde is a rustic soup originating from the Minho Province in northern Portugal. It is now considered a national dish and is popular all over the world. It is made from Collie-greens which is couvos cabbage. I've wanted to cook Caldo Verde soup for some time so when I saw the recipe in this... Continue Reading →
Shortly after we moved to Portugal we discovered a gift on our doorstep - an old coffee jar containing a strange liquid. “What on earth is it?” I asked Mr. Piglet as I opened the jar to smell its contents. “Smells interesting” I proffered the jar to Mr. Piglet for his opinion. He sniffed, then... Continue Reading →
This recipe complete with pictures is courtesy of Sami a Portuguese lady living in Australia! She had to drive 30kms to buy the bacalhau to make this recipe. Sami has a great blog called sami's colourfulworld please "click" across and say hi! Bacalhau com Natas Ingredients 500gr potatoes 500gr cooked and flaked bacalhau (Please see *note below) 3 onions sliced a... Continue Reading →
This traditional Portuguese custard is usually served on its own, or with cake or fruit. My original intention was to serve the Leite Creme (custard) with my Rhubarb Crumble. Unfortunately, my oven conspired against me and refused to work so my uncooked crumble was subsequently banished to the freezer until my oven is mended. Ingredients... Continue Reading →
From plot to plate - I grew the red cabbage used in this recipe in my vegetable plot! Ingredients Small Red Cabbage (sliced finely) 1 Onion (chopped) 1 Packet of smoked lardons (bacon pieces) Knob of lard or splash of olive oil 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds or cumin powder 1 bay leaf Salt to... Continue Reading →
For many years I believed the clay dishes sold by the Artesanos in Portugal (Pottery shops) were toast racks. Yes, toast racks! I pondered over the design of these strange dishes, as you would, and decided Portuguese “toast racks” were extremely impractical as they would not hold many slices of toast. Well what else could... Continue Reading →
We went to a BBQ last week and the hostess served this delicious Portuguese Octopus Salad. She was fascinated by the fact I was keen to photograph her cooking and share with the world. Enjoy! 1kg of Octopus 1 Onion (finely chopped) 1 Bunch of flat leaved parsley (finely chopped) 3 tbsp extra virgin olive... Continue Reading →
Baiao kindly shared this picture of their family Folar! This recipe also uses almonds. Shopping at the local farmers market a couple of years ago I could not help but notice a crowd of women gathering round a particular cake stall. Curiosity eventually getting the better of me I went over to investigate and squeezed... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 