Perched on the edge of Europe and at the vanguard of maritime exploration, Portugal’s cuisine is sprinkled with spices from Africa and Asia and interwoven with the earlier influences of Arabs, Greeks, Phoenicians, Iberians and many more. Despite its long Atlantic Coast, Portugal’s diet is Mediterranean full of seafood, olive oil, wine, bread, cheese, fresh vegetables and herbs.
Caldo Verde(Portuguese Green Soup) Most Portuguese meals, especially dinner, start with soup; many are thick and hearty, using whatever produce is on hand. Caldo verde, meaning literally green broth, is one of the most popular. It’s traditionally made with a local dark green cabbage called galega, closely related to kale which is a good substitute. […]
Rice pudding is one of the most typical Portuguese desserts – and a great way to use some of the short-grained rice you have on hand for that other typical Portuguese dish, tomato rice! It always makes an appearance at celebrations, from birthdays to weddings and is usually decorated with a relevant motif sprinkled on […]
Bacon from Heaven There seem to be as many recipes for this cake as there are cooks; my simple version is inspired by the one Edite Vieira gives in her wonderful book The Taste of Portugal. She says that it originated in the Middle Ages in a convent (as so many Portuguese desserts did) and […]
Chouriço à bombeiro (fireman’s chorizo) has been on the menu at Bibo Wine Bar in Double Bay since it opened and always draws stares from around the room. I love the aroma and flavour of La Boqueria’s smoked chorizo for this dish. Traditional Portuguese chouriço tends to be drier than the more widely-available Spanish chorizo, […]
Portuguese Sardine Pate Chef Jose Silva says: “Paté de sardinha, olives and bread are almost always on the table when you walk into a restaurant in portugal, before you even order.” Sardines abound in Portuguese waters and are one of the country’s most popular fish, with each person consuming an average of over 5kg per […]
