Portuguese Menu

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Mon, 24 Dec 2012 15:08:00 +0000

I wish all Portuguese Menu visitors and friends a Merry Christmas!
Peace, Love, Happiness and plenty of food in your table.

Last year, I traveled to my hometown to spend Christmas with my mother and friends. This year, I won´t be traveling, I´m home with my daughter. My kitchen is still busy as I´m preparing our Christmas Eve dinner with the traditional Codfish dish and some Portuguese sweets.

The picture above shows a typical Portuguese Christmas table.

See you soon xx

Portuguese Christmas Sweets: Dreams

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Sat, 22 Dec 2012 15:47:00 +0000

Hello everyone,
Today I´m sharing my mother´s recipe of a typical Portuguese Christmas sweet called "Sonhos".
"Sonhos" is the Portuguese word for dreams.

Portuguese "Dreams" Recipe

Ingredients:

~ 4 Egg whites
~ 6 tablespoons of Flour
(all purpose flour with yeast)
~ Juice of 1 big Orange (or 2 small ones)
~ 3 tablespoons of water
~ Oil to fry
~ Sugar & Cinnamon powder to sprinkle

How to Do:

1. Beat the egg whites very well and reserve while you mix the other ingredients.

2. In another bowl, mix well the flour with the water and the natural orange juice.

3. Add the egg whites to the flour mixture and stir gently.

4. In a small bowl or cup, mix sugar and cinnamon powder to sprinkle the Dreams after fried.

5. Fry the Dreams in hot oil - I use Sunflower oil. Each Dream is a tablespoon full of dough/polme.

5. Put the dreams in kitchen paper to dry the excess oil and let them cool a little bit.

6. Sprinkle the Dreams with the mixture of Sugar and Cinnamon.

The quantities in this recipe make more or less a dozen units. If you want to make more, double the ingredients.

Enjoy!

Portuguese Dried Figs and Almonds ~ Figos Cheios

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Tue, 11 Dec 2012 14:01:00 +0000

Hello everyone,

I bought some dried Figs and Almonds in Sta. Iria Fair and decided to roast some of them in the typical Algarve´s fashion. In Portuguese, we call this regional specialty "Figos Cheios".

In a Portuguese typical Christmas table it´s a "must" to have nuts, dried figs and raisins. This is easily explained because Portugal produces some types of nuts, specially Almonds, walnuts and Chestnuts which are collected during Autumn season. We also produce figs and grapes and letting them dry to be eaten during winter is a way of preserving the surplus fruits.

We even have a tradition of eating 12 small raisins at midnight in New Year´s Eve and request a wish for each raisin.

"Figos Cheios" are easy to make and I love the flavors´combination. They combine perfectly with coffee and a Portuguese Liquor or Porto Wine. Here´s how I do it:

Ingredients:

~ Dried Figs

~ Almonds

~ Yellow Sugar

~ Cinnamon in powder

Directions:

1. Take some dried figs, make a small cut on top and fill each one with a few almonds (with the brown first skin). Depending on the fig´s size, each one can take three to six almonds inside. You just need to press each almond vertically and gently.

2. Fill the space in between the almonds with a little bit (1/2 teaspoon) of yellow sugar and cinnamon, previously mixed. Close the figs by pressing the top a bit and display them in a tray.

3. Take to medium oven (160ºC) for about 20/30 minutes.

When the sugar is melted and starts bubbling, it´s time to switch off the oven and take the figs out because you don´t want them too much roasted.

Let the figs cool before serving and enjoy :)

Figos Cheios last long. Preferably, keep them in a glass pot without a lid.

Serra da Estrela Typical Products ~ Ribeira D´Alva

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Sun, 25 Nov 2012 19:48:00 +0000

In Sta. Iria fair I bought: Figs, Almonds and Sweet Potatoes from Algarve region. Plus, Corn Bread from Viseu and Serra da Estrela Cheese, which you can see in the first picture below. My other purchase was also made in Serra da Estrela tent: "Urze Flower" Honey.

I asked the owner of the tent permission to take pictures of the products to post here and found that he owns a Restaurant called "Ribeira d´Alva", located in Sabugueiro - Serra da Estrela, and also a shop where we can buy the best regional products. He gave me a visit card with the contact which I´ll post below in case any of you wants to visit the restaurant or the shop.

Serra da Estrela is the highest mountain in Portugal and, in my opinion, Sabugueiro and the Tower Market are the best places to buy this region´s typical products. In Serra da Estrela snows so there´s also a Snow Sports center.

Corn Bread and Cheese

Ribeira D´Alva tent in Sta Iria Fair

Ham, different types of Chouriço and Bread

Another view of the tent

Ham sandwiches, Cheese and Honey

Liquors, Wines and Honey

Ribeira D´Alva Restaurant

Owner: Pedro Branquinho

Location: Sabugueiro - Serra da Estrela

Contacts:

Restaurant: 238 311 978

Shop: 238 311 667

Portuguese Typical Products in Sta. Iria Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 18:20:00 +0000

Hello everyone,

As promised, today I´m posting the pictures of Portuguese typical products and specialties found in Sta. Iria Fair. In this annual fair, there´s a pavilion dedicated to Gastronomy where we can have a meal or buy products from different Portuguese regions. That´s where I took most of the pictures below. I will use legends in Portuguese (and whenever possible a description in English) so you know how these products are called in our language:

Outside tent with Amarante region Cakes

Entering the Gastronomy Pavilion

Gastronomy Pavilion, another view

Portuguese Bread - North region

Cheese

Leitão da Bairrada

Licor de Ginja de Óbidos

Cherry Liquor from Óbidos

Torresmos do Alentejo

Azeitonas Verdes do Alentejo

Green Olives from Alentejo Region

Sandes de Presunto

Huge Ham sandwiches

Broa de Viseu

Corn bread from Viseu

Pão de Deus de Viseu

Typical cake with coconut called "God´s Bread"

Pão com Chouriço e com Alheira de Viseu

Bread with Portuguese Chouriço

Serra da Estrela Tent ~ Bread, Chouriço, Ham

Another view of the same Serra da Estrela tent

Ham sandwiches, Cheese and Honey

Just a curiosity. an old Portuguese register machine I saw in one of the tents

Castanhas Assadas

Outside, the typical roasted Chestnuts

So Long Entrecard

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 00:33:00 +0000

I just read that Entrecard closed.

Entrecard used to be a cool blogger´s community. Although, in the recent past, I wasn´t using it much I still had their widget here in Portuguese Menu (until today) and I think it´s a pity.

Trough EC I meet some nice blogging buddies and food blogs, some of which are in my blogroll, and it was a source of traffic too. As we know...nothing last forever.

So long Entrecard.

2012 Edition of Stª Iria Fair

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 13:30:00 +0000

The 2012 edition of Stª Iria Fair started last Friday, October 19th, and will be in town until 28th.

I´ve posted pictures of this fair before and the Typical Portuguese Products you can find there (check this link for that post).

This year, I want to buy Dry Figs, Almonds and Cheese. Besides beng a funfair and exposition show, this event includes a market in which local producers sell their products and because it only happens once a year, it´s a "must" for us.

I´m planning going to the Fair at night but if I take any good pictures of this year´s edition I will post them later.

See you soon xx

Portuguese Mackerel Fish Recipe

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Mon, 01 Oct 2012 01:26:00 +0000

In Portugal, we call this mackarel recipe "Carapaus Alimados".
Here´s how we do it:

Ingredients:

(4 p.)

~ 1 Kg of medium size Mackerels

~ 1 Onion

~ Olive Oil

~ Vinegar

~ Salt

Directions:

1. Salt the fish and keep it in the fridge overnight. In the next day, boil the fish in water without salt and let it cool for a while.

2. Remove fish heads, belly, outside fish bones and put mackarels in the plate/tray they will be served.

3. Season mackarels with olive oil, vinegar and the onion cut in fine slices.
Serve with salad, vegetables or boiled potatoes.

Enjoy :)

A Very Portuguese Snack Suggestion

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 21:36:00 +0000

We call it "Tiborna de Tomate" and it´s very easy to make: Slices of Portuguese typical bread from Alentejo region, fresh tomatoes, virgin olive oil and dry oregano.

A tasty suggestion for a snack inbetween meals or to serve along with other dishes.

Enjoy :)

Algarve´s Seafood Festivals

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 20:35:00 +0000

Hello everyone,

Hope you´re all well.

August is the moth of Seafood Festivals in Algarve, so today I bring you the two main Festival´s Posters:

This is Faro´s Annual Seafood Festival Poster.

It will take place from 26th July to 5th August.

This Festival includes Gastronomy, Shows and Expositions.

This is Olhão´s Annual Seafood Festival.

It will take place from 8th August to 12th August.

This Festival includes Gastronomy and Music Concerts and it´s my favorite one.

Portuguese Pastry II

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Sun, 01 Jul 2012 20:49:00 +0000

Hello folks,

This is the second post featuring Portuguese Pastry. These posts are a selection of pictures of the most common cakes and sweets you can find in Portuguese Pastry Shops:

Bolo de Suspiros com Morangos

Molotof

Triplo Semifrio

Tarte de Amêndoa

Tarte de Maçã

Portuguese Pastry

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 22:56:00 +0000

Bolo de Ovo

Bolo de Bolacha

Bolo de Suspiros

Bolo com Topping

Brigadeiro

Hello everyone,

Today I´m publishing a few pictures of some popular Pastry Cakes you can find in Portugal.

My favorite sweets are ice-creams and homemade cakes but in Portugal we have so many excellent Pastry Shops! Sometimes is hard to resist :)

I labeled the pictures in Portuguese, in case you visit my country you´ll know what to ask for.

See ya xx

Portuguese Caracóis

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Wed, 09 May 2012 19:13:00 +0000

Known as Escargots , Land Snails or "Caracóis" in Portuguese, they are very appreciated around here specially the small size ones.
In Portugal, you can find a few different recipes but in general snails are very well dried (they are left without eating for a week or two so their stomachs are as empty as possible before cooking), washed and then cooked with water, salt, garlic, one or two chili pepper and plenty of oregano.
Portuguese "snails season" starts in Spring, late April beginning of May. Many cafes with terraces serve them in small plates like in the picture above.
Cooked at home or out in a cafe terrace in a sunny day, a plate of Caracóis, bread, butter and beer...it´s a must for many Portuguese.

Image from here.
See you soon xx

Tomatoes Soup & Eggs

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Tue, 08 May 2012 07:07:00 +0000

Tomatoes Soup with Boiled Eggs is a very appreciated soup by Portuguese, it´s both tasty and healthy.
Portugal produces tomatoes in different regions so you can find many typical food recipes using this vegetable. It´s also very appreciated as Jam.
To cook Tomatoes Soup I use this recipe of a Portuguese website and, so far, it´s my favorite one. This is how it´s done:

Ingredients:

~ 1 Onion

~ 2 Garlic cloves

~ 1 kg peeled Tomatoes

~ 400 gr Potatoes

~ 2 dl Olive oil

~ 2 leafs Bay Laurel

~ Salt q.b

~ 1 teaspoon Sugar

~ 6 eggs

~ Vinegar q.b

~ 1 liter Water

Directions:

1. Peel vegetables, cut the onion, garlic and tomatoes in small pieces. Cut potatoes in halfs.

2. In a soup pot, put the onion, garlic, bay laurel leafs and the olive oil. Take it to medium stove for 5 minutes. Add tomatoes and let it cook for another 5 minutes mixing well.

3. Add 1 liter water, potatoes and salt. Cook 15 minutes.

4. Remove laurel leafs, put the vegetables in a blender and reduce to soup.

5. In a separate pan, boil the eggs in water seasoned with salt and 2 tablespoons of vinegar.

6. Serve each plate of soup with one egg and decorate with fresh parsley.

Tomatoes soup can also be served with cubes of toasted or fried bread.

Enjoy :)

Portuguese Easter Cake - Folar

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 08:04:00 +0000

As I mentioned in a previous post, in Portugal, the traditional Easter cake is called "Folar". There are different recipes of Folar, depending on the region you travel to. Some are made with whole eggs inside, they have different sizes and presentations but they all are made of a dough covered with plenty sugar, cinnamon and sweet herbs flavor.
In the south region of Portugal, and in my opinion, the best "Folar" are the ones in layers (in the picture above), a recipe originally from Olhão (city).

For the Portuguese out there, here´s one recipe of Folar de Olhão, published by Slowfood Algarve:

Ingredientes:

~ 1Kg de farinha
~ 60 g de fermento de padeiro
~ Sumo de 2 laranjas
~ Cerca de 1,5 l de água
~ Sal, q.b
~ Erva doce em pó ou em grão (aqui usou em pó)
~ 125g de banha
~ Manteiga para barrar (250gr)
~ 1 cálice de aguardente ou de vinho do Porto
~ Açúcar e canela para polvilhar.

Como Fazer:

1. Mistura-se ( tudo feito á mão, nada de máquinas ) a farinha com 125 gr de manteiga, a banha, o sumo das laranjas, 1 cálice de aguardente ( ou vinho do Porto) e água com algum sal.

2. Desfaz-se o fermento numa pequena porção de água morna e amassa-se com a farinha.
Para isto será melhor espalhar a farinha, fazendo uma cova no centro e colocar aí o fermento. Para amassar o fermento retire a farinha da periferia para o centro.
Amassa-se muito bem.

3. Tiram-se bocados de massa do mesmo tamanho e fazem-se bolas, que se estendem com o rolo até ficarem circulares e planas, com cerca de 10 cm de diâmetro.
Barra-se muito bem cada círculo com manteiga e polvilha-se abundantemente com açúcar e um pouco de canela e erva doce.

4. Sobrepõem-se em várias camadas umas por cima das outras.

5. Deixa-se levedar durante 3 horas coberto por um pano de lã.

6. Coloca-se num tacho untado com manteiga e novamente polvilha-se abundantemente com açúcar, canela e erva doce em pó ou em grão.

7. Vai a forno quente a cozer em tacho de barro.
Tira-se quente do forno e do tacho de barro, com a ajuda de uma faca

Uma Delícia :)

About Fast Food

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:23:00 +0000

Hello everyone, it´s been a while since my last post.
I have been sick since late January with a viral infection and haven´t blogged much. My English blogs are not my top priority so when I´m sick they´re the ones I leave behind. Now that I´m feeling a bit better I´m back to the blogosphere.
As some of you know I have a few different blogs, not only about food but also personal, mixed bag and about Personal Finances. In this context, I came across the image bellow in a Personal Finances website and thought about re-posting it. This website main focus is providing information about Personal Finances topics and Coupons. It has different sections but you can find different types of coupons and discounts such as Walmart Coupon Codes, airtran discounts, Lush Coupon Codes and Jetblue Coupon Codes. These two last are travelling coupons from US brands so if you like using coupons and reading about this kind of topics, check it out.

Mc Donnalds is one of the biggest Fast Food chains in Portugal and probably in the whole world. It´s present in all shopping malls and has many drive-in shops, which are opened all day and at night, spread all over the country.
Obesity in general and specifically among children has become a big problem and a public health issue in Portugal too. The main concern about fast food is it´s low nutritional value and the presence of saturated fat specially in fries and burger´s sauces.
Kid´s favorite "Happy Meal" (and I would risk saying it´s the top meal sold for kids because it offers a toy) does not provide any vegetables. Although fast food industry insists it bears no responsibility for this epidemic, people are starting to realize the relation between obesity and the frequent intake of fast food meals.
A research team led by David Ludwig, MD, director of the Optimal Weight for Life program, published a study in the journal Pediatrics that strengthens the scientific footing of that link.

By examining data from surveys of 6,212 children and adolescents, the researchers found that children who ate fast food consumed more total and saturated fat, more total carbohydrates and added sugars, less dietary fiber, and more calories per gram of solid food than children who did not eat fast food. Not surprisingly, they also consumed less milk, fiber, fruit and non-starchy vegetables.
Thirty percent of the children in the survey ate fast food on any given day during the survey, and they ate an average of 187 calories a day more than those who did not eat fast food. These additional calories could account for an extra six pounds of weight gain per year, according to Ludwing.
Data from the Optimal Weight for Life program.
The graphic bellow provides information about the biggest fast food chain. Just to think about:

Source: http://frugaldad.com

Christmas Greetings

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:01:00 +0000

Christmas Greetings to all Portuguese Menu readers, visitors and foodie friends.
The image above is "Bolo Rei", the Portuguese typical Christmas fruit cake. It won´t be missing on my Christmas too.
I´m spending my "Christmas Holidays" in my hometown. I´m travelling for over a week and hope to be back home after Christmas weekend.
See you xx

Portuguese Chestnuts are Back

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 01:30:00 +0000

It´s already Winter in Portugal. Our typical and very appreciated Portuguese Chestnuts are back.
Portuguese chestnuts can be found in abundance in the center and north region of the country.
Roasted with Salt, better when they´re still warm...They are sold in dozens and you can find them in some corners of downtown´s streets.
You will hear the typical "pregão": "Quentinhas e Boas!"

Organizing Pots

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Sat, 05 Nov 2011 04:02:00 +0000

Besides cooking and blogging I have quite a few different interests and that´s one of the main reasons why I don´t update my blogs as frequently as I wish :)
Besides my long time passion for Stained Glass Art, I enjoy home design and decor. I like Portuguese traditions and although I live in a modern city apartment, my favorite decor style is mixing old and new.
I often visit a few home design websites and sometimes I check home decor magazines not only to learn about the latest trends but also looking for organizing ideas I can use on my own home.
I noticed that in modern kitchens there´s a sort of old Portuguese tradition revival. In some Portuguese countryside villages, like in Alentejo region, the old tradition to store pots is hanging them on walls and racks.
I did a bit of research online and came across enclume pot racks, in the picture above. Some of these racks look like the old Portuguse ones and I think they can be a very good solution to organize my pots. Any enclume pot rack organizing system saves a lot of space and lends the kitchen a different look.
enclume potracks offers three basic rack solutions: Hanging pot racks, wall mounted pot racks and freestanding, plus different accessories.
I surely need to organize my pots, due to lack of space I have them all stored in a “mountain” inside a kitchen cupboard.
And you? How do you organize your pots?

Blog Break

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 23:07:00 +0000

What I´ve Been Cooking...

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 13:52:00 +0000

Hello guys,
It´s been a while since my last update, my offline life has been my major focus and I´ve been blogging much less these days... once in a while count me in :)
Although I cook almost every day, I haven´t tried a new recipe in such a long time.
I´ve been cooking the same recipes I already posted here in Portuguese Menu before. I´ve been doing more "Menu Planning" too. I guess we entered in what can be called a meal routine: simple things, soups, eggs, roasted meet, fish, seafood, beans, rice, pasta, some Italian dishes, salads and deserts.
Here´s some of the recipes I´ve been doing:

Lasanha

Feijoada

Seafood

Semifrio de Bolacha

See you xxx

Happy Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Fri, 22 Apr 2011 03:50:00 +0000

I´d like to wish all Portuguese Menu readers, visitors and followers a Peaceful and Sweet Easter.
We will be traveling out of town for a few days. Hope to be back next week.

My Birthday

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:17:00 +0000

Hello,
In the past couple months, I haven´t dedicated much time to Portuguese Menu. Although I cook everyday, I haven´t made a new recipe in a while. I´ve been cooking the same tried out recipes I´ve posted before. I guess I tend to cook the same things often to simplify my life and because they are our favorites too.
The only new things I´ve cooked and haven´t posted yet were peas soup with bacon cubes, almond pie with caramel topping and a cookies desert I just made to celebrate my Birthday. Yeap, my birthday is today! :)
Cheers!

For Coffee Lovers

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 19:26:00 +0000

As you know, I´m a huge coffee lover. I have written about my love for the Art of Coffee and Tea before here in Portuguese Menu.
Although coffee´s exact origins remain unclear, it is said that it was brought to Portugal by the Moors. Portuguese historic connections with Brazil, a top coffee producer, are also well known.
In Portugal, we have many different types of coffee, you can read about them in this website. Personally, I prefer expresso but I can only have one or two per day otherwise I get "electric". I often make homemade instant coffee brands instead.
If you would like to try Portuguese coffee, you can buy it online. I came across Portuguese coffee and other merchandise for the art of coffee at shopwiki.com
You know, "Silva" is one of the most common last names in Portugal and I´m one of them so I found this Portuguese coffee mug very funny :)
Here, many people have the habit to drink their coffee out. It´s a cheap way to enjoy a good expresso, as it cost around 0.70 cents, and socialize with neighbors and friends. In my opinion, in Portugal, coffee can be considered a nationwide tradition, there´s a coffee shop in each corner.
I like to have my coffee at home too. Last year, I made a nice deal with a credit card and received a coffee machine from my favorite brand as gift. If you´re curious...one of my favorite Portuguese coffee brands is "Delta". I think you can find it online too.
Ok guys, I´m off for a mug :)
See you.

Portuguese Menu Reader´s Questions

noreply@blogger.com (Mizé) — Sat, 19 Feb 2011 04:42:00 +0000

I have received a few questions from readers and today I´m answering them all in one post.

~ The first question is about the "Pao de Ló" recipe I´ve published a few months back. The reader asked if "I was writing from my experience or if I found the information online".
My answer is: I´m writing from my experience. All recipes I publish here in Portuguese Menu were tried by me and if I post anything I never tried before I always mention that. There are quite a few different "Pão de Ló" recipes out there but the one I´ve posted is the recipe my godmother tough me long ago. She just did something different: she weighted the eggs, and used that same weight to measure other ingredients. I use grams, it works well and simplifies the process.

~The second question came from a reader about octopus.
What you have tried is the typical Portuguese octopus salad: "Salada de Polvo". It´s made with (boiled in salted water) octopus, chopped in little pieces, chopped onion and coriander. Then, it´s seasoned with salt, olive oil and vinegar. It´s served cold, in small plates along with bread and, in some regions, olive oils.

~ The third reader requested me to e-mail her a specific Portuguese Christmas recipe. I had planned to publish that recipe last December so I apologize but I ended up traveling to my hometown and had to change my editorial. I still want to post a step-by-step recipe with images and I already have the pictures, I just could not find time and now that Christmas already passed, I´m wondering if I still should publish it now. What do you think guys?