PORTUGUESE CUISINE
The Food of Portugal
In the 15th century, Prince Henry the Navigator ordered his explorers to bring back to Portugal any exotic fruits,
nuts, and plants from new lands. As a result, the
Age of Discovery dramatically affected cooking in Portugal and around the world.
Tomatoes and potatoes were taken to Europe, Brazilian pineapples were introduced to the Azores, Brazilian chili peppers
grew in Angola, African coffee was transplanted to Brazil (today producing about half of the world's supply), Brazilian cashews landed in
Africa and India, and tea was introduced to Europeans. Today, the Portuguese fondness for certain ingredients like cinnamon or curry powder
for example, is also a legacy from this time. But other cultures had been introducing new foods to Portugal for centuries before that. The
Romans (who aimed to make the Iberian Peninsula the granary of Rome) brought wheat and introduced onions, garlic, olives, and grapes. Later,
the Moors were the first to plant rice, introduced figs, planted groves of lemons and oranges, and covered the
Algarve province with almond trees.
Today, naturally, Portuguese cuisine varies from region to region, but fresh fish and shellfish are found on virtually every menu.
The national dish is "bacalhau," dried, salted cod. The Portuguese have been obsessed with it since the early 16th century, when their fishing boats reached Newfoundland. The sailors salted and sun-dried their catch to make it last the long journey home, and today there are said to be 365 different ways of preparing it, one for each day of the year (see a recipe below).
Grilled sardines and horse mackerel are also popular in the coastal towns, and a mixture of other types of fish is put into a stew called "Caldeirada."
The country is full of specialty seafood restaurants, many with artistic displays of lobsters, shrimp, oysters, and crabs. To try a mixture of these, have the rich seafood rice, "arroz de marisco."
Another national dish, but made with meat, is "cozido à portuguesa," a thick stew of vegetables with various kinds of meat.
The favorite kind is pork, cooked and served in a variety of ways. Roast suckling pig ("leitão assado") is popular in the north of the country, as are pork sausages called "chouriço" or "linguiça."
Typical of
Porto
is tripe with haricot beans. It is not to everyone's taste, but has been Porto's most famous dish since Henry the Navigator sent a vessel to conquer Ceuta in Morocco and the people of Porto slaughtered all their livestock to provision the crew, keeping just the intestines for themselves. They have been known as "tripeiros" or "tripe eaters" ever since.
Breakfast is traditionally just coffee and a bread roll, but lunch is a big affair, often lasting up to two hours.
It is served between noon and 2 o'clock or between 1 and 3 o'clock, and dinner is generally served late, after 8 o'clock.
There are usually three courses, often including soup. The most common soup is "caldo verde," with potato, shredded kale,
and chunks of sausage (recipe below).
The most typical desserts are cinnamon-flavored rice pudding, flan, and caramel custard, but they also often include a variety of cheese.
The most common varieties are made from sheep or goat's milk, and the most popular is "queijo da serra" from the region of
Serra da Estrela.
Many of the country's outstanding pastries were created by nuns in the 18th century, which they sold them as a means of supplementing their incomes. Many of their creations have interesting names like "barriga de freira" (nun's belly), "papos de anjo" (angel's chests), and "toucinho do céu" (bacon from heaven). A particularly delicious pastry is "pastel de nata," a small custard tart sprinkled with cinnamon.
Before any meal at a restaurant in Lisbon or elsewhere in Portugal,
try the bread placed on the table -- Portuguese bread is delicious.
Also get some ideas of Lisbon's cuisines »
RECIPES
|
|
Below are two recipes of very popular dishes served in Lisbon's restaurants. The first is the country's most famous soup and the other is one of the favorite ways to prepare cod. These recipes are by Celia Pedroso and Lucy Pepper, authors of the book "Eat Portugal" available online: 
|
CALDO VERDE ("Green Soup"/Kale Soup)
Being such a simple soup, you'd think there was only one recipe, but there are those who like it potatoey with just a hint of cabbage, those who like it more like a cabagge stew and all the options in between. There's also debate about whether it's best with or without chouriço (Portuguese sausage). Here's a more cabbagey version, perfect for warming you and filling you up.
|
BACALHAU COM NATAS (Cod with Cream)
This is an urban bacalhau recipe, not exactly a traditional recipe, but it's very popular in restaurants and among young people.
|
|
|
Lisbon Restaurants
Lisbon Cafés
Portuguese Cuisine
Wine
|
|
|
Portuguese
|
Top 10 Restaurants
|