Madeira’s New Year 27 December, 2024 | Reading Time – 5 min Madeira’s New Year is a unique experience that blends festive traditions with the natural beauty of one of...
Read More
Portuguese Delicacies You Can't Miss!
16 April, 2024 | Reading Time – 5 min
Portugal is a rich country with intense flavours. Its cuisine combines regional influences and fresh ingredients to create dishes that are true works of art.
Whether you’re in the north or south of the country, you’ll find portuguese delicacies you can’t miss!
Join us on this journey through this article and discover what we cook in Portugal from one end to another.
Warning:
This article will make your mouth water!
Dishes for all tastes
One thing must be said: you eat well in Portugal. Portuguese love to share the best they have to offer, delighting palates all over the world. One of the biggest secrets of Portuguese cuisine is undoubtedly the use of fresh and seasonal products in all recipes, which allows a diversity of recipes and flavors.
We’ll give you a list of dishes that you’ll have to try and repeat, for sure!
Bacalhau – The King of Portuguese cuisine
You can’t talk about Portuguese cuisine without mentioning “bacalhau” (cod). This fish is salted or dried and has been an essential part of the Portuguese diet for centuries. It can be prepared in countless ways and Portuguese are very good to invent bacalhau recipes, so this ingredient can be consumed baked, boiled or fried.
The most emblematic dishes are the traditional Bacalhau à Brás, made with fried potatoes and onions wrapped in scrambled eggs. Bacalhau com Natas (cod with cream), a mixture of cod, potatoes and cream that is baked in the oven. And finally, the wonderful Bacalhau à Lagareiro. In this dish the cod is roasted and traditionally served with potatoes drizzled with olive oil.
Trust us, any of these will be a divine experience for your palate.
Rice – The cereal of choice
There is no Portuguese cuisine without rice. This cereal is a constant presence in many traditional dishes, whether as a side dish or a main course, it always appears in different presentations.
It can be a simple white rice, which normally accompanies another ingredient or be the base of the recipe. Examples of this are Arroz de Pato (duck rice), a wonderful dry rice with pieces of shredded duck and small slices of chouriço (sausage). After it is cooked, this recipe goes into the oven, giving it a wonderful crispy texture. It is definitely one of the portuguese delicacies you can’t miss, while visiting.
Another example of a rice dish that will leave you on cloud nine is Arroz de Feijão (bean rice), one of the most traditional dishes in Portugal. The rice is mixed with beans creating a creamy and watery rice. We recommend that you try this rice with grilled meats, there are many restaurants that offer this dish.
Finally, we present to you Arroz de Tomate (tomato rice), just like its previous companion, the idea is to make a sauté with tomato and then add rice. It should be served loose and with plenty of sauce and is ideal as an accompaniment to fried fish.
Feijoadas – A dish for the bold
This recipe is only for the bravest, but one of the favourite portuguese delicacies! It’s a very rich dish, originally created for field workers as it has a very high nutritional value. It can be made with meat or fish.
This traditional Portuguese dish consists of red or white beans, vegetables and meat or fish. These ingredients are cooked together, extracting the flavor into the sauce.
You can find feijoadas made with pork, beef and sausages or with choco (cuttlefish). This ingredient is a mollusk much appreciated in Portugal from the octopus and squid family.
Alheira – A sausage with history
Originating from Trás-dos-Montes region, alheira is a meat sausage that is slowly smoked to create an intense flavor and a succulent texture. Its recipe is based on poultry, bread, olive oil and garlic.
It is said that the origin of alheira dates back to the late 15th and early 16th centuries and is associated with the presence of Jews in Trás-dos-Montes. As they did not eat pork, they created alheira to be able to go unnoticed by the Inquisition, who, when looking at their smokehouses, thought they were pork sausages. The recipe eventually became popular and took root in Portuguese culture.
Alheira can be served with roasted vegetables or with a fried egg and french fries.
Bread – The food of every home
Believe us when we tell you that there is no house in Portugal where there is no bread. This food is not only part of the Portuguese diet, but also of the culture itself.
It can be eaten as a snack or as a side dish to a meal.
Breads vary greatly from region to region, in texture, flavor and how they are made.
Cheese – A portuguese delicacie from Serra da Estrela
Portuguese cheeses are widely appreciated throughout the world. However, Serra da Estrela Cheese deserves a special mention.
Produced in the Serra da Estrela region, this soft and creamy sheep’s cheese is known for having a silky texture and a strong, rich flavor. We recommend that you enjoy it accompanied by a slice of fresh bread and fruit compote, it will be a sublime experience.
Pastéis de Nata – The unforgettable sweet
These are certainly one of the best-known pastries in the world. Its puff pastry needs no presentations, combined with the egg cream filling. Pastéis de Nata do wonders for anyone who tastes them! Preferably eat these delicate pastries freshly cooked and sprinkled with cinnamon and have a moment of delight.
In short, from the waters of the Atlantic to the green fields, Portugal is a country of diverse flavors and unforgettable gastronomic experiences. Exploring Portuguese delicacies is something you can’t miss! It will certainly be one of the most delightful trips you will take. Awaken your senses and come and discover Portugal and its extravagant cuisine.
You might also like:
Óbidos Christmas Village
Óbidos Christmas Village 20 December, 2024 | Reading Time – 5 min Óbidos Christmas Village is one of the most magical Christmas places in the country. Located in the town...
Read More
Enchanted Gerês
Enchanted Gerês 13 December, 2024 | Reading Time – 5 min Enchanted Gerês is a magical option for exploring Portugal’s natural beauty during the winter, and the Peneda-Gerês National Park...
Read More