The cuisine of Portugal is famous for its dishes of fresh fish and seafood. What are they, the main dishes of Portuguese cuisine?
Caldu verde
The Portuguese love soups! The variety of first courses is amazing, the soup is served even at McDonald's! In order not to get lost in the choice, acquaintance with Portuguese soups we recommend starting with caldu verde - a delicious green soup. Cabbage, potatoes, onions, garlic and local chorizo sausages are the basis of the recipe. To make the soup thick, the potatoes are kneaded. The dish is popular in all local restaurants, it is a traditional version of a homemade lunch.
Grilled sardines
Did you know that there are 7 gastronomic wonders in Portugal? One of them is sardines. Fresh fish is served in all cafes and restaurants from July to September. The recipe is obscenely simple - drizzle with lemon and olive oil fish is grilled. Served with a side dish to choose from: baked potatoes, rice or vegetables. Fresh, low-fat, incredibly soft and juicy fish goes well with wine, a warm Portuguese evening and sea views.
Bacalyau a Brush
Proximity to the sea guarantees dishes prepared only from fresh catch. The exception is cod, which is not found off the coast of Portugal. It is delivered to the country in dried form. Fish straw is eaten as an independent dish or soaked to prepare something special - a fish omelet. Soaked cod meat is mixed with potatoes, chopped with straw, and golden onion. The eggs are beaten and poured with a mixture of fish and potatoes. When serving, the dish is decorated with olives and herbs.
Arosh de Maríscu
Rice with seafood - what could be tastier and easier! Fragrant, spicy, light dish of the freshest seafood. The traditional recipe includes white fish, octopus, shrimp, mussels and squid. Rice is necessarily boiled in fish broth - so its taste is even more combined with seafood. Fried in olive oil onions, garlic and fresh tomatoes are mixed with rice and fish base and stewed over low heat. Before serving, the dish is served with lemon juice, allspice and fresh herbs. A special pleasure to eat aroche de Marisca, washed down with a glass of white cold wine.
Feijoada
With the onset of winter, the Portuguese switch to more satisfactory dishes. One of them is a meat stew of feijoada. There are many recipes, each chef has his own secret ingredient, whether it is hot peppers or juicy tomatoes. The basis of the dish is fried pork slices, spicy sausages of minced meat, black beans and rice. The stew is incredibly saty and fragrant, perfectly warms in dank winter-autumn weather.
Frankesinha
A dish with a cute name of francesinha, which means "little Frenchman",was invented in Porto. This is a popular type of Portuguese fast food. The sandwich, consisting of two slices of bread with ham and sausages, is abundantly poured with spicy tomato sauce and decorated with a cheese cap. Instead of ham and sausages, steak is sometimes used and a sandwich with a portion of french fries or even glaze is served. For seafood lovers, there is a version of a satie sandwich - with shrimp.
Cataplana
The dish, named after the copper pan in which it is cooked and served. A cataplana is a stew that is made from fish and seafood or by combining pork and shellfish. Also be sure to add young potatoes and fresh vegetables. Savor dishes in a fragrant sauce, in which it is so pleasant to dip a soft bun, washed down with wine.
Snails
The season of adored by the Portuguese snails lasts from May to September. Shellfish is served with beer or wine in combination with a variety of sauces: garlic, oregano sauce and hot pepper. When you see a sign in a café or restaurant with the word caracóis, do not pass by!
Bifana
The simplest but incredibly delicious meat sandwich is a favorite snack of Portuguese students and office clerks. A piece of pork is fried and stewed in a mixture of wine, beer, spices and garlic. The finished meat is served in a white crispy loaf. There is a kind of sandwich with chicken meat or cuttlefish cutlet.
Pastel de Nata
Another miracle of Portuguese cuisine is the dessert pashtel de nata, which ranks 15th in the ranking of the world's best delicacies The Guardian. It's a basket of puff pastry with creamy custard inside, sprinkled with cinnamon, lemon zest and powdered sugar. A real calling card of Portuguese cuisine.
