Roasted Chestnuts (Castanhas Assadas)

November 7, 2013 / 1 Comment

Roasted Chestnuts, or Castanhas Assadas, are a Portuguese classic. Most typically roasted on open flames, castanhas assadas are a very typical food to eat in Portuguese cuisine, especially during the São Martinho festival celebrations. They are the perfect amount of soft, sweet, and savory. They are a super simple and easy to make snack that is always a great comfort food to share with guests. If you do not have an open flame to grill the chestnuts on, you may also use an oven.
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Alentejo Bread and Egg Soup (Açorda Alentejana)

November 2, 2013 / 4 Comments

Açorda Alentejana is one of the most recognizable soups in Portuguese cuisine, originating in Alentejo. It is a very unique soup which combines bread soaked in delicious broth with cilantro and a poached egg on top. It is one of my favorite soups because it is both immensely flavorful as well as healthy and hearty at the same time. It is the great soup soup for just about any occasion and is always sure to impress.
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Goan Coconut Cookies (Bolinhas de Coco)

October 29, 2013 / No Comments

Goan Coconut Cookies, or Bolinhas de Coco, are a traditional and signature treat in Goan dessert making. As Goan and Portuguese cultures are strongly tied historically, this dessert shows the great fusion of both cuisines. These are sweet and smoothly tasting cookies with a unique flavor that combines traditional Indian cardamom and coconut. Bolinhas de Coco are pretty simple and easy to make, and are perfect for cooking up a batch at any time as they are always sure to impress.
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Stuffing Sausage (Alheira)

October 29, 2013 / No Comments

Alheira, or Stuffing Sausage, was invented by the Jewish people in Portugal during the inquisition in order to prevent detection during the period, as traditional Portuguese sausages were filled with pork. The sausages were so good that they eventually stuck and are now a part of traditional Portuguese cuisine. The most typical way to enjoy alheiras are deep-fried and served with potato chips and a fried egg. Although typically associated with the city of Mirandela, the regions of Beira Alta and Trás-os-Montes are also famous for their alheira sausages. They can be made with any type of meat, but we will use chicken, veal, and ground beef.
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Peanut Sponge Cake (Bolo de Ginguba)

October 26, 2013 / No Comments

Bolo de Ginguba is a traditional Angolan Peanut Sponge Cake. Although desserts are not the most typical eats in Angolan cuisine as fresh fruit is the preferred dessert of choice, they are some unique treats like Bolo de Ginguba that are quite great. It is a a simple yet richly decadent sponge cake with the unique addition of peanut flavor. It makes for a sponge cake with quite an interesting flavor and sweetness that you will surely enjoy.
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Bolo de Caco

October 26, 2013 / 2 Comments

Bolo de Caco is a very traditional and signature eat in Madeiran cuisine. Bolo do caco is a round bread that is traditionally cooked on a caco, a basalt stone slab. The bread is usually served simply with garlic butter and is usually eaten as a sandwich with typical Madeiran foods like octopus, meat skewers (espetada), milho frito, and also used as the bread for a typical Portuguese Prego steak sandwich. It is quite a simple and easy to make recipe that is very delicious and always sure to impress.
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