The
Essence of.....Portugal
An exploration of the world through food and drink
Essence -ial Information
|
UK Tourist Office |
11, Belgrave Square, London, SW1 |
|
Currency |
Euro |
|
Capital |
Lisbon |
|
Language |
Portuguese |
|
Main Airlines |
TAP, British Airways |
|
Flying Time from UK |
2 hrs 30 mins |
|
Visa |
No |
PROFILE
Portugal formerly had a large empire and the cuisine has been influenced in both directions. The Persian orange, grown widely in southern Europe since the 11th century, was bitter. Sweet oranges were brought from India to Europe in the 15th century by Portuguese traders. From Asia Portuguese imported spices, like cinnamon, now liberally used in its traditional desserts.
Portugal is a sea-faring nation at heart, and this is reflected in the amount of fish and seafood consumed by the Portuguese. Foremost amongst these is bacalhau, or salt cod, which is the Portuguese national dish and of which it is said that there are more than 365 ways to cook, one for every day of the year. Also popular are sardines, especially when grilled as sardinhas assadas, as well as octopus, hake, lamprey and a variety of shellfish.
Meat, often pork, is an essential ingredient in many Portuguese recipes. Chicken is also used frequently, and to a lesser degree, beef, turkey, veal, lamb, kid (young goat), and rabbit.
The influence of Portugal's former colonial possessions is also notable, especially in the wide variety of spices used. These spices include piri piri (small, fiery chili peppers) and black pepper, as well as cinnamon, vanilla and saffron. Olive oil is one of the bases of Portuguese cuisine both for cooking and flavouring meals. Garlic is widely used, as are herbs such as coriander and parsley.
Dishes
Bacalhau a gomes de sa, cod with potato, egg and olives.
Pasteis de bacalhau (cod cakes), served almost everywhere. A popular alternative to cod are sardines, said to be the best eating in the world, and, without which, a Portuguese barbecue would not be considered complete.
Cale verde: a broth of kale and potato and often served with chouriço (a spicy pork sausage)
Sopa de castanhas peladas: bean, rice and chestnut soup, great on a cooler day
Sopa mariscos: seafood bisque.
Wine (red, white and "green") is the traditional Portuguese drink, Rosé being popular in non-Portuguese markets if not particularly common in Portugal itself. Vinho Verde, termed "green" wine, is not green in colour but a specific kind of wine, which can be red, white or rosé, and is only produced in the northwest (Minho province).