Unique compositions of aromatic spices give fish and meat a special Lisbon chic. Spicy chorizo sausages will appeal to spicy lovers. Sprinkles of paprika and garlic are a clear reminder of how passionate these people are, even when it comes to food. The country's cuisine is original in its originality. Vegetables served whole are an easy side dish: healthy carrots, nutritious beans or tender cauliflower. Chickpeas, rice and spinach are frequent guests on the table.
The five most commonly used ingredients in recipes are:
The South Coast diet is a case of combining simple ingredients to produce amazing results. Fans of a balanced diet are also recommended to prepare delicious masterpieces. The lunch ritual ends with dessert, Portuguese style. The variety of airy mousses, pastels and macaroons amazes the imagination of experienced confectioners. Cooking in Portugal is a good chance to feel with all your heart the spirit of this country yearning for its former greatness.
Portugal today is becoming increasingly popular for tourists, and with it its predominantly Mediterranean cuisine. Thanks to its close proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, the inhabitants of this country are forever in love with fish dishes, especially cod, tuna, shrimp, and grilled sardines. Fresh seafood and spices are harmoniously combined here. This country is very fond of grilled food; barbecues in courtyards are commonplace here. As for meat, they prefer beef, veal, pork, chicken, although the Portuguese have a rather relaxed attitude towards meat dishes. If you do not take into account fish and seafood, pork is still the most popular ingredient for traditional dishes here. Locals are also partial to rice, from which they make not only a side dish, but also desserts with the addition of vanilla, cinnamon and lemon zest. But the favorite sweets of the Portuguese are almond cookies, custard cakes, and marzipan desserts. Portugal is also famous for the production of cheeses, especially soft ones made from sheep's milk. The most popular drinks around the world are Portuguese wines - "Bairrado", "Borba", "Carcavelos" and of course the legendary port. Among non-alcoholic drinks, the Portuguese simply love to drink coffee.
Many guidebooks mention cod dishes - "Bacalau" and the dessert "Pastel de nata". Below we will tell you in detail how to prepare the legendary fish casserole "Bacalhau", the recipe of which was kindly shared with us by the Portuguese chef of the Portuguese Ambassador to Russia. We will also learn about the famous delicacy in Portugal “Pastel de nata”, a preparation secret that was hidden by Catholic monks for several centuries. These cakes are very tasty and are unlike any others that are prepared in Russia.
Traditional dishes and recipes of Portuguese cuisine
This country is considered the most peaceful country, not much happens here, thanks to this its residents have the opportunity to do what they love and develop it calmly. In addition, in this country it will not be difficult to obtain a residence permit and subsequently citizenship. So those who want to move to live in Portugal have every chance for this, especially since Portuguese cuisine will not leave anyone indifferent, whether you come to live here for a long time or to stay for a few days.
In general, Portuguese cuisine is one of the simplest and at the same time delicious cuisines in the world. What kind of food do the Portuguese prefer, what culinary traditions prevail here and what are the most delicious dishes in their kitchen?
So, go ahead and explore Portuguese culinary masterpieces!
First meal
Green soup "Caldo verde" is a traditional soup of Portugal. It consists of kohlrabi cabbage leaves, carrots, potatoes, onions and finely chopped garlic, celery root, leek and Chorizo - Spanish sausage with Chorizo paprika. The last ingredient is cut into thin rings and added at the end of cooking vegetables, previously fried in olive oil.
Portuguese fish soup
Portuguese fish soup has a very unusual taste. It is cooked from cod fillet, with the addition of rice, tomatoes, garlic, onions and olive oil. Before serving, you can garnish with lemon slices, capers, basil and parsley.
Green bean soup
Garlic and onions are stewed in olive oil, later potatoes and carrots are added to them, and lightly fried. Then add 2 liters of water, after boiling, add finely chopped tomatoes and green beans. When the beans are half cooked, add the pasta.
Lentil soup
Lentils with garlic and thyme are boiled, and 15 minutes before the end of cooking, onions, flour, and tomato puree fried in vegetable oil are added to the soup. Before serving, add red pepper and garnish with parsley.
Second courses
Stewed vegetables and seafood with rice (Аrroz de mariscos). In the south of the Portuguese Republic in the city of Algarve, cooking seafood is common. One of the popular dishes here is considered to be stewed vegetables with rice and seafood. 
“Pork in Alentejana” (Сarne do porco a Alentejana). In Alentejo, meat and sausage dishes became widespread. The main dish is considered to be “Alentejan-style pork”. This dish consists of pork meat with shellfish stewed in wine, olives and fried potatoes.
Duck in rice (Arroz de pato). The people of Alentejo are very fond of duck in rice. The boiled duck is baked in the oven with rice and shaurisu sausage. A tasty feature of the Alentejo region is the variety of sausages available. They are usually fried on the grill or in cast iron frying pans.
Roasted suckling pig (Leitao assado). But in the center of the country, roast suckling pig is the signature dish. A young pig is baked whole in a special form and served with a special sauce. There is an area near Coimbra with restaurants that serve this unusually tasty dish.
Feijoada is a dish that is most common in the city of Porto. It looks like a thick stew and consists of beans, beef, and pork. Traditionally, it is served with boiled rice.
"Cozido a Portuguesa" This hodgepodge is considered a true masterpiece of Portuguese cuisine. Stewed pork and beef, different types of sausage, cabbage leaves, rice or potatoes are placed in it. The height of the hodgepodge is sometimes up to 20 cm. It is not immediately possible to understand what ingredients are in this dish. If you have visited the country of Portugal and have not eaten this dish, you have lost a lot.
Fish stew "Caldeirada" is the most common dish in Portuguese homes. This is a stew of various fish and shellfish, to which potatoes, tomatoes, peppers and onions are added.
Francesinha sandwich. The traditional “francesinha” sandwich, popular in Portugal, definitely deserves attention; it is symbolic for the city of Porto. Fried beef, sausages, bacon, cheese are placed between pieces of bread and baked in the oven. It happens that they bake it in an oven using wood, in which case the result is especially tasty. The sandwich is made in different sizes, topped with a fried egg and served with French fries and warm alcoholic sauce. The sauce recipe is the highlight of the sandwich and is kept secret by the restaurant that prepares it. The first place to try Francesinha is in the city of Porto. It is better not to eat for a whole day before consuming it, as it is very filling. The name of the establishment where this dish is expertly made is “Tappas Caffe”. The famous football player Ronaldo often came to this cafe to eat this dish. And the price itself pleasantly surprises any guests.
Cod dishes - "Bacalhau"
Does your family lose their appetite at the word cod? Can’t believe that you can make an excellent snack from an ordinary piece of fish fillet? This means that you have simply never tried the real masterpiece of Portuguese national cuisine “bacalhau”, which means cod in Portuguese. One of the most common dishes is cod casserole in milk. This dish is really very tasty, it is the national pride of the Portuguese homeland, and was even once included in the Guinness Book of Records. There are two types of "bacalau": fresh cod and dried cod. In Portugal, fresh cod is almost never eaten. Previously, cod was dried for two months in the sun and in salt, after which it had to be soaked in water for several days to cook the fish. Nowadays, drying fish does not take so much time, it happens in an accelerated process and is no longer in the sun. Local residents know more than a hundred ways to prepare dried and soaked “bacalau” in milk or water. Although they first started talking about this dish much earlier than a country like Portugal appeared on the world map. The sailors opened the "bacalau". They took salted and dried cod fish with them on voyages; it took up very little space on the ship. This is quite practical, since the fish does not need to be put in the refrigerator, hidden from moisture, it does not spoil. The method of preparing such cod was discovered by the Vikings. After World War II, cod prices rose and bacalau is now considered a delicacy. The first factories for the production of salted cod appeared in Iceland and Norway in the 19th century.
At first, “bacalau” was considered a common food, but now the Portuguese have a dish of dried cod as an indispensable attribute of all holidays. You can try a casserole, salad or appetizer in any restaurant in Portugal. True, food made from such cod costs much more than from any other fish. The Portuguese mainly buy dried cod from Norway due to which it is quite expensive. The price for one kilogram of “bacalau” reaches 20 euros, however, according to statistics, every Portuguese person eats up to 16 kilograms of this fish per year. On Christmas Eve alone, the Portuguese consume more than one thousand tons of bacalhau. According to statistics, Portugal ranks first in Europe in the consumption of fish and seafood dishes. Cod is also a dietary product; 100 grams of this fish contains 69 kcal.
There are many traditional restaurants in Portugal whose menu consists exclusively of “bacalhau” dishes, which are always included in the Christmas menu. Traditional dried fish must be soaked before being cooked and eaten. In Portugal, cod is fried, dried, dried, salted and stewed.
In Russia, this fish is healthy and affordable, but for some reason it is unpopular with our housewives. But in Portugal, it is cod that is used to make excellent national dishes “bacalhau”. Moreover, every Portuguese housewife can cook cod 365 days a year and not repeat it.
For us, cod is a simple fish and seems a bit dry, which is why it is not always possible for our housewives to make something tasty out of it. But Portuguese chefs believe that if cod tastes dry after cooking, it means it is simply not cooked correctly. In general, the Portuguese came up with a lot of recipes.
“Bacalhau in cream” (Bacalhau com natas) - cod is baked in the oven with fried potatoes and cream sauce.
“Bacalhau a bras” - a dish that is not inferior in taste to other dishes; it is cooked using fish with fried potatoes, adding onions and eggs and sprinkled with herbs.
Bacalhau com natas - on Christmas in the country it is customary for all families to cook cod in a creamy sauce.
Recipe for fish casserole "Bacalau"
Wash fresh cod fillets in cold water. Then put it in a saucepan, add water to lightly cover the fish, add salt and cook over low heat for about 8 minutes. After the time has passed, place the fish on a plate and cover with film on top. Leave the fish broth, you will need it later.
Next, we begin preparing the vegetable mixture. Cut the onion into half rings, cut the leeks into slices, grate the carrots and finely chop the garlic. Heat cold pressed olive oil in a saucepan. By the way, in Portugal, olive oil is often used in preparing various dishes, as it is considered very healthy. Immediately add bay leaf to the oil for flavor. Then at the same time add onions, carrots, leeks and garlic into the oil. It has been proven that even with strong heat treatment, carrots retain almost all their beneficial properties. Fry the vegetables over the fire for 5-6 minutes until the onion becomes soft. Add salt and spices to the sauté at the very end of cooking. Herbs and spices give bacalau a special taste. Add nutmeg; with its help, the Portuguese manage to use less salt when preparing dishes. Add dry white wine to the vegetable mixture and wait two to three minutes until the alcohol evaporates.
Next, deep fry the peeled potatoes in vegetable oil until golden brown. Then place half of the finished potatoes on a towel.
Let's start preparing the French Bechamel sauce. In a saucepan, mix the melted butter with the flour with a wooden spoon to maintain the consistency of the sauce. And most importantly, mix very well so that there are no lumps. Then slowly add a ladle of the remaining fish broth to the dense mass. There is a secret: when the broth is mixed with a thick sauce, only then add another ladle of broth. Next, add 150 ml of heavy cream, constantly stirring the mixture until you get a thick and homogeneous sauce. The consistency should be similar to dough, then add a little salt and pepper.
We return to the previously prepared vegetables. Add the fried potatoes to this sauteing and pour in the bechamel fish sauce and mix well.
Place the boiled cod in the mold, cut into not too small pieces of 2-3 cm, do not forget to remove the bones from the fish first. On top of it we lay out the vegetable mixture, seasoned with bechamel sauce and grated hard cheese. Then we put the “bacalau” in the oven for 10 minutes at 180 degrees, until golden brown. Sprinkle the finished dish with parsley. It’s really very tasty. Surprise your loved ones with a brand new unusual dish!
Cooking on the grill. In this country, people especially enjoy cooking using the grill. All restaurants and even courtyards have barbecues, and meat and fish are fried on them every now and then. In local restaurants and cafes, the business lunch menu often includes dishes prepared in this way. The Portuguese believe that cooking food this way keeps you healthy longer. For grilling, they mainly use coals, and sometimes wood, which gives the dish a special aroma.
Residents of Portugal, as well as Russia, before grilling meat, always soak it in a marinade, which they usually do with wine, vinegar, adding lemon sauce, garlic and pepper. The difference between our cuisines is that in their country, pieces of meat are dipped in marinade and refrigerated for two days.
Canned fish
For canned food lovers, there is a wonderful store in Lisbon. Buying them in this country is a real pleasure.
Only in the shops of Lisbon you can buy a wide variety of canned food, the trick is that they are all colorfully packaged, like sweet products. All of them are in beautiful jars, multi-colored packages, after purchase they are placed in boxes, then in bags. In general, everyone who loves canned food is here!
Portuguese desserts
The Portuguese have a terrible sweet tooth, and their cuisine includes many cake recipes. Be sure to visit the Majestic Cafe in Porto. Previously, this was one of the glamorous places in the city, the entire elite gathered here - actresses, captains and other most famous and rich people. Now this is a very beautiful place with very tasty desserts. This cafe was founded in 1921. It is really worth visiting and eating local food; they still serve delicious food and very good service. Here you can listen to the piano while enjoying a glass of Port. Here guests will be advised what is best to drink with this or that dish.
"Ovos moles de Aveiro (Ovos moles de Aveiro). This cake is worthy of the attention of tourists in the city of Aveiro. It is a small-sized cake made from puff pastry from egg yolks. For some reason, sponge desserts are not liked by the locals; there are the fewest of them here. 
"Pastel de nata" These cakes are the hallmark of Lisbon. Their original recipe comes from the Pasteis de Belem confectionery establishment in Lisbon, which has been baking these most traditional cakes since 1837. This establishment is very large, it is famous throughout the country. You will have to wait from 30 minutes to an hour until you can get into this pastry shop and try this cake. There are many Pastelarias in Lisbon that sell these cakes. According to many sources, it is in this Pashtelaria that the most delicious “Pastel de nata” is prepared. In general, the Portuguese are very fond of this hissing letter “sh”; they use it in many words, for example: Cascais, Pastelaria, pastel.
"Pastel de nata" means cream pie in Portuguese. According to legend, this cake was first prepared in the 17th century in the Jeronimos Monastery. The recipe was kept secret by the monks and only persons of high position who visited the monastery were treated to cakes. After the revolution in 1820, state funding for monasteries was stopped. And the monks had no choice but to start selling these unique cakes. After a while, their recipe was bought by a certain Brazilian entrepreneur, who subsequently founded a factory for the production of these cakes. At this Lisbon factory they make 10-20 thousand pieces a day. It is believed that real Portuguese cream pies are produced only there. But the delicacy became so popular that many talented confectioners around the world tried to repeat the recipe and some were very successful. So today, your favorite Portuguese recipe can be prepared in Russia in an ordinary home kitchen.
How is the legendary cake prepared? Puff pastry without yeast is used for the baskets. The filling is made from sugar syrup mixed with milk and egg yolks. The cakes are baked quickly for no more than 10 minutes, decorated with powdered sugar and cinnamon. Serve warm.
By the way, the aroma of cinnamon stimulates appetite; in Europe, grocery store windows are decorated with cinnamon to increase sales. In general, the Portuguese add this ingredient to all desserts.
Portuguese drinks
Coffee
Coffee plays a huge role in the life of the Portuguese; they drink it in the morning, in the evening, and at lunchtime. There are even different versions of coffee for children and pregnant women, with water or milk with the addition of a small spoon of coffee. If a Portuguese places an order for coffee, it automatically means coffee called “Espresso,” which the Portuguese love to drink. Purchasing other types of coffee in Portugal, such as Americano, is practically not common. You can, of course, ask for it, in this case they will simply add more hot water to the coffee. "Cappuccino" is also coffee with milk, but more of a morning option. But it is Espresso coffee that is everywhere and always. It is very strong, it is poured into small cups, and therefore it runs out quickly.
A mandatory ritual that must be performed when traveling in Portugal is to sit on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and drink coffee and cakes that you brought with you. You can simply go to a cafe close to the ocean; the surrounding atmosphere will leave an unforgettable impression on any guest.
By the way, there is an interesting feature in the Portuguese language that is difficult not to notice. During conversations, the Portuguese very often use diminutive forms of words. For example, when ordering coffee, they ask you to bring not coffee, but “caffeine”. In Russian, such a request would sound like “bring some coffee.” The Portuguese pronounce almost all words in this affectionate form. It is no secret that the manner of conversation shapes the thinking and worldview of the speaker. There is such an interesting feature in the language of the Portuguese, which, of course, makes them kind and nice people.
Port wine
It is impossible not to pay attention to the legendary port wine. Before recommending Portuguese wine to travelers, of course, you need to understand that the choice of wine depends on taste. When choosing them, their price category is of great importance. The presence of the inscription “reserva” on a bottle of wine indicates that the wine has been aged in a wooden oak barrel and is of the highest quality. Many Portuguese enjoy rosé port, which they learned to make about ten years ago. Residents of Portugal prefer to drink port wine only on holidays. The most commonly consumed varieties are red and white wines, not so often drinks with strong alcohol.
Liqueur "Ginja" Guests to Portugal should definitely try the Portuguese cherry liqueur or cherry-flavored liqueur called Ginja. It is served in chocolate glasses, and after drinking it, they eat it in the same glass. It tastes like candy with chocolate covered cherries. This drink is really very tasty. It is sold in Lisbon at Calcada do Carmo, 37, Lisboa.
Concluding our story, let’s summarize and list eight dishes that every traveler in Portugal must try:
- "francesinha";
- "feijoada";
- "Cusido a Portuguesa";
- grilled sardines;
- seafood with rice;
- fish casserole "Bacalau";
- dessert "Pastel de Nata";
- snacks for the table in a good restaurant: bread, olives, cheese, dried meat. In addition, delicious chips are often served at the table, which are made in the restaurants themselves.
Imagine - you are relaxing on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, enjoying pleasant weather and picturesque landscapes. To make your holiday absolutely perfect, all you need is original dishes and a glass of delicious, light wine. This is what will surprise and delight Portuguese cuisine - original, colorful and, of course, incredibly tasty.
Features of Portuguese cuisine
Many people mistakenly believe that the cuisine of Portugal is a continuation of the culinary preferences of Spain. However, Portuguese dishes show the influence of many peoples and nationalities. For example, the famous piri hot pepper is better known in the national dishes of African countries, and pasta and garlic are products typical of Italian cuisine.
The Portuguese love and know how to use a variety of spices common in India, giving two dishes with the same ingredients completely different flavors. Portugal borrowed its love of bread and olives from Mediterranean cuisine. Given the geographical location of the state - on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean - the Portuguese menu is dominated by fish and seafood dishes.
Interesting fact! Portugal is the first country in the world in terms of consumption of fish and seafood. It is believed that any Portuguese can easily prepare 365 dishes from cod - the number of days in a year.
Cod with cream sauce If you try to characterize the dishes of Portuguese cuisine in one word, it will turn out to be unique. They combine dietary and high-calorie ingredients, a kaleidoscope of flavors, and simple and complex cooking techniques in a unique, inimitable way. For example, traditional Portuguese puree soups will be ready in just a quarter of an hour, and cooking cod with cream sauce will take at least a day.
Dishes typical of mainland Portugal
The national cuisine of this part of the country is well known throughout Europe. First of all, these are cod dishes, which in Portugal are called bacalhau. It is prepared in a variety of ways - with legumes, sausages, added as a filling to pies, you can even find pasties with cod, which are called Paste de Nata.
Interesting to know! A gastronomic tour to Portugal is a great way to get acquainted with the history of the country, its national culinary traditions and culture.
In Porto they honor the tradition of cooking sardines on All Saints' Day. If you find yourself in Porto, be sure to try the offal stew - Tripas. It was this dish that gave the name to all the residents of the city - tripeiros, which means tripe lovers.
Stew Tripash There is a historical fact associated with the appearance of this dish. Famine forced local residents to cook from tripe. In the middle of the 15th centuries, the monarch Don Enrique set out to expand his national possessions; to do this, he had to slaughter the cattle that the townspeople had available. The inhabitants of Porto needed to survive, so dishes were invented from all the products that were left after the soldiers. This is how a dish of tripe with the addition of vegetables appeared. Despite the fact that Tripash appeared five centuries ago, the dish is still incredibly popular today.
The cuisine of Portugal has been formed over many centuries under the influence of certain factors:
- for a long time the country was isolated from other states;
- most of the country's inhabitants lived poorly, they had to cook from available products - self-caught fish became the basis of the diet;
- In Portugal there was a small selection of products, so dishes that were simple in composition and cooking technology prevailed.
Note! All regions have unique dishes that are found exclusively in this part of the state, the so-called culinary pride.
Pasteis de Belem Every Portuguese meal ends with dessert. In terms of quantity and variety of sweets, Portugal surpasses many European countries. You can buy exquisite, original desserts on any corner. For example, in the capital's Belem district there is a bakery that produces the most delicious cakes in the country. Tourists from different countries come to enjoy the dessert - Italy, France, Germany and Spain.
Dishes typical of the Azores
Cozido das Furnas The Azores Islands are one of the archipelagos of Portugal. In general, island cuisine is similar to continental cuisine in many ways, but there are some unique dishes. For example, Cozidu dash furnas. They cook it in the crater of a volcano, placing dishes with vegetables and chicken meat there. On the islands you can try very tasty bread and many types of honey - such food is included in the daily diet of local residents.
Dishes typical of the island of Madeira
The cuisine of this island is based on rural traditions. Fish dishes also predominate in the diet of Madeirans. There are also meat dishes - mainly pork or beef. Popular side dishes include corn, beans and French fries.
What to try in Portugal
The national cuisine of Portugal is incredibly diverse, filled with a whole range of bright flavors and light flavors. In each category of dishes there are sure to be several culinary masterpieces that you must try.
First meal
Caldo verde Caldo Verde
This is the famous cabbage soup, which in its popularity can be compared with cabbage soup in Russia. In addition to cabbage, olive oil, paprika and a special smoked sausage prepared in Portugal - shirisu - are added to it.
On a note! The soup has a very delicate taste and can be tasted in all restaurants and cafes. Sometimes the sausage is served separately and added to the plate to taste.
Fish soup "Captain Vidal's Crying Fish"
Vidala was a simple fisherman who made a living by catching fish and selling it. One day, the crew of the ship, being in the ocean, was left without food, and the captain decided to make soup from the catch. The sailors threw live fish into the broth; it seemed to them that the fish was crying. The ship returned without a catch, but with a delicious, new recipe for cod soup, fresh vegetables, salt and pepper.
The recipe for the dish has not changed for several centuries. After cooking, all ingredients are whipped with a mixer and the wonderful puree soup can be savored.
Meat dishes
The Portuguese masterfully prepare different types of meat, offering tourists delicious, original dishes. You should definitely try them while in Portugal. In a butcher shop, a piece of meat can be cut up in front of the buyer and minced meat can be prepared. In addition to traditional varieties of meat, people in Portugal eat meat from quails, goats and hares.
Interesting fact! Vegetarians in Portugal are better off avoiding butcher shops, since in the windows you can often see butchered carcasses of rabbits and chickens, and bags of blood, which is used to prepare first courses.
Feijoada Feijoada
A hearty, high-calorie national dish, which is prepared from a mixture of beans and different types of smoked meat and sausages. The traditional recipe contains vegetables and rice. In different regions of the country, Feijoada is prepared differently, changing the ingredients.
Alheira de Mirandela
Alheira de Mirandela This is a Portuguese sausage that is made from any type of meat except pork. It is believed that during the Middle Ages the dish was invented by Jews in order to hide their nationality and escape persecution by the Inquisition. In accordance with religious canons, Jews did not have the right to eat pork, but thanks to sausages they managed to avoid starvation and reprisals from the inquisitors.
In modern Portugal, sausages are also prepared from pork, and the dish is served with scrambled eggs, potatoes and fresh vegetables.
Piri-piri chicken
Piri-piri chicken The name "piri-piri" means "hot pepper" in Swahili. It is made from chicken wings and an absolutely incredible sauce. The wings are baked for 20 minutes. The dish turns out spicy, with a slight sourness. They eat chicken with fresh vegetables, salads and chips. Piri piri should definitely be on your list of national Portuguese dishes to try.
Fish and seafood dishes
The Portuguese are famous for their ability to cook fish and seafood dishes. Any store offers a huge selection of fish and a variety of shellfish. Most often, food is fried in a frying pan or grill. In the assortment of large supermarkets you can see swordfish and moray eel.
Portugal is known for a wide variety of cod recipes. The most popular recipe is salting fish. This cooking method was used by Portuguese fishermen to bring their fresh catch to the shore. Before salting, the cod was soaked in water for 24 hours. Salted carcasses can be purchased at all grocery stores.
Grilled fish Grilled fish
Any kind of fish is prepared this way; on weekends, many locals set up grills on their balconies, which gives off a special aroma. Restaurants typically serve huge portions with fresh vegetables or rice seasoned with olive oil.
Monkfish with rice
When traveling around Portugal, be sure to try the exotic monkfish dish. To prepare it, the fish is cut into portions, mixed with rice, tomatoes, various spices and herbs. This is a popular dinner dish among locals. Restaurants that specialize in seafood cuisine prepare a similar dish of octopus or shellfish.
Carne de Porco à Alentejana Alentejo Pork (Carne de Porco à Alentejana)
A dish that will delight the taste buds of meat and seafood lovers. It is prepared from pork and seafood. The meat is marinated in sauce, fried, and shellfish are added. It is served and eaten with potatoes.
Sweets
What do they eat for dessert in Portugal? First of all, these are pastries, cakes, puddings. It is noteworthy that most of the recipes are taken from the cooking records of local nuns. The symbol of Portugal is undoubtedly the pastel de nata.
Bolo Rei The Portuguese also love king cake (Bolo Rei), a national pastry. It looks like a cheesecake or a large donut - round with a hole in the middle. To complete the taste, the pie is generously sprinkled with chopped nuts, candied fruits and other dried fruits. Bolo Rei is a must have on the table during the Christmas holidays. According to one legend, the recipe was brought to Portugal by the owner of the oldest confectionery shop in Lisbon.
Tortas de azeitau - sponge cake with soft egg cream. Dessert is served with wine or port.
Pastel de nata cakes
Made from puff pastry filled with creamy egg cream. You can try them in any cafe or restaurant in Lisbon, but it is believed that the best cakes are served in the Belem district. In some cafes, sweets are sprinkled with cinnamon.
The traditional breakfast for the Portuguese is a cup of espresso and a few Pastels de Nata.
Ovos moles de Aveiro Egg dessert from Aveiro (Ovos moles de Aveiro)
An unusual, original dessert - a delicate egg filling wrapped in a wafer tube shell. The famous Portuguese writer of the 19th century, Esa de Queiroz, wrote about this sweetness.
Biscuit Pão de ló
A famous Portuguese dessert that you can try in any bakery. Typically, it is eaten with a scoop of ice cream.
Portuguese drinks
We figured out what food to try in Portugal, but it’s impossible to imagine a full lunch or dinner without a glass of port or wine.
Where can you try the best port wine, if not in the homeland of this dessert wine. The technology for producing the drink is enshrined in law.
In Portugal, Verde wine is incredibly popular - this is a young wine that comes in white, red and rosé. The drink is produced exclusively in Portugal. Tourists note that the taste of the wine is quite specific; it is served with seafood, fish and meat.
If you prefer to drink stronger wines, consider Madeira. The wine is made on the island of Madeira and can be dry or dessert. The type of drink depends on the grape variety used and its aging.
Good to know! If you plan to order Madeira in a cafe or restaurant, you only need to pronounce it this way - vinho de Madeira. Otherwise the waiter will not understand you.
Another national drink is coffee. People here like strong, tasty, aromatic coffee, but not as bitter as Italian coffee. The most popular coffee brands in Portugal are Nicola e Delta.
Cheeses
What to try in Portuguese cuisine? Of course, you should pay close attention to cheeses, which in terms of taste are in no way inferior to the most famous European varieties. The country has maintained cheese-making traditions for many centuries. Famous national cheese producers are located in central Portugal, in the province of Alentejo and the Azores. For the production of cheese, different milk is used - not only traditional cow's, but also goat's and sheep's.
Locals do not add cheese as an additional ingredient, but eat it as an independent dish.
The most popular varieties worth trying:
- Queijo de Serra;
- Queijo de Castelo Branco;
On a note! Cheeses are sold even in small souvenir shops, but if you want to buy a really tasty product, visit a specialized store.
queijo São Jorge
Europeans love this cheese very much. It has been prepared from unpasteurized milk for several centuries.
Portuguese cuisine is incredibly diverse and unlike any European cuisine. Here everyone will find their favorite dish. The cuisine of the mainland was influenced by Spanish culinary traditions, while the cuisine of the island parts was formed under the influence of Indian traditions. If you prefer Mediterranean cuisine, head to the southern part of Portugal.
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Portugal is the westernmost continental country. The Mediterranean climate creates ideal conditions for relaxation at almost any time of the year.
You can spend a very long time exploring the sights of this amazing country: these are the famous ones, and the Belem Tower, which has become a symbol, and the Alto Douro wine region, and the Vasco da Gama Bridge... But sooner or later, even the most tireless traveler will get hungry and he will be faced with the question: what is worth trying?
Food in Portugal
The dishes of the national Portuguese cuisine are simple and tasty; this hearty meal is perfect for a tourist who wants to have a thorough meal before further sightseeing. But those who are more interested in Portuguese cuisine than local beauty and antiquities will not be disappointed.
This cuisine was created by peasants and fishermen, its main ingredients are vegetables, fish, and seafood. But it would be a mistake to think that the cuisine of Portugal will not offer you anything else. You can try unusual meat dishes, various types of cheeses, and a huge number of puddings and cakes. But that's not all: did you know that Portugal is the birthplace of port wine? He's great there.
Wine, bread and olive oil are the other three pillars of Portuguese cooking. The Mediterranean is the Mediterranean.
The Portuguese themselves are especially fond of cod dishes: there are several hundred recipes for preparing this fish. Local residents claim that you can cook cod every day for a year and never have it happen again.
Top 10 Portuguese dishes
The word “bacalhau” itself means “cod” in Portuguese. It is also used to refer to dried and salted cod, which is an ingredient in a huge number of Portuguese dishes. One of these dishes is baked cod bacalau.
There is no cod found off the coast of Portugal; all this fish is imported. At the same time, every resident of the country eats about one and a half dozen kilograms of cod annually - such a culinary paradox.
Grilled fish
This dish can be tried in any restaurant and is served in large portions. The traditional side dish for this fish is vegetables and rice; you will also be served olive oil. Residents of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, have a special love for grilled fish. They often prepare this dish right on the balconies of their houses, while the appetizing smell of baked fish spreads throughout all the surrounding streets.
This is a stew that includes stewed beans, rice, cabbage, peppers, smoked meat, and various types of sausage. In different cities of Portugal, the nuances of preparing this dish differ, and therefore the taste of feijoada in Lisbon is not similar to the taste of this stew in or. Try it and see for yourself.
Beef offal tripash
This dish comes from the city of Porto, the northern capital of Portugal. Its ingredients are offal, pig ears, cow hooves. It doesn't sound very appetizing, but the people of Porto love this dish so much that they even got the nickname "trepeiros", which means "tripe lovers" in Portuguese.
This is pureed cabbage soup. It is seasoned with paprika and olive oil. Potatoes and smoked Portuguese sausage are also added to this soup. The last ingredient is sometimes served separately; you can throw the sausage into the soup or eat it as a snack. If you are a vegetarian, you can try not adding sausage to the cream of soup... although the result will be a completely different dish. You can call calda verde the Portuguese equivalent of Russian cabbage soup.
Cheese "Queijo de Serra"
This is a soft type of cheese. It is so soft that you can spread it on a piece of bread, although the Portuguese never do this. We usually perceive cheese as an ingredient in some dish, but the people of Portugal consume this product separately, without adding it anywhere, or wash it down with wine. Queijo de Serra has a light sour-milk aroma and a hard crust.
Here are a few more varieties of Portuguese cheeses:
"Queijo de Castelo Branco";
"Queijo Sant Jorge";
"Fresh cheese"
Portugal has a centuries-old cheese-making tradition. Some gourmets believe that local cheeses are not inferior to French and Italian ones.
These are puff pastry cakes loved by all Portuguese. Locals love to eat them for breakfast. Creamy egg cream gives this dish a piquant taste. If desired, you can ask for the brownies to be sprinkled with cinnamon. Pastel de nata goes well with coffee. You can try this delicacy in any Lisbon pastelaria - that’s the name of the local cafes. Sit back on the terrace or patio of this pastelaria and enjoy some sweets.
King Cake
The Portuguese usually eat it with their family on Christmas Eve. But nothing prevents you from enjoying it at any other time of the year in one of the Portuguese restaurants or cafes. The pie is made from butter dough and decorated with candied fruits and nuts. One of the distinctive features of the pie is the round hole in the middle. Local residents believe that the recipe for this dish comes from, which does not stop them from being proud of the king's cake as one of the most delicious dishes of Portuguese national cuisine.
A yellow-brown roll filled with egg cream. Moderately sweet and very tender, it will appeal not only to those with a sweet tooth, but also to those who are looking for a suitable snack for Portuguese port.
Cozido das furnas
The most exotic dish of all ten. The people of the Azores love him very much. This dish is prepared like this: a large pot of vegetables, pork and chicken is lowered on strong cables into a volcanic crater, where the food is stewed on the hot ground. During the preparation of this dish, many tourists with cameras always gather around the cooks. As a result, travelers get both delicious food and interesting photographs.
No matter what country you come to, the first thing you will certainly think about is where to eat? And, of course, it is very important that the food is not expensive. I’ll say right away that eating in Portugal will be much cheaper than anywhere else in Europe. If, for example, in neighboring Spain a lunch for two will cost you a little more than 30 euros, then in Portugal the same lunch will cost no more than 15-20 euros. Of course, the price will depend on the place where you eat. Moreover, all this applies to any Portuguese city, no matter where you are.
Let's say you're in Lisbon. Let me make a reservation right away that we do not take any fast food into account. Basically, all restaurants open closer to lunch, so you can just have breakfast in any cafe or snack bar, which, unlike restaurants, are already open from 8 am. For some, a cup of coffee with the famous “pastel de nata” or “Pastel de Belem” cakes will be enough. By the way, a cup of coffee in Portugal in the most touristic place costs no more than 2 euros. No matter what anyone tells you, but food prices in Portugal significantly lower than the European average.
Coffee in Portugal is one of the best in Europe. If you take it with you as a souvenir, look for the inscription “Delta” on the packaging, you won’t be mistaken. The Portuguese buy this coffee themselves.
If you decide eat in Portugal and if you don’t choose the most pretentious and expensive restaurant, then you’ll be well within your 15-20 euros for two. There are many cafes in Lisbon that are not run by the Portuguese. Don’t be afraid to go to such cafes, everything there is very tasty and you can also feel the traditions of national cuisine in them. For example, in the Rossio Square area we looked for a long time for a place to have lunch and eventually stopped at a cafe where the wait staff all looked Indian. We were fed very tasty and served quite politely and quickly. We ordered something similar to pasta with sardines and Portuguese cakes with coffee.
This is what the famous Pastel de Belem cakes look like.
I often heard that Portugal has no national cuisine, saying that it came from Spain, etc. This may be true, but then I will say differently: the Portuguese have their favorite dishes, such as caldeirada (fish stew), salted cod in various forms, feijoada (rice, sausages and beans with meat) and many different sardine dishes. Eat in Portugal It’s better where the locals themselves eat, and this is definitely not in tourist places.
Salted cod. This is how it is sold. Then it is soaked for a long time and only then can it be eaten and various dishes prepared from it.
Sardine is a very common fish dish in Portugal. It is served, for example, with pasta sauce. If you come to Portugal at the end of summer, namely from August 5th, then you will find yourself at the sardine festival, which lasts a whole week. You'll be very lucky.
In Portuguese restaurants there is such a feature: before the main order, they can serve you some cakes, dried sardines or olives. It may seem like this is a compliment from the establishment, but in reality it is not. All you have to do is eat one olive and the whole set will be included in your bill. Therefore, you can politely refuse such a compliment right away and it will be immediately removed untouched.
Throughout Portugal you can find cherry liqueur ginja, served in small 50 gram chocolate glasses. The liqueur is quite strong, but if you drink a little, it’s not bad at all, it lifts your spirits. He drank it and immediately ate some chocolate.
(ginja) is served in these chocolate cups. Such a glass of ginji costs 1 euro, or even less.
Liquor prices in Portugal . But the most important alcohol here is Portuguese port.
The price of such aged port wine can reach several thousand euros per bottle. But, about Portuguese port A completely different story.
Green Portuguese wine, "vinho verde", pronounced "vinho verde". The taste is sour and resembles our champagne, only without gas. The strength is not higher than 9-13 degrees and is pleasant to drink, especially in the heat.
The Russian translation of some popular Portuguese dishes will come in handy when you come to a restaurant and are served a menu in Portuguese:
“Gomes de Sá codfish” - baked cod with potatoes and onions.
“The Portuguese Boil” - represents several types of sausages, boiled pork, dried pork, pig ears, rice, beef, legumes, boiled potatoes, cabbage and carrots.
"Sopa de Pedra" is a soup made from lettuce, eggs, onions and garlic. A purely national dish.
"Sopa de Ervilhas" is pea soup, but seasoned with all sorts of herbs.
"Canja" - cooked with chicken, containing rice, pasta and ham.
"Bitoque" - steak with fried egg on top, served with fries and rice.
"Francesinha" - a thin piece of meat, ham, cheese, a few pieces of bread and all this is covered in sauce.
"Feijoada" - beans and vegetables with meat or seafood.
"arroz de marisco" - rice with seafood.
"queijo fresco" is a type of cheese.
"bacalhau" is just cod. Wherever you see this name on the menu, there will certainly be cod.
"sardinhada" - sardine.