Cook Time with Chef Remmi: Portugal kitchen and cooking

It's time to share with you some recipes from Portugal.

The country borders Spain, and it is located in the Iberian Peninsula. The Atlantic Ocean borders Portugal to the West and the South.

The Azores and Madeira Islands are also part of Portugal. Because of its border to the ocean, at one time in history, Portugal had all the tea and spice trade from the Indian Islands. The spices brought to Portugal were cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and curry.

Portugal also brought cod from the Icelandics to the Mediterranean and Europe. The Portuguese preserved cod-drying it and layering it with salt. Cod and sardines are big in their diet today and I read there are
more Portuguese recipes for cod(bacalhau) than there are days in the year!

Portuguese cuisines use kale, fennel, lamb, pork, a many kinds of beans. And, just as in Spain, freshly made bread is served at every meal! They also serve a lot of goat and sheep cheese that is produced on the mainland and the Azores Islands.

Each meal starts with a soup and salads are also served with meals.

Did you know that at Portuguese meals the napkin is to be kept at the left of your plate and it is never placed in your lap? When you are finished eating, move the napkin to the right side of the plate.

And did you know it is proper manners to leave some food on your plate when you are finished eating?

Did you know fish is eaten with a special knife and fork?

Did you know Brazil was one of the largest Portuguese colonies?

Many of the pastries were created by nuns of the 18th century. They have some cool names like “barriga de freira," which means “nuns belly” and ”papos de anjo,” which means “angel’s chest.”

The Portuguese kitchen has many of the same ingredients as does a Spanish kitchen; olive oil, garlic, saffron,
paprika, eggs, parsley, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, baked flatbread, tomatoes, kale, and other greens, cod and sardines.

In regions of Portugal that still make fresh cheese the Portuguese use the flower of a wild thistle plant to curdle milk

Tomatoes grow year round in Portugal

The Portuguese love potatoes and use them in many soups and stews, and frequently serve them as a side to meat and fish dishes. I even found a Portuguese recipe for French Fries.

Popular northern dishes include rice stewed in pig blood or rice and chicken stewed in chicken blood (YUCK-I am sorry but I am not going to try that!)

Portugal has one of highest fish consumptions

Portugal is one of the leading copper producers in Europe

The largest aquarium in Europe is in Portugal

Popular tourist sites include Lisbon (the capital), Algarve and Madiera

Although Portugal has been influenced by Spain, its cuisine is not the same. Many Portuguese recipes use ingredients found in Spanish recipes. The difference is the way the Portuguese combine and season foods.

Sardines are served a lot. I don’t know about you, but sardines are one of those foods I do not like. If you get invited for a Portuguese dinner, do not start eating until the hostess says “bom appetite!”

Enjoy!

Source: Cook Time with Remmi