According to many, Portuguese cuisine is not like any other in the world. It happened because Portugal has been isolated from the outside world for a very long time. No, she, of course, continued to remain on the continent, but the ties with other countries and their cultures were severely restricted. Over the past couple of centuries, much has changed, and now Portugal is an open country, where everyone can appreciate local national cuisine.
Traditions and features of the cuisine of Portugal
In the south of the country, predominantly Mediterranean cuisine, with an abundance of garlic and all kinds of spices. The Portuguese are very fond of fish, especially sardines, tuna, cod, various seafood and are happy to prepare different dishes from pasta.
The meat in Portugal is relatively calm, but it is also very tasty to cook. For example, his long time marinated in excellent Portuguese wine, and then thoroughly rubbed with olive oil. From the meat cooked in this way it turns out a tasty and juicy dish, which has its own unique taste.
The best dishes of Portuguese cuisine
If you ever get to Portugal, you will certainly be offered to try Bakalayu - salted cod. Local chefs know two hundred ways of cooking it. Serve it with potatoes, eggs and turnips, generously seasoning with olive oil and vinegar. Another famous Portuguese dish is a hot chicken with a funny name "Piri-piri".It is impossible not to mention cabbage and potato soup "Caldu Verde", which is served with traditional sausage chorizo.
Many recipes in Portuguese culinary books contain ingredients such as spinach, chard and chickpeas. This originally Mediterranean variety of beans gives a special taste to food prepared in pots. Like the Portuguese and rice, and use it not only as a side dish, but also as a dessert. Rice, seasoned with vanilla, cinnamon or lemon rind - a real treat for sweet tooth. This is not the only favorite dessert in this wonderful country. Among the Portuguese, almond biscuits enjoy constant love. Often when preparing desserts, cinnamon, marzipan, coconut chips are used.
In Portugal, a wonderful selection of drinks, ranging from wine( preferences for port and white "Verdos" and "Vimes") and ending with a good beer, and the Portuguese basically prefer a drink from water, syrup and fresh lemon zest.