Portugal Cuisine

Cuisine

The surrounding seas with their abundant supply of fish, and the long coastline, mean that fish is an important ingredient in Portuguese cooking. The seafood you are likely to find on the menu includes sole, swordfish, lobster, and the well known sardines.
A typical Portuguese dish that you can try while you spend your winter vacation there is "Tripas à Moda do Porto". This dish originates from the time when Portuguese sailors sailed around the globe. It is a stew made from innards. In order not to waste any of the pickled fish that the sailors gave to those left behind in Portugal, a preparation method was devised even for the innards. And, of course, you cannot avoid the cod. Bacalhao as the Portuguese call it, is prepared in a hundred different ways.
You can, however, choose less exotic delicacies from the Portuguese menu.
In the 'Pastelarias', or coffee houses, you can enjoy a selection of delicious Portuguese pastries and cakes, while you enjoy a cup of coffee. Try the Pastel de Nata, a scrumptious confection made from puff pastry and cream.
Other important features of the Portuguese cuisine are rice, pork and coriander. The Portuguese are the greatest rice eaters in Europe.
A good wine is essential to a delicious meal. Portuguese wines are very well known. Outside of Portugal, people are mostly familiar with Port, Vinho Verde, and Madeira. Would you like to try some good local wine while you are wintering in Portugal? If so, you should certainly visit the wine regions Dão, Alentejo and Estremadura. Cheese with your wine? Choose between de Queijo da Serra, Azeitão or Serpo; these cheeses are very popular.