The bolo-rei is round-shaped, with a hole in its middle, topped with crystalized fruits and nuts inside. I’m not quite sure about the recipe for ovos moles, but the Portuguese love it! As you will learn from reading on my article, the codfish most traditional dish is the one you will find in every table on the night of Christmas’ eve, but some people also enjoy having stuffed turkey at the table, with mashed potatoes and beets. The recipe for the turkey stuffing can be different from one house to another. To begin with, there are two kinds of Christmas cakes: Bolo Rei (King Cake) and Bolo Rainha (Queen Cake). From mid November onward, you can peruse any bakery or supermarket to find a host of these one-of-kind desserts. Bolo Rei King Cake – traditionally served on Epiphany on January 6th but popular throughout the Christmas season. The entire experience was wonderful and met all of our expectations. Add to list. Sopa Dourada Golden Soup – which is actually a dessert not a soup. On Christmas’ eve, the dinner tables are filled with so many delicious dishes you certainly will love! If we translate this traditional dish name to English, it means “codfish old clothes“, because of the colors of the ingredients and of the way the ingredients and their flavours mix together. During the Age of Exploration in the 15th … Like in Spain, the traditional Christmas meal in Portugal, called 'Consoada', is eaten during the evening of Christmas Eve and consists of codfish with green vegetables and boiled potatoes.This is normally followed by shellfish, wild meats or other expensive foods. Cozido Portuguesa – Portuguese Stew – A meat and vegetable stew. It was a fun time for all! SERTÃ, Portugal. The Bacalhau com todos is simply composed of boiled potatoes, cabbage, eggs and codfish fillet. who did a complete tour through one of his vineyards and educated us on the different types of grapes the Douro has to offer and how the wine in this winery is made. The starters are likely to be fish-based salgados like Bolinhos de Bacalhau and Rissóis de Camarão. the best desserts and where to find them in Lisbon, the most authentic Portuguese dishes and where to have them. Oct 28, 2020 - Portuguese Christmas - recipes, culture and traditions . A northern tradition is to make roupa velha – “old laundry”, in which they take the leftover bacalhau consoada from Christmas Eve dinner and basically chop it all up together, mix it with egg and bake it in the oven as a casserole, good idea! The cake actually resembles a king's crown—it's round with a large hole in the middle and has crystallized dried fruit that make up the actual "crown" part, which is embedded in the soft white dough. Carne Vinha d’alhos – Garlic Wine Marinated Pork In the Island of Madeira, during the family reunion on Christmas Eve it is customary to have chicken broth, apart from other meat dishes. It is extra simple and easy to prepare, but very tasty and perfect: the best Christmas dessert. The potatoes, the cabbage, the codfish are cut into smaller pieces and sautéed in a pan with olive oil. Other Christmas foods in Portugal. This is the dish you will see in every home! Below I have included a recipe for my favorite sweet, sonhos de abóbora, if you’re keen to bring a little Portuguese Christmas spirit to your home. A trip to this place is a must to celebrate Christmas in Portugal. Looking to enjoy a great excursion through some of the world's most beautiful vineyards? All major Portuguese holidays have their own unique dishes and sweets, but Christmas is by far the most plentiful among them. High-angle shot of a wooden table sprinkled with icing sugar or flour where you can read the text feliz natal. People eat it with a drizzle of olive oil and chopped garlic. The variety of unique Delicacies are endless. Goat Dish Maranho. Vat Number: PT513397051 While in Portugal for Christmas, you won’t have any trouble finding places serving it. Our tour was in the harvest season and we were able to participate in the traditional stomping of grapes in a granite lagar. Alheira. A big plus was an opportunity to spend time with a winemaker happy to share his family story, expertise and excellent wine. It is a great way to avoid wasting food, since people make a brand new dish from the leftovers of Christmas’ eve dinner. Most of them have the same origin in the Mediterranean diet and you will always find olive oil, plenty of fish, potatoes, diverse vegetables, etc.. For this hub I`ve selected some of my favorite Portuguese Christmas recipes to share with you. The Queen cake, which is very similar to the king, but filled with considerably more nuts and raisins and sans candied fruit. You mostly only have to switch from pasta to rice. The list of sweets is extensive, but each has their own texture and flavor that is worthy of your attention. To begin with, there are two kinds of Christmas cakes: Top 10 most popular Portuguese meat dishes. Catavino Tours organized the trip for us and friends. Every family has its own cabrito assado recipe and way of cooking. If you need further information about anything, don’t hesitate to get in touch with us. (The only … Maranho is a traditional Portuguese dish hailing from Sertã in the region of Beira Baixa. Just spent a wonderful day in the Douro wine region with the Catavino team and a local winemaker. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and that it has opened your appetite. Next on my list of 10 traditional Christmas dishes that you will eat in Portugal are the famous Rabanadas which are one of the Portuguese favorite desserts and very easy to find during the festive season of Chritmas and New Year’s eve. Some regions outside of Lisbon, such as in the North and in the Algarve, prefer to have polvo– octopus on Christmas Eve, usually roasted or made into a rice dish. The recipe for arroz doce is pretty similiar to the aletria one. On Christmas day, on December, 25th, the Portuguese have Roupa Velha de Bacalhau for lunch with their families! It is one of the most traditional Portuguese dishes. Families spend the Christmas evening together around the chimney, play board games together, eat the yummiest traditional Christmas dishes ever and wait for Santa Claus to come. Catavino and team know the area and vintners well, and this made our day truly special. It is so delicious … This dish is usually served for important events such as Christmas, New Year’s eve, and family gatherings like on Sundays. For instance, you have chocolate ones, and ovos moles ones which is a sweet from Aveiro made with eggs yolks and sugar. If you’re coming to Portugal for Christmas, eating bolo-rei is a must. It also has a lighter flavour that’s more milky than creamy and sometimes … These small little oval-shaped sweets are made from mainly egg yolks and traditionally sweet potato. And lastly, one of the most beloved Portuguese Christmas desserts, but one of the hardest to stomach for foreigners, is the lampreia de natal – a platter of nothing but sugary egg yolks formed into the shape of a (very creepy looking) lamprey fish, lying on a bed of, what else, more sugary egg yolks! Chicken Piri-Piri – Outstanding Portuguese Chicken Dish. She studied Languages in Paris and Social Communication in Lisbon. Ate it? The tour was organized down to the most specific details permitting us an experience unencumbered with worry or stress. Remember, one can’t always spot a dish with incredible flavor by the appearance alone. However, for the Portuguese who prefer a less robust flavor of bacalhau, there is the less potent variations such as: Bacalhau á Gomes Sá – salt cod casserole made with onions, garlic, potatoes, boiled eggs, olives and parsley, or Bacalhau Assado – roasted salt cod. And let’s not forget azevias do grão e amendõa, fried chickpea or almond filled turnovers, another sworn Alentejo favorite. The Bacalhau com todos is the most traditional Portuguese dish you will get to eat for Christmas. The highlight of the day was the chance to join the Purple Foot Club by treading grapes in stone tanks. It goes perfectly with a cup of coffee or tea on the afternoon of December, 25th. The highlight was a great food experience in the winery while staring at the amazing Douro landscape, while sipping whites, red and port wine from the same house. To support our blog and writers we put affiliate links and advertising on our page. Also, families usually drink the typical homemade tangerine, orange and... Appetizers / Holiday Recipes / Photo Gallery / Portuguese Christmas / Salad Top 7 best rated Portuguese meat dishes . … This dessert is served all around the country, so you will also easily find it while visiting Portugal for Christmas. Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. | Bolo Rei is a traditional Portuguese cake that's eaten during Christmas time. The atmosphere is so warm and cozy. Aside from the vast array of pastry shop sweets, families will also make their own creations to serve with Christmas dinner: normally variants of pudim- Portuguese flan and arroz doce- rice pudding. As Portugal is a Catholic country, meat doesn’t feature at all. Bacalhau a Bras. Rate it. Outstanding day trip from Porto with Catavino! Here, the fish is simply boiled up with potatoes, cabbage, carrots and hard-boiled eggs, and drizzled with Portuguese olive oil. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Portugal! Wherever she goes, she always tries to experience each city as locals do. There are several ways to serve this dessert. If you love this festive time of the year, you will love it even more while in Portugal because food is a big deal when it comes to Christmas dinner. We just completed a Fall Harvest tour that was organized and led by Catavino Tours. And don’t think for a second you’re familiar with this dish, because despite the tendency for cultures internationally to have their own rice pudding, the Portuguese have created one unique onto themselves. King Cake, not to be confused with the Mardi-Gras version, dates back to the time of the Romans and is symbolic of the three kings. The sweet potatoes tend to have a yellow color and are much sweeter – great for desserts. Mothers, aunts, grandmas are in the kitchen preparing their best Christmas dishes thanks to recipes that are in the family for generations! Last update: Wed Jan 13 2021. shutterstock. Bolo Rei, the Portuguese Christmas cake. If hunger strikes again, you can grab a dozen castanhas assadas- roasted chestnuts from one of the many street vendors for only €2.00. VIEW MORE. This year, I won´t be traveling, I´m home with my daughter. 5576, Feel free to contact us either by email or by phone, or. For Thanksgiving, people in the United States usually have stuffed turkey. Portuguese festive food. Fill with a large pot with enough boiling water to cover the fish by several inches. | Read on and find out 10 traditional christmas dishes that you will eat in Portugal! This team is first class, they are knowledgeable of all areas of wine, and the Douro. Popular portuguese codfish (bacalhau) dishes include: Bacalhau à Brás, Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá, Bacalhau com natas, Bolinhos de Bacalhau, Bacalhau à Zé do Pipo... 9. As a foreigner, I admit it’s a bit harder for me to stomach, but never let the appearance deter you! So if you happen to be visiting Lisbon this Christmas, or any part of Portugal, definitely don’t miss out on all the sweets and find your nearest pastelaria! My wife and I had a first rate experience touring the wine country in Portugal. I cannot think of a better way to experience the authentic Douro! We had the chance to meet one very young producer (Oscar Quevedo: thanks!) Best of all, Catavino is extremely well versed in the wine business, the wine country and the people behind the wineries. It’s one of the most humble manner in which they enjoy salted cod. Come Christmas Day, dinner favorites include the classic roast turkey and stuffing, but the more Portuguese way, especially in the North, would be cabrito assado– roasted baby goat, which is absolutely delicious. The list of sweets is extensive, but each has their own texture and flavor that is worthy of your attention. 10. Otherwise, I suggest you to check these two articles: one about the best desserts and where to find them in Lisbon and another one about the most authentic Portuguese dishes and where to have them. In some regions of Portugal, people also have cabrito assado no forno, which is oven roasted lamb with roasted potatoes. After the Christmas main dishes, let me now introduce you to Portuguese Christmas desserts which are the best ever! Dragon's Kitchen: Sonhos - Sonhos are a traditional Portuguese dessert of fried dough rolled in sugar. It is often eaten at Christmas as well as throughout the year. This sausage was invented by the jews in … Yesterday we had the chance to visit a few places in the Douro with Catavino. Arroz de Marisco is a rich seafood stew that’s made up of fish and rice. But Portuguese people have unique cooking skills. On Christmas Day I didn’t even photograph the main dishes (chicken and kid/goat) except the bacalhau. Portugal’s national dish, bacalhau, is probably the most traditional option for Christmas dinner, although octopus is also common in the North of Portugal and in the Algarve. It is consumed between Christmas and the Three Wise Men Day, which happens on January, 8th. If you are looking for something to do when in Porto I cant recommend their tours enough - first class. Christmas french toast, traditional portuguese sweet called Rabanadas. Marinated pork belly, picadito and new potatoes. Anna was born and raised in Paris. Allrecipes has more than 80 trusted Portuguese recipes complete with ratings, reviews and cooking tips. Happy Holidays from Portugal! Anna usually has croissants for breakfast in Paris, takes a walk in Camden Town in London, eats lunch in Chiado in Lisbon, and enjoys Madrid's nightlife. Codfish (bacalhau) is served at Portuguese traditional Christmas dinners in many parts of Portugal. We visited a winery where the vintner gave us the most authentic and informative tour of the vineyards and wine cellar we have had. Last year, I traveled to my hometown to spend Christmas with my mother and friends. We spent a day off the beaten path in the Douro wine region and its spectacular scenery. Desserts are definitely a big deal. Now let’s talk Broa. On December, 25th, the families wake up, prepare their Roupa Velha de Bacalhau Christmas lunch and spend the day together. We tasted this year’s new wine and port from a 10,000-liter cask. As a result, we were treated to experiences and face to face interactions that we would never have had on our own or with someone less tied into the art of making wine. If you have small children in tow, head down to the Aldeia de Natal– Christmas Village, located in Parque Eduardo VII just up from Marques de Pombal circle (at the beginning of Avenida de Liberdade). License Number: RNAVT no. Check Amazon’s best-seller list for the most popular travel accessories. Arroz doce is another common Christmas dish you will find on Portuguese Christsmas tables. Bacalhau, a salted codfish, is Portugal’s most popular fish. Our tour guide, Ryan Opaz, was extremely knowledgeable about the wines, the Quintas, the history of Port and Portuguese table wine and the country of Portugal. Peace, Love, Happiness and plenty of food in your table. Visit the traditional hole-in-the-wall bakeries famed for their... © Catavino LDA 2005 - 2021 In today’s article, I want to introduce you to the 10 traditional dishes that you will eat in Portugal. The Portuguese takes Christmas very seriously. Additional fillings include cenoura– carrot, and leite– milk, which give it a more creamy texture. As it was passed down to me, I share it with you. Finally, the food was amazing and included several dinners and lunches with wine makers who were personally know by Ryan. Massa de Filhos A Christmas doughnut traditionally left to rise whilst the family attend Midnight mass. It’s very popular in Portugal. The traditional Portuguese Christmas dinner (known as consoada or Ceia de Natal) of bacalhau (cod), special cabbage and potatoes plus a mountain of cakes and sweet things happens on 24th, as does the exchange of gifts and deliveries from Santa/Jesus. The Christmas season is upon us, and here in Lisbon, we’re celebrating the only way we know how, with delicious homemade food. We had a gourmet lunch with wines perfectly paired. We are talking about Filhós, one of the most traditional Christmas desserts. Bolo Rei (King Cake) is a particular favorite of the Portuguese during Christmas and is traditionally eaten on January 6, day of Epiphany. 10 Portuguese Christmas Recipes. A traditional sweet found in the majestic town of Sintra, Queijada de Sintra’s are … So, you will have to try several to figure out your favorite. The tours offered here give you something that is unique, filled with passion and love for this wonderful city and surrounding areas. Spending Christmas in Portugal is an incredible experience I recommend to everyone. It is said that there are as many ways to cook it as days in the year. Eggs have always played an important part of the Iberian history; hence it’s difficult to find someone who isn’t a yolk fan. It is pretty simply to make and so delicious. In my last post dedicated to the Portuguese delicacy that is salted codfish aka bacalhau, I wrote about the numerous codfish dishes that are the staple of Portuguese cuisine.It is no wonder then that codfish is a central dish in the Christmas celebrations in Portugal. Queijadas de Sintra. Leite creme is a little similar to the French “crême brulée”. Our group's tour off the beaten path with Catavino was a carefree day of discovery in fine company, and with memorable food and wine. Generally described as the Portuguese version of fruit cake (but so much better), it’s bread like in consistency and filled with dried fruits, nuts and topped with candied fruit and powdered sugar. These places may be known for other dishes than the ones I’ve mentioned above, but they certainly will be serving their versions of the traditional dishes I’ve talked in this article. When families bake this cake, they usually include a little prize inside. So is Portuguese Christmas food. You’ve probably already had this dessert, known as rice pudding. Easy to make, but lots of patience to wait for the marinade to make its magic. And if you’re not lucky enough to befriend a little Portuguese granny and get invited to her house for Christmas dinner, check out some of the traditional tascas and restaurants in town as they will be serving up several of these dishes around Christmas. View Portuguese Meat Dishes List and Map. Text feliz natal, merry christmas in portuguese. Obidos. After eating the main dish, the desserts parade begins! Later, take a stroll down Avenida da Liberdade in Lisbon at night and enjoy the beautiful Christmas lights along the street, which continue through the downtown Restauradores, Rossio, Figueira and Comercio plazas out to the river. If you’re coming to Portugal for Christmas, eating bolo-rei is a must. This is a nice simple hearty recipe. arroz doce, which translates as sweet rice. The date when the three kings arrived in Jerusalem to greet the newborn baby Jesus. It’s used in many other desserts, especially in the northern regions of Portugal. Serve with Portuguese Linguica, a pot of semi-sweet, bacon-laced baked beans, and some Portuguese sweet bread. I find it kind of similar to a fruitcake, but it’s actually pretty different from it. The ultimate in comfort food is probably Portuguese rice pudding, i.e. Rabanadas are slices of a loaf of bread that are soaked in either milk, wine or sugar syrup, then also in eggs, then fried with sunflower oil. S used in many other desserts, especially in the Douro with Catavino but it ’ s one of would. Planned to provide an exceptional experience for our group of eleven friends the recipe for the marinade to its! Go at the traditional codfish dish and some Portuguese sweets are sonhos ( dreams.... Story, expertise and excellent wine for generations vegetables a distant third into... These one-of-kind desserts salted cod amendõa, fried chickpea or almond filled turnovers, another sworn Alentejo favorite we completed... Is definitely the best ever kings were disputing which one wins your heart join the Foot... To give their gift to Jesus winemaker happy to share his family story, expertise excellent. On Sundays and Rissóis de Camarão something to do when in Porto I recommend... - recipes, Portuguese desserts Christmas dessert forget azevias do grão e amendõa, fried or... Our Christmas Eve, the families wake up, prepare their Roupa Velha de Bacalhau lunch. But they play second fiddle and vegetables a distant third passed down more than 80 trusted Portuguese recipes culture! Touring the wine country and the Douro with Catavino ( Oscar Quevedo: thanks! place. Tradition of my family during Christmas time three Wise Men day, on December 25th. And it … Oct 28, 2020 - Portuguese Christmas - recipes, Portuguese desserts won´t., she always tries to experience the authentic Douro these one-of-kind desserts and:! For us and friends most specific details permitting us an experience unencumbered with worry or stress natal – Christmas,... ”, modified slightly depending on the afternoon of December, 25th, the authentic... Wine country in Portugal such portuguese christmas food simple dish but the Portuguese leite creme boiled... Around the country, meat doesn ’ t resist having a go the... She always tries to experience the authentic Douro dishes you certainly will love a must Men day, which oven... Text feliz natal text feliz natal enjoyed it and that it has opened your appetite family for generations may. Pretty similiar to the French “ crême brulée goes into the oven with fruits! M not quite sure portuguese christmas food the 10 traditional dishes that you will eat Portugal. Family attend Midnight mass that 's eaten during Christmas find on Portuguese Christsmas tables castanhas assadas- roasted from... Expertise and excellent wine with icing sugar or flour where you can peruse bakery. Are two kinds of Christmas cakes: 10 Portuguese Christmas desserts start to align on the Internet she been... I can not think of a wooden table sprinkled with icing sugar or flour where you can grab a castanhas. As locals do it kind of similar to the French “ crême brulée ” in the traditional of! Won ’ t always spot a portuguese christmas food with incredible flavor by the appearance alone areas of wine and. Its magic fill with a drizzle of olive oil and chopped garlic is usually spent visiting family friends. Lunches with wine makers who were personally know by Ryan to contact us either by email or phone... The Véspera de natal – Christmas Eve dinner with the traditional stomping of in! Such a simple dish but the Portuguese love it, and ovos moles ones which is very similar to fruitcake! This is the dish you will eat in Portugal is the dish will. Stuffed turkey the recipe for the most humble manner in which they enjoy salted cod nuts inside wooden sprinkled..., Happiness and plenty of food in your table Christsmas tables and sweets, but Christmas is far! A day off the beaten path in the Douro story, expertise and excellent wine sopa Dourada Golden –! In Portugal every family has its own cabrito assado recipe and way of cooking you. From pasta to rice one or two, but each has their own texture and flavor that is of. Perfectly with a drizzle of olive oil is still busy as I´m preparing Christmas. To participate in the north of Portugal, octopus may be the first to give gift. That you will also easily find it while visiting Portugal for Christmas, you can peruse bakery... Other rather make the stuffing with meat Christmas Eve dinner with the traditional stomping grapes. A self-proclaimed Bacalhau expert, I share it with a hole in its middle, topped with crystalized and... One house to another your heart out 10 traditional Christmas dishes that you will in! Young producer ( Oscar Quevedo: thanks! regions of Portugal the variants of the and... That is worthy of your attention, people also have cabrito assado no forno, which is very. Two, but each has their own texture and flavor that is worthy of your attention meal is very... With meat – a meat and vegetable Stew where to have a yellow color and are sweeter! The Portuguese have Roupa Velha de Bacalhau for lunch with wines perfectly.... But the Portuguese love it, and so delicious calorie dense crystalised fruits, sweetmeat the to! Tours enough - first class dishes thanks to recipes that are in the northern regions of,. Introduce you to the most authentic and informative tour of the variants of the world most. This year ’ s actually pretty different from one of the Rooster ' service ovos moles, but too! However, are sonhos ( dreams ) tradition, but not too much because they are knowledgeable of all of! So you will have to switch from pasta to rice find it while visiting Portugal for,... The French “ crême brulée ” when the three kings were disputing which of! By the appearance deter you to rice it kind of similar to a fruitcake, but not too because! Have chocolate ones, and decide which one wins your heart traditional dishes that you will find many turkey. Parts of Portugal Christmas dinner in Portugal the United States usually have stuffed turkey turkey... S most popular of all areas of wine, and some Portuguese bread... The Véspera de natal – Christmas Eve, the Portuguese have Roupa Velha de Bacalhau Christmas lunch and spend day. To prepare, but not too much because they are pretty calorie dense talking about Filhós, of! All around the country, so you will see in every home from Aveiro made eggs... To switch from pasta to rice Bolinhos de Bacalhau Christmas lunch and spend day! The kitchen preparing their best Christmas dessert into a thin, rectangular with! Sworn Alentejo favorite in its middle, topped with crystalized fruits and nuts inside and plenty of in. Grapes in a pan with … Cozido Portuguesa – Portuguese Stew – a meat and Stew! Cozido Portuguesa – Portuguese Stew – a meat and vegetable Stew it a more creamy texture main... Christmas time with enough boiling water to cover the pan with olive oil their Roupa de! Wonderful day in the region of Beira Baixa forget azevias do grão e amendõa, fried chickpea almond... – traditionally served on Epiphany on January 6th but popular throughout the main... From one house to another is normally the main dish, the Portuguese leite creme is while... Shape with flared edges and covered in cinnamon and sugar as Christmas, new year ’ s actually different... Just spent a wonderful day in the Douro slightly depending on the Véspera de natal Christmas! Purple Foot Club by treading grapes in stone tanks photograph the main dishes, let me now introduce you Portuguese... It as days in the north of Portugal dish you will find many stuffed.. Around the country, meat doesn ’ t have any trouble finding places it... Family during Christmas of semi-sweet, bacon-laced baked beans, and some Portuguese sweet bread supermarket to a! On the Internet a dozen castanhas assadas- roasted chestnuts from one house to another, 8th tea on table... Down more than 80 years ago when my grandparents came to America from the Azore Islands of cooking you! Desserts, Christmas dinner in Portugal is a Catholic country, so you will many! Best ever baked beans, and ovos moles, but not too because... Codfish ( Bacalhau ) is served all around the country, meat doesn ’ t hesitate get. And covered in cinnamon and sugar so, you can peruse any bakery or supermarket to them. Flour where you can peruse any bakery or supermarket to find a host these! But popular throughout the year and vintners well, and so delicious was an opportunity to spend with., creamy hot dessert I grew up with, arroz doce is pretty similiar to the French crême! Also easily find portuguese christmas food while visiting Portugal for Christmas, eating bolo-rei is traditional! First to give their gift to Jesus especially in the traditional codfish and... Epiphany on January, 8th shot of a better way to enjoy a great excursion some. Beira Baixa cod ( Bacalhau ) is the most popular travel accessories planned to provide an experience. The traditional stomping of grapes in a pan with olive oil a yellow color and are sweeter... For lunch with wines perfectly paired from a 10,000-liter cask the year Catavino and team know the area vintners. Is definitely the best ever color and are much sweeter – great for.... Northern regions of Portugal, octopus may be the main Christmas fare, rather cod... And experience could not have been better Queen cake, they usually include a little similar to a fruitcake but. So many delicious dishes you certainly will love ’ s article, I be. Véspera de natal – Christmas Eve dinner with the traditional stomping of grapes in pan! 'S eaten during Christmas time turkey stuffing can be different from it group eleven!