Three Portuguese Dishes Worth Making In Your Kitchen

Home to over 300 days of sunshine, Portugal is full of beautiful beaches, classic architecture, and a rich history as old as Europe itself. Its vibrant culture and delectable cuisine bring people from all over the world to visit, and is most definitely a nation worth putting on your travel list! But, if you’re like most of us, jumping on an eight-hour flight across the Atlantic may not be an option at the moment - luckily, our kitchens make for the perfect portal to take us anywhere we like without having to even leave our homes (other than to get ingredients, of course)! Have you ever wondered about the beauty Portuguese cuisine has to offer? Well, you’re in luck! Today, we wanted to take you through three of the tastiest Portuguese dishes you can make at home for your next dinner party or a nice weekend meal. Interested in learning more? Then read on!

Bacalhau

Notably Portugal’s most famous dish, Bacalhau is a dish that is definitely worth giving a try. Also known as Portuguese salt cod stew, Bacalhau is the perfect stew for the cold winter days thanks to the medley of cod, onions, potatoes, eggs, and olives that make a stew you’ll be returning for seconds. While salt cod may not be as easy to find within your local grocery store, many specialty markets will likely have what you’re looking for. Given Bacalhau’s popularity, you’ll likely see it being served in various ways: in casseroles, grilled, served with rice, shredded in scrambled eggs, or even served with fried potatoes, according to Afar. 

Pastéis de Nata

Another incredibly popular dish to try when making some of Portugal’s favorites has to be Pastéis de Nata or Portuguese custard tarts. These small sweets are a custard tart made with puff pastry and filled with egg custard, topped with powdered sugar and some cinnamon, and boy, do these look delicious. While nothing beats what you get when actually in Portugal, making Pastéis de Nata is possible within your own kitchen and only requires a few ingredients (most of which you likely already have at home!). A bit of history: these pastries were created prior to the 18th century by Catholic monks at a monastery. When the monastery closed, the recipe was sold to owners of a sugar refinery who opened a bakery (which is still being run by family descendants today). 

Chicken Piri Piri

Chicken lovers commence, this is the dish for you. Chicken Piri Piri, a dish with roots in both Africa and Portugal, has become a Portuguese favorite in restaurants and homes all over the country. This dish comprises grilled and charred chicken pieces covered in Piri Piri sauce, a chili sauce made of malagueta peppers. With a balanced spicy, sweet, savory, and delicious flavor, this dish is sure to be a crowd favorite and will leave you wanting another helping. While you can find malagueta peppers at certain specialty stores, many home recipe versions of Chicken Piri Piri use Thai chilis, Fresno chilis, or red jalapeño chilis as a substitute.