The portuguese

Portuguese cuisine is said to be unlike any cuisine in European countries. And this is due to the fact that for a long time Portugal actually had no ties with the outside world. Much has changed over the past few centuries - Portuguese cuisine has absorbed many Spanish traditions, as well as the features of the Far East and the West Indies.

The south of the country is a traditional Mediterranean cuisine characterized by an abundance of spices, garlic and a variety of pasta. However, the main difference between Portuguese dishes is the use of large amounts of fish and seafood. The favorite dishes of the Portuguese are rightfully considered sardines, cod, tuna, crab croquettes and other types of seafood.

The most popular national dishes of Portuguese cuisine include "Bacagliau" or salted cod, which can be cooked in more than 200 ways. It is eaten most often with eggs, potatoes and turnip sprouts, which are seasoned with vinegar and olive oil. In addition, being in Portugal, you will definitely be offered to taste the spicy chicken "Piri-piri" or "Caldu Verde" - a thick rich potato and cabbage soup with a local choriso sausage.

Kushanye, which is called "Feijoada" - also a favorite food of the indigenous population, is baked black beans with sausages, dried meat, beef giblets and various spices. And, of course, "Cusidu Portuguese" is exclusively a meat dish based on beef, smoked meats, pork and chicken.

By the way, cattle in the country are mainly used as draft force, and for slaughter they are raised quite rarely. However, many hostesses know how to make real culinary masterpieces from this meat. Beef pulp is marinated for a long time in wine, and then olive oil is rubbed into it, thanks to which the finished dish acquires a special taste. If there are still small flaws, culinary experts correct them with herbs, onions and garlic.

Quite often, chard, spinach and chickpeas are used in recipes for Portuguese cuisine. It's this truly Mediterranean kind of legume that gives potted food a special taste. Rice has also found widespread use in cooking, and it acts not only as a side dish for second dishes, but also as a dessert, for example, with eggs and milk, seasoned with sugar, cinnamon, vanilla or lemon zest.

Sweet, by the way, the Portuguese treat with reverence. In the recipes of Portuguese cuisine, which concern directly desserts, the main role is played by sugar and egg yolk, to which marzipan, cinnamon and coconut chips are added. Almond cookies with fatty sour cream are very popular. A distinctive feature of desserts in Portugal is a yolk stretched into thin hair, which is used to decorate sweet dishes.

The Portuguese adore sweet wine and prefer port, white "Verdos" and "Vimies. " Despite the fact that the country has quite a good beer, the most common drink is a mixture of fresh water, shredded lemon zest and syrup.