PORTUGAL
After yet another journey across the Mediterranean, we've left the site of baron deserts, gargantuan pyramids, and a culture steeping in a history that withstood the sands of time. Now we arrive in Portugal- a land of underrated beauty, limitless coastal beaches, and miles upon miles of breath-taking landscape waiting to be discovered. In a place so renowned for their surf-and-turf, we thought it would be a challenge to come up with some dishes that would not only be vegetarian-friendly, but would also well-represent the traditional staple cuisine. Here's a little taste of what we came up with!
Green Beans & Tomatoes
This is a simple recipe, easy to make and filled with familiar savory taste of tomato. This dish works perfectly as a snack or a side to almost any meal. It is extremely versatile, you can give this dish a kick with cayenne or make it zesty by adding lemon juice.
Ingredients:
1 Large onion, finely chopped
1 Clove of garlic, Minced
2 tbsp Olive oil
3 Cups green beans cut in half
3 Tomatoes, chopped
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
1 tsp Sugar
Salt to taste
1/2 tsp dried Basil
Instructions:
1. Saute onion and garlic in the oil for approximately 5 minutes, or until the onion is transparent.
2. Add all the other ingredients, fry for 15 to 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Enjoy!
Rissoles & Corn Flour Gravy
Gravy
Ingredients:
3 tbsp butter
2 tbsp olive oil (veg or corn oil works too!)
1 cup corn flour
3 cups water
1 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms (we used button)
2/3 cup green onion, sliced
Instructions:
1. Fry the butter in a pan over medium heat until fully melted
2. Saute corn flour in butter for 2-5 minutes
3. In a separate pan fry the onion and mushrooms together for 5 minutes.
4. Mix the mushrooms and onions into the cornflour mixture and slowly add water over the next 5-10 minutes. Stir consistently to prevent clumping.
Rissoles
Ingredients:
750 g veggie ground round (we used st.ives)
1 med onion, finely chopped
1 med carrot, peeled and grated
2 tsp fresh thyme leaves
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 eggs, beaten lightly
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
2 tbsp butter or margarine
1 tbsp vegetable oil
Instructions:
1 Combine veggie meat, onion, carrot, thyme leaves, garlic and eggs in a bowl.
2 Dived and roll the mixture into small balls.
3 Place flour in bowl, toss rissoles in flour, shake off excess flour.
4 Fry the rissoles in butter until brown on both sides.
Sweet Bread
A new take on your typical bread recipe; this bread is busting with sweet flavour! The sugar and cinnamon complement the bread enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, while maintaining the hearty taste of bread. This dish is comforting and can be paired with jam, cinnamon and butter or simply a big glass of milk!
Ingredients:
2 packages dry yeast
1/4 cup lukewarm water
1 cup Milk
1 cup Sugar
2 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 cup Butter
1/2 tsp Salt
6 cup Flour
4 Eggs
Instructions:
1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Dissolve yeast in warm water.
3. Scald milk and add sugar, butter and salt. Stir until butter is melted. Mix in the cinnamon and flour. Add 1/2 the flour to the mixture and stir until smooth. Transfer to a mixing bowl.
4. Beat 3 of the 4 eggs and add them and the yeast to the mixture
5. Add remaining flour to the mixture gradually.
6. Remove the dough from the bowl and place on floured board. Knead until smooth, this should take about 15 minutes.
7.Shape into a ball and place in buttered bowl. Cover and let rise until double in size. This could take up to 3 hours, very important that it DOUBLES in size.
8.Punch risen dough down and divide it in half. Place in two greased pans (8 inches round). Let rise in warm place until double in size , another hour and a half. Brush tops of dough with remaining egg (beaten).
8. Bake for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on wire racks.
