The 7 Wonders of Portugal Cuisine are... (part 1)

Following the 7 Wonders of Portugal and the 7 Wonders with Portuguese origin in the world has been announced; we can now reveal which typical Portuguese dishes were recently considered as the 7 Wonders of the Portuguese cuisine.

10 years after its declaration as intangible heritage of Portugal, the Portuguese Cuisine receives a new tribute selecting the main traditional plates made and refined over several generations. These are recipes that reflect genuine and traditional Portuguese values and define our culture and identity as nation.

From a list of 21 traditional dishes chosen by a respected panel of experts, included on 6 different categories – starters, soups, seafood, fish, meat and sweets – and voted by the Portuguese people, the winners were:

Starters

Alheira de Mirandela (Mirandela Sausage) - from Trás os Montes e Alto Douro

The Alheira de Mirandela is a traditional Portuguese cuisine sausage mainly produced in the northern regions of the country, but the sausage of Mirandela is the known and appreciated by the majority of the Portuguese.

It is a traditional smoked sausage made with bread, several kinds of meat (pork, poultry), olive oil, lard, garlic and sweet and/or spicy paprika. It is usually fried in olive oil and served with cooked vegetables as the main course. It can also be stewed after wrapped in cabbage to provide a more refined taste.

The Alheira de Mirandela is now increasingly used as an ingredient in all kind of plates cooked by the most respectful chefs, and can even be enjoyed in a variety of gourmet dishes.

Queijo Serra da Estrela DOP (Serra da Estrela Cheese PDO) – from Beira Interior/Beira Litoral

As a product with Protected Designation of Origin (POD), mostly known as “Queijo da Serra” (Mountain Cheese), the  “Queijo Serra da Estrela” is a ripened cheese with semi-soft, creamy white or yellow moisture. It is produced mostly from November to March with sheep’s milk, curdled by the flower of the thistle, a plant from the region.

With a distinctive aroma and taste, smooth and refined, the “Queijo Serra da Estrela” delights all cheese lovers.

Soups

Caldo Verde Soup – between Douro and Minho

The Caldo Verde Soup is undoubtedly the most renown and appreciated soup in Portugal. Originally from Minho, you can taste it anywhere in the country. Made with kale cut into thin strips, potatoes and a slice of sausage, this soup has a simple recipe and can be cooked by anyone.

For a typical savouring, the Caldo Verde Soup must be served in clay bowls with a slice of corn bread, or, mostly in Lisbon, with hot sausage bread. It is particularly popular in winter because it is hot to warm the souls who taste it.

Posted in: Taste