The former colonies in Africa, India and the Far East have influenced Portuguese cuisine making it very different from the nearby Mediterranean countries.
Algarve cuisine is heavily inspired by a combination of the region’s long history of animal farming and fishing, the fresh produce grown across its vast countryside and many cultural influences. Traditional dishes are often made from simple ingredients, based on regional produce.
Popular recipes have been passed down through generations. Typical examples are caldo verde, a soup of potatoes and cabbage, and cataplana, an aromatic seafood dish cooked in a ‘cataplana’ pot. These delicious dishes are served in Portuguese homes as well in many authentic Portuguese restaurants.
Fish
Given the Algarve’s location, it’s not surprising that when it comes to traditional cooking, the emphasis is on fish.
Portugal’s most famous fish dish is bacalhau, which is salted cod. You’ll see (and no doubt smell) it for sale in fish markets across the Algarve and most large supermarkets. Bacalhau is very versatile and can be cooked in a variety of ways. Other popular fish include sardines, often served grilled, sea bass and bream, octopus, squid and swordfish. Shellfish are also a firm favourite, with clams and mussels featuring in many recipes. Check out the various seafood festivals around the Algarve in the summer months.
Meat
Meat is an essential part of Portuguese gastronomy. In the Algarve, traditional Portuguese meat dishes are served as a family meal and are also offered in many restaurants.
Pork is one of the most popular meats in Portugal. In the Algarve you’ll find roast suckling pig, grilled pork and fillet of pork on most traditional menus. The delicious meat of the black pig or Alentejano pig, is almost a delicacy in the region. As its name suggests, the breed has black skin and is reared on a natural diet, in the Alentejo Province, just to the north of the Algarve.
Chicken is also much-loved and cooked in a variety of ways. You’ll find many restaurants and take-aways offering mouth-watering grilled chicken and chicken Piri Piri. Beef and lamb appears in a number of guises too, including heart-warming stews and marinated in wine and spices. If you’re more of a plain eater, you can’t go far wrong with Bife à Portuguesa, a classic beefsteak dish served with ham and a fried egg.
Vegetables
Although vegetables are popular in Portuguese cookery, most dishes feature meat or fish so, if you’re a strict vegetarian, you may struggle to find good vegetarian options when eating out. Tomatoes, cabbage and onions are common ingredients and many dishes are served with a salad of lettuce, tomatoes and onion, flavoured with oil, vinegar and salt.
Traditional stews
The ancient Germanic tribe, known as the Goths, introduced stews to the region. Stews are still a major part of Portuguese cooking and typical local fare. Portuguese stews often mix different types of meats with vegetable and sometimes combine meat and fish. Cozido à Portuguesa is a stew combining smoked sausages, meat, vegetables and rice. Served with a good glass of red wine, it’s a perfect warmer on a cool winter’s night. Feijoada, essentially a mixed meat and bean stew, is also a staple favourite. Though, be warned, it wouldn’t be unusual to find a pig’s ear or snout in a traditionally cooked recipe.
Cheese
In Portugal, cheese tends to be eaten by itself. It’s not unusual to eat cheese as a starter and it is often served as part of the couvert in restaurants. Queijo da Serra is probably the most well-known cheese across Portugal. It is made from ewe's milk, although the majority of Portuguese cheeses are made from goat's or sheep's milk.
Desserts
Portugal is famous for its rich egg-based desserts flavoured with spices and its tempting variety of pastries and cakes. Sweetmeats of figs and almonds, Pão de Ló, a rich sponge cake, and Pastel da Natas, delightful egg custard tarts which are the perfect accompaniment to a steaming milky coffee – galão, can all be found in the Algarve.
There are countless places to dine out across the Algarve and sample some of the local fare. Read more about dining out in the Algarve, and thetop restaurantsin the region. Or, if you fancy trying your hand at cooking a typical Portuguese meal, there are details of the most popular supermarkets to visit.
Do you have a favourite recipe or restaurant in the Algarve? Why not share it with us?
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.
Whats on the menu in the Algarve?
by Almonds & Oranges
The former colonies in Africa, India and the Far East have influenced Portuguese cuisine making it very different from the nearby Mediterranean countries.
Algarve cuisine is heavily inspired by a combination of the region’s long history of animal farming and fishing, the fresh produce grown across its vast countryside and many cultural influences. Traditional dishes are often made from simple ingredients, based on regional produce.
Popular recipes have been passed down through generations. Typical examples are caldo verde, a soup of potatoes and cabbage, and cataplana, an aromatic seafood dish cooked in a ‘cataplana’ pot. These delicious dishes are served in Portuguese homes as well in many authentic Portuguese restaurants.
Fish
Given the Algarve’s location, it’s not surprising that when it comes to traditional cooking, the emphasis is on fish.
Portugal’s most famous fish dish is bacalhau, which is salted cod. You’ll see (and no doubt smell) it for sale in fish markets across the Algarve and most large supermarkets. Bacalhau is very versatile and can be cooked in a variety of ways. Other popular fish include sardines, often served grilled, sea bass and bream, octopus, squid and swordfish. Shellfish are also a firm favourite, with clams and mussels featuring in many recipes. Check out the various seafood festivals around the Algarve in the summer months.
Meat
Meat is an essential part of Portuguese gastronomy. In the Algarve, traditional Portuguese meat dishes are served as a family meal and are also offered in many restaurants.
Pork is one of the most popular meats in Portugal. In the Algarve you’ll find roast suckling pig, grilled pork and fillet of pork on most traditional menus. The delicious meat of the black pig or Alentejano pig, is almost a delicacy in the region. As its name suggests, the breed has black skin and is reared on a natural diet, in the Alentejo Province, just to the north of the Algarve.
Chicken is also much-loved and cooked in a variety of ways. You’ll find many restaurants and take-aways offering mouth-watering grilled chicken and chicken Piri Piri. Beef and lamb appears in a number of guises too, including heart-warming stews and marinated in wine and spices. If you’re more of a plain eater, you can’t go far wrong with Bife à Portuguesa, a classic beefsteak dish served with ham and a fried egg.
Vegetables
Although vegetables are popular in Portuguese cookery, most dishes feature meat or fish so, if you’re a strict vegetarian, you may struggle to find good vegetarian options when eating out. Tomatoes, cabbage and onions are common ingredients and many dishes are served with a salad of lettuce, tomatoes and onion, flavoured with oil, vinegar and salt.
Traditional stews
The ancient Germanic tribe, known as the Goths, introduced stews to the region. Stews are still a major part of Portuguese cooking and typical local fare. Portuguese stews often mix different types of meats with vegetable and sometimes combine meat and fish. Cozido à Portuguesa is a stew combining smoked sausages, meat, vegetables and rice. Served with a good glass of red wine, it’s a perfect warmer on a cool winter’s night. Feijoada, essentially a mixed meat and bean stew, is also a staple favourite. Though, be warned, it wouldn’t be unusual to find a pig’s ear or snout in a traditionally cooked recipe.
Cheese
In Portugal, cheese tends to be eaten by itself. It’s not unusual to eat cheese as a starter and it is often served as part of the couvert in restaurants. Queijo da Serra is probably the most well-known cheese across Portugal. It is made from ewe's milk, although the majority of Portuguese cheeses are made from goat's or sheep's milk.
Desserts
Portugal is famous for its rich egg-based desserts flavoured with spices and its tempting variety of pastries and cakes. Sweetmeats of figs and almonds, Pão de Ló, a rich sponge cake, and Pastel da Natas, delightful egg custard tarts which are the perfect accompaniment to a steaming milky coffee – galão, can all be found in the Algarve.
There are countless places to dine out across the Algarve and sample some of the local fare. Read more about dining out in the Algarve, and the top restaurants in the region. Or, if you fancy trying your hand at cooking a typical Portuguese meal, there are details of the most popular supermarkets to visit.
Do you have a favourite recipe or restaurant in the Algarve? Why not share it with us?
Brought to you by Meravista – the place where smart people search for Algarve property for sale.