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Cheeses of Portugal
Portugal is a country of fine pasture-land, and tending flocks
has been always a mean of subsistence or an important traditional
activity. Surely in a land of flocks, cheese is king.
The several kinds of cheese made with milks of sheep, cow
goat, or mixed, the consistence of the paste, the flavour
and flat degree are different in each region.
Making cheese is an art that comes to the table as an important
element of gastronomy in that region and reveals the skill
of the hands that give them shape.
Some people still afirm that "the cheese makes the cheese-maker
and not the other way around". In a way or another the secret
goes from generation to genaration and till today cheese is
hand-made. The oil-lamp is out of fashion but the flavour
remains.
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Cozido a portuguesa
It is a plate where a great meat variety that consist of cow,
chicken and pig (fresh and smoked), is mixed with a variety
of vegetables, such as rice, bean, cabbage, potato, carrot
and turnip.
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Feijoada (Beans)
Consists of dry bean, bacon, meat tomatoes, onions, garlic,
carnations, parsley, parrot, oil, eggs salt and pepper.
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Bife com batatas fritas (steak with fried potatoes)
This dish is mostly enjoyed by the younger generations.
Made with cow meat, it can be cooked in several ways, either
roasted, fried in oil or other fat, then mixed with several
spices and usually produce an aromatic aroma.
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Pasteis de Belem
This dish was first produced in 1937. Following that the same
homemade tradition, has been used to make the desert. The
Pastéis de Belém offer's the delicious taste of the ancient
Portuguese sweets.
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Pao de Lo (Bread-of-Lo)
This is a typical cake made in Portugal. Consist of only egg,
sugar and flour.
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Salt Cod Fritters
These crispy fritters are among the most popular appetizers
in Portugal. Made from the preserved fish that has long been
a staple of the Iberian peninsula and other Mediterranean
countries, they are also a regular feature on the menus of
Spanish tapas bars.
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Figs Stuffed with Chocolate and Almonds
Although the combination might not seem obvious at first glance,
one taste of these confections shows how well suited dried
figs are to the rich tastes and textures of chocolate and
almonds. Serve this after-dinner sweet with a glass of good
Portuguese port or Madeira.
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