The Good Life

by Saudades

Expats member Saudades has a passion for both cookery and photography. A great combination, I think you'll agree!

All that's missing is a Pastéis de Belém!

Not so authentic but do keep in mind that couve galega and chouriço are unobtainable in the Netherlands!

A bottle of Casal Garcia washes everything down beautifully!

Can't wait until I make it to Lisboa...have got to eat these now!

I like seafood either Madeirense or do Algarve (style)

This picture isn't very good but hey the sentiments count, innit!

Just want to show a simple and refreshing wine that I had with baked trout

One of my favourite fish, mullets. Washed down with a vinho de mesa rose. Cheers!

The steak, local organic entrecote, is big enough for 3 people. Ii ate 2/3 of it and my Dutchie the rest (my excuse: I swim at least 3km and cycle 16km every day to burn all this off!) This inexpensive wine is very nice with the steak.

My first homemade frango. The wine is really good! Just across the river from Lisboa.

'bacalhau a casa saudades' from what I understand...it's either take it or leave it .I like it fine. Yeah, that's right, I'm a 'pique'. I don't think this recipe is ahem..official, so i just call it 'a casa saudades'

Squeamish? Then look away now! Istão óptimo!

I eat coentro like a bunny rabbit. Used to eat a bunch a week, now 3! Some people can't eat coentro, saying it tastes like soap. Well, nearly. Luckily Ii love the stuff. Me thinks I'd adapt very well to life in Portugal. In fact, I've been asked if I'm sure I don't have a drop of Pt blood in me!

Delicious. I've heard every tasca (and household) makes their own. Well, I'd have to agree, the homemade stuff makes all the difference. Here's my version. I prefer these intensely aromatic peppers.

Then I use the chili paste on frango, on chips, in salads, in everything. Just about! Simple homemade chips: boiled the potatoes half way, then cut into wedges, mix well with the pepper paste and some of the frango dripping then bake until cooked and golden. You might not want to use the dripping if you're on a diet!

Feijão verde com coentro e alho and pescada á Lisboeta. So simple and yet so tasty! I'll have to make a trip to Lisboa to find my heart and take it back!

I can eat soup everyday no problemo, rain or shine.

Finally, I found tiny clams and made this brilliant dish yesterday. Brilliant. brilliant! I'm not sure if it's authentic enough to be called carne de porco á Alentejana though. The pot and the plate were licked dry in the end! I'm a pig, thank you very much!