In my previous visits here, the focus was either on seafood, or local, family-owned restaurants. But Portuguese food is quite rich, varied, and distinct. Simple grilled fish is always a great option. Meat dishes tend to be slow cooked. And of course, Portuguese wine is a big deal here. Much like other countries on the Mediterranean, olive oil is also a big part of cooking and their culture. I distinctly remember the quality of the cheeses and bread on my previous visits. And no meal is ever complete without the famous custard tart, pastel de nata, and a cup of expresso. But salted cod is the "national" dish, even though most of it comes from Norway these days. Bacalhau has its origin in the days before refrigeration, as a means of preserving fish. About 25,000 tons
... read more
