The autumn is full of many celebrations throughout the world. When you’re in Portugal the smell of castanhas assadas or chestnuts roasting on an open fire means that the Magusto of São Martinho is underway. The festivities held on November 11th celebrate many things. The wine harvest season, the return of a small patch of warmer weather, and most importantly the story of São Martinho (Saint Martin).
The charity of St. Martin
The Story of São Martinho
As the story goes São Martinho was a baptized Roman soldier. During one particularly cold and snowy day, he came upon a cold beggar along the side of the road. São Martinho cut his own cloak in half and gave it to the man to protect him from the snow. Instantly, the snow stopped and the sun came out and the story of Saint Martin became legend. In fact, this day is also called the “summer of São Martinho” and celebrates the milder temperatures of fall similar to “Indian summer” in the United States. In Portugal, since there’s no snow they celebrate the stop of the rain as a gift from above.
The patron saint and protector of sommeliers and wine barrel makers São Martinho Day is truly an autumnal celebration.
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Castanhas Assadas (Roasted Chestnuts)
Typical Portuguese saying you’ll hear on São Martinho Day:
É dia de São Martinho;
comem-se castanhas, prova-se o vinho.
It is St. Martin’s Day,
we’ll eat chestnuts, we’ll taste the wine.
Chestnuts or castanhas are in season and you will find them in every grocery store in Portugal. Here in Cascais, and throughout Portugal you will find them at Pingo Doce, Aldi, Lidl, and all the local markets as well. You’ll find them whole in the shell, unshelled, frozen, and about any other way you may want them. In fact, Diana is planning on adding freshly roasted chestnuts to our Portuguese Thanksgiving stuffing, I can’t wait!
On St. Martins Day the smell of roasted chestnuts permeates the air. You can’t miss it. Corner vendors roast them and sell them in little paper bags. Most Portuguese families will roast their own castanhas at home or at bonfires. Special pans are available in all the stores and we now have added one to our kitchenware, too.
Roasted Chestnuts from street vendor in Obidos, Portugal
We’ve been eating roasted chestnuts for years. Diana usually makes them for Thanksgiving and Christmas. They are always a treat. Having them here in our new home in Portugal is even better.
Magusto on St Martins Day
Friends and families typically gather for a Majusto (or bonfire) roasting their chestnuts and sipping the new wine created from the recent harvest. Alcoholic drinks like the Jeropiga wine and Aguardente brandy are also enjoyed.
Jeropiga is made by adding Aguardente or “firewater” to grape must. Grape must is the new grape juice that contains seeds, stems, and skins of the fruit. This very strong wine is often home-brewed but can be widely found in local grocery and liquor stores.
In Portugal, you can find a Magusto or celebration in many town squares (follow your nose to the bonfire with roasting chestnuts). You can also find St. Martin Day festivities at local restaurants and parks too.
Roasted chestnuts
Kids Have Some Fun Too
While the roasting of the chestnuts is a fun family part of the São Martinho tradition the children found a way to have some fun too. I heard from a local that children would peel a few roasted chestnuts, and hide them in their little hands. Then, turn to someone and say:”Arrebiana!” The other person must reply: “Sobre saltana!” And you answer back: “Sobre quantos?” (how many?). Then the other person must try to guess how many peeled roasted chestnuts you have inside your hands. If the person correctly guesses, then you give them all chestnuts. If not, they must give you the difference between the guess and the correct amount. What a fun game!
Jeropiga and Chestnuts
We’ll Eat The Chestnuts and Drink The Wine
On November 11th as we embrace more Portuguese traditions in our new home, we will be roasting our chestnuts, sipping our Jeropiga and thanking São Martinho for the few last sunny days of autumn.
We’d like to share some yummy breakfast around the world. Keep in mind that this is just a sampling. We’d love to know where you’ve had your favorite breakfasts so feel free to share in the comments below!
Without further adieu, in no particular order…
Yummy Breakfast Around the World
Breakfast at the Pand Hotel in Bruges, Belgium. This breakfast was perfect. The ambiance is delightful. Every single item on the menu was spectacular. The service was impeccable. And, a glass of champagne to pair with my custom-created omelet added just the perfect touch.
Pand Hotel breakfast Bruges
Every year we visit the Los Angeles area for the holidays and every year we have Christmas Day breakfast at Mort’s Deli in Tarzana, California. Their lox is fresh and delicious and comes with the fantastic bagels from Bea’s Bakery right next store. Loyal customers drive miles and miles to come here. We get it. What’s not to like?
Lox Platter at Mort’s Deli in Los Angeles
Sometimes you just don’t want meat at breakfast and this veggie omelet at Dahlia’s in Oak Park, Illinois served on potato pancakes is the perfect alternative. Deliciously fresh and fully satisfying, this breakfast lets you save the bacon for another day.
Dahlia’s Veggie Omelette in Oak Park, IL
If you like something with a little bit of sweetness congee or porridge is just the ticket. We had this delicious bowl in a roadside restaurant in Beijing, China on the way to the Great Wall. It came with a little brown sugar, sesame seeds, nuts, and dried fruit. Simple, natural and filling, you can find a versatile boiled rice form of congee served all over Asia available for breakfast, as a side dish, with hefty condiments for a meal or even for dessert.
Porridge – Congee
Breakfast with a View
There’s nothing better than breakfast with a view. That’s just what you’ll get when you have breakfast at The Buccaneer in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. The open-air restaurant gives you an ocean view while you choose your own breakfast goodies from their huge breakfast buffet. An added treat for tea-lovers. They serve a collection of Harney & Sons tea.
Breakfast at the Buccaneer
This is one of my latest new favorite breakfasts. A delicate crepe filled with Hickory Smoked Ham, Saxony Alpine Cheese, Housemade Pickles, Dijonnaise and topped with two poached eggs. These flavors are so well balanced I ate every single bite. I wanted to take a bottle of the housemade pickles home – so delicious. The other breakfast dishes we saw all looked amazing at Storyhill BKC. This is a “must eat at” place in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Crepes Monsieur at Storyhill BKC in Milwaukee, Wisconsin
You might think of Boise, Idaho as a foodie city. You will be surprised by the wide breadth of food options available in Boise. For brunch don’t miss Wild Root. The most difficult decision will be what to order. Get a few plates and share that’s what we did.
Wild Root Brunch Boise Idaho
There are more tasty breakfasts in the midwest in Ann Arbor, Michigan. We just loved the light and airy feel of Wilma’s and when the food came out we gasped with joy. From the matcha tea to the acai and poke bowls there is something for everyone. Farm fresh ingredients in a friendly setting. Don’t miss it.
Acai Bowl at Wilma’s in Ann Arbor
Whether you’re eating breakfast or brunch don’t miss the chance to try to galette if you’re in the North of France, especially in Normandy. A galette is like a thicker, rustic cousin to the more delicate crepe. A cup of locally made hot apple cider, alcoholic or not makes a great pairing and a memorable way to start the day.
Ham and cheese galette in Normandy
Oklahoma City is another spot that you may not be the first place you think of when you think of the best food. Think again, even Travel & Leisure named it one of it’s Best places to visit in 2020. For breakfast, you gotta stop in the Waffle Champion. Whether you want sweet or savory they have you covered.
Waffle Champion OKC
While you’re in France you want to experience the best baguettes and croissants. We say might not have both for breakfast? You can if you stay at the luxurious and tasty Hotel Napoleon in Paris. The breakfast buffet includes personal-sized baguettes, croissants and a lovely assortment of other French pastries along with all the traditional breakfast foods you would expect.
Breakfast at Hotel Napoleon Paris
Fresh homemade breakfast on a beautiful tropical island, what could be better than that? Absolutely nothing. At the Hermitage Plantation on the Island of Nevis in the Caribbean, every breakfast was fresh, homemade and delicious. But their coconut pancakes still have us dreaming about their delicate sweet taste and deliciously crisp edges. They also make us miss those warm summer breezes and rum punch, reminding us that we have to go back to visit soon.
Coconut pancakes at the Hermitage Plantation in Nevis
At Fourth in Winnipeg, they take “toast” to an entirely different level. Every dish on the menu looked better than the next. Don’t miss this spot when you visit “The Peg”. They also had a tasty Cold Brew Old Fashioned that Diana simply had to try.
Fourth Breakfast in Winnipeg
If you haven’t had an English breakfast you have to add it to your must-eat list. We had a version at the lovely Rothay Garden hotel in the Lake District. There are several different ways to eat this yummy breakfast. Many include baked beans, grilled tomatoes, sausage, mushrooms, potatoes, and eggs.
English Breakfast at Rothay Garden
Breakfast is the first meal of the day and sometimes you need something that helps you get up and go. They’ve got you covered at The Biscuit Bar in Plano, Texas. These guys are baking up some of the best biscuits you’ll ever taste with unique toppings like the Rough Night which will cure even the worst hangover. Try pairing one of their Bloody Mary’s for a perfect start to your morning.
The Rough Night at The Biscuit Bar Plano Texas
For a Mediterranean breakfast, you can’t beat Suraya in Philly. It’s no secret that Philly is a spectacular foodie destination but venture out of downtown and head to Suraya for its delicious Lebanese dishes. Their weekend brunch is extremely popular so be sure to make a reservation or prepare to wait.
Mushroom Hummus Suraya
Do you like hearty breakfasts? Like cowboy hearty? Then don’t miss the Western Cafe in Bozeman, Montana, this is Yellowstone Country. Saddle up to the counter with the locals and order up the chicken-fried steak served with 2 eggs, hash browns and toast. Want something more on the sweet side? How about the Bobcat Special, 2 cinnamon roll slices made into French Toast? All made from scratch and served with a heap of local pride.
Chicken Fried Steak Breakfast Western Cafe Bozeman MontanaCinnamon Roll French Toast
We were in for quite a treat when we visited the small town of Big Timber, in Montana’s Montana’s Yellowstone Country. Another treat was the locally sourced tea from Tumblewood Tea.
More From The Midwest
If you’re looking for a Midwest getaway you shouldn’t miss Galena, Illinois. While you’re there stay at the romantic Goldmoor Inn. Their breakfasts are freshly made just for you.
Breakfast at the Goldmoor Inn in Galena Illinois
We’d be remiss if we left off the biggest cinnamon roll we’ve ever seen. This whopper can easily serve a table of 6. Find it at Stewart’s Restaurant at the Lake of the Ozarks.
Stewarts Restaurant Lake of the Ozarks Super Giant Cinnamon Roll
A little closer to home we love Short Stack Eatery where you can get breakfast all day. One of the more intriguing dishes on the menu is “The Blind” all you tell the server is savory and sweet and you get a surprise breakfast. It’s $7 is you’re willing to take the chance or $11 if you simply must know ahead of time.
The breakfast sandwich at Short Stack Eatery in Madison WI
Breakfast in Portugal
Now that we’re in Portugal we have to add a few new favorite treats to the breakfast mix. Of course, the infamous pasteis de nata is on the top of our local list. If you can’t get the original in Belem, Lisbon that’s ok because just about every corner bakery and grocery store has them. We like to taste them wherever we go. They are different everywhere but typically very delicious.
There are many other pastries and goodies to choose from in Portugal. Portuguese folks don’t typically sit down for a “breakfast”. They will grab a Portuguese coffee (it’s small but strong) and a pastry or piece of the wonderful Portuguese bread.
Pastel de nata egg tarts in Portugal
Now, who’s hungry for breakfast? Share your yummy breakfast around the world in the comments below.
Paris. The City of Light. City of Lovers. There are so many ways to describe this beautifully unique and memorable destination that has come to one of our favorites. We had the chance to stay at the 5-Star luxury Hotel Napoleon Paris on our last visit. From the moment the doorman greeted us we knew we were in a special place.
We were guests of the Hotel Napoleon during our stay. We were not financially compensated and the opinions expressed are based on our own experience.
The stunning lobby is sumptuously decorated and invitingly comfortable. While waiting to meet a friend to arrive, we secretly hoped she would be a little late so we could relax just a few minutes longer among the pillows and cozy furniture.
Lobby at the Hotel Napoleon Paris
Upon entering our Avenue Junior Suite, which faced the Avenue de Friedland, we let out an audible ohhh as we quickly gazed around the room at the elegant furnishings. As the bellman explained all the amenities, we were immediately drawn to the French doors that led out to a spacious terrace. The bonus prize was a spectacular view of the Paris skyline featuring the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe. I have to admit that a tear immediately came to my eye. I’ve had a long love affair with Paris ever since I was a kid. The very first real “report” I wrote was on France. I don’t why I picked it. I just knew, even back then as a young child, that I had to learn more about this magical faraway place.
Sunset View from Junior Suite at Hotel Napoleon Paris
When we were invited by the Paris Tourism Board to visit Paris to see Mayor Anne Hidalgo honor all the Michelin Starred Chefs it took about 3 seconds to respond, “Oui, oui!” If you read my love letter to Paris after the attacks in November you know that lately, Paris has been on my mind even more often.
Junior Suite at the Hotel Napoleon Paris
Perhaps the romance of the hotel begins with its history. As the story is told, a rich Russian businessman, Alexander Pavlovich Kliaguine, met a young Parisian girl in the 1920s and fell madly in love. His wedding gift to her was a hotel in Paris’ storied 8th arrondissement so that she might have a beautiful place to entertain all of high society. The Kliaguine family still owns the magnificent property.
The hotel has 51 rooms and 51 suites each equally luxurious and beautifully decorated in classic French style.
The Hotel Napoleon is well-known for its large art collection. The rooms and hallways are tastefully decorated and adorned with beautiful artwork. As animal lovers, we especially admired the whimsical yet regal dog collection right outside Le Bivouac, the Hotel Napoleon’s restaurant and lounge.
And speaking of food…the breakfast was second to none. It was all I could do not to overindulge in the freshly made baguettes, croissants, and preserves. They had a full complement of warm & cold breakfast foods, and an omelet could be whipped up just for the asking.
Baguettes for Breakfast Hotel NapoleonBreakfast at Hotel Napoleon ParisLobby Restaurant and Bar Le Bivouac at the Hotel Napoleon
After a long day of walking and tasting our way through the city a nightcap at the lobby bar Le Bivouac was just what we needed. Armagnac and Fernet-Branca digestives helped us unwind and forget our jet lag.
Luxurious Bathroom at Hotel Napoleon Paris
The last treat of the night was soaking in the huge whirlpool tub. The tub was long enough for this tall girl to stretch out her legs and have some room left over! Heaven. The fragrant L’Occitane toiletries made the experience even better.
A stay at the 5-Star luxury Hotel Napoleon Paris is truly a dream come true. Located just steps from the Champs-Élysées and a two-minute walk to the Arc di Triomphe you can’t get a better location. Several Metro stops are also within steps and many shops and delicious restaurants beckon you nearby.
Your stay includes free Wifi, an iPod dock, access to the fitness club, tea and coffee machines in the suites, and some of the most gracious and attentive service you will find anywhere.
LGBTQIA+ Friendly
Hotel Napoleon Paris
40 avenue de Friedland
75008 Paris
For reservation information check their website hotelnapoleonparis.com
THE QUICK BITE: For a regal and romantic stay in Paris relax at the 5 -Star luxurious Hotel Napoleon Paris. Its ideal location, beautiful accommodations, exceptional service, and tasty restaurant and bar make it simply a perfect place to stay.
One of our favorite things to do for summer fun is to get outside and enjoy every minute that we can. There are just so many outdoor activities in the summer. Sometimes like you just can’t fit them all in. Before the warm weather passes us by, take a look at these fun things to do in the summer.
Water Activities
Summer is great but it brings the heat, right? There’s no better way to cool off this summer than getting in the water. Doesn’t matter how you do it. Swimming in a pool, lake, river, or ocean or just running under a sprinkler. Find which works best for you.
Our niece and nephew loved the PoolCandy Stars and Stripes water slide. They shared it at a recent family gathering and had a blast. It reminds us of the slip and slide water slides we had as children. They cool you off and are so much fun. The stars and strips on this water slide are especially great to add festive decor around some of the best summer holidays. And kids of all ages (including our ages!) will find the gliding on the water a fun way to cool off this summer and beat the heat.
Being at home a lot of folks have pools or swim in the nearest body of water. Kids in our life love unicorns! (And, really, who doesn’t?) Seems that unicorn items are on every kid’s summer bucket list. This year these inflatable unicorns are everywhere. They even had them at Aldi. You can still find many different styles, even ones with sprinklers on Amazon.
If you’re looking for a safe way for your child to learn how to love being in the pool, check out this Never Flip Over Non-Inflatable Baby Float Swim Trainer. It’s a great way to ensure safety and encourage all the little ones to experience a safe adventure in the water at the same time. It comes in various colors and with a removable tail and canopy cover.
Ice Cold Drinks
There are so many ways to quench your thirst and cool off this summer. From lemonade and iced coffee to iced tea and sodas. One of our favorite drinks is iced matcha. We use Tenzo matcha to create our iced matcha drinks. It has no chemicals or additives and is available in an organic ceremonial blend for those who want only the best. As they say, you get the caffeine without the crash or anxiety. Give it a try.
Iced Matcha Tea
Cool Summer Fun Treats
Fresh summer fruit and vegetables are something that we can’t get enough of. Berries, cherries, stone fruits, and one of our absolute favorites, ice-cold watermelon, really cool us off during the long hot summer months. It’s available and plentiful during the summer. It’s great to have fresh fruit on its own or served over sorbet or in a drink. Make a mixed salad with all your summer favorites. You can have some summer fun like putting a popsicle stick into watermelon wedges. Eat them as is or freeze to make refreshing watermelon popsicles without any added sugar.
Who doesn’t love something cool and frosty in the summer sun? Ice cream in the summer is a perfect choice. Whether you stop by your local ice cream parlor or make it yourself it’s all delicious. We love to make ice cream sundaes and ice cream sandwiches at home with homemade cookies. You’re only limited by your imagination.
We’ve had some fun making our own unique popsicles and yogurt bars. Even mimicking one of our favorites Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia. Here’s a quick and easy recipe you can try at home.
Copy Cat Ben & Jerry’s Frozen Yogurt Bars
Cook time: 0 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 6 servings
Ingredients:
•12 ounces of plain full-fat Greek yogurt
•2 ounces of cherries cut in quarters
•2 ounces chocolate chunks (milk or dark, whichever you prefer)
•1 Tablespoon of sugar (sweeten to your preference)
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl. Spoon into popsicle molds. Place in the freezer for about four hours or until frozen. Enjoy!
Hiking & Exploring
There’s no better way to learn about the area you live in or a new place you’re traveling to than by walking the streets and parks. The summertime is the perfect time to do just that. Put on some sturdy shoes, and comfortable layers of clothing, and just start walking. Check out the alleyways or paths less traveled and you may just find a new favorite local shop or undiscovered trail.
Make a day of it and bring along a picnic lunch to stop and enjoy along the way. Be sure to bring plenty of water and stay hydrated.
Trilho da Ribeira da Vinhas Walking Trail
We try to get out and walk every day. It helps us learn more about our neighborhood and is a great break from all the time we spend staring at screens on our desks. A nature break is not only a fun escape but for us, it’s a necessity.
Do Absolutely Nothing
You read that right. Summer is the time for vacations and rest. Why not plop yourself down in a hammock, chaise lounge, or comfy spot and just relax. Grab that novel you’ve been wanting to read or just watch the puffy clouds pass by. Daydream. You deserve it and need it. Even those of us with the busiest schedules can make time for ourselves if we choose to do it.
Fun Facts About Summer
Here are a few fun summer facts that you might not know:
Did you know that the official last day of summer is September 20th? That means there’s still plenty of time to enjoy the warm weather.
The first modern Olympics games held in Athens, Greece were during the summer of 1896.
In the summer heat, the iron in France’s Eiffel Tower expands, making the tower grow more than 6 inches.
Being in the sunshine is great for your health
We hope that you all stay cool and enjoy your summer months. Get outside when you can and be sure to bring plenty of water and snacks with you wherever you may go.
Yep, we’re still in Portugal. The good news is that for the most part, these three months have gone very well. We were warned that in moving to Portugal from the U.S.A. we might face a slow bureaucracy but so far that hasn’t happened.
We’ve been enjoying our time in the seaside town of Cascais and have even done some mini-road trips to the nearby Silver Coast and trips into Lisbon.
Tudo Bem
Everything is ok. You will usually be alright if you use this all-purpose phrase. We’re still learning Portuguese (fun but challenging) and the locals help us along, which is great. Many people in the stores and shops speak English here in Cascais. This makes practicing Portuguese all that much more difficult.
Moving To Portugal – How Did We Get Here?
As you may remember, we received our Portugal residency cards via D7 visas here in Portugal. It took a lot of research and work on the front end of this process. Once we were here it all went very smoothly. After three months, we’ve continued our research on where we’d like to move to next. We’re thoroughly enjoying our time in Cascais. What’s not to like? We’re in a beach resort area that is just stunning. There’s lots to do, friendly people, and great food. However, Cascais is one of the best places to live in Portugal but it’s also the most expensive. Unless we find a killer deal on our next apartment in Cascais it’s likely we’ll move to a nearby town along the “Linha de Cascais,” the coastal train line that runs between Lisbon and Cascais.
Finding Our Next Spot
In our last couple of homes, we’ve found that we like to be near a good-sized city that has the amenities you’d expect. Some things that are important to us are easy access to healthcare and hospitals, cultural events, plenty of restaurants and grocery options, and lots of green space for us to enjoy. We like to be a little bit away from the action, not in the midst of the city.
In Chicago, we lived in the last section of the city to the west in Galewood. It was still in the city, less than a half-hour to downtown, and we had a big yard for gardening and entertaining. In Madison, we lived on the west side about 20 minutes from downtown with a cornfield view from our front windows and a forest view in the back. We saw the sunrise and sunset every day! It was a great location.
We’re looking for something like that here in Portugal. We rented a car for 10 days and drove through all the towns along the train line and found a handful we’d be happy to live in. They are all less than an hour from Lisbon by train, close to the beaches, and offer a smaller town feel yet access to everything we need.
Preta Porco in Foz de Alrelha Tavola Restaurant
We also drove up to the “Silver Coast” or Costa da Prata. The exact definition of what area is in the Silver Coast seems up for debate. For our exploration, we looked at Caldas da Rainha, Mafra, Torres Vedras, Ericeira, and of course Obidos one of my favorite places. We even found a cute beach town on the Obidos lagoon Foz da Arelho that we just fell in love with. All these places are wonderful too but we’ve found that for now, we want to be closer to resources in Lisbon and the airport. We also really like the moderate weather in the area between Cascais and Lisbon.
The fun part was eating in each of these spots, checking out their local markets and shopping. Even in the smallest of places, there was always a local restaurant with wonderful and affordable food.
We’re just beginning to look at apartments and houses to rent. Fingers crossed we’ll find something that will make us and our two little furry friends happy. Ideally, we’d like to be able to move into our new place in September.
What’s Going On With COVID-19 Over There?
This is a question we get asked a lot from friends and family. Portugal has made vaccination a high priority. They are vaccinating people as quickly as possible and are hoping to have 70% of the population vaccinated by the end of August.
The numbers in Portugal had begun to climb but recently we’ve seen a slow down in the number of cases, which is terrific. There were additional restrictions put in place a few weeks ago with even tighter restrictions and lockdowns on the weekends. The rules seem to change frequently here so if you’re planning a visit be sure to check Visit Portugal for all the latest rules and regulations.
The good news is that it seems that most everyone we see walking the streets is wearing a mask. All the stores require masks and smaller retail stores have limits on how many people can enter. Our neighborhood’s small fruit market only allows 8 people in at a time and they closely monitor it, too.
What Do You Miss?
Other than our friends and family, not much. We’re looking forward to the time when we can have visitors and can move about a little more freely. I’m guessing just about everyone feels the same way no matter where they live.
We’re enjoying the fresh fruits and veggies of the season and, of course, all the delicious seafood.
The stuff we shipped finally arrived and it was like Christmas morning. Finding all our old favorites once again. Even the cats were excited to see more toys, more beds, and catnip. Most of it will stay in the boxes until we find a bigger place.
To be honest, we brought the things we knew we would need right away in our suitcases. Like our Cold Advil for the occasional sinus headache. Diana brought her very favorite kitchen utensils and brought back a few things from her trip back to the U.S. in June for her dad’s 90th birthday.
What’s Your Average Day Look Like?
We find ourselves staying up later not getting to bed until midnight or so. This has been a real adjustment for me as I’m typically an early riser. Getting to bed later means sleeping later than I’d like. We both still spend much of our mornings working. We’re writing for Travel Awaits, tending to our consultancy clients, getting ready for the fall semester, keeping Food Travelist going, and working on some new projects. On busier days we work all day and sometimes well into the night.
Diana still cooks most of our meals so I’m extremely spoiled on that front. The fresh ingredients we get here have inspired her to cook healthy and delicious meals. She loves to go to the markets and spends way too much time reading all the labels and picking out just the right items. This, however, is not new, she has done this everywhere we’ve lived. I guess that’s just one of the things that make her a good cook.
We both find time each day to play with the cats. Since our current space is smaller than they are used to they seem to get bored. So we try to entertain them when we can, introducing new toys and new ways to play with old toys to keep things fresh. They are very happy to have their familiar beds and blankets here, but we will have to wait to get a new cat tree until we have more space.
Trilho da Ribeira da Vinhas Walking Trail
We go for daily walks to learn more about our neighborhood and neighbors. Other days we take a break and head down to the village market, or the waterfront for a walk and lunch at one of the local spots we’ve come to love. We’ve been fortunate to have met a lot of other folks from the U.S. There’s an excellent expat community in Cascais. Many have chosen to retire in Portugal.
It’s also easy to find expats and people who have immigrated to Portugal through local meet up and Facebook groups. Our little group usually has several events planned each week either in advance or sometimes just “impromptu,” as one friend puts it. We go for walks, have picnics, and meet for lunch and dinners. We’ve gone to friends’ homes to cook together, and there’s a planned bar crawl coming up. It’s great to get together and share our stories about Portugal and help one another out with tips and tricks for day-to-day life in Portugal.
We also had our first Portuguese haircuts. That was quite an adventure. Thankfully, one of the stylists in the salon spoke pretty good English and our first results were pretty good.
Sue and Diana at the Grande Real Villa Italia Hotel in Cascais
We’ve done one hotel stay here in Cascais at the Grande Real Villa Italia Hotel. We stayed there to celebrate my birthday. It was just lovely. We enjoyed our oceanfront luxurious room and even enjoyed a Sunday brunch.
One area we’re not doing well in is spending more time on creative writing for Diana and drawing and painting for me. We’ve made a little time here and there but it is our goal to make this a bigger part of both our lives. We’ll get there! The weather has been so beautiful here most days are in the seventies with a nice breeze off the mountains. We’ve had a few warm days but nothing worth complaining about.
Local Lessons
We’ve learned not to shop at the neighborhood fruit market on Monday. There’s a reason there’s no line. The fresh stuff comes in on Tuesday and later in the week.
When buying produce buy only what you can eat in the next couple of days. If you don’t it will go bad and fast.
Be extra careful when crossing the street. The Portuguese are super nice, laid back, and friendly but they drive really, really fast (especially the women). They do stop at the crosswalks but these are typically not exactly at the corner. I am now sure that every time I take one step into a street a car comes. Every freaking time. The roundabouts here are especially treacherous. I’m extra cautious and wear bright colors when I’m walking around.
You can’t rush anyone. You just can’t. Best to wait in the line and amuse yourself in some way. I watch people and see how they go about their lives and shopping. I’ve learned a lot that way.
Say olá to everyone you meet. It breaks the ice and, usually, you’ll get a smile.
Order the lunch special. It’s typically cheaper and it’s usually very good. There are often a couple of things to choose from but it’s gonna be a local gem whatever it is. Just be sure to do the translation. One of our friends ordered the lunch special from an enthusiastic server and ended up with a plate of sauteed liver and fries. This brings back bad childhood food memories for me. Yuck.
Stop worrying about what your hair looks like. It’s constantly windy and impossible to keep it in place or to take a reasonable selfie.
There’s a fortified wine from Carcavelos, one of those small towns along the train line we like, that is delicious and rare. It was one of Thomas Jefferson’s favorites!
You can pay your bills at the ATM. This is super convenient and safe. Most vendors will provide you with a reference code number, their vendor number, and the amount due. I easily paid a bill for our new business cards this way. And got a pastry at the local grocer Pingo Doce while I was there too. Win-Win.
Moving To Portugal & Things Are Going Well
All and all I’d say we’re doing very well. Living in Portugal as an American has its challenges but we love it. It’s hard to imagine what it will be like in another 3 months when we hit the six-month mark. I’m hoping our grasp of the Portuguese language will be a lot better and that we’ll have found our next place to live. I know we’ll keep exploring and learning about this beautiful place we’ve come to call home.
Greek pita bread. It’s such a wonderful accompaniment to so many Mediterranean dishes. I’m lucky because Diana loves to cook and she especially loves to make Greek food. Maybe it’s because of her Greek heritage and family memories or maybe it’s because she knows I love it and it always puts a smile on my face. Either way, I’m the very happy recipient of warm and delicious pita bread.
You may buy pita bread at your local grocer but I hope this easy recipe will convince you to make your own pita at home. This is a versatile and unique Mediterranean pita bread recipe. It’s a pocketless pita almost like a Greek flatbread recipe.
History of Pita Bread
Fans of My Big Fat Greek Wedding may remember that Toula’s father Gus thinks that all words have their beginning in Greece and pita is no exception. Pita means pastry in Greek and typically refers to cakes and pastries like spanakopita (that delicious phyllo dough wrapped spinach pie) or portokalopita (Greek orange cake). Which has nothing to do with the pita flatbread we’ve come to know.
Turns out pita has an even longer history in Middle Eastern and other Mediterranean cultures. You may be familiar with the Arabic “fatteh,” or the Turkish “pride,” Albanian “pite,” Bulgarian “pikta.” You see where this is going. Some even say that the Latin word pizza may have evolved from the word pita.
Who knows for sure? As we’ve learned, almost every culture has taken recipes and food ideas from others and made them their own. From dipping pita triangles in hummus to wrapping shawarma, souvlaki, gyros, or my favorite keftedes in whole pita, it’s all delicious.
The twist on this recipe is that it’s stovetop pita bread so no baking is required. No need to heat up your kitchen.
Let’s get started!
Greek Pita Bread
Makes 8 pitas about 7 inches each.
Ingredients
3/4 cups whole milk, room temperature
1/2 cup water, lukewarm
2 Tbsp butter, melted
2 Tbsp honey
2 tsp instant yeast (SAF, Fleischmanns, Red Star, etc.)
1 tsp salt
About 4 cups of flour
Directions
1. Stir together milk, water, melted butter, and honey in a mixing bowl or bowl of a stand mixer.
2. Add instant yeast to the bowl.
3. Using dough hooks on hand mixer or stand mixer dough hook attachment, mix together for about 10 seconds to combine.
4. Add salt then flour. Start with 3 cups flour, and combine until a soft dough begins to form. Add enough flour so that dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl while mixing.
5. Knead the dough with dough hooks or by hand for 4 minutes or until the dough is soft but smooth.
6. Wipe a large bowl with olive oil, form dough into a ball, and place dough in an oiled bowl. Cover with a cloth or plastic and set aside in a warm place to rise for about 1 hour.
7. When the dough has about doubled in size, deflate and roll into balls. You should get about 8 balls.
8. Heat up a skillet on medium-high with a small amount of olive oil in the skillet.
9. On a lightly floured surface to keep from sticking, flatten each dough ball by hand or by rolling out. If you want thicker smaller pitas, you can flatten with your fingers rotating in circles and stretching gently until the desired thickness and size. If you like thinner, larger pitas, place some flour on a flat surface and roll out with a rolling pin, rotating to keep the generally round shape of each pita.
10. Place one pita into the pan and watch carefully. After about 10 seconds use a spatula to check the bottom and see if it is browning. When ready, flip the pita in the skillet and cook the other side. Each side should get some brown spots where the dough makes deeper contact with the pan. But be careful not to let cook too long or pita will dry out and eventually even burn. They take a very short time to cook.
11. Place the finished pita on a plate and then cook the next pita the same way. You can flatten each ball just before cooking. Be sure to keep replenishing the oil as you are using a very small amount that will often be absorbed each round.
12. You can store the pitas in the refrigerator for several days or store them by freezing the pita bread for a few months. Be sure to warm them gently before using them for the best taste.
Pita Pizza
One of our favorite recipes to use our pocketless pita is to create pizza on pita bread. You can switch out half of the flour for whole wheat flour to make whole wheat pita. It’s easy to make and easy to customize with any ingredients that your family likes. Don’t have anything planned for dinner? Throw what’s ever in your fridge on the pita, whip up a salad, and presto – a dinner that will make everyone happy.
Mushroom, onion, garlic pita pizza
It’s also a quick lunch recipe as well. You can keep it Greek by adding feta, kalamata olives, and your favorite veggies. You’ll be surprised how quickly it will disappear.
We hope you enjoy bringing a little bit of the Mediterranean to your table with this delicious and easy-to-make pita bread.
Sweets, bakery, donuts whatever you call them, pastries from around the world, we all love and crave them. Doesn’t matter where they come from, or who claims to be the first we just want to taste them, experience them, and spoil ourselves with them.
We thought we’d highlight some of the best pastries from around the world for your viewing and dreaming pleasure.
Sometimes walking into a bakery is overwhelming – too many tasty choices.
PASTRIES AROUND THE WORLD
FRANCE
Chocolate Croissants in Paris
Croissants, baguettes, macarons – French pastries are a favorite of just about everyone. Every corner has a patisserie, boulangerie with unbelievable smells wafting into the streets. It’s a good thing walking is a necessity in Paris with all these tasty treats everywhere you turn.
Macarons
Everyone who’s been to Paris has a favorite place to buy and enjoy macarons. Whether it’s Laduréeor Gérard Mulot, rest assured you will find the one you love in the City of Lights. The delightful bright colors with fruity fillings are one of our favorites.
GERMANY
Black Forest Cake in Germany
You can’t go to Germany without trying their Black Forest Cake. Be careful – many of these sweet treats are loaded with alcohol. Cherry kirsch is in the layers, the filling, and sometimes even the frosting. It’s tasty but it packs a mighty punch.
Schneeballen of every flavor imaginable.
They used to be served on only special occasions but now schneeballen, or snowballs can be found almost every day in Bavaria. When you taste one of these you’ll know why they’ve been around for over 300 years. The originals had confectioner’s sugar dusted on them but now they come in every flavor imaginable from cinnamon to champagne.
If you visit Germany during the holidays a trip to a Christmas market is a must-do activity. There you will find many kinds of seasonal bread, cookies, and pastries to delight your senses. Magenbrot is a gingerbread cookie with a sweet glaze, lebkuchen a molasses and ginger cookie, and many other types of pastries you’ll see in many of the markets.
ITALY
Italy is another place that thrills with its rich food and pastry culture. From cannoli stuffed with ricotta to the ironed pressed pizzelle to crunchy zeppole and creamy tiramisu. So many wonderful sweet treats to taste and enjoy!
Homemade Pizzelle from our Italian neighbor. Delicious!
HOLLAND
StroopWafels Sweets and Snacks Expo
The Dutch treat stroopwafel consists of two thin crispy waffles with a caramel-like filling. If you’re visiting Holland, you’ll often see larger versions made fresh by street vendors. They are widely available in store-bought packages as well.
ENGLAND
Civilized Afternoon Tea at the British Museum
Nothing says England like a great afternoon tea. Who can resist those little tea cakes, cookies, scones, and sandwiches? Especially when teamed up with clotted cream and homemade jams? Not us!
Savory Scones
POLAND
Polish Paczki from Delightful Pastries in Chicago
The paczki might easily be described as a jelly donut, but it’s so much more. These puffy fried and filled goodies, when made correctly, are among the most delicious pastries you’ll find anywhere. Stuffed with delectable fruit fillings, the traditional flavors are plum and wild rosehip jam. Today you may find everything from apricot to strawberries and cream. Don’t wait for Paczki Day or Fat Tuesday to try one – or more – of these flavorful gems.
GREECE & TURKEY
Turkish Pistachio Desserts in Istanbul
The Greeks and the Turks both make wonderful pastries stuffed with pistachios or other nuts and drizzled with syrup or honey. The many layers of flakey phyllo dough saturated with honey are irresistible. Loaded with pistachios and healthy tree nuts these goodies have to be good for you, right?
Although it might not look like much this walnut baklava was the best we’ve ever tasted. It was made in a small Greek restaurant called The Old Greek House outside Cappadocia, Turkey. When the restaurant wasn’t working, a local soap opera was filmed there. You could see the YiaYias (Grandmas) cooking in the kitchen. This was the real deal.
Don’t miss the honey-syrup-coated loukoumades. You’ll find them in small ball shapes or small donuts shaped. Either way, they are delicious and bound to leave you with sticky fingers.
Loukoumades Donuts in Athens Greece
PORTUGAL
This would not be a complete list without just a few of the amazing bakery pastries you will find on a trip to Portugal. Many towns have specialty pastries that you’ll only find in those towns. Visit Sintra and try the travesseiro. Retrace the steps of almost every food writer and stop at the Casa Piriquita for the original travesseiros in town.
Travesseiros
And the quintessential Portuguese egg custard tart the pasteis da nata or original pasteis de Belém in Lisbon will have you taste-testing every tart you encounter throughout Portugal.
Pastel de nata
CHINA
Beijing Bakery
Mooncakes, sun cakes, buns loaded with many fillings both sweet and savory, sponge cakes… So many different types of pastries to choose from in China!
Din Tai Fung Eight Treasures
The Eight Treasure rice dessert from Din Tai Fung is a colorful and tasty dessert featuring red bean paste, scarlet runner beans, green papaya, kumquat, red dates, lotus seeds, longan fruit, and winter melon. Though not really a pastry, it truly holds eight treasures!
USA
It’s impossible to cover all the local sweet treats in the United States, but here are a few that just have to be mentioned.
Donuts cake, yeast or filled.
Donuts! They’re everywhere in flavors well-known and loved for ages as well as many new ones. The donut wasn’t decadent enough so an enterprising baker invented the Cronut, a croissant-donut hybrid. Flakey layers of sweet goodness with holes. What more do you need?
Cronuts from Beignets2Go Food Truck in Detroit
Although the beignet has origins in France it’s certainly made its home in New Orleans. Your visit is not complete without a stop at Café du Monde for beignets. These deep-fried golden puffs are not satisfied until they leave their powdered sugar trail on you.
Beignets
The unusual yeasts in the San Francisco air helped Boudin Bakery create their famous sourdough French bread. They still use their original starter in each and every loaf they produce.
Boudin Bakery
We hope you enjoyed this glimpse of pastries around the world. We know there’s plenty more so let us know your favorites in the comments below.
THE QUICK BITE: Pastries around the world, from French croissants to Chinese buns, make the world a sweeter place. Feast your eyes on some of the tastiest bites around the globe.
Every time we meet people for the first time they always ask, “What’s your favorite place to visit for food travel?.” I have to admit that I really dislike that question. It’s like asking a parent who their favorite child is. You just can’t choose. My favorite answer to that question is typically the last place we’ve visited. The place the sounds and people are so vividly fresh in my mind’s eye and all the flavors are still on my taste buds.
When really pushed we start listing off the places that we love and would happily return to again and again. In an effort to highlight some of our recent food experiences we’ve compiled this “short’ list if you will for those of you looking to plan your next food and travel getaway.
In no particular order…the Best Places To Visit For Food Travel
International
France
As I’ve written about so many times, France is a place that I started dreaming about since I was a little girl. I was beyond thrilled when European Waterways invited us to join them on a barge cruise on the Canal du Midi. It was a trip of a lifetime which we extended with a week-long road trip in the south of France. One of the highlights was seeing the Van Gogh exhibit at the Carrieres de Lumieres in Les Baux, France. Read all about our France exploration in the links below.
If you’ve read any of our food travel experiences you know we love Portugal. In fact, we love it so much that we decided to move there. If you only add one destination to your must-visit list make it Portugal. We heartily recommend getting out of the bigger cities and experiencing the small towns. You’ll be in for a treat. Delicious local food, historical venues, and of course the wonderful people of Portugal.
arco Molicerios River Boats along the canal in Aveiro Portuga
We’ve been to Quebec City several times and each time we discover something new and delicious. We had the pleasure of visiting Quebec City for a unique assignment. Why are there two languages spoken in the region? We did our research (ate a little along the way) and provided our thoughts on the North Americana Podcast. Take a listen, we think you’ll find it very interesting whether you’re from the U.S. or Canada.
We love visiting our friends to the north and jumped at the chance to visit Winnipeg. There are so many wonderful things about this culinary forward Canadian town. We were not disappointed. This wonderful place is one everyone must try the food travel experiences. The food scene alone is worth the visit but don’t stop there. You’ll find trying to decide what to do will be tough so be sure to plan plenty of time to give this destination all attention it deserves.
If you travel for food one destination full of unexpected surprises is Boise, Idaho. We checked another state off our list and discovered a foodie paradise in Boise, Idaho.
You may think of Philadelphia as a city full of history and you’d be correct. You may not know that it’s also full of lots of tasty food. Sure there’s the Philly Cheesesteak sandwich but that is truly just the tip of the culinary iceberg in this east coast town.
Without exception, everyone we told that we were going to Plano, Texas said, where? It’s true what they say, everything is bigger in Texas so be sure to pack your appetite and stretchy pants to this unexpected foodie find. This is why it made the list of Best Places To Visit For Food Travel.
We really love to visit college towns in the United States. One, in particular, is Ann Arbor. This Midwestern town is home to a lot more than just the Big House. It’s a foodie destination and one that has a lot to do. If you’re looking for a great long weekend place put Ann Arbor on your list.
We were so excited to visit Portland, Maine for WITS 2019 (Women in Travel Summit). It’s always a good time to see our female travel writing friends, learn more from experts and experience a new destination. We tasted our way around the town sampling probably too many lobster rolls (is there such a thing) and got outside of town to experience Harpswell, too.
Delicious Lobster Roll at High Roller Portland Maine
We lived in Wisconsin for just about 3 years and we learned just how beautiful this state is. It’s full of great outdoor activities and lots of tasty food spots.
Kenosha, Wisconsin
We just love this town on Lake Michigan located between Milwaukee and Chicago. It’s a wonderful local visit for folks in the Midwest but particularly for the Chicagoland area. Just over an hour away you’ll get a quiet lakefront experience with big-town amenities. Here’s why we think its a place to visit for food travel:
We called Madison home for three years. This welcoming community is located between two lakes, check out the parks and recreation and lots of interesting food choices to try, too.
More Best Places To Visit For Food Travel to Discover
We can’t wait to get started writing more stories and experiencing more places that feature local and delicious food. Try them yourself and let us know what other places we need to visit.
We look forward to exploring more on the other side of the globe and sharing more stories with you all soon.
We moved to Portugal. Just writing those words still makes me cock my head and say, “We did what?” I have to say that some days I’m sitting here at my desk in Cascais, Portugal looking out the window at the foothills of Sintra and have to pinch myself. Is this a dream? Nope. It’s real.
It’s been thirty days and life in Portugal is what we dreamed it would be. Great food, wonderful people, fantastic weather, and full of surprises, too.
It’s Been A Month?
When we arrived in Lisbon just about a month ago. There had been much planning and so many logistics to work out. Just making sure that our two cats arrived safe and sound was enough to make your head spin. But we made it. We had to have our photo taken by the lovely Portuguese man who had agreed to pick us up with his vehicle that would hold us, the cats, 8 large suitcases (you know the ones that you look at when you’re at the airport and wonder, who packs suitcases that big, yep, those), two very full carry-on bags, and two over-stuffed backpacks. It proves that we all arrived safe and sound. In the Facebook groups that anyone who is moving to Portugal belongs to, these photos provide hope that it’s possible for those going through the same arduous process.
We’re Here
We arrived in Lisbon in the late morning so we had plenty of time to settle in and go to the nearby grocery store to get a few things we needed (cat litter) and food to eat. We brought plenty of snacks because we were warned that the day we arrived was a Sunday and a holiday. There are LOTS of holidays in Portugal. We thought nothing would be open.
Turns out that it was Sunday and a holiday but our neighborhood Pingo Doce grocery was open. Seems like it’s always open. It reminds me of a small Jewel (midwest folks), Ralphs (West Coast folks), or Publix (Southern friends) with a little bit of everything. Even a walk-up counter that has freshly made bakery (that changes all day long), and prepared foods that are good (see photo below).
We started our adventure with a grilled chicken (these are everywhere here in Portugal – and they are good) like the ones you get from Jewel or Costco, but lightly seasoned and not overly salty. And it was 4 euros. One of the joys of living in Portugal is that the cost of living is about 26% less than living in the United States.
They typically cook their chickens the spatchcock style. It’s laid flat on the grill. I’m guessing because it cooks faster and more evenly. Everyone has a slightly different spice mix and you can always add the local piri-piri chili pepper sauce if you like your food with more heat. We got some lovely sides of roasted potatoes and sautéed spinach. We rounded out our first dinner at home with some pastéis de nata to celebrate our arrival. Our rental agent left us a bottle of Vinho Verde and a bag of cat treats so we were all good to settle in for the evening.
The Sun Also Rises in Cascais
In the morning, we began the game of which suitcase is that in? As organized as I am we moved things around so many times in those last couple of days before we left it was anyone’s guess. One tip I can give you if you ever attempt a move like this – get rid of as much as you can. You won’t need it, really. But…make a list of things you will need especially when you first get there that will make your life easier. Like simple kitchen gadgets and toiletries.
We had all of those things packed but as the clock ran down on our time to leave Wisconsin we found ourselves adding last-minute items to every bag. We used this rechargeable luggage scale multiple times a day. We’d stick “one more thing” in a bag throughout the day and threw off the whole game.
Downsize and then Downsize Again
We are shipping about 30 boxes of personal items and about 20 boxes of artwork via a shipper that will be here in a few more weeks. This was the stuff we couldn’t part with or need. I wish we had thought a little bit harder about what was going in those boxes. We could have used a few of those things now but so it goes.
I also had instant regret when we arrived at our 1,000 sq. ft. apartment thinking, “Where are we going to put all those boxes?” This kept me up for several nights contemplating how to arrange them. I finally gave up and we decided that we’ll be making cat trees and cat play areas out of them. The cats will love climbing up and having higher vantage points especially Amelia who’s our high flyer.
Our plan was to stay in this Cascais apartment for 6-months (you need a lease to get your temporary residency on the D7 visa here in Portugal). Get here and start to explore the other areas we love in Portugal for our next home. We hope to find a larger apartment, villa, or house to rent with some outdoor space. Stay tuned on that.
Paperwork, Paperwork, Paperwork
The first week was full of paperwork to handle, meetings, and figuring out how to get around. We opted not to rent a car these first few months because we’re close to public transportation. Lisbon is easily accessible by train. Walking in new places is our favorite because we feel like this is the best way to really figure out your neighborhood and start to blend in with the locals. So far, this is working out just fine.
Still time to stop and smell the roses in the neighborhood
We typically walk to downtown Cascais, it takes about 20 minutes or so but we can take an UBER which gets us there in 5 minutes and it’s usually 2.50 euros. It’s a downhill walk into town so we typically take an UBER back if we’ve been doing a lot of exploring or carrying a lot of bags.
People say that the bureaucracy here is slow and frustrating. For us, it hasn’t been. Everything has pretty much gone as planned except for a few quirky things that we simply didn’t know about. Like you need to get your Portuguese phone number before your Portuguese bank account can be verified. In retrospect, it makes sense because they have to send you a text. Most Portuguese businesses don’t pick up or interact with U.S. numbers (or any international numbers). It is one of those things that you have to accept and move on. No sense in wondering why. It’s just life in Portugal. Our apartment came with high-speed internet so that was easy. We did set up a VPN prior to leaving the U.S. which is helpful if you need to access some U.S. based accounts.
Portuguese Way Of Life
It’s hard to believe all the things we have done, seen, and eaten in the short time we’ve been here. For other writers following along, on some days it feels like a really over-scheduled press trip. Some days are more relaxing and some days we’re just working all day at home as we typically do.
Jacaranda trees in Lisbon
We’re still having a challenging time with the language but we learn more every day. Google Translate and other apps help make it a lot easier. The Portuguese are friendly and patient people. We were trying to get some fresh orange juice at the super-large grocer Continente. It was a self-serve machine that just wasn’t spitting out any juice. A worker behind the counter started saying press that, press that. Which Diana was. Four Portuguese-speaking customers came dashing over to help. They were simultaneously cursing the machine (I think) and trying to make it work. Turns out an orange was stuck. We moved it and oj came squirting out filling our bottle. We all laughed and shared our obrigadas (thank you’s). By the way that was the best and sweetest orange juice I’ve ever had.
We stumble our way through but are always sure to say thank you, hello (olá), good day (bom dia), good afternoon (boa tarde), good night (boa noite) and that really goes a long way. Fortunately, many people speak English here in Cascais and in Lisbon. That is not always the case when you get to small towns and villages so we’ll keep working on that.
Is Portugal A Good Place To Live?
You Just Won’t Believe How Good The Food Is In Portugal
Let’s talk more about the food. You know we’re obsessed with food and Portugal takes its food really seriously. There’s food for the gourmet and food for us every day folks too. We’ve gone to many markets and continue to be impressed by all the fresh foods. Every fruit and veggie is colorful and flavorful. I’m currently in love with the apricots. Eating seasonally is definitely the way to go. Those foods are deliciously ripe and affordable. You do need to buy small quantities unless you’re planning on eating everything right away. Since there are no preservatives, things spoil quickly. Shopping is done nearly every day here which is fun but a different way of life.
My latest obsession – apricots.
Did We Mention Seafood?
I’ve been particularly spoiled trying all the seafood we come across. I love octopus and have had it more times than I can count already. I’ve had fresh fish almost every day. We discovered that a restaurant in the main downtown market Marisco Na Praça has all its seafood on display. You pick what you want and tell them how you want it prepared. We had these tiny slipper lobsters from Cascais that were sweet and delicious.And a pitcher of sangria made with Portuguese sparkling wine – Espumante. It was loaded with fresh raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, peaches, currants, mint, and cinnamon sticks.
Slipper Lobsters From Cascais
We learned that after a meal of rich seafood a tradition is to sop up that butter and wine you drank with a beef sandwich called a Prego. Sound strange? Have you ever stopped at White Castle and had a slider or two after a night of drinking? Yep, it’s not that odd. The sandwich they served was a thin slice of beef tenderloin grilled with onions, garlic, and butter on the traditional Portuguese roll. It was eyes-roll back in your head good. The tender beef with the garlic and butter was indeed the perfect ending to that meal.
Prego sandwich
We Love Being Near The Water
We walked to Boca do Inferno, or Devil’s Mouth, an ocean cave where the waves splash up creating quite a show, on a gorgeous Saturday afternoon. Enjoying the oceanfront stroll we learned sunscreen is not optional here and will be applying it religiously in the future. We just love walking along the water and seeing the ocean sparkling in the sun.
Sue and Diana in windy Cascais
Every time we walk into town we make it a point to go to the water’s edge. We never want to take for granted the fact that we live so close to the beach and the ocean. Even if we just stop and look at it for a few minutes it’s now a thing we must do. Every. Time. Life in Portugal for us means slowing down and enjoying life more.
Getting Out with Friends and the Rest of the World
We’ve met new friends for dinner, lunch, and drinks which makes us happy to meet kindred spirits here in Portugal. And we look forward to meeting more friends and getting together again with everyone soon. Restaurants here are open and typically not very full – yet.
Beach and ocean pool in Cascais
Everyone is good about wearing their masks and social distancing. Most small shops still only allow a few people in the store at a time. Although the locals want the tourists to return many also worry that another COVID surge might return.
School’s Out For Summer
I finished up the spring semester and thanked my students for their hard work and dedication for another great school year. I have the summer off this semester and will enjoy exploring Portugal and hopefully spending more time drawing and painting. Inspiration is certainly all around me. The Portuguese culture celebrates art, music, and literature everywhere. There are many bookstores and art supplies stores to explore and buy from here. Plenty of art in the gardens and on the streets to admire as well.
Street Art in Lisbon
What About COVID?
Many people have asked us how things are going with COVID here in Portugal. The good news is that Portugal locked down hard after having a very high spike in cases and overcrowded hospitals after the Christmas holidays. They didn’t want that to happen again. Some rules are still in effect and many people wear masks and stay socially distanced. Every business has a hand sanitizer dispenser and a sign asking you to use it before you enter. Smaller stores only allow a few customers in at a time. You’ll see the lines in front of stores all around town. The larger stores have no limit on customers.
Portugal reopened to visitors from the UK on May 17th, 2021 so more and more people arrive every day. This past weekend the beaches were starting to fill up and more people were in the restaurants and shops, too. It’s likely that soon Americans will be traveling to more countries in Europe. If you are planning to travel sooner than later be sure to do your research to avoid disappointment. Not all hotels and attractions will be up and running and rules and regulations vary from place to place and can change quickly.
Pro Tip: If you’re a fan of using Google Maps and Google Translate, like we are, sign up to get the The Keyword newsletter. It will send you all the latest updates that will make your life easier.
UPDATE MAY 2022: Portugal is pretty much open for business. There are still COVID restrictions like wearing masks on public transportation and in large crowds but otherwise, most things are operating pretty normally. Be sure to check with your airlines and the U.S. Portuguese embassy for the latest news.
We Moved To Portugal!
We’re still smiling and we’re still glad we made the move. Every day we open our eyes and think, “What will we learn today?” Most days we laugh at ourselves and just keep on going. Every day things get a little easier and we understand more and more. Some days we get a little overloaded and take time out to pet and play with the cats. It’s an instant mood booster and they love it.
We’re going to be writing all about the process of moving to Portugal and important things to keep in mind so stay tuned for more on that front. If you’re thinking of visiting Portugal in the hopes of one day moving here or planning to retire to Portugal, we’d love to hear from you and know your questions.
In the meantime, thanks to everyone who has been following along on our adventure. We’re just getting started!
I wrote this post after my media trip with Turismo de Portugal. My trip was hosted, but all suggestions and endorsements are solely personal. I only recommend what I personally like and experience.
Portugal has been on my list to visit for years. I’ve heard from so many friends that I would just love Portugal food and that I needed to get there. I almost couldn’t contain my excitement when I received an invitation to visit. To add to the sheer joy I was going to the center of Portugal a part of the country many folks I knew had not yet explored. I was ready for the adventure.
I’ll be doing multiple articles about this beautiful region of Portugal but I wanted to start with the tastiest part – the food! Come along as I share just some of the tastes of Portuguese foods you can expect in this truly amazing part of Portugal.
Where?
You may be familiar with Lisbon, Porto or the Algarve region in Portugal. If you venture just a short 90-minute drive you’ll find yourself in the beautiful center of Portugal. When we first arrived I was surprised by the abundance of trees bursting with citrus fruit.
The rich fertile soil in the region makes it perfect for growing so many fruits and vegetables. As we drove through the area we saw many vineyards and farms.
Lemon Trees in the Courtyard of Convento of Cristo Tomar
Couple this agricultural area with the proximity to the coast and you have found a food lover’s dream come true. Fresh vegetables, fruits, and seafood truly make a culinary trifecta. This first post will introduce you to some of the wonderful food you can expect to find in the center of Portugal.
Seafood Lovers Paradise
If you like any kind of seafood you will be in heaven while in Portugal. Whether you’re trying the iconic salted cod they are well known for or the delicious dried octopus you will not be disappointed. From fine dining at the historic castle, Pausado do Castelo in Óbidos to watching the fishermen’s wives hawk the day’s catch on the beaches you will have so many choices it will make your head spin.
Appetizer Clams at Pousado do Castelo Obidos Portugal
We ate freshly caught clams at the Pausado do Castelo in Óbidos. They came from the Óbidos Lagoon outside of town that very same day. The restaurant prepared them “Bolhao Pato” style, in olive oil with generous portions of fresh garlic, white wine, lemon, cilantro, salt, and pepper. The clams were small tender and nearly melted in my mouth. Served as a hearty appetizer and even knowing I still had a full meal ahead I couldn’t help but eat everyone. Bolhao Pato was a 19th-century Portuguese poet who didn’t invent this dish but apparently ate it often and helped spread the word to make it one of the favorite national dishes. The dish was named in his honor.
Nazare Fish Market Portugal
Fishing Villages
As we strolled along the beach in the fishing village of Nazare you could find the ladies cleaning the seafood and placing it all on large drying racks. The fish is ready for purchase later in the day for those who are anxious or the next day when it is completely dried. The locals season and reheat the fish on a grill and it is scrumptious. You can find similar preparation for lunch at many restaurants located right across the street from the beach. Let’s just say the fish just don’t get any fresher. Bacalhau or cod is served in many different ways and a very important part of Portugal cuisine. The mild fish is just perfect to use in so many dishes. In fact, it’s said that there are more than 1,000 recipes!
Grilled Fish at the table in Nazare Portugal.
The cod dish seen below was sauteed and topped with onion and peppers on a bed of greens at The Literary Man Hotel in Obidos, Portugal.
Cod at The Literary Man Obidos Portugal
I’ve had tuna prepared in many different ways around the world. But this tuna steak at the Pousado do Castelo in Óbidos was a game-changer. I would have sworn this was a pork cutlet. It was rich, meaty, and totally satisfying.
Tuna Steak at Pousado do Castelo Obidos Portugal
One Fish, Two Fish
Sardines are another fish you’ll see when talking about Portugal food. One of my favorite dishes had sardines loaded with sautéed onions, garlic and dried sardine shavings on Portuguese bread drizzled with olive oil. The bread in Portugal is also something that is different and delectable. This particular bread was a corn-based bread with just a hint of sweetness. It paired perfectly with the sardines and onions.
Sardines on Portuguese Bread with Onions
Cod fritters are another popular appetizer and Portuguese traditional food. They come lightly battered and fried stuffed with a spread of cod. Almost every restaurant serves them in a variety of shapes, sizes and with different types of fish spreads inside. This was light and crispy, not greasy at all. Delicious!
Cod starter at Mar
Shellfish is also abundant. We had crab with other starters before going to the USA vs. Portugal soccer game. Unlike fans in the United States, the Portuguese go out before the game to have snacks and drinks. They take “football” very seriously and concentrate on the game instead of the food at the game. This is a tradition that we might want to consider adopting. This crab appetizer at Cervejaria Lis Bar in Leiria was filled with a crab dip. Perfect for dipping that wonderful bread.
Crab Appetizer Portugal
On The Lighter Side
Like many in Mediterranean cultures, the Portuguese like to snack and socialize. It’s a wonderful way to relax, not eat too much and have a leisurely conversation. Frankly, most of these dishes are pretty darn healthful. You can expect lots of vegetables, fish, and foods prepared in olive oil. If you’re a meat-eater don’t despair. Pork and sausages are found on most menus. Beef and poultry are not as plentiful but can be found.
Starters at the Literary Man in Obidos Portugal
Every meal typically starts with bread, olive oil, and olives. From there you can order other small plates prior to your meal. Eggs with meats like ham or chorizo, or tuna are very popular. On our visit to Casa de Ratas, we tried many appetizers like the blood sausage, sautéed liver, sautéed mushrooms, and eggs with chorizo. This is a small but storied spot that’s great for having a few drinks and some delicious food. I’ll fill you in on more about how this place got its name in my next article. Stay tuned, it’s a doozy!
An appetizer of Eggs with chorizo, olives and beef liver at Casa de Ratas.
The dish below, pica-pau, is known as a “picking” dish because it’s placed on the table and everyone just picks at it. The yummy combination of olives, vegetables, and meat in a type of mild stew is great while sipping a beer or wine.
Pica-pau snack at Cervejaria Lis Bar in Leiria, Portugal
Platters of meats and cheese like this one at the Luz Houses in Fátima are quite popular too. Portugal has some amazing cheeses in both hard and soft varieties. They are usually pretty mild in flavor and always delicious.
Meat and cheese at Luz Houses in Portugal
More Bread
As I mentioned before Portuguese bread is dangerously delicious. Thank goodness there are so many places to walk to in Portugal. You will want to eat the entire basket – but don’t. Save room so you don’t miss any of the other incredible food to follow. Garlic bread, my nemesis, shows up on a lot of tables in Portugal. This particular bread below at the Luz Houses in the city of Fátima got the best of me. Toasted fresh bread with slices of garlic and olive oil. It just kept calling my name. And, it still does.
Garlic Bread at the Luz Houses Portugal
Meaty Choices Too
Everybody knows that I’m a huge burger fan. I had the chance to try a “Barrosã” burger at Restaurante O Convite in the Dom Gonçalo Hotel & Spa in Fátima. Barrosã beef is a specific cattle breed from Portugal that has the protected geographical status of DOP (Denominação de Origem Protegida) from the European Commission. Let’s just say this was no ordinary burger.
Hamburger “Barrosa” at Restaurant O Convite Fatima Portugal
Another meat specialty you will need to try is the black pork or “porco preto.” You may also see “pata negra” on menus in Portugal. This fabulous delicacy is one of my favorites. I discovered it on the menu at Restaurant Nau dos Corvos and knew I had to try a bite. This free-roaming, well cared for pigs eat acorns just like their cousins in Spain. This makes for some of the tastiest pork on the planet.
Black Pork at Nau dos Corvos Portugal
Sweets Galore
The Portuguese love their sweets. And Portugal desserts are abundant and everywhere, there seems to be a bakery on every corner. And that thrills us! One ubiquitous specialty you can’t miss is the pastel de nata or egg tart. Every town has its own rendition, you’ll want to be sure to try them all and do your own comparison.
When in the center of Portugal visit Alcobaco home of the UNESCO World Heritage site the Monastery of Alcobaca. After taking the time to tour the Monastery walk across the street to Pastelaria Alcoa for the best pastel de nata in town. They have other locations throughout Portugal as well.
Pastel de nata egg tarts in Portugal
Cakes are often available on the breakfast spreads that you see at restaurants and hotels. Citrus flavors are typical. The sweet orange cake is moist and perfect along with your morning tea or coffee. The choices at the Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel in Alvados included sweet cakes and savory ones too. The variety and quality are wonderful.
Breakfast at Cooking and Nature Emotional Hotel Alvados Portugal
This apple tart in Peniche was the perfect finish to our lunch, especially when paired with a magnificent seaside view.
Apple Tart at Nau do Corvos Portugal
More To Explore in Portugal Food
This is just the beginning of my explorations in the center of Portugal food. In the upcoming weeks, I’ll be providing more in-depth coverage of the hotels, restaurants, beaches, and attractions I experienced while in Portugal.
There are A LOT more food, spirits, and sights to show you.
Trying to capture everything in one post is simply impossible. I hope you’ll come back and savor the experience with me.
Our guide and one-man encyclopedia of facts on Portugal was José Santos of Madomis Tours. I highly recommend him and his company. They did a terrific job from start to finish.
Pin for your Center of Portugal Food Travel Planning
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