As we explore the main sights of Lisbon, we taste the foods too. Dave prefers the meats and I the seafood. There is plenty of both here, from big chops of beef, lamb, goat etc to grilled whole fish, octopus and calamari. Sweets are everywhere. Even their cappuccino is dusted with cocoa and cinnamon
Appetizers
Boiled and Salted Shrimp and Beans
Peel the shrimp and pinch the skins off the beans before popping them in your mouth!
Cheese and Quince Paste
This is Sao Jorge cheese, but any medium dry hard cheese would work, like manchego.
Deep Fried Cod and Shrimp Cakes or Pastel de Bacalhau and Rissol de Camarao
Similar to the croquettes in other countries, except there is a whole piece of shrimp inside with the chopped shrimp and breadcrumb mix. No dipping sauce required
Main Dish
Pork and Clams with Fried Potatoes
Dave ordered this twice. A stew of pork shoulder bite size pieces in a rich white wine and tomato broth with garlic, bay leaves, paprika and cloves.
Stuffed Calamari
The calamari body is stuffed with a mix of chopped calamari and rice, similar to stuffed cabbage. They are sealed with toothpicks and simmered in a tomato green pepper sauce, similar to creole sauce. I suspect there were other meaty type items in the stuffing too. Maybe other fish?
Steamed Octopus
Yes, I did eat this, or part of it. Very mild and not rubbery
Sautéed Whole Shrimp with Garlic with Fried Potatoes
Dave and I could not finish this, but took the leftovers home. The potatoes were super crispy and hot! Not greasy at all!
Grilled Calamari
The calamari were whole and maintained their rounded shape. Very fresh!
Dessert
Travesseiru, an almond filled puff pastry and Queijada, a round cheese filled tart
These desserts should only be purchased at the pastry shop that founded them. All others are a poor copy.
Travesseiru is from Piriquita in Sintra, a town outside of Lisbon.
Queijada is from Sapa, also in Sintra.
We took an all day mini bus tour to Sintra. Nadia was a fabulous tour guide who advised us to eat at Piriquita II for lunch and for the Travesseiru pastries! We arranged through Viator and Inside Lisbon.
Pastel de Nata, custard filled puff pastry
These are from Pasteis de Belem, just west of Lisbon. Don’t run away from the long lines! They are for take away. Go inside where there’s plenty of room and wonderful service and ambiance!
Pastel de Nata Copycat
This was from the local grocery store and are available everywhere in Lisbon and nearby. Very good, but no where close to the real thing.
Beverages
Green Wine or Vinho Verde
This wine was on tap which made it effervescent! The green refers to the young white wines of the northern Minho region.
Porto Wine
This is a high alcohol (20%) fortified wine that was developed to make the long passages to England. We bought port wine, quince paste and Sao Jorge cheese on our Walking and Tasting Through Lisbon Tour organized with Viator and Inside Lisbon. Thank you Sophia! It was fantastic!
Ginjinha, a Cherry Liqueur
Made of sour cherries, ginja berries, and sometimes served in an edible chocolate cup.
Cappuccino and a Pingado
The sweet loving Portugese sprinkle cinnamon and cocoa over their generous milk foamed cappuccino.
Pingado is an espresso with a drop or ping of milk. The drop can be more or less depending where you go.
Enjoy the tastes and travels!
nina in the kitchen 