This week I had a lunch at a friends house. Since they are from Arab countries I decided to take something Portuguese to show the delicious Portuguese gastronomy.
Some things that I miss from my country are the delicious desserts, this two in particular remind me of special occasions.
The Arroz Doce (Portuguese sweet Rice) is a very old recipe and no one does this better than our grand mothers. I have some memories of going to my grandmother house and smell the cinnamon coming from the kitchen while she was making this amazing dessert.
It is actually pretty easy to make. I prefer mine a little bit more creamy than sticky so don't get scared if you think its too much milk. I also like to eat it warm not cold, just go with me this flavors are so good just a little bit warm. And if you live in a country where is cold now this dessert will warm up your day or night,
The next thing I made was Sonhos (dreams). This sweet is usually made during winter holidays and I have no idea why only. Usually in Portugal we wait the whole year to have this.
I actually never made it before so I think it was a success they were so delicious. Everyone loved it. And now that I lost my fear of doing them I don't need to wait for holiday season I'll just make them all the time!!!
Finally, I made Croquetes (meat pastries). This are everywhere in Portugal. Usually they are a big hit in parties. I love them so much. Also really easy to make.
So here is the 3 recipes:
Portuguese Dreams
Ingredients:
125 ml water
125 ml milk
50 g butter
Orange peel
150 g flour
4 eggs
frying oil
sugar and cinnamon powder to decorate
How to do:
1. In a pan, add water, milk, orange peel, salt and butter. Let it boil. When starts boiling add the flour and mix very well until it forms a dough.
2. Remove the dough from the pan and let it cool for a while. Remove the orange peel.
3. Add the eggs one by one and stirr well until smooth.
4. With the help of 2 spoons make small balls be carefully because they will triple the volume. Fry in hot oil in low heat and chop with a toothpick.
4. After frying, remove to a plate with paper towels.
5. Mix the sugar with cinnamon and coat the dreams.
Arroz Doce (Portuguese sweet rice)
Ingredients:250 gr of rice
400 gr of sugar
6 egg yolks
3 lemon peel
2 cinnamon sticks
50 g butter
0,5 like water
1 cup of milk
1700 ml milk
Salt Cinnamon
How to do it:
1. In a pan boil add the water and rice. Season with salt and boil until there is no more water.
2. Add the butter, the lemon peel, cinnamon sticks and milk. Mix and let it cool for 30 minutes. Add the sugar.
3. Mix the eggs yolks with the cup of milk. And add to the rice.
When it starts to boil remove from heat.
4. Serve it decorated with cinnamon.
Croquetes
Ingredients:350g minced meat
20g butter
1 garlic clove
1 bay leave
1 tsp parsley
lemon drops
Bechamel Sauce
salt and pepper
2 beatten eggs
Breadcrums
Oil to fry
How to do:
1. in a pan add the butter, crushed garlic, bay leaf and meat. Season with salt and pepper and cook. Stir well until all the meat falls apart. remove the bay leaf .
2. Add the bechamel sauce to the meat and mix well. Check the seasoning. When the mix starts to come off the bottom of the pan remove from heat and set aside to cool.
3. With the dough, mold the Croquetes and pass them in beaten egg and then in breadcrumbs,
4. Fry the Croquetes both sides in hot oil. remove and place on a plate with paper towels.
Croquetes are also a good lunch served with rice.
If you got curious about Portuguese recipes you can find more here, here and here.
Hope you liked it.
Are you going to try them? If you do please tag me on Instagram @the_paletteoflife I want to see how your recipes turned out!!
- 15:36
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