As winter slowly lingers, warm, comforting soups and stews are always on my mind. When I first came across this Portuguese green soup — caldo verde — it sounded right up my alley. Caldo verde is a nourishing, thick and hearty soup made with a puree of potatoes and onions and finely-shredded collard greens and … Continue Reading
Was at my local fish market the other day picking up some dirty squid when I spotted fresh [Spanish] sardines. I haven’t had fresh sardines in a while. Canned, yes (am a devoted fan), but fresh, no (they’re not easy to find). I guess there aren’t many sardines on this side of the Atlantic? When … Continue Reading
Labor Day is a day of rest and relaxation. It’s also an invitation to celebrate those fleeting final days of summer. What better way than to gather with friends and family for a backyard barbecue. Good food, good friends, and good wine. What more do we need? You can certainly elevate a party (like a Labor … Continue Reading
Cataplana, a symbol of local Portuguese cuisine, is a seafood and/or meat stew originating in the Algarve, the southernmost region of Portugal. The stew is cooked in a hammered copper, clam-shaped pan also known as a cataplana, which is unique to the Algarve region. Historically, the cataplana has played a dual role, one, as a … Continue Reading
Can’t believe it’s the eve before the eve of Christmas. Although I’m not Italian, not evenly remotely so, I’ve always wanted to do a Feast of the Seven Fishes — an Italian Christmas Eve celebration. For my hypothetical seafood feast, I would start with some oysters, brandade, or smoked fish pâté, followed by octopus (of course), … Continue Reading
