Growing up in a tight-knit Portuguese neighborhood, fresh fish was never hard to find. There were plenty of Portuguese markets nearby, and my parents had their favorite fish market they’d go back to again and again. New Bedford is one of the largest commercial fishing communities in the United States, so the fish that came […]
Grilled Fresh Tuna Steaks Read More »
Cod is the backbone of Portuguese cooking, and there is no shortage of ways to prepare it — the old saying goes there are 365 bacalhau recipes, one for every day of the year. Bacalhau à Zé do Pipo is one of the more elegant ones. The last time I was in São Miguel, my
Bacalhau à Zé do Pipo Read More »
Every summer, friends and family ask me for a no-oven meal that’s easy and satisfying — and my answer is always Portuguese Tuna and Macaroni. It’s simple, quick, and packed with flavor. My dad loved macaroni and asked my mom to add it to everything — soups, stews, you name it. This dish carries that
Tuna and Macaroni: A Quick Meal! Read More »
Every holiday season, making this Lemon Liqueur recipe is one of our favorite traditions. We bottle it up and give it as Christmas gifts, and it never fails to make people happy. Sometimes we make lemon, sometimes orange, sometimes tangerine — whatever citrus looks best. We use grain alcohol for the most authentic result, but
Maria Biscuits were my dad’s everyday companion — he’d break them into a cup of warm coffee or milk and call it breakfast. For many Portuguese families, they’re the first solid food babies ever taste, passed around the way other moms hand out Cheerios. I grew up with them always in the house, and I
Chocolate Tart with Maria Biscuit Crust Read More »
My Aunt Lilia gave me this recipe, and every time I make it I think of her. This Walnut Cake with Chocolate Sauce was made for very special occasions in São Miguel, Azores — most often at Christmas, when fresh walnuts were in season. It is not a showy cake. It is dense, deeply nutty,
Walnut Cake with Chocolate Sauce Read More »
This Pudim da Avó recipe has always had a special place in my heart. “Avó” means grandmother in Portuguese, and that’s exactly who this dessert makes me think of — my Avó Filomena, who had the most wonderful way of turning simple ingredients into something truly memorable. This is the kind of dessert that shows
Grandmother’s Pudding (Pudim da Avó) Recipe Read More »
This Blueberry Lemon Pound Cake has become one of the most requested recipes from my readers, and I completely understand why. It is the kind of cake that looks impressive but comes together simply, and that burst of fresh blueberries with bright lemon glaze makes it impossible to resist. I have made this more times
Blueberry –Lemon Pound Cake Read More »
It was one of those June days in New England when the temperature refuses to cooperate — hovering around 50 degrees when it should have been warm. I had fresh blueberries sitting on the counter meant for a cold fruit salad, and that plan was officially out the window. So I baked instead. These blueberry
Blueberry Biscuits with Lemon Glaze Read More »
Every year when November rolls around, I start looking for chestnuts. It’s not just a craving — it’s a ritual tied to São Martinho, the Portuguese celebration that marks the start of the chestnut season and arrives right alongside the first sip of new wine. My dad taught me to prepare them this way: boiled
