Recipes

A baking tray filled with evenly spaced, golden-brown coconut macaroons. The macaroons are pyramid-shaped with slightly toasted tips, sitting on a sheet of parchment paper. The background shows a partial view of a blue and white patterned cloth, reminiscent of Maria Lawton's Azorean cooking heritage.

Lemon Coconut Delights

These Lemon Coconut Delights came out of a filming session with some of the Portuguese Kids — young helpers who joined me in the kitchen to make a few quick recipes together. We wanted something simple, fast, and delicious enough that nobody would be waiting around. The combination of sweet shredded coconut and fresh lemon […]

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A slice of strawberry cream pie is served on a white plate. The pie has a crumbly crust, topped with a thick layer of pink strawberry cream, and is garnished with a chocolate-covered strawberry. Some loose crumbs are on the plate, reminiscent of the sweet treats found in Azorean cooking by Maria Lawton.

Fluffy Strawberry Pie

When I found this recipe I actually said “Oh My Goodness” out loud — because it immediately reminded me of summers growing up, when my mom would make something very close to this. Her version used a graham cracker crust instead of pretzels, but the filling was that same light, fluffy strawberry cloud that I

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A slice of yellow cake topped with a thick layer of whipped cream and shredded coconut. A fork has taken a piece from the slice, which rests on a white plate with an outdoor background, inspired by Maria Lawton's Azores recipe.

Pineapple Coconut Cake

I remember having this cake at pot-luck suppers — the kind of gathering where everyone shows up with a dish and you never quite know what you’re going to get, but somehow the table is always perfect. This pineapple coconut cake was exactly the kind of thing that disappeared fast. It’s simple, it travels well,

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Three slices of fruitcake, inspired by Azorean cooking, are arranged on a white plate. The fruitcake is studded with various dried fruits and nuts, giving it a colorful and textured appearance. More fruitcake is visible in the background.

Fruit Cake From Christmas

In Portugal, a proper Christmas fruit cake isn’t something you bake on December 24th. You make it a month in advance, wrap it carefully, store it in a tin, and wait. The waiting is part of it — the flavors deepen and the cake becomes something richer and more complex than it was the day

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A round loaf of golden-brown Massa Souvada, made from a cherished family recipe, sits on a wooden cutting board. One thick slice is separated from the loaf, revealing its soft, airy crumb and fluffy interior.

Portuguese Sweetbread

My Massa Souvada Family Recipe This Massa Souvada Family Recipe has been in my family for generations. Growing up my mom would make Sweetbread aka Massa for every special celebration, and especially for Easter and Christmas. Truly these holidays would not be complete unless there was sweetbread to enjoy. I can recall especially, Easter where

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