Azorean Portuguese Recipes

PORTUGUESE (ACOREAN) SHRIMP

Steps:

• Place saucepan on burner at med. high heat, add olive oil and onions, saute until translucent (about 4-5 min.).
• Add garlic, pimenta and tomato paste stir until blended. You may have to thin this mixture out a little bit with some of the beer/wine.
• Add 1/2 of the parsley.
• Add shrimp, stir and saute for 2-3 minutes coating the shrimp with the tomato/pimenta mixture.
• Add remaining beer/wine and add water, just enough to cover.
• Cook on med. heat for approximately 10 minutes or until the shells are easily peeled from the shrimp. (note: I have been known to leave this on my stove for an hour or more. As long as there is still juice covering the shrimp they are okay. For some unknown reason you can't seem to over cook them).
• Use a slotted spoon to remove the shrimp from the cooking liquid and serve with remainder of parsley sprinkle over.
• Hint reserve the cooking liquid. It can be used: (a) to store leftover shrimp, if any, to reheat; (b) to cook white rice in (wonderful flavour); or (c) to dip crusty fresh bread into.

AZORE-STYLE FEIJOS (BEANS)

Steps:

• *NOTE: Can also substitute sausage for the bacon or ham hock. Portuguese linguica, Spanish chorizo or Louisiana andouille, vegetarian "soyrizo", etc. are suggestions. My preference being bacon as I don't care for sausage or ham hock.
• For additional flavor, I usually dry roast the spices in a castiron skillet.
• Soak the beans overnight. Cook the bacon or ham hock and drain on paper towel. Next saute the onion and garlic. Once cooled, break up the bacon into little pieces.
• In large Dutch oven or in crock pot, combine all the ingredients, including the water, excluding the salt. If using a Dutch oven, simmer the beans on medium-low for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours or until beans are soft.
• If using a crock pot simmer on low 8 hours or until beans are soft. Salt the beans once cooked.
• Adjust seasoning before serving. Now season with salt.
• Remove whole cloves, cinnamon stick and whole allspice.
• Great with freshly baked, crusty bread. Tastes even better if prepared one day ahead then warmed.

AZOREAN (PORTUGUESE)

Steps:

• In a pasta/stock pot place frozen block of shrimp along with water.
• ***If you are using fresh shrimp be sure to rinse and clean the shrimp before cooking making sure that the shell is still intact.
• Cover shrimp with water and follow remaining instructions for cooking.
• Add remaining ingredients.
• On high heat, place a lid on the top of the pot.
• Allow for block of ice/shrimp to thaw completely.
• Once the shrimp are loose, stir to mix all ingredients well.
• Place heat at a low temperature as to simmer the shrimp for 2 hours.
• This ensures that all the flavors blend well otherwise you may eat them immediately.
• If there are leftovers be sure to refrigerate.
• You can eat them cold or warm them back up in original broth for the next day.
• Enjoy.