Portuguese Caoila Alcatra Recipes

MARIA'S PORTUGUESE BACALAU

Steps:

• Soak the dried salted cod in cold water for 24 hours, changing the water several times.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add the soaked cod, and boil for about 5 minutes, or until fish flakes easily with a fork. Remove cod from water, and save water for cooking potatoes. Remove skin and bones from the cod, and flake the meat into pieces using a fork. Set fish aside in a large bowl.
• In a small bowl, stir together the olive oil, 1 clove of garlic, 1 tablespoon of parsley, red pepper flakes, and black pepper. Pour over the fish, and toss lightly to coat.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Place the potatoes into the fish water, and bring to a boil. Cook for 20 minutes, or until tender. Drain under cool water, peel and cut into 1/4 inch slices.
• While the potatoes are cooking, melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onions, and saute until golden and caramelized. Stir one clove of garlic into the onions. Set aside.
• Layer half of the potato slices in the bottom of a greased 8x11 inch baking dish. Cover with half of the cod, then half of the onions. Repeat layers, ending with onion.
• Bake for 15 minutes in the preheated oven, until lightly browned. Before serving, garnish the top with green and black olives, and hard-cooked eggs. Sprinkle with remaining parsley.

SLOW-COOKED SPICY PORTUGUESE CACOILA

Steps:

• Place pork in a large bowl; add wine, garlic and seasonings. Turn to coat; cover and refrigerate overnight., Transfer pork mixture to a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker; add onion and water. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until meat is tender. , Skim fat. Remove bay leaves. Shred meat with 2 forks. If desired, serve with a slotted spoon on bolillos.

ALCATRA ( PORTUGUESE POT ROAST WITH WINE, BACON & GARLIC)

Steps:

• In a large heavy Dutch oven, saute the bacon in the olive oil until drippings are rendered and bacon is browned a bit and crisp; transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• In the bacon drippings, brown the beef roast well on all sides over moderately high heat.
• Transfer to the plate with bacon, then add onions, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns and cloves to the Dutch oven.
• Saute about 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Blend in tomato paste, lower the heat, cover and steam for 20 minutes.
• Remove and set aside half of the tomato-onion mixture; place the beef roast back into the Dutch oven with the bacon, then spoon remaining tomato-onion mixture on top.
• Carefully pour the wine and salt around the beef roast and bring to a simmer.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cove and bake in the 375 degree oven for 2 hours; remove and turn beef over in the liquid.
• Lower oven temperature to 325 degrees F then bake uncovered about 1 hour longer or until meat is falling-apart tender (and it will be!).

PORTUGUESE CAçOILA (ALCATRA)

Steps:

• In a large heavy Dutch oven, saute the bacon in the olive oil until drippings are rendered and bacon is browned a bit and crisp; transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• In the bacon drippings, brown the beef roast well on all sides over moderately high heat.
• Transfer to the plate with bacon, then add butter, onions, paprika, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, wine vinegar, and allspice to the Dutch oven.
• Saute about 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Blend in tomato paste, lower the heat, cover and steam for 20 minutes.
• Remove and set aside half of the tomato-onion mixture; place the beef roast back into the Dutch oven with the bacon, then spoon remaining tomato-onion mixture on top.
• Carefully pour the wine and salt around the beef roast and bring to a simmer. Ensure the meat is cover with the wine.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cove and bake in the 375 degree oven for 2 hours; remove and turn beef over in the liquid.
• Lower oven temperature to 325 degrees F then bake uncovered about 1 hour longer or until meat is falling-apart tender (and it will be!).

CACOILA (PORTUGUESE STEWED PORK)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
• Cut excess fat from the pork and then cut into 2-inch cubes; place meat into an oven-safe casserole that has a lid.
• In a medium bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; pour over pork in casserole.
• Gently massage wine and seasonings into the meat and cover casserole; place in oven for about 2 1/2 hours.
• You will want to periodically check that the meat to be sure it is tenderizing and that the flavors are blending in; also, be sure that all the liquid does not evaporate (you can add additional wine or water).
• Once you can easily break the meat apart with a fork, it is done.

PORTUGUESE CACOILA

Steps:

• Wash pork, cube and place in large pot.
• Slice onions and place in pan.
• Add all other ingredients.
• Cook at low heat for 1-1/2 hours; if mixture becomes dry, add 1 cup water and stir; DO NOT ALLOW TO DRY OUT! Continue to add small amounts of water as needed; Stir often to prevent sticking.
• Pork should be tender and break apart easily.

ALCATRA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425° F.
• In a clay baking pot or heavy Dutch oven, rub the insides well with the lard covering thoroughly. Add the 2 of the onion, garlic, carrots, figs and pimenta peppers to the pot.
• Season the beef shank and neck with a liberal amount of salt and pepper and add to the pot. Add the bay leaf, star anise and remaining onions. Mix all ingredients together in the pot.
• Fill the pot with wine to cover all ingredients cover with lid or foil.
• Place pot in the oven and cook for 4 hours. After 1 1/2 to 2 hours check the pot and add more wine if needed.
• Remove from oven and serve with sweet bread.