Portuguese Torpedo Meat Recipes

BOLINOS DE BACALHAU (PORTUGUESE COD CAKES)

Steps:

• A day or two before making the fish cakes, put the cod to soak in cold water. Change the water four or five times during this period.
• Drain the cod and rinse it well under cold running water. Cover with fresh water in a saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes or until cod is soft.
• While the cod is simmering, cook the potatoes in their skins, then peel and mash with butter and milk.
• When the cod is ready, drain it thoroughly and remove the skin and bones. Shred the cod with a couple of forks. Add the creamed potatoes, parsley, mint, pepper, egg yolks, and the port. Mix thoroughly. Whisk the egg whites until stiff, then fold into the cod mixture.
• Heat the oil in a deep fryer or heavy deep pot to 375 degrees F.
• Take a lump of the mixture, about the size of a small egg, and mold it in your hand to make a torpedo shape. Deep fry, in small batches, until crisp and brown all over. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

MEAT PIES WITH SPICY PORTUGUESE SAUCE

Steps:

• Meat Pies:.
• Place the veal, 1/4 cup of the bread crumbs, cilantro, parsley, buttermilk, 1 egg, garlic, salt and crushed red pepper flakes in a large bowl and mix quickly but thoroughly.
• Form the mixture into meatballs the size of a large walnut, about 2 tablespoons each.
• Beat the remaining egg with 2 tablespoons water and 1 teaspoon Creole seasoning (or Emeril's Essence) in a shallow bowl.
• Combine the flour and 1 teaspoon of Creole seasoning (or Essence) in another shallow bowl.
• Combine the remaining bread crumbs with the remaining 1 teaspoon of Creole seasoning (or Essence) in a thrid shallow bowl.
• Dip each meat pie first into the seasoned flour, then into the egg wash, letting the excess drip off, and finally into the bread crumbs, coating evenly.
• Flatten each ball slightly to form a patty and place on a baking sheet lined with wax paper.
• Cover tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to cook. The pies may be made ahead of time and kept in the refrigerator for up to 5 hours.
• Make the Sauce:.
• Heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.
• Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring, until soft, about 4 minutes.
• Add the anchovy fillets, olives and crushed red pepper flakes and cook, stirring often, until the anchovies dissolve, about 2 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, and 1/4 cup water.
• Stir well and simmer, uncovered, until the sauce has thickened, about 20 minutes.
• Add the parsely and cilantro, and season with salt and pepper.
• Keep warm while you finish the meat pies.
• Finish the Meat Pies:.
• Add enough oil to come 1/2 inch up the sides of a large heavy skillet and heat over medium-high to high heat until very hot. In batches, fry the meat patties in the oil until deep golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
• Using a slotted spatula, transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Serve hot with the sauce.

PORTUGUESE STEAK

Steps:

• Mash the garlic with the salt. Mix in the pepper,parsley, and bay leaf,forming a paste. Season the steaks on both sides with the paste.place in a deep sided dish.
• Slowly pour the wine over the meat and marinate at least 2 hours(better overnight).
• Reserving the marinade remove steaks . Heat the butter and oil in large skillet over med-high heat. Fry the steaks 3 minutes each side.Remove to a clean plate and cover to keep warm.
• Add the reserved marinade to the hot pan and deglaze the browned bits . Remove from heat and quickly whisk in the cream. Place over med-low heat. Return the steaks to the pan and cook about three minutes. Sauce will thicken.
• While the steaks are cooking fry the eggs in a separate pan.
• Plate the steaks placing a fried egg on top of each, followed by a red pepper. Pool some sauce around the steak and serve with fried potatoes.
• A traditional Portuguese meal.

BEEFS PORTUGUESE STYLE

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine red wine, water, garlic, chile paste, white pepper and salt. Add beef, and turn to coat evenly.
• In a large heavy skillet over medium heat, fry 3 steaks for 2 minutes on each side; Set steaks aside, and drain liquids into the red wine mixture. Repeat with remaining beef.
• Pour oil into skillet, and reduce heat to medium-low. Fry steaks for a second time, 2 minutes on each side. Drain oil, and return all steaks and marinade to the pan. Allow to boil for 2 minutes.

RABANADAS (PORTUGUESE FRENCH TOAST)

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon until blended. In a large shallow dish, whisk eggs and milk. Dip both sides of bread in egg mixture, soaking lightly. , In an electric skillet, heat 1 in. of oil to 350°. Working with a few slices at a time, remove bread from egg mixture, allowing excess to drain, and fry 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels., Dip warm rabanadas in cinnamon-sugar to coat all sides. Serve warm or at room temperature.

PORTUGUESE CUSTARD TARTS (PASTEIS DE NATA)

Steps:

• Combine flour, salt, and cold water in a bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon until dough just comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. Dough should be sticky; adjust with more flour or water to achieve what's shown in the video.
• Transfer dough onto a well floured surface. Dust a little more flour over the top. Knead for a minute or two to form a round. Cover and let rest for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Roll dough into a square about 1/8 inch thick, dusting with flour as necessary; dough should still be sticky.
• Spread 1/3 of the butter over 2/3 of the square using a silicone spatula, leaving a 1/2 inch border. Flip the unbuttered side over the middle of the square and fold the opposite end over it like a letter. Straighten the edges as needed.
• Turn dough with a bench scraper to unstick it from the counter; dust with flour. Flip and sprinkle more flour on top. Roll dough into a 1/8-inch-thick rectangle, carefully stretching edges as needed. Spread another 1/3 of the butter over 2/3 of the dough. Fold into thirds. Transfer onto a lined baking sheet and freeze until butter is slightly chilled, about 10 minutes.
• Sprinkle dough with flour and roll into a square a little over 1/8 inch thick. Spread remaining butter over the dough, leaving a 1- to 1 1/2-inch border on the top edge. Dip your finger in water and lightly moisten the unbuttered edge. Roll dough into a log starting from the bottom edge. Dust with more flour and polish the ends as needed. Seal with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 2 hours, preferably overnight.
• Combine sugar, 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon water, cinnamon, and lemon zest in a pot. Boil over medium heat, without stirring, until syrup reaches 210 to 215 degrees F (100 degrees C). Remove from heat.
• Preheat oven 550 degrees F (288 degrees C). Grease a 12-cup muffin tin.
• Whisk flour, salt, and cold milk together very thoroughly in a cold pot. Cook over medium heat, whisking constantly, until milk thickens, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool for at least 10 minutes.
• Whisk egg yolks into the cooled milk. Add the sugar syrup and vanilla extract. Mix until combined. Strain custard into a glass measuring cup.
• Unwrap the dough and trim any uneven bits on the ends. Score log into 12 even pieces using a knife; cut through.
• Place a piece of dough in each muffin cup. Dip your thumb lightly in some cold water. Press thumb into the center of the swirl; push dough against the bottom and up the sides of the cup until it reaches least 1/8 inch past the top. Fill each cup 3/4 of the way with custard.
• Bake in the preheated oven until the pastry is browned and bubbly, and the tops start to blister and caramelize, about 12 minutes. Cool tarts briefly and serve warm.

MOM'S PORTUGUESE BEEF STEW

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a stockpot over medium-high heat. Dust the beef with the flour. Place the beef, garlic, bay leaves, and pepper in the stockpot; cook until the beef is brown; season with salt and cook until beef is tender, about 5 minutes. Add the onion, green pepper, carrot, and paprika; cook until the onion softens, about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato, wine, water, and parsley. Cover, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer 30 minutes.
• Mix in the red potatoes, sweet potatoes, and green beans; continue to cook until potatoes are easily pierced through with a fork, about 45 minutes.

WINE AND GARLIC PORK (PORTUGUESE VINA DOSH)

Steps:

• Whisk red wine vinegar, red wine, garlic, bay leaves, cloves, black pepper, salt, and thyme together in a bowl; pour into a resealable plastic bag. Add the pork, coat with the marinade, squeeze out excess air, and seal the bag. Marinate in the refrigerator 2 to 4 days, turning occasionally.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Drain the pork, reserving 1/2 cup of marinade. Put pork and reserved marinade in a baking dish.
• Bake in preheated oven until the pork is completely warmed, about 20 minutes. Drain as much liquid from the pork as possible.
• Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the pork to the skillet in batches to prevent crowding; cook and stir in hot oil until completely browned and no longer pink in the center, 10 to 15 minutes.

TENDER PORTUGUESE STEAK

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine vinegar and garlic. Let stand 10 minutes.
• Pat steaks dry and then sprinkle with salt and pepper on both sides.
• Rub vinegar mixture into steaks. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes (or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to one hour).
• In a skillet over medium heat melt butter with oil.
• Add steaks and cook to desired doneness (5-10 minutes per side). Transfer steaks to plates and cover with foil to keep warm.
• Pour off fat from skillet.
• Put skillet on high heat and stir in wine, scraping up browned bits. Boil for 3 minutes or unti it is syrupy.
• Whisk in tomato paste. Remove from heat.
• Whisk in remaining 2 tablespoons butter (1 piece at a time), incorporating in sauce.
• Stir in prosciutto and parsley.
• Spoon sauce over steaks.

PORTUGUESE PORK TENDERLOIN

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a large bowl; drizzle with 1 tablespoon oil. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1/4 teaspoon salt; toss to coat. , Transfer to a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Bake at 400° for 40-45 minutes or until tender, stirring occasionally. , Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the red wine, port wine, plums and rosemary. Bring to a boil; cook until liquid is reduced to about 1 cup, about 25-30 minutes. Remove rosemary and discard. Transfer to a blender; cover and process until smooth. Set aside., Sprinkle pork with remaining pepper and salt. In a large skillet, brown pork in remaining oil; remove and keep warm., Add the broth, cream cheese, cream and plum mixture to skillet; cook over medium-low heat until blended. Return pork to the pan; cook and stir for 8-10 minutes or until meat is no longer pink. Serve pork and sauce with potatoes. Garnish with additional rosemary if desired.

PORTUGUESE TRINCHADO RECIPE

Steps:

• Marinate the beef in a mixture of Worcestershire sauce (or soy sauce) and soy sauce for between 30 - 60 minutes. This will ensure that even the tougher cuts of meat are tender once cooked. Rinse marinade off meat before browning.
• In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon margarine and 1 tablespoon oil. When the margarine is melted and sizzling, add about ¼ of the beef and brown well. Remove the beef cubes from saucepan, place in a bowl and set aside. Repeat with the remainder of beef, but in batches. Add 1 tablespoon margarine and 1 tablespoon oil between the batches as needed. Each batch should brown for about 3 - 4 minutes so the juices are sealed within the cubes.
• Reduce heat and add the onions, chili and their seeds, and cook for about 5 minutes, or until soft. Add the garlic and cook for another minute or so. Sprinkle the flour over the onion/garlic mixture and stir for about 2 minutes or until thick.
• Add the stock, red wine (or brandy) and bay leaves. Stir until the sauce thickens and simmer for about 10 minutes.
• Add the beef cubes together with any juices that may be in the bowl. Leave to simmer for about 20 minutes or until beef is tender and cooked. Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve in bowls with fresh bread rolls and/or fries.

POLPETTE (TORPEDO SHAPED MEATBALLS)

Steps:

• Stir together bread crumbs and milk in a large bowl and let stand 10 minutes.
• Add meats, garlic, cheese, eggs, parsley, 1 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to bread crumb mixture and blend with your hands until combined (do not overmix). Form 1 1/2 cups meat mixture into small torpedo-shaped meatballs (1 level tablespoon each). Reserve remaining 4 cups meat mixture for ragù .
• Heat oil in a 10-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers, then fry meatballs in 2 batches (do not crowd), turning occasionally, until browned well and cooked through, about 2 minutes per batch. Transfer to paper towels using a slotted spoon and reserve oil for frying meatballs for ragù.

PORTUGUESE TORPEDO MEAT

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in pan and cook for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
• Add warm water if necessary to prevent sticking.
• Serve on rolls of your choice.