Eating and Drinking in Portugal

Portugal is not a wealthy economy, so the meals are simple, and the traditional fare "rustic". Sometimes it was best just to choose a pasta dish instead! The wines were marginal and grouped according to district rather than variety - Algarve, Alentejo, Dao, Douro and Minho. The Ports however were in a class of their own!

Our meal on the first night was billed as typical portugese. Mine was a stew of beef bones.

Dried cod is a particular delicacy. It is heavily salted and when you need it requires days of  steeping and rinsing in water before use - often in little croquettes which were OK 

Our guide Diego in Lisboa introduces us to Ginjinha, the liquor made from bitter cherries 

The jolly gentleman on the right is saying "If your feeling a bit peeky you should have a tot of Ginjinha"

The jolly lady on the right is saying "A cup of tea won't perk you up, try a tot of ginjinha" These are very liberal translations from the portugese.

In Obidos we tried it in chocolate cups!

The residual cherries are extremely high in alcohol content (Over 40%)

Portugese tarts were lovely, especially with cinnamon .

Barbara and David from Vermont, Peter from Aussie at our wine tasting. I quite liked the Alentejano wines but wouldn't rave about them.

Out for dinner that night. White crusty bread with EVERY meal, cured meats, cheese, and usually olives or olive oil

Always willing to give a glass the benefit of the doubt.

After the FADO show we went and had a tapas style meal. Our guide Ana and Barbara

Thoroughly enjoyed the company of Barbara and David. He is a retired archaeologist and goes around the world helping out on digs. Was a hippie in the 60s and 70s - such a gentle fun personality. Barbara, so kind and helpful. 

Peter and Natalia did not join us for this meal. Ana, Barbara, David, Duncan, Diana and me at tapas.

Natalia next to a very big bottle of Port in a shop where we did a Port tasting - and the old favourite Mateus Rose next to it

All the usual at the Port tasting - but a little rye bread which vanished fast.

You wouldn't believe it - we are now on a food tasting tour in Porto. Our local guide is Sara and she is drinking green wine - really it is just wine which is fresh and young, not actually green. This one is bubbly, but really it is quite like a Pinot Gris. At this stop we had buns stuffed with a slow cooked pork, and quail.

Me and Diana, obviously on glass three by now - and enjoying it!

Our last night in Porto - we all went out for dinner together. Dessert was a shared affair...

and we totally smashed it!!