Buy a house to immigrate to Portugal and taste Portuguese cuisine: The variety of Portuguese food is as rich as its diverse landscapes.
The most distinctive feature of Portuguese cuisine comes from the sea. While marveling at the deliciousness of simply grilled fish, one can be sure they are indeed in Portugal, where the entire coastline is abundant with seafood, all of which is very fresh! Cataplanas (copper pot seafood stew), French-style fish stew, and other fish or seafood dishes are also excellent choices.
As for meat dishes, we highly recommend cozido à portuguesa (Portuguese stew), a delicious dish made with meats, vegetables, and various sausages. From north to south, we have outstanding meats under the DOP (Protected Designation of Origin) category, including beef, pork, or goat meat. Many vegetables and fruits retain flavors passed down from ancient times, some also carry DOP labels, especially as many vegetables and fruits are organically produced.
Portugal's olive oil is of high quality and is used in every dish, including fried cod (which is said to have 1001 cooking methods!), and it enhances the taste of the dishes remarkably.
Each dish should be paired with the right wine. Wines are produced throughout the country, with famous varieties including Port wine, Douro wine, Alentejo wine, and many accompanying wines that are equally impressive.
And cheese! Queijo da Serra (mountain cheese from Serra da Estrela) is a delicacy, while cheeses from the central region, Alentejo, and the Azores are also delicious.
Many desserts are passed down from monasteries, and even today we still enjoy the "heavenly food that praises God." The pastel de nata (custard tart) is a must-try. Enjoying it with a cup of freshly brewed espresso makes it even more delightful.
After the meal, one can have a glass of Port wine or Madeira wine, both of which are fortified wines that have made Portugal famous overseas for centuries. One can also try a glass of Portuguese sparkling wine to celebrate the genius culinary skills of Portuguese chefs.
