Portuguese Twist:
Roasted Chicken Thighs & Paprika Potatoes
Welcome to the first official post in my Portuguese Twist series! I’ve been experimenting in the kitchen, taking familiar comfort foods and giving them a bold Portuguese spin. Think Rustic flavors, paprika, garlic, a touch of lemon, and that homey warmth that makes you want to eat straight from the pan.
I love this recipe because it’s flexible. You can leave the skin and bones on for roasting or remove them if you prefer. And those potatoes are garlic and paprika rich in the juices! It’s a recipe you’ll want to make again and again.
We love our history. We love our tradition. And if you want a taste of Portugal in all its colors and rhythms 
Know Your Potluck Crowd Before You Spend Hours in the Kitchen. One thing I’ve learned about potlucks is this; not everyone loves the same dishes, and not everyone will dig your homemade cottage pie no matter how long it takes you to prepare it. Before you commit to an hour+ of preparation; peeling, chopping, baking, take a moment to think about who’s really showing up and what they actually like to eat. For my hospice group I might have considered “funeral potatoes” as my sister-in-law calls them. I’m still not sure how I feel about that name but 
You’ve got to at least try this! Did I say rich?! This is a versatile recipe; meat or no meat, spinach or kale, add melty cheese for a cheesier finish (Yes, bacalhau too, if you’re into it.) but it’s delicious just the way it is. The process is a bit time consuming if you roast the red peppers as well as the egg plant. Jarred red peppers in olive oil are just as tasty for this recipe. Note: Slice the egg plant as uniformly as you can to avoid uneven roasting. This recipe is worth the process! And I didn’t even mention the delicious bechamel sauce. Yep, this recipe is quite a combination of tastes. Let’s get started.
Great high protein meal for those with little time for cooking. Layer this over pasta or rice for a deliciously perfect dinner. This is a recipe caught on TikTok. I had to give it a try. It was introduced as a crockpot recipe ready in 4 hours at high heat. Mine was cooked stove top for greater control over the simmering process. A crockpot while convenient can heat to a constant boil drying the meat to a toughness. If you do try the crockpot for this set to low and cook more slowly. Save those leftovers for additional meals in the week or freeze.
Less Meghan Sussex’s One Pan Spaghetti al Pomodoro and More One Pan Spaghetti Bolognese … This is what chatGPT thinks a one pan pasta should look and taste like. It’s actually quite good. Perhaps a little more sauce than a typical serving of spaghetti but that’s easily remedied. Just add a little more pasta or reduce the water. Quick, Easy and Delicious!
One pan pasta has developed new interest after Meghan Sussex’s Netflix appearance. I’ve an additional recipe I will post in a day or two. One that actually includes meat. In the meantime enjoy this William Sonoma makeover from a few years ago.
