Linguica Chowder
Linguica Lovers Only! Seriously! When my brother visits we have linguica … Linguica and Peas, Linguica and Eggs, Linguica and Greens, Linguica and Beans, Pizza with Linguica and just plain Linguica. My brother’s a purest and linguica alone is his favorite. I, on the other hand, put it in just about anything! Here’s an easy soup and the main ingredient … you’ve got the picture!
When we’re not making linguica we are buying some of our favorites locally, Raven’s of Armona and Lemoore Locker. But honestly, we love it all!
How can this be a Portuguese soup when it’s really a take on Dave Lieberman’s Moroccan recipe? Simple! Many spices and food influences came to Portugal from Northern Africa. To give this recipe more of a Portuguese flare use chicken broth, add an uncooked cubed potato (large) along with other ingredients, and cut back on the chickpeas by 15 ounces. Either way this is an amazingly hearty meatless main dish soup.
Sorry Grandma, a twist to my Grandmother’s Vinha D’ Alhos. My brother’s at it again! And he doesn’t even need a celebration but this would be great for July 4th.
One thing our family has in common we’re not collectors. Not that we aren’t sentimental. Each item we place about our homes is treasured and often has a meaningful history. Okay, there is one exception for me! Cookbooks! I treasure each … And mention to family, you know those words that make children go “mom,” when I’m gone please find a special place for these. The latest addition to my collection is My Portugal by George Mendes. It’s a beautiful book actually worthy of a coffee table. Yep, this recipe, at least the ingredients, was inspired by My Portugal. I never follow the directions of recipes. My mother would have said I never follow any directions!
This is a pretty easy recipe … There is no wrong here. A soup with mainly vegetables and just the right amount of linguica (or chourico) to give it that special flavor. Adding stale crusty bread soaks up the liquids and this soup becomes more stew-like. I love it! And when I want to be really decadent I add butter to the chunks of bread before smothering with the soup. Yikes!
Full of flavor and minimal ingredients make this one of my favorites meals. Beans are very much a staple in my kitchen. In fact, if you type beans in the Search Box above you’ll have meals for days. (Or click on beans in the category section.) My children never thought of beans as a penny saver meal but definitely this was part of it in the day. Beans were often underrated but today we know of the excellent nutritional benefits with the rise in vegetarian and vegan diets.
