Why no bacon? No particular reason. Yep, you do see a little bacon garnish. This is a rich without butter or milk recipe. Oops, there’s sour cream and cheese. Just a different take on a classic soup. For another recipe equally as delicious, try Grandma Rose’s Vinha D’ Alhos
Number 4 in popularity 2020. First posted August 2013. Enjoy!
Strong smells of garlic, wine and pickling spices when roasting this pork dish took me back in time.
As my brother and I climbed into his 55 Chevy we were both complaining that we had to go to grandma’s for dinner. Again! After all, it was a school night. Grandma’s house was hot from the kitchen stove. The swamp cooler was working overtime with little result. The smell of roasting pickled pork permeated the entire house. My grandmother greeted us with hugs, and I don’t know about Danny, but I ducked to avoid a kiss that was about to be planted right on my mouth.
There was lots of food, the ‘thinga thosh’ as my brother and I called it incorrectly, salad, baked beans, rolls and dessert from Copley’s Bakery, either eclairs or banana sponge cake.
Why had we been complaining?
Enjoy my Grandmother’s recipe for Portuguese Marinated Pork Vinho d’alhos. She would be happy to have you at her table!
12 Top Recipes 2020
A celebration as we close out the year. Blog improvements have been made along the way but not without a few hang ups! Being a HGTV groupie and believing in do-it-yourself projects my blog is no different. But as we all know sometimes do-it-yourself backfires … not that we aren’t better for it … more knowledgable perhaps. It’s interesting my most popular blog posts have developed their own layout. And not good! Please, your patience would be so appreciated as I adjust and tweak these issues. To solve this I will be reposting a few recipes. In the meantime enjoy these Top Twelve of 2020.
#1
#2
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#5
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#7
#8
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#12
Portuguese Rolls (Pops)
These Portuguese Rolls or crusty buns are more accurately called Papo Secos … And sometimes called pops. Add linguica, vinha d’alhos or Portuguese meatballs, greens and a side of beans, and you have a wonderful meal. These are easy to make. The recipe makes 16 five-six inch rolls … not a large recipe … easily handled while putting other dishes together in a busy kitchen.
*I’m serving these for Super Bowl Sunday along with meatballs and linguica for those that want a meaty sandwich.
These are great right from the oven with just butter, too.
*YEP, this is a repost! One of the most popular 2020 posts! With my housekeeping here this post took on a strange appearance. My apologies while I make a few tweaks.
Portuguese Beans with Linguica
This is the time of year my dad put together a big lunch for his customers, farmers and ranchers. (First published December 2013.) He would do most of the food preparation himself. Yep, there could be a huge crowd. One item on the menu was Portuguese beans. So, the question is do I have my dad’s recipe or his mother’s recipe? Or are the recipes the same? Anyway, get your pound of pintos soaking, and don’t eat the last of the linguica!
Why am I thinking about these beans? Aside from the thoughts of the yearly luncheon, my brother made another batch of linguica. He is still working to perfect the recipe! And someone shared her prepared Portuguese beans and linguica with me recently. Just delicious Melissa! Let me see how my dad’s recipe compares!
Olive Oil Cake
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 great recipe. The results are amazing. The photo tells the story. Of course I cut the more than warm cake way too soon. Give this recipe a try. It’s delicious!
Sicilian Fig Cookies
Who’s Clara? She’s a home cook I came across on Youtube. When I saw her recipe for Cucidati I knew it was one I wanted to try. Problem was a recipe that yielded 100’s of cookies was just too much for my family … even if Cucidati keep for a month in an airtight container. Clara is right … her fig cookies are the best. And Clara, the suggested whiskey is a perfect touch. Here is Clara in action in 2008 at 93 years young. I have taken her recipe and made it manageable … yielding 50+ one-two inch cookies. Make this your holiday tradition. Absolutely the best! Thanks Clara!
Spiced Candied Pecan Scones
Love love pecan season. First up is a big batch of Spiced Candied Pecans. Great snacking but more often added to richen recipes. They’re the main ingredient in these deliciously rich scones. Make a great coffee or tea accompaniment. We like them with soup too.
Inspired by King Arthur Baking Company.
Old Fashioned Ice Box Cookies
Slice and Bake Cookies
Mom’s recipe for Ice Box Cookies when Nucoa was a favorite cookie ingredient. No Nucoa here! If these cookies remind you of chocolate chip cookies without the chips … Yep, that’s what I taste. So, add chocolate chips if you like and you have homemade chocolate chip cookies at your fingertips. I keep a roll in the freezer for those immediate needs for family and friends. Add what you like and subtract the nuts if to your liking. Here are some great ingredients to add: assorted flavored chips, broken pretzels, crushed Butterfingers, crushed peppermint, your choice of nuts.
Italian Vegetable Chowder
Rich creamy vegetarian soup for the cold winter meal. Spice it up with red pepper flakes for more warmth. Tame it down with broth instead of cream. Make the recipe your own or enjoy just this way. And for those that can’t go meatless add crumbled cooked Italian sausage.