No Crisis at the Portuguese Dinner

The Battle of Aljubarrota was a battle fought between the Kingdom of Portugal and the Crown of Castile on 14 August 1385. Forces commanded by King John I of Portugal and his general Nuno Álvares Pereira, with the support of English allies, opposed the army of King John I of Castile with its Aragonese, Italian and French allies at São Jorge place, between the towns of Leiria and Alcobaça, in central Portugal. The result was a decisive victory for the Portuguese, ruling out Castilian ambitions to the Portuguese throne, ending the 1383-1385 Crisis and assuring John as King of Portugal. Portuguese independence was confirmed and a new dynasty, the House of Aviz, was established.

I’m glad that was all settled 625 years before we set out dinner on the table. Nothing like a civil war to put one off their feed. And, the Portuguese victory gave me another opportunity to play around with those flavors in the kitchen….

Cod cake

Started off the evening with a plump and juicy cod cake with fresh poached cod (in court bouillon) flavored with a mix of spices focused on several types of paprika, and green onions. Baked instead of fried, and topped with a piri-piri sauce – a roasted pepper, tomato, and tiny green chili peppers mix.

Minted Green Bean soup

Brought back one of our faves, a minted-green bean soup with a chicken and vegetable broth thickened with a little potato. Not sure why the colors on the photo came out so odd, but so be it.

Chorizo and Cockle Linguini

A little linguini with a ragu made from homemade chorizo sausage meat, fresh cockles, tomatoes, onions, garlic, lots of olive oil and a good grating of cheese. What’s not to like?

Roasted Pork in Port and Paprika

Roast pork loin, rubbed in smoked paprika, salt, and port. Roasted to medium. Served up with a saute of savoy cabbage, chickpeas and garlic, and a sauce that of caramelized onions in reduced port, pork stock and more smoked paprika. Winning dish for the day.

Lemon Curd Olive Oil Tart

Finishing off with a lemon curd olive oil tart (part of the butter in both crust and curd substituted with fruity olive oil). A little candied lemon peel atop for garnish and a nice finish to our non-crisis!

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