This article gives a light glimpse into the culinary world in Portugal and some of the authentic foods that characterize the country’s food culture.
The cuisine in Portugal includes various types of meat, poultry, fish, seafood, legumes, rice, vegetables, fruits, dairy products, cheeses, olive oil, spices, sausages, some of which are dried; Sausages that are often traditionally made; Different types of bread and wine.
Most of Portugal’s western border is the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, one of the main components of the Portuguese menu is based on a rich selection of seafood and fish.
When the Portuguese explorers arrived in the new places in Asia, Africa, and South America, they were introduced to a rich variety of spices whose stamp is evident today in Portuguese cuisine. As well as vegetables that were not known in Europe at the time, tropical fruits, sugar cane, tea, cocoa and coffee.

There are foods that are more typical for this or that region and the preparation may differ slightly from region to region. The “on the grill” method is common in the country, at the same time frying, roasting, steaming, cooking, and cauldron dishes are also part of the local cooking style.
Here are some popular dishes from Portuguese cuisine:

• Cozido à portuguesa (Cozido à portuguesa) – a traditional dish, made of meat and vegetables. The way it is prepared may vary from region to region.
• Feijoada – a dish made from beans, pork, smoked meat and rice.
• Arroz com mariscos (Arroz com mariscos) – a Portuguese dish made with rice and seafood.
• Frango piri piri – grilled chicken with the spicy piri piri sauce.
• Chourico – made from pork, fat, paprika and wine. undergoes a process of smoking and exists in different versions.
• Alheira – a chicken sausage, disguised as being made of pork and looking like it, invented by the martyrs to hide their Judaism.
• Sardinhas Grelhadas – whole sardines on the grill.
• The cod fish – Bacalhau – “stars” in hundreds of recipes in Portugal.
  In the Age of Discovery, when the Portuguese arrived on the coast of Canada, they met the cod there and “adopted” it. Although it is considered the national fish of the country, nowadays it is mostly imported from Norway.
• Sandwiches “on the road” – Bifana – bun with pork or Prego – bun with beef.

Soups:

• Caldo Verde – made from potatoes, green vegetables, onions and garlic. Some add small pieces of types of sausages or sausages.
• Canja de Galinha (Canja de Galinha) – Chicken soup.
• Sopa de Peixe – fish soup.
• Sopa de Tomate com Ovo Escalfado – tomato soup with poached eggs.
• Açorda aAlentejan – soup with bread, coriander, garlic, salt, poached egg and olive oil.

Many of the typical sweets in Portugal are based on egg yolks and sugar. Here are some of the most notable:

• Pastel de Nata (Pastel de Nata) – a sweet pastry made from puff pastry and egg cream.
• Ovos Moles (Ovos Moles) – a dessert produced in several forms such as fish, shells and more.
• Doce de Ovos (Doce de Ovos) – sweets and pastries.
• Pão de Ló – sponge cake in different versions.
• Bolo de arroz (Bolo de arroz) – rice pastry.

More sweets:

• Bolo Rei – a festive cake made of soft dough, nuts, dried and candied fruits.
• Different types of pudding, sweet rice, caramel, creme brulee, cinnamon vanilla, chocolate mousse and more.
• Algrave, which is in the south of Portugal, has sweets typical of the region with honey, almonds, figs and marzipan.

Wine is an important part of the local culinary culture. Click on the link to the article about wine in Portugal