Carne de Porco

carne_de_porco

Portuguese cuisine is renowned for its rich flavors, bold spices, and unique cooking methods. One of the most popular dishes in Portugal is Carne de Porco, a flavorful and hearty pork stew. This traditional dish is made with tender chunks of pork shoulder, white wine, garlic, and a variety of aromatic herbs and spices.

Carne de Porco is a quintessential Portuguese comfort food that is popular throughout the country, particularly in the colder months. It is a hearty, warming dish that is perfect for family dinners, gatherings with friends, or even just a cozy night in.

The origins of this dish date back centuries, to a time when Portuguese sailors would travel the world in search of new trade routes and exotic spices. As they voyaged to distant lands, they brought back with them new ingredients and cooking techniques that they blended with traditional Portuguese cuisine to create new and exciting dishes.

Carne de Porco is a perfect example of this blending of flavors and culinary traditions. It incorporates spices like paprika, cumin, and coriander, which are commonly used in North African and Middle Eastern cuisine. These spices add depth and complexity to the dish and give it a unique flavor that sets it apart from other pork stews.

The dish is typically prepared by simmering cubes of pork shoulder in a mixture of white wine, garlic, onions, and a blend of spices. The pork becomes tender and succulent as it cooks in the flavorful broth, which is then thickened with a mixture of flour and water to create a rich and hearty stew.

Along with the pork itself, the other key ingredient in Carne de Porco is the use of olive oil. Portugal is renowned for its olive oil production, and the oil is used in almost every aspect of Portuguese cuisine. The use of olive oil in this dish adds a rich and fruity flavor that complements the other ingredients perfectly.

Carne de Porco can be served with a variety of side dishes, including rice, potatoes, or bread. It is often paired with a glass of red wine, which helps to bring out the bold and complex flavors of the dish.

In conclusion, Carne de Porco is a delicious and hearty dish that is still very popular in Portugal today. It is a testament to the country’s rich cultural heritage and its ability to adapt and blend flavors from around the world to create something truly unique and delicious. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a novice in the kitchen, this recipe is sure to please and impress your family and friends alike.

Ingredients:

  • 2 pounds of pork shoulder
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika
  • 1 teaspoon of smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon of cumin
  • 1 teaspoon of salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper
  • 1/2 cup of white wine
  • 1/2 cup of water
  • 2 tablespoons of olive oil
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 1/4 cup of tomato sauce
  • Handful of fresh cilantro

Instructions:

  1. Cut the pork shoulder into 1 inch cubes.

  2. Mix together the garlic, paprikas, cumin, salt, and black pepper in a bowl. Add the pork cubes and toss to coat well.

  3. Heat olive oil in a pressure cooker on medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook until tender.

  4. Add the pork and continue cooking until it is browned all over.

  5. Add the white wine, water, and bay leaf. Close the pressure cooker and let it cook on high pressure for 25 minutes.

  6. Release the pressure, and add the tomato sauce. Cook for another 5 to 10 minutes until the sauce thickens and the pork is tender.

  7. Garnish with fresh cilantro and serve hot.

Enjoy your delicious Portuguese Carne de Porco!