Our country is recognized for having high quality cuisine. Some of our dishes are true temptations and we have products that guarantee quality that is recognized throughout the world. For example, Mirandela’s alheira is an irresistible delicacy, proving to be a very rich food full of flavor. There is a wide range of recipes with this product: creative and innovative or traditional. Get to know more about this unique product of Portuguese cuisine, which is so recognized in our country that it was even elected one of the 7 wonders of Portugal’s gastronomy.
History of Alheira de Mirandela
Alheiras are a product full of very particular aromas and flavors. The origin of this product dates back to the end of the 15th century. At the time, Jews living in the Trás-os-Montes region could not eat traditional sausages due to the pork.
In a context in which fervent Catholics in the Iberian Peninsula were persecuting Jews, forcing them to convert to Christianity, they tried to pass themselves off as Christians, imitating Catholic cults and rituals. Therefore, they prepared an alheira that did not contain pork, but chicken and bread from previous days.
The Jewish religion prohibits the consumption of this type of meat and this was one of the ways that the Inquisition used to identify Jews.
Diversity
Among the various alheiras made in our country, the Mirandela alheiras stand out. They
They are simply divine. Therefore, they are quite popular. This wonderful village is associated with the city of Mirandela. Therefore, this special regional sausage was called alheira de Mirandela.
This product received this name linked to the place of sale and dispatch. This very special ingredient from the Trás-os-Montes smokehouse is the most consumed and well-known sausage in Portugal.
Mirandela’s alheira is a special ingredient. The sausage can be grilled, baked or fried. It is often consumed as a starter dish. This food can be easily combined with other ingredients and products. It can even connect seamlessly with unexpected elements.
Therefore, very different meals can be prepared with this product. Its versatility is proven by the various dishes using this ingredient. It has such a distinct and intense flavor that it easily becomes the star of these meals created with this delicious product.
Appointment
It was in 2011 that alheira was elected one of the 7 wonders of national cuisine.
The other temptations of Portuguese cuisine highlighted were the following: Queijo Serra
da Estrela; Caldo Verde; the Roasted Sardine; Seafood Rice; Leitão da Bairrada and Pastel de .
Oven-roasted Mirandela alheira recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cloves of garlic
- 1 sweet pepper
- 800 g Mirandela sausage
- 600 g medium boiling potato
- 600 g cleaned cabbage greens
- 200 g bread
- 4 c. of olive oil soup
- 2 c. of salt tea
Preparation Method
- Start by placing all the ingredients listed next to you, available.
- First, preheat the oven to 180°C.
- Cook the greens in a pan, in water seasoned with a teaspoon of salt.
- Then wait until they are tender.
- Meanwhile, cook the potatoes separately.
- Then, put 2 tablespoons of olive oil in an oven-safe frying pan.
- Then, with a toothpick, prick the alheiras several times.
- Then, place the alheiras in the frying pan.
- Let them cook for approximately 30 minutes.
- Don’t forget to turn the sausages halfway through.
- After the greens and potatoes are cooked, remove from the heat.
- Then, drain the vegetables very well.
- Then, with the remaining oil, grease a frying pan.
- Then brown the chopped garlic cloves.
- Later, sauté the sprouts in it, in a relatively quick process.
- Immediately, skin the potatoes and cut them into thick slices.
- Then, arrange the sprouts and garlic on a plate. These elements must be kept warm inside the switched off oven.
- Meanwhile, heat the frying pan in which you cooked the alheiras.
- Then sprinkle with sweet pepper.
- Then, add the potato slices to the pan.
- Afterwards, sauté the potatoes on both sides over medium to high heat.
- Then, wait until the potatoes turn golden.
- Finally, serve the potatoes with the garlic and greens.
- You can accompany it with bread and a fresh salad.
- Enjoy.
With this recipe, you can have a memorable gastronomic trip. This dish of oven-roasted alheira with cabbage greens and boiled potatoes presents the best of Trás-os-Montes flavors. This is an absolutely irresistible meal. A real temptation!
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