Portuguese Christmas cakes
There are two versions of the round, fruit-rich cakes that you’ll see in every bakery in Portugal around Christmas time. The more colourful Bolo de Rei, or King’s cake, has candied fruit that represent the jewels in the king’s crown.
I prefer the more subtle colours and flavours of the Bolo da Rainha, Queen’s cake, which does away with the garish fruits and replaces them with nuts.
Portuguese desserts
Pudim
My favourite Portuguese dessert is probably the unassuming but oh, so good, pudim. The home made version of this baked egg pudding is usually delicious and served in a caramel sauce.
Tip: Check that it’s caseiro (home made) before ordering as the packet ones are less than impressive.
Pudim Abade de Priscos is a variation on the theme which uses fatty bacon – don’t worry, you can’t taste it – to add a silky texture to the creme caramel pudding. It’s popular in Braga, the district it originated from.
Sericaia and Elvas plums
Sericaia is an amazingly light sponge cake which, for the very sweet-toothed, is often served with preserved plums from the Alentejan town of Elvas.
Papa de milho corn pudding
Papa de milho is a moulded, grainy pudding made from corn. You can get sloppier versions of it, too, which remind me of semolina. Proper comfort food.
Portuguese Christmas cakes
There are two versions of the round, fruit-rich cakes that you’ll see in every bakery in Portugal around Christmas time. The more colourful Bolo de Rei, or King’s cake, has candied fruit that represent the jewels in the king’s crown.
I prefer the more subtle colours and flavours of the Bolo da Rainha, Queen’s cake, which does away with the garish fruits and replaces them with nuts.
Portuguese desserts
Pudim
My favourite Portuguese dessert is probably the unassuming but oh, so good, pudim. The home made version of this baked egg pudding is usually delicious and served in a caramel sauce.
Tip: Check that it’s caseiro (home made) before ordering as the packet ones are less than impressive.
Pudim Abade de Priscos is a variation on the theme which uses fatty bacon – don’t worry, you can’t taste it – to add a silky texture to the creme caramel pudding. It’s popular in Braga, the district it originated from.
Sericaia and Elvas plums
Sericaia is an amazingly light sponge cake which, for the very sweet-toothed, is often served with preserved plums from the Alentejan town of Elvas.
Papa de milho corn pudding
Papa de milho is a moulded, grainy pudding made from corn. You can get sloppier versions of it, too, which remind me of semolina. Proper comfort food.
