Petiscos à Portuguesa

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) fresh cod fillets, deboned and skinless 500g (1.1 lb) fresh cod fillets, deboned and skinless
• 200g (7 oz) all-purpose flour 200g (7 oz) all-purpose flour
• 2 eggs 2 eggs
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 200g (7 oz) chorizo, sliced 200g (7 oz) chorizo, sliced
• 200g (7 oz) Portuguese cheese, such as Queijo da Serra 200g (7 oz) Portuguese cheese, such as Queijo da Serra
• 200g (7 oz) olives, pitted 200g (7 oz) olives, pitted
• 1 bunch of fresh parsley, chopped 1 bunch of fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges 1 lemon, cut into wedges
• Olive oil, for frying Olive oil, for frying
• Salt and pepper, to taste Salt and pepper, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 450 kcal / 1884 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 7g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 35g, 2g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the flour, eggs, chopped onion, minced garlic, and a pinch of salt. Gradually add water while whisking until a smooth batter is formed.
2. 2.
   Cut the cod fillets into bite-sized pieces and season with salt and pepper.
3. 3.
   Dip the cod pieces into the batter, ensuring they are well coated.
4. 4.
   Heat olive oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Fry the cod fritters until golden brown and crispy. Remove from the pan and drain on a paper towel.
5. 5.
   In a separate pan, sauté the sliced chorizo until slightly crispy.
6. 6.
   Arrange the cod fritters, chorizo, Portuguese cheese, olives, and lemon wedges on a platter. Garnish with fresh parsley.
7. 7.
   Serve the Petiscos à Portuguesa with a side of crusty bread and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cod — Make sure to remove any bones from the fillets before cutting them into pieces.
• Chorizo — Opt for a high-quality Portuguese chorizo for an authentic flavor.
• Portuguese cheese — Use Queijo da Serra or any other Portuguese cheese with a semi-hard texture for the best results.
• Olives — Choose your favorite variety of olives, such as green or black, to add a tangy and salty element to the dish.
• Lemon — Squeeze the lemon wedges over the petiscos just before serving to enhance the flavors.

Tips & Tricks

• For a healthier version, you can bake the cod fritters in the oven instead of frying them.
• Experiment with different types of Portuguese cheese to add variety to your petiscos platter.
• Serve the petiscos with a selection of Portuguese wines or a refreshing Vinho Verde for an authentic experience.
• Add a touch of spice by sprinkling some piri-piri seasoning over the chorizo slices.
• Customize your petiscos platter by adding other traditional Portuguese bites such as grilled sardines or empadas.

Serving advice

Serve Petiscos à Portuguesa as a shared appetizer or tapas-style meal. Encourage your guests to try a little bit of everything and enjoy the variety of flavors and textures. Provide small plates and napkins for easy serving and eating.

Presentation advice

Arrange the petiscos on a large wooden platter or a colorful ceramic plate to showcase the vibrant colors of the dish. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of green. Place lemon wedges strategically around the platter to add visual appeal.