We’re past mid-January now and those healthy-eating resolutions you made 18 days ago are either forgotten or, let’s face it, soon to be forgotten. Sometimes you just need to cave and forget your low-carb, fat-free diet and enjoy life! If you’ve ever had Portuguese pão com chouriço then you know what I’m talking about.
This is serious Portuguese comfort food. The sandwich is composed of two simple ingredients: bread & chouriço (similar to Spanish chorizo, except, obviously better). And yet, the whole of this combination is greater than the sum of its parts, because the bread and meat are cooked together, not just thrown in together.
If you’re interested in making this at home, I found this recipe on easyportugueserecipes.com (although I haven’t tried it yet so can’t vouch for it!). Bom apetite!
*Makes 8*
Ingredients:
2.5 cups flour
5 teaspoons dry yeast
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 chouriço sausage links cut into slices and casing removed
8 tablespoons warm water
1 teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon flour to dust
Directions:
1) Dissolve the yeast in 4 tablespoons of warm water. Add about 1/2 tablespoon of flour and mix well. Set aside.
2) In a big bowl, mix the flour, olive oil, salt, and the yeast mixture. Add some more warm water a bit at a time until you have a smooth dough that doesn’t stick to your hands. Let rise for 30 minutes.
3) Divide into 8 portions. Using a rolling pin roll out the dough pieces into rectangles.
4) Layer the sliced chouriço on the dough, roll the dough up, and pinch the seams to close.
5) With a knife make 4 horizontal cuts to the top of the dough pieces.
6) Set the pieces aside on a greased baking sheet and let them rise for about another 30 minutes.
7) Dust the tops of the dough pieces with the tablespoon of flour.
8) Bake in a preheated oven at 375 degrees fahrenheit for about 25-30 minutes until the bread is done.
9) Take out of the oven and let them cool for 5 to 10 minutes. Serve while hot.
Yum yum yum
That’s a very accurate description!