A look into my family’s favourites
In most Portuguese cookbooks, more than half the pages are dedicated to something sweet. Our collection of family favourites is no exception, which is why desserts, cakes and sweet treats deserve a section of their own. Afterall, no Portuguese meal, whether every day or a special occasion, is complete without a sweet ending.
Many of these family classics are straightforward to make: they rely on just a handful of ingredients and a trick or two to create desserts that look far more impressive than the effort they require.
My Friends' Much-Loved Pineapple Upside-Down Cake
Cloud-light Chocolate Mousse
The Apple Tart My Friend Always Requests
Pudim de Gelatina (Our Fake Panna Cotta)
Coconut Bites – Maria's Style
Chocolate Salami Two-in-One
Poached Pears
A Taste of Autumn: Chestnut Mousse
Brigadeiros (Chocolate Fudge Balls)
Poached Quinces turn into Marmelada
Baba de Camelo (Condensed Milk Mousse)
The Indulgent Brownies Everyone Loves
Traditional Bolo de Bolacha (Rich Tea Biscuit Cake)
My Family's Favourite Pancakes
A Few Helpful Notes Before You Start Cooking My Recipes
Ingredients:
I use ingredients you can easily find in most UK or European supermarkets. When a Portuguese ingredient is harder to source, I suggest a good alternative.
I never list water as an ingredient — if you need it, I’ll mention the amount directly in the method.
Equipment and Utensils:
I assume you already have the basics: a chopping knife and a large spoon for stirring mixtures or batters. Because these are everyday tools , I don’t include them in the equipment list.