My Grandmother's Alcatra de Carne
“Alcatra” is a traditional dish from Terceira, the island I live on. It is a pot roast that is cooked in large unglazed red clay pots. The pots are seasoned, and with each use get darker, and darker. The simple spices, combined with onions, bacon and wine are what make this dish flavorfull and so good. "Alcatra" is the Arabic word for "piece", and it is made with pieces of beef (round, shank, chuck). The additon of meat with bone in, makes all the difference, as the bones will give it more flavor. Every village, and everybodies grandmother has a different recipe for Alcatra, this one happens to be my grandmother's version. Shortly after I married, I took all of my ingredients, a notebook and pen over to my maternal grandmother's house. Where, while she put everything together, I wrote down her words of wisdom. Now I must say, she may or may not have forgotten something, but I follow this recipe as is, I don't mess arond with it, it's her recipe,
Bom domingo! Parece-me que tb vou fazer panquecas. Fiquei com inveja! :) bjs
ReplyDeleteThis is something that having lived in the States or in Canada is really appreciated. At home, Sunday was always pancake day. Waking up, smelling the freshly baked pancakes, eating them with bacon or ham, cheese and honey, really takes me back to good times. And my mom's smile while watching her kids.... These are memories that will never fade away! Thank you for reminding me of those days! Unfortunately, my husband hates pancakes!
ReplyDeleteYou lived in the states ?? When did you come live on the island ?? I love pancakes, for breakfast or dinner, here at our home, my monkees and my husband love pancakes !! jinho
ReplyDeleteI was born in the States, but I was very young (11 years old), when my parents came back, but I remember everything very well! Before that, my mother had already lived in the States with her parents, so English is spoken a lot at home, and the American customs have never disappeared either! Besides that, and because I loved the laguage and American culture so much, I became an English teacher. So, as you see, English has always been in my life!
ReplyDeleteBjinhos Rosa
Que bonito Rosa :)Nunca pensaste alguma vez em viver de novo na America ?? I love it here so much, I usually forget I ever lived anywhere else,I miss my family,but other than that never really think about Canada. this is a good conversation for coffee perhaps one day :) jinho
ReplyDelete