**Pork Bifana: A Taste of Lisbon's Culinary Heritage**
Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant streets of Lisbon, where the tantalizing aroma of grilled pork bifana sandwiches fills the air. This iconic dish, deeply rooted in Portuguese tradition, is a symphony of flavors that captures the essence of Lisbon's rich gastronomic heritage. Join us as we explore the art of crafting authentic pork bifana, taking you through a step-by-step guide and introducing you to a collection of irresistible recipes that showcase the versatility of this beloved sandwich. From the traditional bifana with its succulent pork filling to creative variations featuring unique ingredients and cooking techniques, our comprehensive guide will equip you with the knowledge and inspiration to recreate this delectable dish in the comfort of your own kitchen. So, prepare your taste buds for a culinary adventure as we delve into the world of pork bifana, uncovering the secrets behind its irresistible charm.
LISBON-STYLE PORK BIFANA RECIPE
Bifanas are a matter of national pride. There are local variations of bifanas all over Portugal, but any Lisbonian will tell you theirs is the best. Thinly sliced pork is grilled and simmered in a rich, paprika-flavoured stock and served in a soft roll with sweet mustard and chilli. You'll need to marinate the pork overnight.
Provided by Adam Liaw
Categories Lunch
Time 30m
Yield SERVES 4
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- 1. Mix together the garlic, salt, 1 tsp paprika, 1 tbsp piri-piri sauce, vinegar, 1 cup of wine and the bay leaf in a large press-seal bag or lidded plastic container. Add the pork, mix well and marinate overnight. 2. Heat two teaspoons of the oil in a heavy frypan over medium heat. Remove the pork from the marinade, drain and fry in batches for a minute or so each side until lightly browned, then set aside. Add a little oil to the pan when cooking each batch. When all the pork is cooked, deglaze the pan with the remaining cup of wine and add the remaining one teaspoon of paprika and one tablespoon of piri-piri sauce. 3. Bring to a boil and reduce to a coating consistency, then return all the pork to the pan for a further minute, stirring well to coat in the sauce. 4. In a separate frypan, fry the onions in the remaining two tablespoons of oil until softened and caramelised. 5. Serve the pork with the onions in soft white rolls with sweet mustard and extra piri-piri sauce. Also try: Adam Liaw's Francesinha (Portuguese croque-madame)
PORK BIFANA (LISBON STYLE)
Steps:
- Marinate over night Marinade: garlic 1tsp paprika, 1TBS hot sauce, vinegar, 1 C wine, & bay leaf Drain pork slices and lightly brown in 2 tsp oil & set aside Deglaze w/ rest of wine Add rest of paprika & rest of hot sauce Bring to boil and reduce to coating cosistency Return pork to pan and stir to coat well Separately carmelize onion Serve onions and pork as sandwich or plated w/ potatoes (?), pasta (?), or??
BIFANA (PORTUGUESE PORK CUTLETS)
Posted on behalf of a request. Here in Toronto (which has a large Portuguese community), every Portuguese food store likely sells bifana; except for the bakeries, I've seen it frequently. It's very tasty -- I've never made it, but I've bought it on occasion and eaten it at my Portuguese girlfriend's home many times as well. Bifana is regarded more as a snack than a meal. This recipe is from "Uma Casa Portuguesa" (Portuguese Home Cooking) by Carla Azevedo.
Provided by Lennie
Categories Pork
Time P1DT10m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Rinse the pork cutlets and then pat dry with paper towels.
- Place pork in a large heavy plastic bag (like a freezer ziploc bag) and place in a large bowl.
- In a mixing bowl, combine one cup of the wine, the vinegar, garlic, bay leaf, 1/2 tsp of the pimento paste, 1/4 tsp of the paprika, peppercorns, cloves and piri-piri sauce.
- Pour this over pork, make sure all meat is coated, and seal the bag.
- Refrigerate for several hours or overnight, turning bag over in bowl frequently.
- Bring meat to room temperature before cooking.
- To cook, remove pork from marinade and lightly pat pork dry with paper towels.
- Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and melt lard, then cook pork in batches in hot lard; if your pork is thin it will likely only take a minute per side, at the most.
- When all the pork has been sauteed, drain off the fat and add the remaining wine (1/4 cup), remaining pimento paste (1/4 tsp), remaining paprika (1/4 tsp) to the skillet, as well as salt and pepper to taste.
- Bring this to a boil, stirring the pan to get up any brown bits.
- Return all the pork to the skillet, reduce heat to low, and cook for about another minute.
Tips:
- Choose the right cut of pork: Pork shoulder (also known as pork butt) is the best cut for bifana. It's a flavorful and tender cut that can withstand slow cooking.
- Marinate the pork: Marinating the pork in a flavorful mixture of garlic, paprika, white wine, and olive oil will help to tenderize it and infuse it with flavor.
- Cook the pork slowly: Pork bifana is traditionally cooked slowly over low heat. This allows the pork to become fall-apart tender and the flavors to develop.
- Use a good quality bread: The bread for bifana should be crusty on the outside and soft and fluffy on the inside. A good Portuguese bread, such as a papo seco, is a perfect choice.
- Load it up with toppings: Bifana is traditionally served with a variety of toppings, such as sautéed onions, roasted peppers, and a spicy piri piri sauce. Feel free to add your own favorite toppings, such as cheese, lettuce, or tomato.
Conclusion:
Pork bifana is a delicious and easy-to-make Portuguese sandwich that is perfect for a quick lunch or dinner. With its tender pork, flavorful marinade, and crusty bread, bifana is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a new sandwich to try, give pork bifana a try. You won't be disappointed!
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