I think that because I have lived most of my life in a tropical, hot country, Brazília, it has always been a bit of a struggle for me to adjust to low temperatures.

51 degrees F has been the average temperature here in South Central Texas lately. Perhaps to you that may not seem very cold, but to me it does…

Dobre, in addition to putting on some winter clothes, I love to drink warm beverages and eat a good soup.

Oh, by the way, I happen to be preparing a delicious one today. This soup blends ingredients from both Portuguese (e.g. potatoes, choriço, and red wine) and Brazilian cuisines (coconut milk). It is hearty, creamy, and warm with a hint of the tropics (coconut milk). It also has a good contrast of flavors (the mildness of the potato cream with the smokiness and spiciness of the sausage). Sorry! But when it comes to soups, there is no cuisine like those two that can make fond memories flow and put a smile on my face.

Prečo?

Maybe because through them, I am reminded of the warm embrace of my family and the tasty table of my childhood…

Anyway, before I take this conversation far afield with stories about me and my family around the table loooong ago, I will leave off here, wishing that you enjoy the flavors of my new creation, and make lots of good memories with your own family around the table where this bisque will be served!!

Hugs from me to you!! (And stay warm)

Potato Bisque with Chouriço in Red Wine

Slúži 4 – 6

(Segment: Z môjho stola, aby Yours)

Zloženie:

1/4 cup viac 1 lyžice olivového oleja (Not extra-virgin)

2 cups leeks (white parts only), nasekaný

1 malá biela cibuľa, peeled and sliced

4 strúčiky cesnaku

1-1/2 cups Russet, Yukon, or any other starchy potatoes, peeled and chunked

5 cups chicken stock

1 cup coconut milk

Salt ochutnať

1 teaspoon white pepper

4 oz (asi 115 g) smoked Portuguese Chouriço Sausage or other spicy and smoked sausage, sliced

2 tablespoons red wine

Chopped parsley

Inštrukcie:

In a medium saucepan, over medium heat, heat 1/4 cup olive oil and cook the leeks, cibuľa, and garlic until tender, asi 5-7 minút. Potom, add the potato and let cook for an additional 3 minút, stirring constantly (Do not allow the vegetables to brown and consequently alter the pale color of the bisque. The goal here is to cook them just enough to bring out their flavor and render them tender enough to liquefy in the blender).

Add the chicken stock to the pan, increase the heat to medium-high, and let come to a boil. As soon as it starts boiling, cover and reduce heat to medium-low. Let cook for about 10 minút, add the coconut milk, cover again, and cook for additional 5 minutes or until the potatoes are fully cooked.

Remove from heat and let cool down a bit. Blend well in a blender until creamy (if necessary, blend in 2 alebo 3 batches to avoid overflows/spills). Stir in the salt and pepper. Reserve.

In a heavy-bottom skillet, over medium-high heat, heat well 1 lyžice olivového oleja. Add the sausage slices and sauté for about 1 minute each side. Reduce heat to medium, add the wine, a nechajte variť asi 2 minutes or until the wine has been evaporated.

Serve the bisque with a few slices of the sausage on the top, sprinkled with chopped parsley. It can be accompained by toast and a good red wine. Tešiť sa!

______________________________________________________________________

Príjmy v portugalčine:

Creme de Batata com Chouriço ao Vinho Tinto

Slúžiť 4 a 6 ľudia

Zloženie:

1/4 šálka (čaj) mais 1 Lyžica (polievka) olivový olej (Não extra-virgem)

2 xícaras de (čaj) de alho-porró fatiado (somente as partes brancas)

1 malá biela cibuľa, descascada e cortada em pedaços

4 dentes de alho picados

1 e 1/2 xícaras de (čaj) de batata descascada e cortada em pedaços

5 xícaras de (čaj) de caldo de galinha líquido

1 šálka (čaj) de leite de coco

Sal ugust

1 Lyžica (čaj) de pimenta moída branca

115 g de chouriço em rodelas

2 lyžica (polievka) červené víno

Salsinha picada

Ako sa pripraviť:

Numa panela média, esquente 1/4 xícara de azeite de oliva sobre fogo médio e refogue o alho-porró, a cebola e o alho por 5 a 7 zápis, mexendo de vez em quando até que fiquem macios. Depois, acrescente a batata. Refogue por uns 3 zápis, sempre mexendo (Não deixe que as verduras fiquem douradas. O objetivo aqui é de tornar as verduras cozidas e macias para que sejam passadas no liquidificador e não de dourá-las pois a cor dourada dos mesmos alteraria a cor da sopa/creme).

Depois de refogá-las, acrescente o caldo de galinha líquido. Deixe levantar fervura sobre fogo médio-alto. Uma vez que levante fervura, tampe a panela e reduza o fogo para médio-baixo. Deixe cozinhar por uns 10 zápis, acrescente o leite de coco, tampe a panela novamente e cozinhe por mais 5 minutos ou até que a batata esteja completamente cozida.

Remova do fogo e deixe esfriar um pouco. Passe tudo no liquidificador muito bem até obter um creme (se necessário, passe essa quantidade de caldo/sopa de 2 ou 3 vezes para que o liquidificador não vaze com tanta sopa/caldo). Em seguida, acrecente o sal e a pimenta e mexa.

Em uma frigideira, sobre fogo médio-alto, esquente muito bem 1 colher de sopa de azeite. Acrescente as rodelas de chouriço e doure por 1 minuto de cada lado. Reduza o fogo para médio, adicione o vinho e deixe cozinhar por aproximadamente 2 minutos ou até que o vinho tenha evaporado por completo.

Sirva a sopa/creme de batata morna com algumas rodelas de chouriço por cima e um pouco da salsinha picada. Pode ser acompanhada por torradas e um bom vinho tinto. Dobrú chuť!

___________________________________________________________________________