Cooking & Markets

1. Pode ensinar-me a fazer bacalhau à brás?

   Can you teach me how to make bacalhau à Brás?

   Usage

   Used to ask someone to teach you how to make Portugal's classic salted cod dish

   Grammar Note

   "Bacalhau à Brás" originated in Lisbon. It's said Portugal has over 365 ways to cook bacalhau — one for each day of the year.

2. Que especiarias são usadas neste prato?

   What spices are used in this dish?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the spices or seasonings used in a particular dish

   Grammar Note

   "São usadas" is passive voice (ser + past participle). Common Portuguese spices: saffron, paprika, coriander, garlic, bay leaf.

3. Como se faz o caldo verde?

   How do you make caldo verde?

   Usage

   Used to ask about the recipe for caldo verde, Portugal's iconic kale soup

   Grammar Note

   "Como se faz" is an impersonal construction meaning "how is it made / how do you make it". Standard recipe inquiry.

4. Onde posso comprar ingredientes frescos?

   Where can I buy fresh ingredients?

   Usage

   Used to find fresh produce at a local market or grocery store

   Grammar Note

   Mercado da Ribeira in Lisbon and Mercado do Bolhão in Porto are famous for fresh local produce.

5. Prefiro cozinhar sem glúten

   I prefer to cook without gluten

   Usage

   Used to specify a dietary restriction when discussing cooking

   Grammar Note

   "Sem" means "without". The same pattern: "sem lactose" (lactose-free), "sem carne" (no meat), "sem açúcar" (sugar-free).

6. Como se chama este tempero?

   What is this seasoning called?

   Usage

   Used to ask the name of an unfamiliar seasoning or herb

   Grammar Note

   "Como se chama?" is the standard way to ask a name (for people or things). "Tempero" covers seasonings, spices, and condiments.

7. Qual é a receita do pastel de nata?

   What is the recipe for pastel de nata?

   Usage

   Used to ask for the recipe of Portugal's famous egg custard tart

   Grammar Note

   Pastel de nata originated at Jerónimos Monastery in Belém, Lisbon. Plural of "pastel" is "pastéis".

8. Pode me mostrar como cortar o peixe?

   Can you show me how to cut the fish?

   Usage

   Used at a cooking class or when learning to prepare fish

   Grammar Note

   "Pode me mostrar como...?" is a polite way to ask someone to demonstrate a technique.

9. Adoro cozinhar pratos brasileiros

   I love cooking Brazilian dishes

   Usage

   Used to express a passion for cooking Brazilian cuisine

   Grammar Note

   Famous Brazilian dishes: feijoada (black bean stew), picanha (beef cut), pão de queijo (cheese bread), moqueca (fish stew).

10. O azeite português é fantástico para cozinhar

    Portuguese olive oil is fantastic for cooking

    Usage

    Used to compliment the quality of Portuguese olive oil in cooking

    Grammar Note

    Portugal is one of the world's top olive oil producers. "Azeite" specifically means olive oil; "óleo" refers to oils in general.

11. o sal

    Salt

    Usage

    Ask for salt, or point at it with "sem sal" to ask for none

12. o açúcar

    Sugar

    Usage

    Ask for sugar, or use "sem açúcar" to ask for none

13. a pimenta-do-reino

    Black pepper

    Usage

    Black pepper; plain "pimenta" means chilli in Brazil, so "do reino" pins it down. Portugal says "pimenta preta"

14. o óleo

    Cooking oil

    Usage

    Any cooking oil; olive oil has its own word, "o azeite", so keep the two apart

15. o vinagre

    Vinegar

    Usage

    Ask for vinegar or check a dressing; the same word in Portugal and Brazil

16. a manteiga

    Butter

    Usage

    Ask for butter or check for dairy; margarine is "a margarina"

17. o queijo

    Cheese

    Usage

    Ask for cheese or check a dish for dairy

18. o mel

    Honey

    Usage

    Ask for honey, or check for it if you are vegan

19. o tofu

    Tofu

    Usage

    Look for a vegetarian protein; understood in city supermarkets and health-food shops

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