Despite living in the middle of “Little Portugal”, there is so much terrific Portuguese home cooking that I rarely see on local menus, which lean more towards Churrasqueira staples like roast chicken, grilled fish and suckling pig. Tonight’s dish — inspired by Paula Costa‘s enthusiastic evangelism of Portuguese cuisine — emphasizes Portugal’s connection to the Mediterranean, as well as the North African Moorish & Sephardic Jewish influences that it shares with Spain.

Ervilhas Guisadas com Linguica e Ovos (Stewed Peas with Linguica Sausage and Eggs) is the Portuguese interpretation of Shakshouka — eggs poached in a flavourful tomato-based sauce — that is found across the Mediterranean from Morocco to Syria. It is given a characteristic Portuguese flavour through the addition of linguiça or chouriço sausage (optional), and a generous helping of green peas. It’s served with another Portuguese specialty, Milho Frito – delicious fried polenta cubes laced with garlic and finely shredded kale or collard greens – usually served with the giant meat skewers known as Espetada in the Madeira region.
$12 +HST
#GF #vegan option

7pm: TABLE TALK: Paula Costa
Avid cook, food blogger Paula Costa talks about the benefits of the Mediterranean diet and Yottam Ottolenghi’s influence.

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Len Senater is the founder and proprietor of The Depanneur, who happily cooks for his friends and neighbours every Tuesday night.