Frigideiras

Description: The Frigideiras, also called "Frigideiras de Braga" or "Frigideiras à moda de Braga" are puff pastries, in the shape of a cir-cle, filled with a mixture of ground veal and pork.

Special characteristics: Texture of the puff pastry and meat filling with an intense flavor.

Region: Municipality of Braga.

Ingredients used: Flour, butter, veal, pork, ham, onion, olive oil, lard, water, white or green white wine, salt and pepper.

Preparation: After the puff pastry is made, it is cut into slices. In the center of half of the slices, place a little filling, which is covered with the remaining slices. Superficial scratches are made on the upper wheel. They go in the oven or fry them in a frying pan, in a little lard or olive oil, turning the pastries on both sides. To prepare the filling, sauté chopped onion in olive oil and lard and add a mixture of veal and minced pork, which is seasoned and allowed to set.

Know-how: Execution of the puff pastry and composition of the filling.

Forms of marketing: Pastry shops and other establishments in the municipality.

Product availability throughout the year: All year round.

Product history: Commercially available since at least 1796, the Frying Pans are part of the gastronomic heritage of the city of Braga. This dish has been referenced by several leading Portuguese writers, such as Almeida Garrett in his work "Viagens na Minha Terra", Camilo Castelo Branco in "A Bruxa de Monte Córdova" and Júlio Dinis in "Serões da Provincia".

Representativeness in local food: Mandatory presence in Braga's gastronomy.

Source: DGADR, Based on the book “Cozinha do Minho”, Alfredo Saramago, 2000, Assírio & Alvim and in Taste Braga and in Câmara Municipal de Braga.

Photo: Taste Braga