Carne de Porco à Alentejana or Pork Alentejo Style
Pork Alentejo Style, known as “Carne de Porco à Alentejana” in Portuguese, is a dish that encapsulates the very spirit of Alentejo. It’s a rustic yet elegant dish, a synthesis of land and sea, history and innovation, that has been cherished by generations of Alentejans and has now captured the hearts of food enthusiasts around the world.
At its core, Pork Alentejo Style is a hearty dish that combines succulent pieces of marinated pork with briny clams, fragrant spices, and aromatic herbs. The magic lies in the marriage of these seemingly contrasting ingredients, resulting in a symphony of flavors that will transport you straight to the sun-drenched plains of Alentejo.
You can also check out our other Main Dishes Recipes.
Carne de Porco à Alentejana or Pork Alentejo Style
Carne de Porco à Alentejana is a simple but very tasty recipe that combines the juiciness of the pork with the intense flavor of the spices and crispy fries with clams and pickles.
Ingredients
- 2 lbs pork loin
- 2 lbs fresh clams
- 2 lbs potatoes for frying
- 8 oz pork lard
- 7 oz pickles chopped
- 1⅓ cups white vine
- 1 cup olive oil
- 1 pc bay leaf
- 1 bunch coriander chopped
- 4 cloves garlic choped
- 2 tbsp paprika paste
- 1 tbsp paprika
- white pepper and salt to taste
- vegetable oil for frying
Instructions
- Dice the meat and place in a bowl.
- Add the minced garlic, paprika, pepper, salt and paprika paste and mix well.
- Add the bay leaf and cover with the white wine.
- Leave to marinate overnight.
- Peel, wash and chop the potatoes.
- Drain the meat and keep the marinade.
- Heat the olive oil and lard in a large saucepan.
- Add the drained meat and cook, stirring from time to time, until the meat is browned.
- Pour off the fat from the meat, but leave some on the bottom.
- Drain the water from the clams, rinse again, add to the meat and mix a little.
- Add the meat marinade and cook until reduced by half.
- Fry the potatoes in hot vegetable oil, drain well and place on a platter.
- Season the meat and pour the sauce over the potatoes.
- Add the chopped cucumbers and sprinkle with chopped coriander.
- Serve immediately!
Notes
Wash the clams and put them in a bowl of salted water for an hour to remove the sand.
