Description
Carne Porco à Alentejana, Portuguese Surf & Turf Carne de Porco à Alentejana is one of the most traditional and popular pork dishes of Portuguese cuisine. It is typical from the Alentejo region, in Portugal, hence the word Alentejana (from Alentejo) in its name. It is a combination of pork and clams, with potatoes and coriander.
YouTube video tutorial is availabe at END of this recipe's page.
- 2 ½ lbs. boneless pork loin, cut into 1 inch cubes
- 6 to 8 potatoes, peeled and cut into quarters
- 2 tbsp. Portuguese pimento sauce *
- 1 cup dry white wine
- 2 large bay leaves, crumbled
- 2 large garlic cloves, minced
- 2 tbsp virgin olive oil
- 1 large onion, chopped
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 15- 20 clams in the shell, scrubbed and purged of grit
- Salt and pepper to taste
* If you don’t have pimento sauce, you can substitute it with your own homemade version using 1 crushed garlic clove, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp. sweet paprika, 1 tbsp olive oil
1. Marinade the pork with the pimento sauce, wine, bay leaves, and garlic in a non-metallic bowl, overnight if possible.
2. Bake potatoes in one layer with a good drizzle of olive oil, and salt and pepper @ 425 C for about 30 minutes or until they look lightly brown and toasty. Alternatively, the potatoes can be deep fried; you’re choice.
3. In a large sauce pan, heat olive oil and add marinated pork and brown on all sides.
4. Remove pork from pan, and set aside. Add chopped onion and leftover marinade to the saucepan and sauté until onions are translucent. Add tomato paste.
5. Put the browned pork back in the saucepan and incorporate the onion/tomato mixture. Lower the heat and let the contents simmer.
6.Add the clams on top of the pork, distributing them as evenly as possible and cook about 20 minutes or until they open.
7. Arrange the baked (or fried) potatoes on a serving platter and pour the pork/clam mixture on top.
8. Garnish with sliced orange and lemon slices and freshly chopped cilantro.
The YouTube recipe video above shows the same recipe, but a slight variation in cooking method and ingredients, but will show you how easy a dish it is to prepare.
