Authentic Portuguese Cacoila Recipes

PORTUGUESE BEEF - CACOILA

Steps:

• Rinse beef, and place in large bowl. Pour in orange juice, wine, oil and pepper sauce. Season with bay leaves, garlic, paprika, allspice, salt and pepper. Mix, to coat beef. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.
• Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat. Cook beef and marinade until beef shreds easily, about 1 hour. Add water as needed.

PORTUGUESE MARINATED PORK (TORRESMOS DE VINHA D'ALHOS)

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, add the garlic, pimento paste, lime juice, white wine, salt and hot sauce.
• Mix the wine mixture well to dissolve the salt.
• Cut the pork into large cubes.
• Place the pork pieces in a large freezer bag (with seal) and pour the garlic and wine mixture over the meat.
• Remove most of the air from the bag and seal.
• With the bag sealed, move the meat and marinade around until all the meat is well coated.
• Place the bag in the fridge overnight.
• Place a large deep frying pan on the stove and heat to medium high.
• Pour the meat and marinade into the hot pan.
• Distribute the meat evenly in the pan.
• The marinade will reach a slow simmer. Let the meat (turn pieces occasionally) cook uncovered until the garlic and wine mixture has reduced substantially. This will take about 30 minutes.
• Once there's only a little bit of marinade at the bottom, add the oil.
• Fry the pieces of meat in the oil and remaining marinade until the edges look seared but not burnt.
• Transfer the pieces of pork to a serving dish.
• Scrape the browned bits of meat and flavoured oil and add over the pork.

CAçOILA | PORTUGUESE STEWED BEEF

Steps:

• The day before cooking, in a large bowl, coat the beef with the crushed red pepper, cover, and refrigerate overnight.
• About 4 hours before you intend to sit down at the table, scatter the onion slices, parsley, garlic, and bay leaves in the bottom of a Dutch oven. Tuck the allspice and cloves in a piece of cheesecloth tied together with kitchen twine or in a tea ball and toss them in the Dutch oven. If desired, season the beef with salt. Place the beef on top and dot with the butter or lard.
• In a measuring glass or bowl, stir together the wine, tomato paste, and cinnamon and pour it over the beef.
• Bring the mixture to a boil, reduce the heat to a very gentle simmer, cover, and cook until the meat is very tender, 3 to 3 1/2 hours, turning the pieces occasionally. For a more stew-like version, keep the lid on for the duration of cooking. For a more concentrated, glaze-like sauce version, about halfway through cooking, remove the lid to let some of the liquid evaporate so the sauce can concentrate in consistency and flavor.
• Remove the bay leaves and the cheesecloth pouch or teaball. If desired, serve the caçoila with boiled white potatoes, roasted red peppers, and cooked greens. Originally published May 10, 2001.

SLOW-COOKED SPICY PORTUGUESE CACOILA

Steps:

• Place pork in a large bowl; add wine, garlic and seasonings. Turn to coat; cover and refrigerate overnight., Transfer pork mixture to a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker; add onion and water. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until meat is tender. , Skim fat. Remove bay leaves. Shred meat with 2 forks. If desired, serve with a slotted spoon on bolillos.

PORTUGUESE CAçOILA (ALCATRA)

Steps:

• In a large heavy Dutch oven, saute the bacon in the olive oil until drippings are rendered and bacon is browned a bit and crisp; transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
• In the bacon drippings, brown the beef roast well on all sides over moderately high heat.
• Transfer to the plate with bacon, then add butter, onions, paprika, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, wine vinegar, and allspice to the Dutch oven.
• Saute about 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
• Blend in tomato paste, lower the heat, cover and steam for 20 minutes.
• Remove and set aside half of the tomato-onion mixture; place the beef roast back into the Dutch oven with the bacon, then spoon remaining tomato-onion mixture on top.
• Carefully pour the wine and salt around the beef roast and bring to a simmer. Ensure the meat is cover with the wine.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cove and bake in the 375 degree oven for 2 hours; remove and turn beef over in the liquid.
• Lower oven temperature to 325 degrees F then bake uncovered about 1 hour longer or until meat is falling-apart tender (and it will be!).

PORTUGUESE CACOILA

Steps:

• Wash pork, cube and place in large pot.
• Slice onions and place in pan.
• Add all other ingredients.
• Cook at low heat for 1-1/2 hours; if mixture becomes dry, add 1 cup water and stir; DO NOT ALLOW TO DRY OUT! Continue to add small amounts of water as needed; Stir often to prevent sticking.
• Pork should be tender and break apart easily.