Dish Histories
Every iconic dish has a story. Dish Histories explores the origins, cultural traditions, and evolving recipes behind some of the world’s most beloved foods.
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Pastel de Nata: Portugal’s Famous Custard Tart
Some foods become so closely tied to a place that they feel inseparable from the destination itself. In Lisbon, that sweet icon is the pastel de nata — a small custard tart with a flaky pastry shell and caramelized top that has become one of Portugal’s most beloved desserts. You’ll find pastéis de nata everywhere…
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The Bifana: Portugal’s Classic Pork Sandwich
A bifana (pronounced bee-FAH-nah) is Lisbon’s everyday pork sandwich: thin slices of pork simmered in garlic and white wine, piled into a crusty roll. Behind the counter at O Trevo a cook worked a massive pan of pork, deep enough to keep the meat simmering in its own juices all day, piling slices onto rolls…
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The Francesinha in Porto: What It Is and Where We Ate It
A francesinha (pronounced frahn-seh-ZHEEN-yah, and meaning “little French girl”) is the opposite of a light snack. It is Porto’s over-the-top take on the French croque monsieur: thick bread layered with wet-cured ham, linguiça sausage, steak or roast meat and a blanket of melted cheese, all swimming in a hot, thick sauce made from beer and…
