Açorda - Portuguese Garlic Soup

Açorda is a typical rural meal from the Alentejo region of Portugal. Traditionally made with eggs, bread, olive oil, garlic, cilantro, water and salt, this frugal dish is considered energising, warm and nourishing. And it's good for the immune too. I have adjusted this lovely soup so it has a vegan twist. It is super easy to make and tastes absolutely scrumptious.

Açorda – Portuguese Garlic Soup

Ingredients

2 cloves garlic, unpeeled

12 sprigs cilantro

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

2 inch strip kombu rinsed

4-6 cups spring water

2 slices day-old sourdough, or other coarse-textured country bread

1-2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

½ block tofu cut into rectangles and sprinkled with shoyu

Sea salt and black pepper to taste

Preparation

Crush the garlic cloves with the flat of a chef’s knife (do not peel). 

Separate cilantro leaves from stems and set the leaves aside for garnish. 

Place the garlic, cilantro stems, kombu, and crushed red pepper into a pan. 

Add the water, and bring to a boil. 

Simmer, uncovered for about 10 minutes.

Remove the garlic, peppers and cilantro stems from the soup, and season with salt and pepper.

Finely chop the cilantro leaves.

Meanwhile, break the bread in half.

Heat the oil in a skillet over a low heat. 

Add the bread and lightly toast for about 2-3 minutes on each side.

Remove and place into the soup dishes.

Add a little more oil and then the tofu slices. Pan fry for 2-3 minutes on each side or until golden and crispy.

Remove and place with the bread in the soup dish.

Ladle the hot broth over the bread and tofu.

Sprinkle the cilantro over the top and serve immediately.

Broth Ingredients

Simmer the garlic, cilantro, kombu, red pepper and water for 10 minutes

Pan Frying Bread

Pan frying tofu

Place bread and tofu in the soup bowl and sprinkle with fresh cilantro

Enjoy 

Love Chef Mel xx

Joyful Dining - a celebration of life

Today, life appears to be rushing by. People are moving at a fast pace without even realising it. We need to slow down and find pleasure in the small things, to have fun and to enjoy the moment. The majority of people are also eating too quickly and often in their cars or at their desk. How fast we eat actually goes hand in hand with the speed of our life. One of the best ways to begin slowing down is at the dinner table.

The problem with fast eating is that the brain doesn’t have time to scan what nutrients are in the meal. This is similar to watching a high speed train go rushing by and trying to notice details about the people in the carriages and what they are wearing. The brain cannot gauge what was eaten and will signal hunger and the need for more food which can lead to overeating or binge eating. 

Fast eating creates sympathetic nervous system dominance which puts the body under stress. This can affect our metabolism, digestion and assimilation of nutrients. It makes it difficult to maintain weight. Cortisol and insulin levels go up. The body stores fat (especially around the belly) and muscle building slows. Our appetite becomes deregulated, the immune repressed and the decision making function of our brain decreases. Pleasure and enjoyment are not a consideration. When running from a tiger the last thing on our mind is sitting down with a cup of tea and a good book. We are in survival mode.

On the other hand, eating slowly is all about enjoyment, delight and relishing the meal. It’s about relaxing into taste, textures and aromas. Slow eating helps us to feel more satisfied and brings sensuality, presence and awareness to our dining experience. Mealtimes become joyful and a celebration of life.

Eating slowly also creates a healthy, happy relationship with food which is fundamental to our healthiest metabolism. It is an invitation to trust in body wisdom and experience embodiment. When we eat in a relaxed way then our digestion is stimulated, our metabolism activated, nutrients assimilated, calories burn, our appetite regulates and we feel more satisfied and nourished. 

Even if you are eating the healthiest possible food but eating quickly, it will create a stress response. Slow eating is not about chewing frantically or counting every mouthful. This can take you out of body and more into your head. It can also become boring. It is very important to chew well, but can be done in a relaxed and casual manner. 

For many of us, eating slowly can be a challenge and it takes practice. It can be difficult, painful, and seemingly impossible. In the past, we may have tried and failed to eat at a slower pace. There is an addictive quality eating fast. The sensation of becoming rapidly full can feel relaxing but it is short lived. So a little patience and persistence is required. If one day wasn’t successful, then begin again the next. Very soon you will notice the benefits.

To help you go slow, choose a lovely environment to enjoy your meals. It could be outdoors, surrounded by plants and flowers, or near a window with a gorgeous view. 

Listen to beautiful music to help you relax into your dining experience.

If you are at work, move away from your desk and take time for lunch. 

Remember to breathe slowly and sit down to all meals even snacks.

Savor every aspect; the choice of tableware, the decorations, the colors and shapes of the ingredients, the aromas, sauces, and of course the exquisite flavors on the tongue. 

And finally, remember to give a moment of thanks for the food and everything and everybody that made it possible for you to receive this wonderful nourishment.

Happy slow, joyful, relaxed eating.

Love Chef Mel xx