S5E3 Maria's Portugal: A Taste of Alentejo and Lisbon
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Curious about the real Lisbon and Alentejo outside of tourist guides and google? Get a local’s take with Maria João Carros on our latest episode.
Maria shares her experiences and insights into Portuguese culture and cuisine. Maria explains her approach to enjoying food and wine in Portugal, highlighting the importance of socialization and savouring meals. She recounts her life growing up in Portugal, her education in the UK, her move to Canada following political turmoil in Portugal, and her continued connection to her native country.
Maria’s conversation with Paula includes a lesson in how to drink white port and focuses on traditional Portuguese dishes, particularly from Lisbon and the Alentejo region, including Bacalhau and Pasteis de Nata. Maria discusses the importance of maintaining culinary traditions amid the rise of tourism. She also offers a recipe for an orange roulade.
01:29 The Portuguese Dining Experience
05:26 Political Changes and Emigration
11:55 Daily Life in Portugal
21:17 Exploring the Alentejo Region
31:30 The Famous Pastéis de Nata
36:02 The Battle for Authenticity in Lisbon's Cuisine
42:52 The Art of Cork Harvesting
46:25 Portuguese Festivals and Traditions
48:18 The Tradition of Bacalhau
57:23 The Beauty of Portuguese Tiles
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Helpful Links
Get my free planning tool: Paula’s Travel Planning Tool
Cookbook: Traditional Portuguese Cookbook by Maria de Lourdes Modesto (Wow, just checked and this is selling on amazon for close to $400, I am going to Portugal in March and will look for copies to bring back for anyone who is interested).
Cookbook: Cozinhar com vegetais by Maria de Lourdes Modesto (I will be trying to source this when I am in Portugal)
Get in touch with Maria on Instagram @artmjoaomd
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If you would like to join In My Kitchen abroad, Paula will be a study leader on the upcoming culinary tour in Portugal with the UBC Alumni Travel Club, Sept 28th - Oct 5th, 2025. Download the detailed itinerary and booking info here.
In My Kitchen is creating connections one dish at a time, by exploring culture through food. Our unique culinary workshops, podcast show and signature talk (My 4-Steps To Planning A One-Of-A Kind Trip Through Food) dive into diverse cultures while fostering personal growth, cultural understanding and meaningful connections.