Portugal! Reading a Portuguese Restaurant Menu with the Help of AI

AI Generated Image - Prego com Compota de Cebola e Queijo da Serra - (beef steak sandwich featuring caramelized onion compote and a creamy and flavorful sheep's milk cheese from the Serra da Estrela region.

Navigating a Portuguese restaurant menu can feel like embarking on a culinary adventure, where every dish tells a story of tradition and flavor. From the crispy delights of "bolinhas de bacalhau" to the hearty "bochechas de porco confitadas," understanding what’s on the menu unlocks a deeper appreciation of Portugal’s rich gastronomic heritage. We’re leveraging AI to help us do just this and getting very hungry in the process! This guide will both demonstrate our use of AI for learning and help you decode common menu items and make confident choices for an unforgettable dining experience. So, join us as we navigate the menu of a popular place in Sintra, Portugal: Tascantiga. We hope they have a table for us when we arrive!

Reading a Portuguese Restaurant Menu with the Help of AI

Here's our conversation with Microsoft CoPilot on April 28, 2025.

Prompt: What are asinhas de frango?

CoPilot: "Asinhas de frango" are chicken wings, a popular dish in Portuguese cuisine and beyond. They are typically prepared in various ways, such as fried, baked, or grilled, and seasoned with flavorful marinades or spices. Common ingredients for seasoning include garlic, paprika, lemon juice, and herbs, often creating a balance of savory, spicy, and tangy flavors.

In Portugal, asinhas de frango are often served as a snack or appetizer, paired with sauces or enjoyed on their own. They can be crispy, spicy, or even sweet, depending on the recipe.🍗✨

Prompt: What are bolinhas de bacalhau?

CoPilot: "Bolinhas de bacalhau" are small, round codfish croquettes, a beloved dish in Portuguese cuisine. They are made by combining salted codfish (bacalhau) with mashed potatoes, onions, eggs, and parsley. The mixture is shaped into balls or torpedo-like forms, then deep-fried until golden and crispy on the outside, while remaining soft and flavorful on the inside.

These croquettes are often served as appetizers or snacks, but they can also be part of a main course when paired with rice, salad, or olives. They're a staple at celebrations and gatherings in Portugal and are especially popular during Christmas.🍴✨

Prompt: What is queijo de azeitão com figos e presunto?

Copilot: "Queijo de Azeitão com figos e presunto" is a delightful Portuguese dish that combines Queijo de Azeitão, a creamy sheep's milk cheese from the Azeitão region, with figs and presunto (dry-cured ham). This pairing creates a perfect balance of flavors: the rich, tangy cheese complements the sweetness of the figs and the savory saltiness of the presunto.

It's often served as part of a charcuterie board or as an appetizer, accompanied by bread, crackers, or even a glass of Portuguese wine. The dish highlights the simplicity and elegance of Portuguese cuisine, showcasing high-quality, locally sourced ingredients.🍷✨

Prompt: If you haven't guessed yet, I'm looking at a menu online and wanting to know what things are. It looks like they have a few options for potatos, like french fries. Please tell me the difference between batatas gomo, batatas palito, and batatas a murro.

CoPilot: Ah, I see you're exploring some delicious potato options! Here's the breakdown of these styles:

Batatas Gomo: These are potato wedges, typically cut into thick, wedge-like shapes. They're often seasoned with spices like paprika, garlic powder, or herbs and baked or fried until crispy on the outside and soft inside.

Batatas Palito: These are French fries, cut into thin, stick-like shapes (hence "palito," meaning "stick"). They're usually deep-fried until golden and crispy, making them a classic side dish.

Batatas a Murro: These are smashed potatoes, a traditional Portuguese preparation. Whole potatoes are roasted or baked, then gently "smashed" to break them open. They're drizzled with olive oil, sprinkled with garlic and salt, and roasted again for a creamy interior and slightly crispy exterior.

Each style has its charm—whether you're craving something crispy, hearty, or uniquely Portuguese. Let me know if you'd like more details or pairing suggestions! 🥔✨

Prompt: I think this is an octopus dish (thinking back to a previous conversation we had): laminas de polvo à lagareiro. Please tell me about this dish.

CoPilot: You’re absolutely right! Lâminas de polvo à lagareiro is a Portuguese dish featuring octopus prepared in the traditional à lagareiro style. The term "à lagareiro" refers to a cooking method that involves generous use of olive oil, garlic, and sometimes herbs, originating from the olive oil mills (lagares) of Portugal.

In this dish, the octopus is typically boiled until tender, then sliced into thin pieces (lâminas means "slices"). It’s drizzled with olive oil, seasoned with garlic, and often roasted or grilled to enhance its flavor. It’s commonly served with batatas a murro (smashed potatoes).

This preparation highlights the simplicity and richness of Portuguese cuisine, emphasizing fresh ingredients and bold flavors. Let me know if you'd like tips for recreating this dish or pairing suggestions! 🐙✨

Prompt: What are these other menu items? I think the first one is sauteed shrimp of some sort, the second one is probably a fried cod dish, and the third one looks like it might be pork confit with a typical rice. Camarões salteados com arroz de alho e coentros, bacalhau frito com arroz de tomate e pimentos, and bochechas de porco confitadas com cogumelos.

CoPilot: You're spot on with your guesses! Here's a breakdown of these dishes:

Camarões Salteados com Arroz de Alho e Coentros - this is sautéed shrimp served with a flavorful rice made with garlic and cilantro (coentros). The shrimp is typically cooked in olive oil with garlic and sometimes a touch of chili for heat, creating a light yet aromatic dish.

Bacalhau Frito com Arroz de Tomate e Pimentos - this is fried codfish paired with a tomato rice dish that includes bell peppers (pimentos). The cod is usually lightly battered or pan-fried, while the rice is rich and slightly tangy, cooked with tomatoes and peppers for a hearty, comforting flavor.

Bochechas de Porco Confitadas com Cogumelos - this translates to pork cheeks confit with mushrooms. Pork cheeks are slow-cooked in fat until tender and flavorful, then paired with sautéed mushrooms. The dish is often served with a side of rice or potatoes, making it a rich and satisfying option.

Each dish highlights the bold and comforting flavors of Portuguese cuisine. Let me know if you'd like more details or pairing suggestions! 🍤🐟🍖✨

Prompt: It looks like these pregos might be like panini. The first one might be made with tuna on a black roll and the second one liiks like it is maybe caramelized onions and some local cheese. Does this sound right? Prego de atum com sweet chilli em bolo de caco negro, and prego com compota de cebola e queijo da serra.

CoPilot: Yes, your interpretations are spot on! Here's a closer look at these pregos:

Prego de Atum com Sweet Chilli em Bolo de Caco Negro - this is a tuna steak sandwich served on bolo de caco negro, a dark variation of the traditional Madeiran flatbread. The tuna is likely grilled or seared and paired with a sweet chili sauce, adding a tangy and slightly spicy kick. The bolo de caco provides a soft yet rustic base, making it a unique twist on a classic sandwich.

Prego com Compota de Cebola e Queijo da Serra - this is a beef steak sandwich featuring caramelized onion compote and Queijo da Serra, a creamy and flavorful sheep's milk cheese from the Serra da Estrela region. The combination of sweet onions and rich cheese creates a decadent and savory flavor profile.

Both dishes highlight Portugal's love for bold flavors and high-quality ingredients. Let me know if you'd like more details or pairing suggestions! 🥪✨

Wrapping Up our Menu Chat Session

This was the extent of my chat session with Microsoft CoPilot on the morning of April 28, 2025. With the help of AI, decoding a Portuguese restaurant menu becomes more than just a practical skill—it's an exciting opportunity to deepen your cultural immersion and appreciation for Portugal’s culinary traditions. Whether it’s unraveling the flavors of "bochechas de porco" or confidently ordering "bacalhau frito," AI tools bring the charm of Portuguese gastronomy closer to every curious traveler. Dive in, explore, and let technology be your guide to a memorable dining experience.

Have you ever leveraged AI to learn? Drop us a comment and let us know about your experience.