33. Taste of Madeira: Recipes to Bring the Island Home

Bolo do Caco (8 Pieces)

Ingredients

• 1 kg plain flour

• 750 g sweet potatoes

• 1 tsp salt

• 25 g fresh yeast (or dry yeast equivalent)

• 500 ml warm water (use the water from boiling the sweet potatoes)

Directions

1. Prepare the Sweet Potatoes: Boil until soft, cool, and mash.

2. Mix the Dough: Combine mash, flour, salt, and yeast. Gradually add water and knead until smooth. Let rise for 1 hour.

3. Shape the Dough: Divide into 8 discs (2 cm thick), cover, and let rise for 30 mins.

4. Cook: Grill on a dry pan for 15 mins per side until golden.

5. Serve: Halve and slather with garlic butter. Serve warm.

Poncha Regional (4 Glasses)

Ingredients

• 3 oranges

• 3 lemons

• 1½ tbsp sugar

• 2 glasses Aguardente de Cana

• 2–3 tbsp honey

Directions

1. Peel 1 lemon and ½ orange; place rinds in pitcher.

2. Add sugar and crush into pulp.

3. Juice the fruits and combine with rum.

4. Add honey and mix using a caralhinho.

5. Strain, then stir until foamy.

   
   Pro Tip: Stick to the caralhinho, not a blender. It’s tradition!

Nikita (2 Glasses )

Ingredients

• 500 ml pineapple juice

• 6 scoops vanilla ice cream

• Fresh pineapple slices

• 150–250 ml beer (to taste)

Directions

1. Add ice cream to blender.

2. Pour in juice and beer.

3. Blend until creamy.

4. Serve chilled with pineapple garnish.

Now you’ve got the island’s flavour in your kitchen.