O Verdadeiro Espirito do Natal...

...THE TRUE SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS -Um Brinde Muito Especial, 

Casa Rosada raises a toast to fine dining in The Algarve.

WOW! Forgive us for celebrating, but we´re definitely in a party mood. We are looking forward to enjoying our festive fare.We want our cracker of a Christmas to go off with a bang. The emphasis is on fresh, local seasonal ingredients. Straightforward preparation with maximum taste and flavour.
Christmas is the most important of all religious and secular celebrations in Portugal It is a big family occasion with Christmas Eve supper being the focal point. Bacalhau (salt cod )is the main dish of this feast, supported by octopus rice and pataniscas de bacalhau ( salted cod cakes ).Turkey and all the trimmings however is the standard for  Christmas day lunch, probably following on from soup. The Christmas Eve dinner at Casa Rosada has become a tradition, and will be a classic salmon and prawn fish pie. For Christmas Day lunch we will be having a fish starter of Thai style Gravadlax followed by Duck with potato stuffing and goose fat roasted potatoes, gingered parsnips, Osso Bucco of carrots and stir fried sprouts with Chourico and almonds.
We basked in beautiful clear blue skies today, so we were able to get out and shop,for the  fresh ingredients... and the odd last minute treat.One stop choc-o shop!!! The range of gorgeous fresh seasonal vegetables were mostly from Spain, but to be quite honest that is not too many food miles on our clock, Casa Rosada is only five minutes from the border, and what we clocked up on the veg we saved on our bird, a beautiful 2 kilo duck from a quinta in St. Estevao, just 26 kilometres from here. Down the aisles of the supermarket Apolonia the party season was in full swing,and with the wide range of global booze pouring off the shelves there wont be a dry throat in the house this Christmas.

Here is a sneak preview of some food highlights that will be on offer at Casa Rosada over the festive season

Christmas Eve:

Foie gras

Salmon and prawn fish pie

Christmas Day

Thai style gravadlax with ginger and coriander dressing

Roast Duck stuffed with potatoes, roast potatoes and Madeira gravy

Gingered parsnips

Stir fried Brussels sprouts with chourico and almonds
Osso bucco of carrots

Zucotto di panettone- panettone pudding

Boxing Day

Piquillo peppers stuffed with Brandade of salt cod
Charcuterie, pickles, chutneys

Cheeseboard with quince cheese

Curried parsnip soup

New years day

Portuguese Mary´s
Muxama Sushi

Tomato Chilli and lemongrass broth

Home cured ham

Scotch eggs

Casa Rosada´s Home made Melton Mowbray pork pie

Cheeseboard