Neven is back on the food trail

New RTÉ series sees Blacklion chef visit Portugal

Neven Maguire is back with a new seven-part series of his popular Food Trails programmes, returning to Portugal following his highly enjoyable visit in 2022. This year his travels take him from Porto in the North of Portugal, to the Atlantic island of Madeira.

Episode one of Neven's Portuguese Food Trails will screen on RTÉ One on Wednesday January 17 at 8pm.

Locations that Neven visits include Porto, Coimbra, Óbidos, Lisbon, Sintra, Cascais and Madeira. Throughout the series, Neven meets some of Portugal’s most renowned chefs and unique artisan food and drink producers.

His visits include a trip to a tropical fruit farm accessed by cable car, cooking with a chef who uses 25 year-old oysters, a tasting at a steam powered rum distillery; and exploring a banana plantation with its own banana museum.

Neven also heads to Quinta das Lágrimas, the setting for Portugal’s own real life Romeo and Juliet story. He takes a tour of Bordallo Pinheiro, perhaps Portugal’s most famous decorative ceramics producer, discovers the spectacular Palácio Nacional da Pena, and also enjoys some traditional ‘Fado’ music.

Each week Neven shares one of his own recipes, inspired by his Portuguese Food Trails.

He says: “I was delighted to return to Portugal which is an extraordinary country to explore as a chef, and also as a tourist. From Porto to Coimbra, Sintra, Lisbon and Madeira, I discovered the distinct artisan food and drink of each region, and learned recipes from some of the country’s most talented chefs.

“Not only did we discover even more uniquely Portuguese produce, we met some incredible people who were exceptionally kind and welcoming wherever we travelled.

“In this new series we also ventured from mainland Portugal to the island of Madeira, a totally new experience for me, with a subtropical climate and cuisine.

“Throughout the series, I’ve tasted delicious food and drink, learned new cooking techniques and tips, and visited spectacular tourist attractions. Travelling through Portugal has been an enriching experience, and I’m looking forward to sharing it”.

Porto

In the first of seven episodes, Neven visits the historic city of Porto in Northern Portugal.

He climbs the Clérigos Tower, the city’s most famous landmark. Built in 1763, the Clérigos Tower is 75 metres tall and involves a steep ascent of 200 steps. At the top, guide Mário Almeida is on hand to give Neven an overview of this National Monument.

Another of Porto’s landmarks is the Majestic Café which is over 100 years old and renowned for its signature dish, a unique recipe for French Toast, paired with Port which chef Manuela Pinto shares with Neven.

On his previous visit to Porto, Neven explored Graham’s Wine Lodge, one of the city’s most acclaimed Port producers. This time he focuses on food at the company’s contemporary restaurant ‘Vinum’, which specialises in local and Basque Country cuisine.

Here Neven enjoys Grilled Game Sausages with Peppers, and a traditional Kale, Potato and Chorizo Soup; a dish popular throughout Portugal.

In Portugal, visitors can stay in converted palaces, castles and monasteries known as ‘Pousadas’. There are thirty six pousadas in the country, and Neven visits Porto’s Palácio do Freixo, an ornate 18th century palace which is now a hotel. He meets chef Tony Salgado and learns a recipe for a Porto version of ‘Cataplana’, a Portuguese fish stew. Tony also serves a Strawberry Gazpacho with Tomato and Basil Sorbet, and a Port Wine Pudding served with Citrus, and interestingly, Finely Chopped Pork Rinds.

In the oceanside suburb of Foz Do Douro, Neven calls in at ‘Tavi’ one of Porto’s best bakeries where he learns how to make a typical Portuguese Christmas Cake, although it is eaten and sold all year round.

Neven’s own recipe this week is Beef Kebabs with Avocado and Red Pepper Salsa.