Boards Around the World Portuguese Petiscos Board
Around the World
Portuguese Petiscos Board
Lisbon tavern snacks on one board: a soft Serra da Estrela to spoon, smoky chouriço, salty lupini beans and a chilled bottle of Vinho Verde.
- Serves
- 8–10
- Board
- 16–18 inch
- Prep
- 20–25 min
- Cost
- $45–$65
- Level
- Beginner
Open this board in the Board Builder Get amounts for your own guest count, free.
What's on the board
Cheese
- Serra da Estrela
- Aged Queijo São Jorge
- Queijo de Évora
Meat
- Chouriço (Portuguese smoked sausage)
- Paio (smoked pork loin sausage)
- Presunto (Portuguese ham)
Condiments
Bread & crackers
- Broa (Portuguese corn bread)
- Torradas (thin dry toast)
- Butter crackers
Extras
- Cured black olives
- Lupini beans (tremoços)
- Pickled cauliflower
- Fresh thyme
Amounts and prices for each item are in the book, or open the board in the Board Builder for amounts sized to your guest count.
Why it works
Serra da Estrela is the centerpiece: a sheep's milk cheese set with thistle, so soft when ripe that you cut off the top and scoop it. Honey and crisp torradas sit right next to it. Firm, peppery São Jorge and salty Queijo de Évora get the sweet partners Portugal serves with cheese, quince paste and tomato jam.
Smoky, garlicky chouriço, paio and presunto bring salt and fat, and broa, a dense cornbread, stands up to them. Salty lupini beans, olives and pickled cauliflower keep guests nibbling between bites, and a drizzle of piri-piri oil adds heat for anyone who wants it.
Timeline
- 20 min beforeTake out the Serra da Estrela so it softens.
- 15 min beforeSlice the chouriço and paio and fan the presunto.
- 10 min beforeFill ramekins and arrange the bread and crackers.
- 5 min beforeAdd olives, lupini beans and pickles.
- Serving timeCut the top off the Serra and drizzle on the piri-piri oil.
The seven-step placement plan (what goes where, and why) is in the book.
New book
Build it exactly, with the new book
This board's exact shopping list with amounts and prices, the prep countdown, all seven placement steps, five swaps and five upgrades are in Charcuterie Lab: Around the World in 16 Boards, with 15 more international boards.
Questions
Where can I buy Portuguese cheese and chouriço?
Portuguese and Brazilian markets are the best bet, especially in New England, New Jersey and California. Some cheese shops carry Serra da Estrela and São Jorge, and both ship from online cheese retailers.
How do you serve Serra da Estrela?
Let it sit out so the center softens, then slice off the top rind like a lid and scoop the cheese with a spoon or bread.
What are lupini beans and where do I find them?
They are large, salty brined beans eaten as a bar snack; squeeze the skin and pop the bean out. Look for jars in the Italian or Mediterranean aisle.
What should I drink with petiscos?
Chilled Vinho Verde is the classic, light and slightly spritzy. A Douro red or a cold lager also works with the smoky meats.
More boards
Free printable
Get the Charcuterie Cheat Sheet
How much to buy for any guest count, the build order, fridge timing and pairing rules on two printable pages. Plus the Lab Report: one pairing that works and why, and new printables the day they land.