Best 4 Azorean Cacoila Recipes

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Are you a foodie who enjoys exploring unique and flavorful dishes from different parts of the world? In this article, we will take you on a culinary journey to the beautiful Azores Islands, a group of nine islands located in the Atlantic Ocean. We will introduce you to a traditional Azorean dish called "cacoila", a mouthwatering pork dish that has captivated the hearts of locals and visitors alike. From selecting the finest ingredients to understanding the cooking techniques, we will guide you through the process of creating an authentic Azorean cacoila that will impress your family and friends. Get ready to tantalize your taste buds as we uncover the secrets of this beloved dish.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

PORTUGUESE BEEF - CACOILA



Portuguese Beef - Cacoila image

This is marinated beef, Portuguese style. As a variation to cooking, I place all ingredients in a slow cooker on high, stirring often, and cook for about 3 hours, until meat shreds itself.

Provided by John J. Pacheco

Categories     Portuguese Recipes

Time 14h

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 10

2 pounds beef stew meat, cut into 1 inch cubes
3 oranges, juiced
¼ cup white wine
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
2 bay leaves
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon ground allspice
salt and ground black pepper to taste

Steps:

  • Rinse beef, and place in large bowl. Pour in orange juice, wine, oil and pepper sauce. Season with bay leaves, garlic, paprika, allspice, salt and pepper. Mix, to coat beef. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.
  • Heat a heavy skillet over medium heat. Cook beef and marinade until beef shreds easily, about 1 hour. Add water as needed.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 437.3 calories, Carbohydrate 10.8 g, Cholesterol 101.3 mg, Fat 30 g, Fiber 2.2 g, Protein 28.5 g, SaturatedFat 11.9 g, Sodium 90.5 mg, Sugar 8 g

SLOW-COOKED SPICY PORTUGUESE CACOILA



Slow-Cooked Spicy Portuguese Cacoila image

You're probably used to pulled pork coated with barbecue sauce and made into sandwiches. Portuguese pulled pork is a spicy dish often served at our large family functions. Each cook generally adds his or her own touches that reflect their taste and Portuguese heritage. A mixture of beef roast and pork can be used. -Michele Merlino, Exeter, Rhode Island

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Lunch

Time 6h20m

Yield 12 servings.

Number Of Ingredients 11

4 pounds boneless pork shoulder butt roast, cut into 2-in. pieces
1-1/2 cups dry red wine or reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 bay leaves
1 tablespoon salt
1 tablespoon paprika
2 to 3 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 large onion, chopped
1/2 cup water
12 bolillos or hoagie buns, split, optional

Steps:

  • Place pork in a large bowl; add wine, garlic and seasonings. Turn to coat; cover and refrigerate overnight., Transfer pork mixture to a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker; add onion and water. Cook, covered, on low 6-8 hours or until meat is tender. , Skim fat. Remove bay leaves. Shred meat with 2 forks. If desired, serve with a slotted spoon on bolillos.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 489 calories, Fat 20g fat (7g saturated fat), Cholesterol 90mg cholesterol, Sodium 1075mg sodium, Carbohydrate 38g carbohydrate (6g sugars, Fiber 2g fiber), Protein 34g protein.

CACOILA (PORTUGUESE STEWED PORK)



Cacoila (Portuguese Stewed Pork) image

You take an inexpensive piece of pork season it with a combination of spices and red wine, then slow cook to produce a tender and flavorful meal. In the south of Portugal the meat is cooked directly in the marinade (like this recipe) while some cooks in the north like to marinate the pork up to 2 days then cook it on a rack. Sometimes they slide a tray of cooked rice underneath the roast to catch the juices (the rice will have a strong flavor, not to everyone's taste). Please do not be tempted to use a more expensive cut, such as tenderloin, because it will not have the marbling necessary to keep the meat moist during the long cooking time. Serve with plain boiled potatoes and Portuguese hard rolls to soak up the pan juices.

Provided by threeovens

Categories     Pork

Time 2h45m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 -5 lbs pork butt
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 oranges (juice only)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, more to taste
1 teaspoon paprika
1 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
1 bay leaf
1 pinch ground cinnamon or 1 pinch ground allspice
1 cup dry red wine
1/4 teaspoon hot pepper sauce (optional)

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
  • Cut excess fat from the pork and then cut into 2-inch cubes; place meat into an oven-safe casserole that has a lid.
  • In a medium bowl, combine the remaining ingredients; pour over pork in casserole.
  • Gently massage wine and seasonings into the meat and cover casserole; place in oven for about 2 1/2 hours.
  • You will want to periodically check that the meat to be sure it is tenderizing and that the flavors are blending in; also, be sure that all the liquid does not evaporate (you can add additional wine or water).
  • Once you can easily break the meat apart with a fork, it is done.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 562.4, Fat 35.8, SaturatedFat 12.4, Cholesterol 149.7, Sodium 286.4, Carbohydrate 7.2, Fiber 1.4, Sugar 4.4, Protein 43.2

PORTUGUESE CAçOILA (ALCATRA)



Portuguese Caçoila (Alcatra) image

Often made with pork or beef this one-pot meal is a very traditional especially during a "matança" or winter slaughtering of pigs or cattle. This recipe is from the island of Terceira, in the Azores. It gets it name from the type of black clay pot called a "caçoila" used to cook it in. Depending who you ask, the answer may differ as to what type of meat is used. Some might tell you the stew is made with beef but if it is cooked in the pot, it is called caçoila. On the mainland, this stew, using pork, would be called "Cachola". This dish needs no knives... it's tender and absolutely delicious. "Alcatra" comes from the term "alcatre", the Portuguese word for "rump", indicating that rump roast is preferred there for pot roasts, but I've prepared this with sirloin tip roast as well with fabulous results. Note: Jamaican Whole allspice can usaually be found in Walmarts Mexican section, recipe is not the same without it.

Provided by Chief Teer

Categories     Portuguese

Time 4h35m

Yield 3 Quarts, 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

5 lbs bottom round beef roast, cut into 2 to 3-inches pieces
1/4 cup butter
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lb pork bacon
1 large onion, coarsely chopped
3 -4 large garlic cloves
1 tablespoon paprika
2 bay leaves
12 peppercorns
1 tablespoon wine vinegar
6 -8 whole allspice, Jamaican herb balls
3 tablespoons tomato paste
3 cups wine, burgandy (cheaper is better)
2 teaspoons coarse salt

Steps:

  • In a large heavy Dutch oven, saute the bacon in the olive oil until drippings are rendered and bacon is browned a bit and crisp; transfer bacon to a paper towel-lined plate to drain.
  • In the bacon drippings, brown the beef roast well on all sides over moderately high heat.
  • Transfer to the plate with bacon, then add butter, onions, paprika, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns, wine vinegar, and allspice to the Dutch oven.
  • Saute about 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • Blend in tomato paste, lower the heat, cover and steam for 20 minutes.
  • Remove and set aside half of the tomato-onion mixture; place the beef roast back into the Dutch oven with the bacon, then spoon remaining tomato-onion mixture on top.
  • Carefully pour the wine and salt around the beef roast and bring to a simmer. Ensure the meat is cover with the wine.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Cove and bake in the 375 degree oven for 2 hours; remove and turn beef over in the liquid.
  • Lower oven temperature to 325 degrees F then bake uncovered about 1 hour longer or until meat is falling-apart tender (and it will be!).

Nutrition Facts : Calories 1382.2, Fat 96.3, SaturatedFat 36.6, Cholesterol 313.7, Sodium 1750.2, Carbohydrate 19.8, Fiber 4.4, Sugar 3.1, Protein 87.2

Tips:

  • Choose high-quality pork: The quality of the pork will greatly impact the final dish. Look for pork shoulder or pork butt that is well-marinated and has a good amount of fat.
  • Use a heavy-bottomed pot: A heavy-bottomed pot will help to distribute the heat evenly and prevent the pork from burning.
  • Brown the pork before stewing: Browning the pork before stewing will help to develop flavor and color.
  • Use a variety of spices: Cacoila is typically made with a variety of spices, such as garlic, paprika, cumin, and oregano. Experiment with different spices to find a combination that you enjoy.
  • Cook the pork until it is fall-apart tender: Cacoila should be cooked until it is fall-apart tender. This can take several hours, so be patient.
  • Serve with traditional sides: Cacoila is traditionally served with rice, potatoes, and vegetables. It can also be served as a sandwich on a crusty roll.

Conclusion:

Cacoila is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed in many different ways. Whether you are looking for a hearty meal to serve to your family or a flavorful dish to impress your friends, cacoila is a great choice. With a little planning and effort, you can easily make this Azorean delicacy at home. ¡Buen provecho!

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