Our Favorite Christmas Recipes

Christmas is a time of endless delicious treats!

We've gathered some of our favorite festive recipes to share with those we love.

Rabanadas

Ingredients

3 1/2 c. milk;
1/4 c. granulated sugar;
2 Tbsp. honey, plus more for serving;
1 cinnamon stick;
Lemon peel from half a lemon;

5 large eggs, beaten;
1 baguette, preferably day old, cut into 1" thick slices;
Vegetable oil, for frying;
1 c. cinnamon sugar.

Step 1:

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, heat milk, sugar, honey, cinnamon stick, and lemon peel together. Bring to a simmer, then reduce heat and let simmer for 5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.

Step 2:

Place beaten eggs into a shallow dish. Working one at a time, dip sliced bread into milk, then into eggs, turning to coat well in each.

Step 3:

In a large skillet over medium heat, add enough oil to come ½” up the sides of the pan. Working in batches, fry soaked bread until golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Remove from pan and place on a paper towel lined cooling rack. Toss in cinnamon sugar immediately.

Step 4:

Serve warm with extra honey, if desired.

- Everyone's Favorite

"Roupa-velha" or "Old Clothes"

Ingredients

basically all the leftover from our xmas' eve meal;
Codfish;
Boiled Potatoes;
Kale;
Boiled Eggs;
Lemon peel from half a lemon;
Olive Oil ( a lot);
Enough garlic to keep everyone from kissing each other after some drinks;

Step 1 AND ONLY STEP:

Mix it all together and you get the best of both worlds!

The Essence of the Dish:

Roupa Velha is a dish deeply rooted in Portuguese culinary traditions, especially around the Christmas season. Its origins are tied to the practice of minimizing waste by transforming leftover ingredients into a delicious meal. The name “Roupa Velha” translates to “Old Clothes,” symbolically referring to the idea of reusing or repurposing something to give it new life.

- Guilherme, Co-Founder

- Kika, Chief Operating Office

"Roupa-velha" or "Old Clothes"

Ingredients

basically all the leftovers from our xmas' eve meal;
Codfish;
Boiled Potatoes;
Kale;
Boiled Eggs;

Lemon peel from half a lemon;
Olive Oil ( a lot);
Enough garlic to keep everyone from kissing each other after some drinks;

Step 1 AND ONLY STEP:

Mix it all together and you get the best of both worlds!

The Essence of the Dish:

- Guilherme, Co-Founder

- Kika, Chief Operating Officer

Basque Cheesecake

Ingredients

810g of cream cheese
200g of sugar
6 eggs
100g of flour
50g of cornstarch

40ml of lemon juice
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
400ml of cream
Salt to taste

Step 1:

In a mixer, place 810g of cream cheese at room temperature with 200g of sugar and beat until combined and smooth;

Step 2:

Add 6 eggs one at a time, then add 100g of flour and 50g of cornstarch. Incorporate 40ml of lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract;

Step 3:

Beat again to combine all the ingredients.

Step 4:

In a separate bowl, whip 400ml of cream and gently fold it into the mixture.

Step 5:

Pour the batter into a 20cm springform pan lined with parchment paper and greased with butter.

Step 6:

Bake in a preheated oven at 230°C (with a fan) for 40 minutes, until a darker crust forms on top.

- Tarso's Favorite, E-Commerce Assistant

Ovar Sponge Cake

Ingredients

11 eggs;
2 whole eggs;
1 pinch of fine salt;
200 grams of white sugar;

80 grams of self-raising flour;
1 teaspoon of baking powder;
Margarine for greasing;
Parchment paper, as needed;

Step 1:

Beat the egg yolks, whole eggs, salt, and sugar on high speed

for 15 minutes until well combined;

Step 2:

Gently fold in the flour and baking powder with a spatula

(do not use the mixer);

Step 3:

Grease a 20 cm round, holeless pan with margarine and line with

greased parchment paper;

Step 4:

Pour the batter into the pan and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 35 minutes. Check doneness with a toothpick near the edge—it should come out dry.

Step 5:

Let the cake cool in the pan completely before removing;

- Kika's Favorite, COO

Bolinho de Chuva (literally "Rain Cake")

Ingredients

3 ripe bananas
1 egg
1/2 cup of sugar
1 cup of all-purpose flour
1/2 cup of milk

1 teaspoon of baking powder (cake baking powder)
Oil for frying
Sugar and cinnamon for finishing

3 ripe bananas
1 egg
1/2 cup of sugar
1 cup of all-purpose flour
1/2 cup of milk
1 teaspoon of baking powder (cake baking powder)
Oil for frying
Sugar and cinnamon for finishing

Step 1:

Mix the flour with the baking powder. Add the milk, vanilla, sugar, and eggs, and stir very well;

Step 2:

Add the banana slices, being careful not to break them;

Step 3:

Shape the batter into small fritters using a spoon, ensuring there is a banana slice in each fritter. Fry immediately;

Step 4:

Remove from the pan and, while still warm, roll the fritters in the cinnamon and sugar mixture;

- Vasco's Favorite, Marketing Manager

"Polvo à Lagareiro" - Lagareiro-Style Octopus

Ingredients

1 medium-sized frozen octopus, thawed
8 garlic cloves
2 small onions
1/2 cup of extra virgin olive oil
3 plum tomatoes (450g total)
900g baby potatoes, skin on

Fresh rosemary
Fresh thyme
1 bay leaf
Fresh parsley
Fresh coriander
Black pepper, to taste
Salt, to taste

Step 1:

Preheat the oven to 160°C (320°F). In a large pot, cook the octopus in 5 liters of water, 50 ml of olive oil, a crushed head of garlic, and one unpeeled onion for 40 minutes, or until tender. Season with salt and let it cool in the cooking water.

Step 2:

Separate the head from the tentacles and place the tentacles in an oven-safe dish.

Step 3:

Increase the oven temperature to 180°C (350°F). Add the potatoes (shaking off excess salt) to the dish, drizzle with 200 ml of olive oil, add crushed garlic cloves, bay leaves, and sprinkle with white pepper.

Step 4:

Bake until the octopus is golden.

- Camila's Favorite, Marketing Assistant