GOOD OLD “ESPETADA” IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
The way locals have been doing for centuries
Gastronomy goes hand by hand with history and culture.
Madeira is a small Island full of surprises which makes it a very unique place to visit.
On this 5,5 hours tour, we set off to the countryside to find one of the best example madeiran of Madeiran cuisine.
You will admire or help cooking your own “Espetada”, beef on a skewer, the way locals have been doing for centuries, in the countryside, using fresh beef loin which is seasoned with fresh garlic and salt and simply leave it grill near the red hot coals of a fire.
You will be picked up in Funchal and then we set off to the North coast of the Island.
In the humble village of Seixal,with the sea and the lush green cliffs in the background, you will do what madeirans do best, relax enjoy the best “espetada” using fresh and tender beef, while sipping a glass of Portuguese wine.
A village clustered between the sea and the mountains, blessed with “Chão da Ribeira” a gem of nature, surrounded by the native laurel forest, where we are going to pick up our bay laurels skewers from, to prepare our beef on the skewer.
In this wine producing village, having a taste of the local homemade wine is a must. We will visit a local small producer and have a glass of wine directly from the barrel.
Our meal will be accompanied by homemade bread with sweet potato. There will be a bread baking demonstration from a local bread baker and we´ll eat it still warm!
The tour includes a three course meal, starting with grilled limpets “lapas”, then “espetada” as main course, as the tradition says accompanied with “milho frito”, fried cornmeal and fresh tropical fruits for dessert.
Portuguese believe that good company is an important ingredient in any great meal, and we agree!
We have kept our groups to 8 people maximum, to ensure that conversation flows freely troughout and that you have plenty of time to ask your guide any questions you can think about.
Although the focus in on food, we won´t forget about the history involved on the creation of this dish as well as history of the Island explained by a qualified tour guide born in Madeira.
You will leave you guide with a full belly and with the experience of learning how to cook this traditional meal that later you can cook back home.
BRING YOUR APPETITE AND COME ON…