Author, David Leite’s, The New Portuguese Table cook book, takes him on a nostalgic trip back to Portugal.

His recipes will inspire you to try the classic dishes with his own unique take on the originals while bringing back memories of your own family traditions.

As I prepared one of my favorite dishes, “Cod Fish Cakes” (Pataniscas de Bacalhau), I became slightly teary eyed with the memory of my dear mother standing beside me, teaching me how to cook almost the identical recipe when I was a young girl so many years ago.

The book won the 2010 International  Association of Culinary Professionals’ First Book | Julia Child Award.

Visit David’s website;  Leite’s Culinaria website to read great reviews by newspapers such as The New York Times, Bon Appetite, The Miami Herald and other great members of the culinary press.

In 1999, David founded Leite’s Culinaria long before blogs became popular. In 2006, he and former food editor, Linda Avery, became the first winners ever of a James Beard Award for a website and received the award again in 2007. The website has thousands of recipes including some Portuguese, award winning writings, David’s Blahg, and amazing daily giveaways along with; “Hot food and dry wit, delivered fresh daily since 1999” Leitesculinaria.com

I asked David what his favorite Portuguese dish is? The classic Carne Alentejana of course, he replied!

Manny the Milkman
Official Mascot of Leite’s Culinaria
Manny may be new to you, but in fact, he’s been around for decades. He first made an appearance in 1966 when one day Momma Leite looked at David and said, “Hey, kid, you know something? You’re the milkman’s son!” Perplexed, David looked at his father, then his mother, then back at his father. They both nodded solemnly. He walked to his room shaking his head, wondering how on earth Mr. Lawton, their milkman, could be his father, seeing as he was old enough to be Momma Leite’s father. It took him several days, but he finally figured it out. “Leite” means milk in Portuguese. David’s dad is Manny, who’s a man and has the last name of Leite, er milk. Ergo, David is the milk man’s son. When Manny asked to come on board as LC’s official mascot, he was welcomed with open arms. Because he’s eternally in a crisp white uniform, which he’s careful not to sully, Manny eats only white food, such as Forked Mashed Potatoes, Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, and, of course, Cereal Milk. http://leitesculinaria.com/about

Subscribe to the Leite’s Culinaria newsletter to receive updates, like the page on FaceBook which I highly recommend, or visit the website for fantastic recipes and giveaways which are posted daily!

David’s new culinary venture is his new podcast Talking With My Mouth Full. You may subscribe to the podcast in iTunes here .

Get yourself a copy today! Go back, explore your cultural roots, start cooking and carry on the traditions of our Portuguese cuisine! !

Giveaway!!

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