Description
This Portuguese Cake, or Torta Portuguesa, is a savory and satisfying dish that’s perfect for lunch, dinner, or even a potluck. It’s essentially a layered pie, with a simple yet flavorful dough encasing a vibrant filling of ham, cheese, vegetables, and hard-boiled eggs. The combination of textures and flavors makes every bite a delightful experience. This recipe is a crowd-pleaser and a great way to use up leftover ingredients you have in your refrigerator.
Ingredients:
Dough:
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup olive oil or vegetable oil
- 50g (approximately 1/2 cup) grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 cups milk
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
Filling:
- 2 medium seedless tomatoes, diced
- 100g (approximately 3.5 oz) ham, diced
- 100g (approximately 3.5 oz) mozzarella cheese, diced
- 1/2 cup olives, sliced
- 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and sliced
- Dried oregano, to taste
- Olive oil, for drizzling
Preparation:
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking dish.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough: In a blender, combine the eggs, olive oil (or vegetable oil), Parmesan cheese, milk, and salt. Blend until well combined.
Step 3: Gradually add the flour to the blender, mixing until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix.
Step 4: Add the baking powder to the dough and gently mix until evenly distributed.
Step 5: Assemble the Cake: Pour half of the dough into the prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly over the bottom.
Step 6: Layer the filling ingredients: Spread the diced tomatoes, diced ham, diced mozzarella, sliced olives, and thawed peas evenly over the dough.
Step 7: Pour the remaining dough over the filling, spreading it gently to cover the ingredients.
Step 8: Top with the remaining filling ingredients: Arrange the chopped onion, sliced hard-boiled eggs over the top of the cake. Sprinkle generously with dried oregano and drizzle with a little olive oil.
Step 9: Bake in the preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Step 10: Let the cake cool slightly before slicing and serving.
Why you’ll love this recipe:
- Versatile: You can easily adapt the filling to your liking, using different meats, cheeses, or vegetables.
- Easy to make: The dough is simple to prepare in a blender, and the assembly is straightforward.
- Great for leftovers: It’s a fantastic way to use up leftover ingredients from your refrigerator.
- Delicious hot or cold: Enjoy it warm out of the oven or chilled for a picnic or lunchbox treat.
- Impressive presentation: The layered filling creates a beautiful and colorful dish that’s sure to impress.
Serving Suggestions:
- Serve warm or at room temperature.
- Pairs well with a simple green salad.
- Perfect for lunch, dinner, or a potluck.
- Can be served as an appetizer or a main course.
Tips:
- For a richer flavor, use good-quality olive oil.
- If you don’t have Parmesan cheese, you can substitute it with Pecorino Romano or another hard, salty cheese.
- Feel free to add other vegetables to the filling, such as bell peppers, corn, or zucchini.
- If you want a spicier cake, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the filling.
- To prevent the top from browning too quickly, cover the cake with foil during the last 10-15 minutes of baking.
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Nutrition Information (approximate, per serving):
- Calories: 350-450 (depending on filling ingredients)
- Protein: 15-20g
- Sodium: 500-700mg (depending on ham and cheeseOK. Here is the recipe for Portuguese Cake.
