Portuguese “Port” Muffins
Most of you know that I don’t write about a product or a restaurant unless I really like it. These “Ports” or Portuguese muffins have become a big thing here in New York City. Port Muffins are a bit larger and flatter than regular English muffins. They’re a bit sweeter, but not too sweet or sugary. They are billed as “The 3 Meal Muffin” because you can have them for breakfast, use them for sandwiches for lunch or use them for hamburger buns for dinner. I like to serve them toasted for a weekend breakfast when making bacon and eggs. I love to slather them with apricot-peach jam.
Port Muffins are made by Central Bakery in Fall River, MA. Central Bakery is a family owned bakery that’s been operating since 1975. Apparently, the owner, Dave Lopes’, grandmother brought her recipe from the Azores in Portugal hence the bakery was born. The muffins were originally molded by hand and soon became an instant hit. These days the muffins are made by using a small electric bread mold in order to produce thousands of muffins per week. Currently, these Port Muffins are a bit difficult to find. I know that you can find them at Citarella and Dean & Deluca here in New York City. If you can’t find them in your area then ask your local grocer to stock them or special order them for you. I have totally broken up with the commercial English muffins (you know who you are) and will only buy Port Muffins. As a matter of fact I buy extras and store them in the freezer so that I don’t run out.
Here is what my West Coast Portuguese friend Carol says, “These muffins are the greatest! They remind me in a sort of way of my mother’s Portuguese sweet bread in a muffin form! Yum”
Here’s the info:
Central Bakery
711 Pleasant Street
Fall River, MA 02723
(508) 675-7620
Tell them that Tiny New York Kitchen sent you!
There Website is:
Easter Menu Ideas
The greatest feast of the Christian Church takes its name from that of Eastre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of the dawn. The feast, however, has another name, the Pasch, the Greek word coming from the Hebrew pesakh, the Passover. This is the term for the feast which is used in nearly every language except English and German, but even these two languages use the words Paschal candle and Paschaltide. In the churches of the Eastern Orthodox the feast of Easter comes somewhat later than in the Western calendar, but the observance is as great, if not greater. Here are some Easter feast ideas that may be useful in your home this Sunday.
Easter Breakfast Or Brunch
Mini Frittatas: Cheddar, Asparagus, Sun-Dried Tomato, Swiss, Bacon or Mushroom
Spring Onion Quiches With Gruyere Cheese: Cooked Leeks & Onions With Cheese & A Savory Egg Custard Baked In A Tart Shell
Asparagus, Arugula & Goat Cheese Quiche: Asparagus, Baby Arugula & Goat Cheese Mixed With Egg Custard Baked In a Flaky Crust
Fresh Fruit Platter: Sliced Cantaloupe, Honeydew, Watermelon , Pineapple, Grapes & Berries
Easter Appetizers
Asparagus Rolled In Pancetta
Mini Spinach & Ricotta Calzone
Bruschetta
Crudites Platter: Celery, Broccoli, Cauliflower, Green & Yellow Squash, Sliced Cucumbers, Red/Yellow/Green Bell Peppers, Grape Tomatoes And Baby Carrots
Cheese Platter: Classic American & European Cheeses Cubes & Wedges For Snacking. Serve With Almonds & Crostini
Shrimp Cocktail: Cook, Devein & De-shell Large Shrimp Serve with Lemons & Cocktail Sauce
Smoked Salmon Platter: Sliced Salmon With Chopped Red Onions, Capers, Cornichons, Mustard Sauce & Horseradish Sauce
Whole Boneless Poached Salmon: Poached In White Wine With A Light & Creamy Dill Sauce
Soups
Spring Pea & Onion Soup: Pureed Spring Pea & Onion Soup Made With Celery, Leeks, Garlic & Thyme
Carrot & Fennel Soup: Carrots, Fennel & Tomatoes Cooked In Vegetable Broth. Pureed Smooth
Salads & Side Dishes
Shrimp, Spring Pea & Morel Salad: Shrimp With Crispy Spring Peas, Morel Mushrooms & Tomatoes Lightly Tossed In A Lemon Vinaigrette
Golden Beet, Radish & Frisee Salad: Golden Beets, Radishes, Frisee Served With Goat Cheese, Pecans & Champagne Vinaigrette.
Grilled Asparagus: Marinate In Olive Oil & Kosher Salt. Grill
Gnocchi, Peas & Pancetta: Gnocchi, Peas, Panchetta, Ricotta Salata, Baby Arugula & Lemon Zest
Entrees
Honey Spiced Turkey Breast: Brine, Slow Roast Finished With Spices & Honey Glaze
Apricot Bourbon Glazed Ham: Apricot Jam, Honey, Dijon Mustard & Bourbon Combined & Poured On Top Of Ham Then Baked
Victoria’s Apricot Pork Tenderloin
Rosemary Rubbed Leg Of Lamb: Boneless Leg Of Lamb Marinated In Olive Oil & Herbs Then Roasted To Medium Rare
Grilled Salmon With Crispy Potato & Leek Fondue: Grilled Salmon Topped With Melted Spring Leeks With A Touch Of Cream & Crispy Fingerling Potatoes
Rack Of Lamb: Roasted With A Variety Of Spices
Desserts
Carrot Cake With Cream Cheese Frosting
Chocolate Cake
Yellow Cake With White Chocolate Ganache
Victoria’s Caramel & Chocolate Pecan Bars
Fruit Tarts
Hot Cross Buns
