Lisbon Market and Food Tour With Cooking Class and Lunch

Set out on a captivating culinary journey through Lisbon’s vibrant Mercado da Ribeira market. Under the expert guidance of a local chef, you’ll handpick fresh, seasonal ingredients before delving into a hands-on cooking lesson. Master traditional Portuguese dishes like the signature seafood Cataplana stew and a light, citrusy Algarve orange roll. Savor the fruits of your labor, accompanied by complementary Portuguese wines or beer, for an immersive appreciation of the country’s rich gastronomic traditions. This small-group experience promises an unforgettable exploration of Lisbon’s vibrant food culture. What secrets will the market and kitchen unveil?

Key Points

• Guided tour of Mercado da Ribeira market to select fresh, locally-sourced ingredients for a hands-on Portuguese cooking class.
• Preparation of traditional Portuguese dishes, including a seafood cataplana, tempura starter, and Algarve orange roll dessert.
• Interactive cooking experience under the guidance of a local chef, learning traditional techniques and recipes.
• Culmination of the cooking class with a delicious multi-course lunch, accompanied by complementary Portuguese wines or beer.
• The tour and cooking class take place in central Lisbon, with the meeting point and end point at R. Bernardim Ribeiro 9.

Overview of the Cooking Experience

This small-group cooking experience provides a fun and intimate way for participants to learn more about Portuguese cuisine. The experience begins with a guided market tour to pick up ingredients for the class.

Afterwards, guests join a local chef for a hands-on lesson, where they’ll learn to prepare a fish dish, a meat dish, and a dessert. The class culminates with everyone enjoying the delicious meal they’ve created together.

This intimate cooking class offers an immersive way to explore Portuguese culinary traditions and culture. By the end, you will haven’t only learned new cooking skills but also gained a deeper appreciation for the flavors and techniques that define this vibrant cuisine.

Market Tour and Ingredient Selection

The market tour at the start of the cooking experience allows participants to handpick the fresh ingredients they’ll use to prepare the Portuguese dishes. Led by the local chef, the group explores the lively Mercado da Ribeira, browsing the vibrant stalls and selecting the best seasonal produce, seafood, and meats. This interactive process gives guests a deeper understanding of Portuguese culinary traditions and an appreciation for the high-quality ingredients that make the recipes shine. The chef offers guidance on choosing the right items, sharing insights into how to identify the freshest and most flavorful options.

Ingredient Type	Selection Criteria
Produce	Ripeness, Freshness, Local Provenance
Seafood	Freshness, Seasonality, Sustainability
Meats	Quality, Provenance, Marbling

Hands-On Cooking Lesson

After selecting the fresh ingredients at the market, participants gather in the chef’s kitchen for a hands-on cooking lesson.

The local chef leads the group through the preparation of a traditional Portuguese fish dish, a meat dish, and a regional dessert, providing step-by-step guidance and sharing culinary techniques along the way.

Participants actively chop, sauté, and assemble the dishes under the chef’s supervision, learning the intricacies of Portuguese cuisine.

The class culminates in a shared meal, where everyone enjoys the fruits of their labor accompanied by local wines.

This interactive experience allows participants to gain a deeper appreciation for the flavors and traditions of Portugal through the joyful act of cooking.

Seafood Cataplana Dish

One of the main dishes participants learn to prepare during the hands-on cooking lesson is the Seafood Cataplana, a signature Portuguese stew featuring an array of fresh seafood. This hearty dish combines clams, shrimp, white fish, and chorizo in a rich, tomato-based broth seasoned with garlic, paprika, and white wine. Under the guidance of the local chef, students will learn the traditional method of cooking the Cataplana, a unique lidded pan that steams the ingredients to perfection. The result is a flavorful, aromatic stew that perfectly encapsulates the coastal flavors of Portugal. Paired with a side of crusty bread, the Seafood Cataplana makes for a truly satisfying and authentic Portuguese meal.

Ingredient	Quantity
Clams	1 lb
Shrimp	1 lb
White Fish	1 lb
Chorizo	4 oz
Tomatoes	2 cups
White Wine	1 cup

Portuguese Tempura Starter

Although a common tempura dish, peixinhos da horta, or ‘little fish from the garden’, offers a unique Portuguese twist on the Japanese technique.

Battered and fried pieces of green beans or other vegetables, this starter dish serves as a light and crispy introduction to the cooking class.

The chef will teach participants how to prepare the vibrant green morsels, demonstrating the proper way to dip them in a light, airy batter and then fry them until they’re golden brown.

Paired with a zesty dipping sauce, peixinhos da horta is a delightful way to kick off the hands-on cooking experience and whet the appetite for the main dishes to come.

Algarve Orange Roll Dessert

The Algarve orange roll serves as a light and refreshing conclusion to the cooking class, showcasing the region’s renowned citrus fruits.

The chef instructs participants on how to prepare the delicate dough and expertly roll it around a zesty orange filling, creating a delightful balance of textures and flavors.

Participants then have the opportunity to savor the homemade pastry, which offers a delicious finale to the Portuguese culinary experience.

This traditional dessert’s bright, tangy flavors perfectly complement the hearty main dishes, leaving participants with a well-rounded understanding of Portuguese cuisine.

The chef’s guidance ensures participants can recreate the Algarve orange roll at home, allowing them to relive the flavors of their Lisbon culinary adventure.

Lunch and Alcoholic Beverages

After savoring the delightful Algarve orange roll, participants move on to the main part of the cooking class – the lunch and alcoholic beverages.

The chef provides a specially curated menu featuring a starter, main dish, and dessert, all paired with complementary Portuguese wines or beer to enhance the authentic culinary experience.

The starter is the classic Peixinhos da Horta, or Portuguese tempura, followed by the seafood-based Cataplana as the main course.

To complete the meal, participants enjoy the hands-on preparation and tasting of this traditional Portuguese cuisine, all while sipping on the perfect pairing of local libations.

The intimate setting allows for interactive discussions and a deeper appreciation for the flavors of Portugal.

Meeting and End Point Details

The tour begins at the meeting point located on R. Bernardim Ribeiro 9 in Lisbon, where participants gather at 9:30 am.

The group will explore the local market together, selecting ingredients for the hands-on cooking class.

After the lesson, where they learn to prepare a fish dish, a meat dish, and a dessert, the group will enjoy the delicious meal they created.

At the conclusion of the experience, the group returns to the original meeting location.

This small-group tour provides an intimate and interactive way to discover Portuguese cuisine. With a local chef leading the way, participants can enjoy the vibrant food culture of Lisbon, from the bustling market to the hands-on cooking class.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Request a Vegetarian or Gluten-Free Menu?

Yes, you can request a vegetarian or gluten-free menu. The chef can accommodate dietary requirements with advance notice. Just let the organizer know when booking the experience.

Is the Cooking Class Suitable for Children?

The cooking class seems suitable for children, as it notes "Infants must sit on laps" and is wheelchair/stroller accessible. However, the small-group nature and hands-on cooking may make it more appropriate for older children who can actively participate.

What Is the Dress Code for the Cooking Class?

There is no formal dress code for the cooking class. Guests should wear comfortable clothing that they don’t mind getting a bit messy during the hands-on cooking experience. Closed-toe shoes are recommended for safety.

Can I Purchase Any of the Ingredients Used in the Class?

Yes, participants can typically purchase the ingredients used in the cooking class. Many tours provide an opportunity to shop for ingredients at the local market before the class, allowing guests to bring home the flavors they’ve learned to prepare.

Is There a Storage Locker Available for Personal Belongings?

There’s no mention of a storage locker being available. The activity focuses on the cooking class and market tour, so participants should plan to keep their personal belongings with them throughout the experience.

Recap

This culinary adventure in Lisbon offers an immersive experience that blends a guided market tour, hands-on cooking lesson, and a delectable meal.

Guests will select fresh, seasonal ingredients, prepare traditional Portuguese dishes, and savor the results paired with local wines or beer.

It’s the perfect way to discover Lisbon’s vibrant food scene and gain an appreciation for the country’s rich culinary traditions.