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Lisbon: Recipes from Portugal's Beautiful Southern Region
Full of history, great food, and bursting with character, Portugal's capital is one of Europe's most charming cities. In Lisbon, Rebecca Seal shares her favorite recipes, inspired by her travels. Set on seven hills, Lisbon features world-class beaches, city views, and wild forests. And the food is as diverse as the surroundings - there's so much more to it than just cod and custard tarts. Featuring over 80 accessible recipes based on traditional Portuguese cuisine, including Caldo Verde (kale soup), Amêijoas à Bulhão Pato clams in white wine and garlic), and pesticos (Portuguese tapas). From the bars of Bairro Alto to the cafes in Chiado, there's something for everyone. All set to the stunning backdrop of eighteenth century buildings, ornate churches, nostalgic trams, and pastel-colored houses, Lisbon is a stunning cookbook.
256 pages, Hardcover
Published June 20, 2017
60 people want to read
About the author
Rebecca Seal
34 books26 followersRebecca Seal is a former assistant editor of Observer Food Monthly and Observer Woman and is now a magazine editor and freelance journalist.
Specialising in food, drink and lifestyle pieces, Rebecca has written articles for many magazines and newspapers including Grazia, Red and Olive, The Guardian, The Financial Times, Sunday Telegraph, The Observer, The Times and Sunday Times. She is a food/drink expert on C4's Sunday Brunch.
Specialising in food, drink and lifestyle pieces, Rebecca has written articles for many magazines and newspapers including Grazia, Red and Olive, The Guardian, The Financial Times, Sunday Telegraph, The Observer, The Times and Sunday Times. She is a food/drink expert on C4's Sunday Brunch.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
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July 28, 2017Travel to beautiful Portugal with Rebecca Seal’s cookbook, Lisbon. Get ready to bite into some tempura green beans, or sink your teeth into a salt cod croquette with piri piri mayonnaise. For our full review and for more delicious food-inspired reads, click here! https://booktrib.com/2017/07/cook-way...
September 20, 2023
A solid 4 stars. There were lovey aspects that edged toward 5 stars and some frustrating stylistic choices that almost tempted me to give 3 stars.
They said, “Lisbon” presents the BEST Portuguese cookbook recipes that I’ve encountered. More agreeably curated than the comprehensive but bland “Portugal: The Cookbook” and more compelling with variety than “My Lisbon.” Rebecca Seal gives a well balanced book that presents the range of cooking from the Portuguese capital: from time of day and by ingredients. You make chuckle, but I will laude this book one very important aspect: the recipes include vegetables! There’s even a salad section. I recall reading in “My Lisbon” that there is sad historical reasons for the lack of vegetable variety in contemporary Portuguese cooking, but Rebecca Seal finds recipes and inspiration from current chefs that are bringing vegetables back into the fold of modern Portuguese cooking.
The pictures throughout the book - shot by the author’s husband Steven Joyce - are lovely and really present the food and city scenes in a beautiful light.
However, the artistic choices of the recipe design layout made by the publisher were frustratingly hard on my eyes. The initially lovely art deco font used for the cover and for the stories behind the recipes became straining early on. And the recipe instructions - thankfully in a different more Times New Romane-esque don’t - were unusually compacted. I wish they had managed spacing between each step. The instructions are good and well written. It’s just the damn font and layout choice that got old really fast when one is reading the entire cookbook.
But a home cook will be only utilizing a handful of recipes at a time, so the eye strain of over 200 pages should not be a factor.
To close, I will reiterate that this is - by far - the most user friendly but comprehensive Portuguese cookbook I have encountered. The resources and stories therein add to the package. Do add this one to your home cookbook collection.
They said, “Lisbon” presents the BEST Portuguese cookbook recipes that I’ve encountered. More agreeably curated than the comprehensive but bland “Portugal: The Cookbook” and more compelling with variety than “My Lisbon.” Rebecca Seal gives a well balanced book that presents the range of cooking from the Portuguese capital: from time of day and by ingredients. You make chuckle, but I will laude this book one very important aspect: the recipes include vegetables! There’s even a salad section. I recall reading in “My Lisbon” that there is sad historical reasons for the lack of vegetable variety in contemporary Portuguese cooking, but Rebecca Seal finds recipes and inspiration from current chefs that are bringing vegetables back into the fold of modern Portuguese cooking.
The pictures throughout the book - shot by the author’s husband Steven Joyce - are lovely and really present the food and city scenes in a beautiful light.
However, the artistic choices of the recipe design layout made by the publisher were frustratingly hard on my eyes. The initially lovely art deco font used for the cover and for the stories behind the recipes became straining early on. And the recipe instructions - thankfully in a different more Times New Romane-esque don’t - were unusually compacted. I wish they had managed spacing between each step. The instructions are good and well written. It’s just the damn font and layout choice that got old really fast when one is reading the entire cookbook.
But a home cook will be only utilizing a handful of recipes at a time, so the eye strain of over 200 pages should not be a factor.
To close, I will reiterate that this is - by far - the most user friendly but comprehensive Portuguese cookbook I have encountered. The resources and stories therein add to the package. Do add this one to your home cookbook collection.
September 15, 2017
Lisbon makes you want to pack your bags and head to Portugal! Gorgeous photography, delightful recipes and lovely tidbits about the area spark the imagination and desire to experience all the sights and flavors for yourself!
From Pesticos (similar to Spanish 'tapas') such as Woodpecker Pork or Beef, Green Eggs or Chorizo Rolls to Sides & Soups, Salads, Fish & Seafood, Meats, Sauces and Preserves, Sweets and Desserts & Drinks and Nibbles, this book has got you covered!
I really like that Lisbon has the recipes to make ingredients yourself such as Queijo Fresco (Fresh Cheese) that is also used in other recipes in the book or Piri Piri Sauce, Piri Piri Oil, Pepper Pastes and more.
Lisbon is a lovely, beautifully made book that pulls you in and delights and senses. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and am happy to recommend it to anyone!
I received a copy of this book from Hardie Grant Publishers for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
From Pesticos (similar to Spanish 'tapas') such as Woodpecker Pork or Beef, Green Eggs or Chorizo Rolls to Sides & Soups, Salads, Fish & Seafood, Meats, Sauces and Preserves, Sweets and Desserts & Drinks and Nibbles, this book has got you covered!
I really like that Lisbon has the recipes to make ingredients yourself such as Queijo Fresco (Fresh Cheese) that is also used in other recipes in the book or Piri Piri Sauce, Piri Piri Oil, Pepper Pastes and more.
Lisbon is a lovely, beautifully made book that pulls you in and delights and senses. I have thoroughly enjoyed it and am happy to recommend it to anyone!
I received a copy of this book from Hardie Grant Publishers for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
December 31, 2021
A great cookbook. Before my trip to Portugal, I was using the recipes in order to understand their cuisine.
It contains many great recipes that are authentic and simple enough to make. It has beautiful pictures and photos.
The design is a masterpiece, especially the cover art and material used. What I don't particularly like is the use of decorative bold display font everywhere. Whereas it does an excellent job on the cover to bring attention, its use in the recipes doesn't make it very legible.
4.6/5 Rounded up to 5.
It contains many great recipes that are authentic and simple enough to make. It has beautiful pictures and photos.
The design is a masterpiece, especially the cover art and material used. What I don't particularly like is the use of decorative bold display font everywhere. Whereas it does an excellent job on the cover to bring attention, its use in the recipes doesn't make it very legible.
4.6/5 Rounded up to 5.
July 14, 2024
Portuguese food is hearty and sticks to the ribs. In this cookbook, you will find homely recipes that will take you back to your trip there, or will let you imagine how it would be to travel that lovely coastal country... though ingredients are king in those recipes, so they will all work better with fresh tasty veggies and quality fish.
It is a fine book, but I didn't like it as much as other Portuguese cookbooks I have read. I found the imagery a little dated - and not very appetizing and fun.
It is a fine book, but I didn't like it as much as other Portuguese cookbooks I have read. I found the imagery a little dated - and not very appetizing and fun.
February 28, 2019
This is a great cookbook, great pictures that make you want to eat every bite and amazing looking recipes. I can't wait to make them all, especially the pastel de nata!
January 6, 2026
this cookbook feels extremely condescending if you're actually portuguese. chourico and chorizo aren't the same thing, lady, knock it the fuck off.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews