It is very underrated. I’m biased of course, being Portuguese but truly have not found anything as tasty or comforting as many of our traditional dishes. From the simple boiled Bacalhau and potatoes with olive oil, to the more elaborate Chanfana, Carne de Porco à Alentejana, Leitão and so many, many others.
Might be slightly off, but I believe the word tempura derives from the Latin tempora, which the Portuguese/Jesuits used to refer to “the times” when eating meat was restricted (Friday?), and thus also came to refer to the meal of fried fish and vegetables they would eat on those occasions. Sometime later once it took off in Edo (Tokyo) in particular, the Chinese character for sky 天 came to be used to represent the “tem” sound, likely to highlight the batter’s airiness.
It is very underrated. I’m biased of course, being Portuguese but truly have not found anything as tasty or comforting as many of our traditional dishes. From the simple boiled Bacalhau and potatoes with olive oil, to the more elaborate Chanfana, Carne de Porco à Alentejana, Leitão and so many, many others.
Might be slightly off, but I believe the word tempura derives from the Latin tempora, which the Portuguese/Jesuits used to refer to “the times” when eating meat was restricted (Friday?), and thus also came to refer to the meal of fried fish and vegetables they would eat on those occasions. Sometime later once it took off in Edo (Tokyo) in particular, the Chinese character for sky 天 came to be used to represent the “tem” sound, likely to highlight the batter’s airiness.