Formigos (Mexidos) de Natal
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
10 mins
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Cook Time
50 mins
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Total Time
1 hr
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Servings
8 servings
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Course
Dessert
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Cuisine
Portuguese
Formigos (Mexidos) de Natal
Description
Formigos (Mexidos) de Natal blends a combination of chopped nuts, almonds, raisins, and dried bread soaked in a spiced mixture of honey, port wine, water, cinnamon stick, and lemon peel. The initial simmer extracts flavors from the spices and wine, creating a rich and sweet base.
Chopped bread is soaked briefly in hot water to soften before being drained and added to the simmering mixture. The bread absorbs the liquid, thickening the dish as it cooks gently over low heat for about 20 minutes. Frequent stirring prevents burning and encourages a uniform consistency. The final texture is thickened and slightly chunky from the nuts and fruit but smooth from the softened bread.
The finished formigos are allowed to cool before serving in small bowls, making a traditional festive treat especially appropriate for the holiday season. Adjust sweetness to taste by adding sugar as needed.
Ingredients
- 1 liter water
- 250 ml honey
- 50 g nuts chopped
- 50 g almonds chopped
- 50 g raisins preferably dark ones, dried
- 250 g bread sliced, homemade, dried
- 1 cup port wine
- 1 cinnamon stick
- lemon peel a piece the size of a thumb
Instructions
- In a large pan add all the ingredients except the bread and dried raisins and nuts and bring to a boil.
- Simmer for about 15 minutes, then stir in the nuts and dried raisins and continue cooking for another 15 minutes.
- Prepare the bread by breaking it up into small pieces (either by hand or using a knife). Soak the pieces in a bowl of hot water (enough to cover the bread) and allow to soak for a couple of minutes. Then, drain the bowl and squeeze out any excess water.
- Add the moist bread to the boiling pot and turn the heat down to low. Simmer the mixture for another 20 minutes, or until most of the water evaporates. (Be careful to stir often to avoid burning.)
- The bread will thicken the consistency of the mixture and give it a lovely texture.
- Taste and add more sugar if necessary.
- Cool the formigos de natal down and allow to cool before dividing it into several bowls.
Enjoy!
Notes
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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