On this episode, Maria looks at the origins of the Portuguese experience in America, a trip to the Providence campus of Rhode Island College, and speaks to the Director of the Institute for Portuguese and Lusophone Studies, Marie Fraley. A visit to the first Portuguese food truck in the United States is also made.
Maria travels to the island of Sao Miguel, Azores and visits the mouth of the volcano in the village of Furnas. There, she tours the village and prepares with a local chef a cozido (boiled diner) cooked in volcanic steam.
Maria visits Sao Miguel’s oldest and at one time only tea plantation in all of Europe: Cha Gorreanna. Since 1883, one family has operated this organic tea plantation, now in the hands of 7th generation owner Madalena Motta. We also learn to make traditional biscuits to go along with the tea.
This episode is all about Freshness… Fresh Milk, Fresh Cheese and Fresh Seafood. I head to the countryside of Nordeste, where I spend the day on a family farm and hang out with some happy cows and learn what it takes to raise them. We also learn to make fresh cheese before visiting Maria’s home town where she cooks and eats with family and friends.
On this episode, we stay on the island of Sao Miguel with a chance to learn about the island’s origins, taste delicious desserts and explore the capital city of Ponta Delgada! We start along the rugged shores of Povacao where early settlers came ashore several centuries ago.
In this episode Maria goes west to California to take part in a small festa in Fresno, she cooks with local chef Mary Camara, bakes with Jeremiah Duarte Bills, and takes in the sights, sounds and foods of a local, bloodless bullfight.
In this episode, Maria goes to California’s Bay area where we visit some of the top young chefs in the area (who happen to be Portuguese!). Along the way, we tour San Jose’s “little Portugal” and explore Avaya Soccer Stadium with Taylor Amarante.
Maria winds up season one by staying in California and touring the famous wine country, visits a farm to see fresh cheese produced, and cooks with famous Chef Manuel Azevedo in Sonoma.
Maria explores Provincetown, the landing place for many Azorean immigrants in the last century. Provincetown has been home to a vibrant Portuguese community that centered around the fishing industry. Maria explores the area, cooks a traditional fish dish at The Mayflower Restaurant, takes a painting lesson from a Portuguese American artist, and joins in the weekend Portuguese Festival celebration.
Maria travels to Boston, Massachusetts. There, she meets with Dennis Alves, director of artistic planning for the world-famous Boston Pops. A proud Portuguese American, Dennis invites Maria to cook a delicious chicken soup known as canja in his kitchen. During her time in Boston, Maria also receives a private music lesson on stage at Symphony Hall, and meets with businessman Tony Frias.
Columbia Street is the heart of Fall River’s Portuguese community. Maria explores the cafés and businesses there, including the Portuguese sausage company, Michael's Provision, and the oldest Portuguese restaurant in the state, Sagres Restaurant. Later on, Maria meets up with the comedy troupe “The Portuguese Kids.”
Maria's journey circles back to her home community, New Bedford, Massachusetts. There, she cooks fresh scallops, visits the New Bedford Whaling Museum, meets with Jessica Arruda, owner of Tia Maria’s European Café, and attends the Feast of the Blessed Sacrament.
Maria’s journey continues to Terceira Island, known by many U.S. veterans for its World War II air base. Maria learns that Terceira isn’t just bloodless bullfights and parties, it’s also home to stunning scenery, talented artists, and amazing food. Maria goes inside a volcano, cooks local specialties, and takes a turn at throwing some pottery with a third-generation potter.
From a distance, São Jorge is an island of cliffs and fajãs, but Maria discovers so much more. She sees first-hand how their world-famous cheese is made, visits a coffee plantation, and cooks Holy Ghost soup and local specialty, Especies. Maria also meets transplant, Peeter Adriaans, who made a home on São Jorge after what can only be described as a shipwreck.
Maria explores Fajã da Caldeira Santo Cristo, which the New York Times listed as one of the most beautiful places in the world. While there, she tastes and learns to cook the unique clams that can only be found on that shoreline. Maria then ferries to Pico Island to learn more about the whaling industry, and meets with winemakers to taste rare wines that were desired by kings and czars.
The season ends with exploring the city of Horta and tasting locally produced specialties. Maria heads to a volcano off the coast of Capelinhos, Faial, whose devastating eruption in 1958 resulted in a new wave of immigration to the U.S. Maria also wrangles bees, and gets to cook some unique farm-to-table inspired dishes.
