Portuguese Fried Alheira Sausage with Salad

Not always the healthiest of options, but oh boy, few things beat the taste of a fried portuguese alheira sausage! And for today we have two different varieties of alheira sausage, one is a traditional from Mirandela with a mix of meats and the other is a simpler chicken alheira sausage. And what’s a alheira sausage, you ask?

It’s a traditional Portuguese sausage concocted from a mix of poultry or small game like rabbit, along with bread and often a dash of garlic—hence the name. These were crafted by the Portuguese Jews to dodge the Inquisition, since most sausages and chorizos are made with pork and most people had them, the Portuguese jews invented their own sausage that didn’t have pork in it. While popular alheiras are typically baked, grilled or fried, one crucial tip: a safety slice before frying is a must or they will explode! Nowadays it’s very common to Alheira fried with potato chips in restaurants, but i wanted a somewhat healthier combination, so i pair it with a refreshing cherry tomato and mini buffalo mozzarella salad, deliciously simple, let’s check the recipe.

Portuguese Fried Alheira Sausage with Salad

Servings: 4-8
Time: 2hr 30mins
Difficulty: Normal
Rating: ★★★★★
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Delicious crispy fried portuguese traditional alheira sausage with a delicious tomato and mozzarella salad.

Ingredients

Alheira – 2 (Different Types)
Cherry Tomatoes – 30 (+/- 2 boxes, Total 600gr)
Mini Buffalo Mozzarella – 2 Packs (Total 250gr)
Olive Oil – A Drizzle
Balsamic Vinegar – A Drizzle
Oregano – A Pinch
Pepper – A Pinch
Salt – A Pinch
Vegetable Oil – Enough for Frying

Directions

Begin with the salad, wash the cherry tomatoes, halve them into a bowl, and also halve the mini mozzarella. Then, drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar (usually twice the quantity of oil), a pinch of oregano, pepper, and salt. And it’s done, mix and set aside.

Prep the alheiras by making a horizontal slit from one end to the other on the exterior part of the sausage. This will allow it to safely expand in the oil without the risk of bursting.

Heat the oil till it’s sizzling hot. Gently place the alheira in the oil. It will expand and the outer skin will crack. Fry each side gently until golden brown and crispy.

Once golden and crispy, remove the alheira from the oil and let it rest on a paper towel or drying rack. Fry the next one similarly. And there you have it, simple and flavorsome! Serve with the salad and enjoy your meal!

Notes: For an extra zing, add a sprinkle of chili flakes or a squeeze of lemon juice to the tomato and mozzarella salad. Want another twist? Instead of frying, you can roast the alheiras in the oven until they’re golden brown and crispy.

This recipe for Portuguese Fried Alheira Sausage with Salad was originally created on BakeAfter.com. Esta receita de Alheiras Fritas com Salada foi publicada em português no Iguaria.com.