Bifana
Bifana is a classic Portuguese sandwich eaten all across the country.[1] According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the dish is "a matter of national pride" in Portugal.[2]
According to Taste Atlas, the dish may have first been created in Vendas Novas, but it is served throughout the country.[1]
The typical ingredients are pork chops, steak, or loin, pounded thin or sliced, simmered with garlic and wine, then sandwiched inside heated bread.[3][1][4] There are regional variations which include marinating and grilling or roasting the pork and making the sauce separately and drizzling onto the bun and/or serving with mustard, hot sauce or sauteed onions.[1][5]
This dish is typically served at festivals that take place all over the country. It is typically viewed as a cheap, fast and easy meal. It is generally seen as a popular dish; McDonalds serves a version called McBifana.[1]
In the north of Portugal, the sandwich is usually served using shredded pork and a sauce, while in the south it is a lighter sandwich which uses a pork cutlet and a light marinade.[6]
References
- "Bifana | Traditional Sandwich From Vendas Novas | TasteAtlas". www.tasteatlas.com. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
- Liaw, Adam. "Lisbon-style pork bifana recipe". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
- "Bifana portuguesa destacada no guia Lonely Planet". Boas Notícias. Archived from the original on 23 September 2015. Retrieved 24 October 2012.
- McManus, Tim (13 March 2023). "The best sandwich in Philly is the Bifana at Grace & Proper". Philadelphia Inquirer. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
- D'Orazio, Julia (2022-08-30). "This sandwich is like a map of Portugal". Special Broadcasting Service. Retrieved 2023-03-20.
- "Portuguese Sandwiches – Sandwiches of Portugal You Need to Try!". We Travel Portugal. Archived from the original on 2023-02-08. Retrieved 2023-02-08.