I really like your toaster oven adventures. Funnily, the first thing I bought for my Lisbon's home was...a toaster device! It is an aluminium pan with holes, a sort of a griddle, where I can put bread and the gas (I have gas at home) toasts. My secret love is though the old-style toaster (https://www.worten.pt/produtos/torradeira-classic-010-crussel-mrkean-5600928300258?gclid=CjwKCAjwxr2iBhBJEiwAdXECw3QQo5Z9RWVVSFjFFElJK_50hF5NRFzTz2RBpxktjgPh4rjQSGL8FRoCr1MQAvD_BwE) as it opens on the side. Meanwhile, I became addicted to the toasts (torradas) that are prepared at A Padaria Portuguesa, as I can choose whatever bread fancies me on that day and it can always be a new one. They have a very cheap option for breakfast that is my to-go pick-me-up: scrambled eggs with a velvety smooth avocado toast. Delicious. When I want a tosta, i demand thought to be done with Alentejo bread. The best one in my life was eaten in Mertola, at the small souvenir shop that doubles as café called Alem Cante. Merola is worth a trip just to buy some bread, it was awarded as the best in Portugal (frequently, at Taberna do Calhau they also have it for the service).
That is a very cool toaster! And not that expensive. And it sounds like at the very least a trip to A Padaria Portuguesa is in order soon. I wonder if they use milk in their scrambled eggs . . .
The toaster is very very cool indeed! On the scrambled eggs: from their look and taste I would be inclined to say no but better ask (and also check their info page: https://apadariaportuguesa.pt/en/nutritional-information-allergens/). If they use it, you can always opt for the vegan option of avocado spread only :)
I am sad to leave my Sunbeam polished stainless steel toaster behind. It was a gift from my late mother. She gave it to me circa 1985. It still works very well. It is a bit magical in that the on/off mechanism activates when a slice of bread is placed on a cradle in the toaster. The cradle senses the bread, it slowly descends. The bread toasts to a lovely golden brown, then majestically rises to the top when done. In my mind I hear a herald of trumpets. But your words “[L]ive into life here for a while. Examine how things are different, and react to the reality rather than the expectation” will be taken to heart. And Worten has a lovely Philips toaster I must see.
May 1, 2023·edited May 1, 2023Liked by Scott H-K, Amy Redfield
Somewhat off-topic, but we do like our 6-quart "air fryer"--it hasn't transformed our lives but it hasn't gathered dust--and one of the things we discovered is that it makes toast just as well as a toaster, and of course has no problem with even the thickest things. We have a pretty good toaster--it will toast a bagel if you cut it precisely in half, but if you cut it 60/40 the thick half is too thick. We've moved it, but we haven't used it yet, and we hardly used it at our previous home once we had the air fryer. (But it doesn't have enough surface area to do a whole frozen pizza). Your comment about accepting change is spot-on, of course. Just moving thirty miles requires completely restructuring our "web of routine."
What a fantastic post to capture what we are learning in our first few weeks here. And, yes, we very sadly parted with a toaster oven that I bought when my daughter was little - and now she's 40. A cheap toaster from Pingo was our very first purchase here and we have not been sorry. (It's not as nice as yours, but we'll be due for an upgrade). Thanks for sharing.
It's very important to have yourself a good slice of bread. I suggest toasting that bread to a less than midpoint toast. Then you're going to want to put on a hefty amount of peanut butter. That peanut butter is your base. It's got to get you through to your next meal after all. After you got your peanut butter nice and smooth and pretty even, you're going to want to splork on some guacamole. Say two to three large tablespoons worth. Now here's the tricky part. Your guacamole has not got anything to grip onto. It's just sort of sliding around on that peanut butter base. So you're going to want to just sort of smooth it out there. I won't lie, this is not easy and may require some effort. But I know you have it in you. Now you go give it a go now. I have confidence in you.
Oh no, that’s a brave little toaster for so many years! Funnily enough I was using a panini press to replace my toaster needs here and it just wasn’t doing the trick. So I ordered a toaster oven, from Worten, Sunday morning and it’s being delivered this week. Let’s hope it the answer to my tuna melt cravings and open faced sandwich creations!
Peanut butter and guac? Seriously? At the same time? I'm learning a lot of new things about you kids. I have an old toaster oven that I really don't use anymore. I store Beau's dishes in it. Very interesting about learning the differences in your new country. Food for thought (no pun intended). Love, Phyl
Yes, seriously. It's Amy's invention. I haven't actually tried it yet but she loves it! Hadn't thought about using the toaster oven for storage. Hmm...
I didn't move out of the US, but into a room of a friend's house. She has little counter space, so keeps a giant 4 slice toaster on a bakers rack. I have found I am too lazy to get it, so I put a little butter on the bread and brown it in a pan on the stove. Pretty good if you don't add too much butter. 😉
I really like your toaster oven adventures. Funnily, the first thing I bought for my Lisbon's home was...a toaster device! It is an aluminium pan with holes, a sort of a griddle, where I can put bread and the gas (I have gas at home) toasts. My secret love is though the old-style toaster (https://www.worten.pt/produtos/torradeira-classic-010-crussel-mrkean-5600928300258?gclid=CjwKCAjwxr2iBhBJEiwAdXECw3QQo5Z9RWVVSFjFFElJK_50hF5NRFzTz2RBpxktjgPh4rjQSGL8FRoCr1MQAvD_BwE) as it opens on the side. Meanwhile, I became addicted to the toasts (torradas) that are prepared at A Padaria Portuguesa, as I can choose whatever bread fancies me on that day and it can always be a new one. They have a very cheap option for breakfast that is my to-go pick-me-up: scrambled eggs with a velvety smooth avocado toast. Delicious. When I want a tosta, i demand thought to be done with Alentejo bread. The best one in my life was eaten in Mertola, at the small souvenir shop that doubles as café called Alem Cante. Merola is worth a trip just to buy some bread, it was awarded as the best in Portugal (frequently, at Taberna do Calhau they also have it for the service).
I am totally checking out so much of what you mention!!!
Thank you 😊
That is a very cool toaster! And not that expensive. And it sounds like at the very least a trip to A Padaria Portuguesa is in order soon. I wonder if they use milk in their scrambled eggs . . .
The toaster is very very cool indeed! On the scrambled eggs: from their look and taste I would be inclined to say no but better ask (and also check their info page: https://apadariaportuguesa.pt/en/nutritional-information-allergens/). If they use it, you can always opt for the vegan option of avocado spread only :)
Thank you! You are an amazing and valuable resource.
I am sad to leave my Sunbeam polished stainless steel toaster behind. It was a gift from my late mother. She gave it to me circa 1985. It still works very well. It is a bit magical in that the on/off mechanism activates when a slice of bread is placed on a cradle in the toaster. The cradle senses the bread, it slowly descends. The bread toasts to a lovely golden brown, then majestically rises to the top when done. In my mind I hear a herald of trumpets. But your words “[L]ive into life here for a while. Examine how things are different, and react to the reality rather than the expectation” will be taken to heart. And Worten has a lovely Philips toaster I must see.
Now that's a toaster that sounds worth taking along! Sorry it won't make the cut. Where in PT are you landing?
What a story
Wow.
Somewhat off-topic, but we do like our 6-quart "air fryer"--it hasn't transformed our lives but it hasn't gathered dust--and one of the things we discovered is that it makes toast just as well as a toaster, and of course has no problem with even the thickest things. We have a pretty good toaster--it will toast a bagel if you cut it precisely in half, but if you cut it 60/40 the thick half is too thick. We've moved it, but we haven't used it yet, and we hardly used it at our previous home once we had the air fryer. (But it doesn't have enough surface area to do a whole frozen pizza). Your comment about accepting change is spot-on, of course. Just moving thirty miles requires completely restructuring our "web of routine."
It's amazing what a small change can do to the routine.
What a fantastic post to capture what we are learning in our first few weeks here. And, yes, we very sadly parted with a toaster oven that I bought when my daughter was little - and now she's 40. A cheap toaster from Pingo was our very first purchase here and we have not been sorry. (It's not as nice as yours, but we'll be due for an upgrade). Thanks for sharing.
I'm amazed by how much my life is different here than in the United States
As a toaster oven aficionado -- we've had ours since 1991 -- this is important and thought-provoking information.
Good bread here...
Peanut butter and guacamole? Did I really read that correctly??!!
It's very important to have yourself a good slice of bread. I suggest toasting that bread to a less than midpoint toast. Then you're going to want to put on a hefty amount of peanut butter. That peanut butter is your base. It's got to get you through to your next meal after all. After you got your peanut butter nice and smooth and pretty even, you're going to want to splork on some guacamole. Say two to three large tablespoons worth. Now here's the tricky part. Your guacamole has not got anything to grip onto. It's just sort of sliding around on that peanut butter base. So you're going to want to just sort of smooth it out there. I won't lie, this is not easy and may require some effort. But I know you have it in you. Now you go give it a go now. I have confidence in you.
Yep 😆. I'm not sure what possessed Amy to try it in the first place but she loves it!
Oh no, that’s a brave little toaster for so many years! Funnily enough I was using a panini press to replace my toaster needs here and it just wasn’t doing the trick. So I ordered a toaster oven, from Worten, Sunday morning and it’s being delivered this week. Let’s hope it the answer to my tuna melt cravings and open faced sandwich creations!
To more toasting and living like locals! 🍞
And let's hope it fits on your counter 😆. How's it working for you so far?
Great post! Portugal Living Magazine enjoys your writing and shares some of your pieces with our readers.
Awwww
Thank you! We're flattered. We love your magazine!
Peanut butter and guac? Seriously? At the same time? I'm learning a lot of new things about you kids. I have an old toaster oven that I really don't use anymore. I store Beau's dishes in it. Very interesting about learning the differences in your new country. Food for thought (no pun intended). Love, Phyl
Yes, seriously. It's Amy's invention. I haven't actually tried it yet but she loves it! Hadn't thought about using the toaster oven for storage. Hmm...
I didn't move out of the US, but into a room of a friend's house. She has little counter space, so keeps a giant 4 slice toaster on a bakers rack. I have found I am too lazy to get it, so I put a little butter on the bread and brown it in a pan on the stove. Pretty good if you don't add too much butter. 😉
Brilliant!
well, I guess it's healthy. What does Josie think of it??
Ha! She has get to get a sample
Ok but what about the toast? :)
What about it? It's perfect with the new toaster.