Spirit of Exploration - Discovering a Rich History in the Algarve

Searching for surer pastures my family, like many left Portugal in 1974, during its political turmoil, and I learnt early on the world is filled with interesting and different places. Growing up surrounded by photographs and artifacts from my fathers travels to Africa and Asia, only made the world seem, even bigger, with endless corners to discover. And somewhere in there, it happened. I got bitten, by that thing, that bug, the one that makes you hungry to see, do, try, learn, explore, experience and discover. I’ve joked with my father about some of the strange things I’ve inherited from him, like a drippy nose when I drink coffee, and toes in constant wiggle mode, but my quest to explore is one thing, I should really thank him for - so thanks dad!

Having now lived, worked and traveled in a number of countries, I’m fortunate not only to have learnt much about other people and cultures, but about myself. It’s a funny thing how exploration can turn inward when you’re looking outward, and makes you more self aware, tolerant, compassionate and ever more curious to go deeper. Having the opportunity to cross the paths of many people and places, tasted strange and wonderful things and having my eyes and ears peaked with the beautiful, unexpected and incredible. It’s the return to my roots in the Algarve that’s been the most interesting exploration so far; maybe because it hits the core like no other place can. This experience sometimes reminds me of the Alchemist, by Paulo Coelho. If you’re not familiar with the story - it’s about a boy who travels far and wide following his dreams and looking for treasures, only to discover the greatest treasure has always been right there, where he started.

Tarte de Natas - Portuguese Fresh Cream Cake

A while ago, a reader asked me about this recipe and I’ve been looking for one to tempt the pallet ever since. But the recipes I came across just didn’t inspire, they needed a little something, a bit more dazzle than cream, gelatin and cookies. So I decided to venture on my own, take some old, add a dash of new and… Voila!

Fresh cream cake, with double chocolate cookie crust and White Port drunken strawberries…now we’re talking! As this was an experiment, I wasn’t really sure how it would turn out, but with ingredients like these…how wrong could it go?

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