Grumpy in Madeira

Bom Dia,

Maria is off work today, we’re going for a walk. Dogs fed. The cat’s not showed up yet, sometimes it’s late morning before he decides to drop in. He stays out at night, he must have a girlfriend (cat friend) or two. I feel like he uses the place just to get food. Then he sleeps off his nights chasing the girls (lucky bastard).

So we’re off to the Pria (beach) for a walk. It’s a place called Praia Formosa in Camara De Lobos.

Pria Formosa.

It’s one of our favorite places, it’s mostly a stony beach but does have good areas with black sand. It has bars and restaurants along the promenade, which stretches from The Lido leisure area. It has pools, paddle board and basketball courts. There is lot’s of Bars and Restaurants. The walk takes around 40 mins to 4 hours depending on how many times you stop 🍺.

There’s a tunnel that takes you to Doca do Cavacas.

It’s spectacular inside, around halfway through there’s a natural break in the walls to the sea 

Doca do Cavacas has a seafood restaurant and a lido area with natural rock pools and a sunbathing area … .beautiful!!!!

Around 15 mins after Doca do Cavacas, you come to the Lido. Lido Funchal is a big touristy area. It has lots of hotels, restaurants, and bars. You can also find basketball and paddleball courts there. There is also a bigger sunbathing area with swimming pools.

There is an entrance charge. Not expensive. It’s 5.90-Adults, Kids-1.95 (7-17) and Kids under 7-free. There are changing rooms a Bar, Cafe. Children’s pool with slide. It’s a great place to spend the day especially with kids.

We stop here and have a coffee and a water and then we walk back the way we came. There are more bars and restaurants along the promenade towards Camara De Lobos. We stop there to enjoy a bit of lunch and a beer. Our favorite is Beira Calhau.

The Manager (Sr Paolo), waiters and waitresses (Rui, Carla, Michelle) have known us for a few years now. They are very friendly and nice. We sometimes get carried away with sitting there and lose track of time.

Like today. 😎🍺🍺

By the time we get home, I’m tipsy again. it’s time to prepare dinner. Tonight it’s roasted chicken. I normally cook it on the wood fired BBQ. However, because we’ve been out for most of the day, I’m doing it in the oven.

Grumpy’s Roast Chicken:

INGREDIENTS: 

Chicken legs/thighs (as many as you need)

Chicken wings (as many as you can eat)

1 tsp Smoked Paprika

1 tsp Ground Sweet Pepper

2 Garlic cloves (chopped small) 

1 tbsp Olive Oil 

2 tsp Chopped Chives  

Salt and Pepper

Garlic butter. *For easy made garlic butter see note below* 

Bolo de Caco (Portuguese round bread) or any crusty bread.

METHOD:

I half the chicken legs/thighs and wings. I put them into 2 plastic sealed bags or plastic tubs. Then, I coat one lot with just Olive oil, salt, and pepper. (Plain)

The other I coat with Olive Oil. Then I sprinkle Smoked Paprika, Ground Sweet Pepper, chopped Garlic, and chopped Chives. I add Salt and Pepper. Then shake until all chicken is coated,  let marinate for as long as you can until dinner time.

Heat oven to 180C (fan) /356F.

Put the two lots of chicken into two baking trays or dishes. Cook in the oven for approximately 40 minutes. Bake until the chicken is cooked through.

Butter the Bolo de Caco (or crusty bread) with the garlic butter. Wrap it in kitchen foil. Put it in the oven for about 30 minutes.

Serve hot with chunky chips, salad and a bottle of Vinho….Scrumptious.

*Easy Garlic Butter:

I use a small tub of good butter. Soft butter is easier. If you’re making a lot, use a big tub. It keeps in the fridge after like any butter.

Finely chop Garlic cloves.

Finely chop a handful of fresh Parsley, dried parsley will do if you’re out of fresh.    

Mix Garlic and Parsley into the butter using a fork. I find it easier to mix it all in a big bowl. Then, I put it back into the butter tub or glass dish.

That’s it, Easy Peasy.