Formigos (Mexidos) de Natal
You can make the most unexpectedly delicious things out of the most simple ingredients. This traditional Portuguese dessert called Formigos de Natal are made of dry bread, dried fruit, nuts and sweet honey.
Full of festive cinnamon and the rich flavor of Port wine, this simple sweet treat is as tasty as it is easy to make! It’s especially popular during the Christmas season in Portugal.
Enjoy!
Formigos (Mexidos) de Natal
A traditional sweet that will warm your heart this festive season.
Ingredients
- 1 liter water
- 250 ml honey
- 50 g nuts chopped
- 50 g almonds chopped
- 50 g dried raisins preferably dark ones
- 250 g dried homemade bread sliced
- 250 ml Port wine
- 1 cinnamon stick
- lemon peel a piece the size of a thumb
Instructions
- In a large pan add all the ingredients except the bread and dried raisins and nuts and bring to a boil.
- Simmer for about 15 minutes, then stir in the nuts and dried raisins and continue cooking for another 15 minutes.
- Prepare the bread by breaking it up into small pieces (either by hand or using a knife). Soak the pieces in a bowl of hot water (enough to cover the bread) and allow to soak for a couple of minutes. Then, drain the bowl and squeeze out any excess water.
- Add the moist bread to the boiling pot and turn the heat down to low. Simmer the mixture for another 20 minutes, or until most of the water evaporates. (Be careful to stir often to avoid burning.)
- The bread will thicken the consistency of the mixture and give it a lovely texture.
- Taste and add more sugar if necessary.
- Cool the formigos de natal down and allow to cool before dividing it into several bowls.
Enjoy!
Notes
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