Tonight we’re wrapping up our little stint with Portuguese cuisine, but unlike our usual routine, we’re not going to end on dessert. I mean after all, what could really top our Pastéis de Nata?
Well, that and this house has been somewhat of an infirmary since the start of November. So we’re looking for something healthy, warming and down right comforting…soup. Soups also happen to be a main part of Portuguese meals, so tonight we chose a Portuguese bread soup called Açordas de Mariscos.
Miss A got a little relief from her fever for a few moments thanks to Advil, so she wanted to help break the bread into bite size pieces for us. 
Then she went back to her “restful” activities of LEGO’s, coloring, dancing and playing dress-up. How she has so much energy with a fever I don’t know. When I have a fever I want to curl up on my bed and die. Miss A, on the other hand, puts on a cape and a Darth Vader mask and keeps popping out to scare me. So while Miss A was sneaking around the house and hiding, I ran the bread under cold water and let it sit soaking with some added sea salt for about an hour. 
Next we sliced up some onions and let them saute in some olive oil for about five minutes. Then we set these aside. 
In a larger pot we combined some crushed tomatoes, whole cloves of garlic and a bit more olive oil. 
Then we added in some seasonings including ground pepper, coriander and oregano. 
We let the tomatoes simmer for about 30 minutes during which time we squeezed out the bread. 
Then we strained the tomatoes, returning the sauce to the pan. 
Next the bread and some water was added into stock pot with the tomato juices and we simmered it again for about 20 minutes. 
Finally we tossed in the sautéed onions and some cooked and tailed shrimp to cook for another 10 or 15 minutes. We served our bread soup as our main dish with a bit of cilantro over the top. 
Miss A took a pass on trying this one, and we didn’t push. She’s been fighting a virus for almost a week now and we’re cutting her some slack. Besides we’ve run out of bribes with getting her to take her medicine. 😉 
Mr. N did try the soup and he enjoyed his first few bites, but then ultimately decided he didn’t like it. It was too much tomato for him. So he eventually rang in with a lowly 1 spoon. 
Mike was the biggest fan of this dish and came in at 3 spoons. He’s a huge fan of soup in a bread bowl, so this was right up his alley. He thought it could use a bit more seasoning, so next time he’d increase the amount of pepper and coriander called for in the tomatoes. I’m only going to come in with 2 spoons for this soup. I do think it has potential though. I agree with Mike about the seasonings – it needs something more. However, rather than increasing the pepper and the coriander, I think I’d toss in some cayenne and maybe some spicy sausage too. Then I think we’d have a winner. 
That said, the soup did it’s job. It was warm, hearty and comforting. Now if it could just give us a dose of healthiness around here we’d be all set. We’ll be back next week with another recipe on the quest and Miss A will be spinning her little globe for us again.
Print this recipe: Açorda de Mariscos
Eat, Play, Love 
I hope Miss A is all better now.
This week the whole house here is sick except for me so its soups and tea and comfort food all around
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She’s much better now! Thanks Sawsan. It was a rough week. I just hate seeing my normally little bouncy girl lying on the couch all tired and unhappy. Now, she’s back to bouncing, flipping and doing her unique brand of yoga. 😉 I hope your family is all healthy soon too and that you escape it!
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Miss A will certainly keep you on your toes! Is there any down time with that little girl? Mine was just the same; my son was and is more mellow! I do like this soup and will try it with your recommendation to spice it up a bit more. Looks comforting.
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HI Kristy,
I really like your site and the photos of your family are great. Trying new dishes from around the world is a great idea. I’m with the majority, in that I agree that sausage would be a great addition to your soup!
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Thanks! I’m happy that Eva “introduced” us. 🙂 I’m looking forward to more of your posts.
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Coriander and oregano are two of my favorite herbs! I bet that this dish was delicious!
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Mine too Eftychia! 🙂
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Mm, I never tried soup with bread in it either… I thought for a minute maybe I had, but then realised it was ajo blanco – a white Spanish soup with ground almond, not bread. I wonder if a bit of cumin wouldn’t lift the flavour a bit if you found it lacking something? Of course, I have a bit of a cumin fetish so I’d add it to anything :p It looks tasty nevertheless, and definitely an ideal dish to have when everyone’s feeling a bit under the weather! Hope everyone is better again soon, and looking forward to seeing your next destination! I hope one day you’ll pay a visit to Sweden or France 😉
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You know I think I’m going to have to pick Sweden, France or Italy soon. I’ve got a few cravings. Miss A, however, has picked a place that I never would have thought about. It should be fun. 🙂 And I agree with you – a little cumin is always fantastic. I actually ran out of it today and need to go get more.
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I just came down with something as well, and yes – soup is definitely what makes me feel better!! I hope you are all feeling 100% soon! I can definitely see how this soup has potential. It would definitely be worth another go!
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Oh Deborah! I hope you feel better soon. It’s been such a rough season. Well, here’s to some comforting food for the next few days. 🙂
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So sad to hear that Miss A was running a fever…I hope she’s feeling better now! Advil typically does the trick to me too. The color of this soup is just gorgeous. Oh, and look at the shrimp on top! Though the soup sounds perfect as is, I agree that cayenne and spicy sausage would be a delicious addition. 🙂
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Miss A is back to her normal little self. Thanks Caroline. It’s definitely no fun having a fever – or watching my little babies with fevers!
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I’ve never made soup with bread inside it – pretty comforting, I am sure.
Hope Miss A feels better soon, poor thing, not fun being sick with a fever…
(by the way, I’ve meant to say it forever, and keep forgetting: I love the dress or tunic you are wearing on the banner photo – absolutely gorgeous!)
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Thanks Sally! Miss A is much better now. Even heading back to school tomorrow. She’s so excited. 🙂 And thank you about the dress! It’s one of my favorites to wear in the summer. It’s so light and fun (and versatile). It’s perfect for sweltering temps.
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Look at that rich redish color and those beautiful shrimp floating in it! Wow, the idea of this soup in a bread bowl is fantastic. I am drooling all over my screen!
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I have no doubt you’d like this…but with the cayenne and spicy sausage. Then I think it might be right up your alley. 🙂
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i love soups with the tomato base, and coriander, it would have been good for the bugs too! hope you are all feeling better soon.. c
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Thanks! We’re getting there. Three down and one to go. 🙂 I’m hoping this will be it for the sick season.
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I’ll admit that the thought of the bread put me off a little, but the end result looks absolutely delicious. I love shrimp, and think that garlic makes everything taste better. Thank you for sharing.
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The bread put me off a little too, but it’s really not that bad. I’m spicing it up next time though. A little kick is always good. 🙂
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Love this soup. I had some delicious variations in Lisbon and I think your version will be on my menu this week!
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Thanks! Now that would be fun – trying this soup IN Lisbon! 🙂
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Wow this honestly made me drool, shrimps and tomatoes, mmmmmmm!
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It’s such a great combo isn’t it?! 🙂
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The soup looks fantastic, but I would agree adding some cayenne ground pepper would kick it up a notch. I do like the idea of spicy sausage too! Miss A is adorable, it’s funny how kids get a kick out of scarying us parents!
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It’s so funny Lisa. Mr. N gets so aggravated because he really tries to scare me and he knows when I’m faking scared. He’s been trying so hard to really get me lately. LOL! 🙂 I keep trying to tell him the trick is when I least expect it…trying to scare me a few times a day just doesn’t quite work. 😉
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I don’t think I’d have this soup if I wasn’t feeling well as I prefer a lighter broth version. On the other hand, if I was well and wanted a hearty soup, it would probably do the job of satisfying my hunger. 🙂
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LOL! I’m just the opposite. When I’m feeling well, I want light. When I feel yucky, I want to fill up on comfort foods. 🙂
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I once made an Italian Ribollita Soup and I loved it, but for some reason I just sort of forgot about it. Thanks for reminding me! I’ll have to try this sometime this winter. The addition of shrimp and/or sausage sounds fantastic.
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Now that soup sounds really good too! I’m going to have to give that a try one of these days. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
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I love your photos and the rating system! I might try that with the kids but the little one will give everything ‘1’ unless it has pasta in it (he’s a fussy eater….)
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LOL! Our youngest gave things a one a lot too early on. We usually just judge by whether or not she eats it, eats a bit of it or outright refuses it. 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
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I hope Miss A gets better soon. This is such a pretty soup, I agree with Kelly maybe cayenne would help.
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I’m all about the cayenne for this one. 🙂 Miss A is finally feeling better. Thanks! 🙂
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Oh, poor Miss A; she does look a little under the weather. Love the idea of a warming soup this time of year and this looks so delicious Kristy. The whole garlic and shrimp are among my favourite ingredients in this dish. Yes, maybe a little heat would suit your preference – cayenne always hits that mark :). A chili or curry powder might also be nice. In any case, it sounds pretty wonderful as is… I hope everyone is healthy again soon. Take good care and get some rest this weekend.
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Miss A was really down for the count. Our perpetual motion machine actually laid down to sleep several times this week which is practically unheard of for her. Fortunately she’s back up and running (quite literally) again! 🙂
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those scones look divine!
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Thanks! And thanks for stopping by! 🙂
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yum!
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Thank you! 🙂
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Darth Vadar would frighten me too, Kristy. I don’t think it would matter if “Darth” was only 3 feet tall, either!
I’m with you with the cayenne and spicy sausage…but what doesn’t sausage make better? The bread looks like it added an interesting texture to the soup. Hope your family feels better really soon. I’m still at the tail end of this blasted head cold, today it’s the frog in the throat. Enough already! I’m sure the soup helps with the healing.
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I have that same frog in my throat Eva! Fortunately everyone else seems better now. 🙂
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The Italians, also, make soups with bread. Some like yours, are made with bread as an ingredient; others have a thick crust of bread placed in the bottom of the soup bowl and the soup ladled on top of it. Both methods were a way to use up day old bread. I’ve seen them prepared but don’t recall any containing so much tomato. In this case, I’m with Mandy. I’ll take my bread, buttered, on the side, thank you.
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LOL. I usually prefer my bread on the side too, but this was an interesting soup. I’ve never had anything quite like it; although it did remind me of shrimp and grits. (Only without the heat.)
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Hmm, not sure this would be a favourite of mine either, but will have to try it first to decide – think I would much rather have my bread on the side with butter.
🙂 Mandy
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Bread on the side with butter is always a good thing. 🙂
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I was sitting here reading it thinking it needed something else before I saw you saying the same thing lol. Seasoning can be changed and maybe less of a tomato flavor can achieve a better taste. Or maybe try a roux with this. Oh yeah my mind is going. But I have to address how you said when you get a fever you just want to die? Yeah I feel that way too lol. Most kids don’t even want to fall asleep, so they will fight a fever easily.. where we will just fall out LOL.
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It’s amazing how fast kids bounce back from stuff. 🙂 Now if only us grown ups could do the same.
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Looks delicious! I love your soup bowl 😀 Do drop by my space sometime, I just did my first dessert post and would love to know what you think.
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Will do. Thanks! 🙂
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Aww, I hope Miss A feels much better soon! She is such a strong wee fighter and I am sure she will tell those bugs where to go. 🙂
That soup looks yummy!!
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LOL! You know she will! 😉
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what a fun idea!
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Thanks Melanie! We appreciate you stopping by. 🙂
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This is lovely, I think your rating system might be a touch harsh? I loved the flavours and having bread in your soup like this is unusual and delicious!
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LOL. Sometimes it seems harsh, but we have to keep it simple for the kiddos. 🙂
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