When a customer asked João Silva Batista to put the meat from the stew on bread – the same Portuguese stew that he served on Saturdays in the old snack bar – the owner had no idea how successful the idea would be. The news of the unlikely combination spread by word of mouth and today, the “Sandes do Cozido” (€3.50) is the star snack at Casa da Sandes do Cozido, installed since 2004 in the Municipal Market of Torres Vedras. “The best publicity comes from the customer. One person told another and that’s how it all started”, he recalls.
“Sandes do Cozido”
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João was born on the island of Madeira and at the age of 14 he emigrated to London, returning to Portugal in 2002. “When I came back, I bought the tavern in the market. There was a lady there from whom I learned a lot, but I really like cooking and always trying new things; I really enjoy it.”
The tempting menu Casa da Sandes do Cozido (Tel. 261141085), in addition to being available at the Municipal Market, from Tuesday to Sunday, it is regularly taken to various popular festivals, with emphasis on the Torres Vedras Carnival.
João Silva Batista, founder of Casa da Sandes do Cozido, at the Torres Vedras Carnival celebrations, in 2024
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The secret to success, he guarantees, is the quality of the meat, always fresh and from the region, purchased at the market itself. As for the cooking trick, it’s under lock and key. The rule at the door announces that “at João’s house, the stew is on bread” and he himself reinforces, with laughter: “Coming to the Torres Vedras Carnival and not trying it is like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope”.
Alongside the classic “Sandes do Cozido” there are other equally famous options: “Sandes Faceira” (€3), with “thinly cut” pork and bacon, “Prego à Casa”, served in bolo do caco, “Sandes de courato” and “Bifana”. Another of the author’s creations is the “Resmenga” (€3), which is advertised as “the bombastic stewed omelette”. To accompany it, count on always fresh regional and imperial wine.
“Resmenga” is a registered trademark
Sandes “Resmenga”
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What is the result of adding eggs, onion, parsley, pork and beef, chorizo and farinheira? The answer is “Resmenga”, an original omelet sandwich with Portuguese stew. To prevent abuse, João Batista, the founder, rushed to register the brand in 2012.
“As there are always a few bits of meat prepared for the sandwiches at the bottom of the pan, I remembered my grandmother who, the day after we ate stew, always combined the meat with eggs and parsley”, adding, with pride, that the success of this unlikely sandwich lies in the “meat and farinheira, which gives a special touch of flavour”.
Be “or Portuguese-style stew is already good… Now imagine this wonder transformed into an epic omelet!”, announces Casa da Sandes do Cozido.
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The “Resmenga” sandwich and Casa da Sandes do Cozido are part of the new “365 Tascas & Marisqueiras” guide, available from November 21st. You can order your copy now through Impresa Customer Support: Tel. 214698801.
Snacks, traditional dishes from popular cuisine and seafood are the starting point for the “365 Tascas & Marisqueiras” guide, which guarantees a year filled with a plentiful table. Divided between 250 taverns and 115 seafood restaurants – each area with a distinctive cover -, the new guide, which has the support of Recheio, presents suggestions organized by four major regions: North, Center, South and Islands.