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Açorda de Marisco

A thick, fragrant bread porridge enriched with seafood, garlic, and cilantro — the Alentejo’s rustic answer to fine dining.

⏱ 20 minPrep time
🔥 20 minCook time
🍽 4Servings
🏷 DinnerCategory
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Açorda de Marisco

Açorda de Marisco is Portugal’s beloved bread soup, reimagined with the briny riches of the sea. Stale country bread softens in a fragrant broth of garlic, cilantro, olive oil and white wine, then meets shrimp and clams that release their juices into every spoonful.

Humble in origin yet elegant on the table, it is a dish of balance — soft bread, sweet shellfish and a whisper of heat. Serve it steaming in deep bowls with a drizzle of olive oil, the way seaside homes have long gathered around it.

Step by stepInstructions

  1. Heat the olive oil in a large pot over medium heat and cook the garlic until fragrant, about 1 minute.
  2. Pour in the wine, let it bubble for 2 minutes, then add the fish stock and bring to a gentle simmer.
  3. Add the clams, cover, and cook until they open, 5-7 minutes; add the shrimp and cook 2-3 minutes more until pink.
  4. Remove from heat, stir in the bread and most of the cilantro, and let sit 5 minutes so the bread soaks up the broth.
  5. Season with salt, pepper and piri-piri, scatter the remaining cilantro over the top, and serve in deep bowls.

💡 Chef tips & storage

The bread must be stale so it soaks the broth without turning to paste. For a richer version, poach an egg in the simmering broth just before serving.

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Recipe details

Prep20 min
Cook20 min
Servings4
CategoryDinner
PublishedAugust 17, 2026
Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes

Hi, I'm Emily 🧡

Hi, I'm Emily — the cook behind My Comfort Recipes. Simple, tested comfort food for real weeknights, written down the way grandma would. Pull up a chair. More about me →