Alheiras de Mirandela

Directions

• Or lean pork, or a mixture of both, for cost reasons.

** Probably a modern addition, or replacement for suet.

You may change the proportions of chicken/turkey/rabbit - it may be all chicken, etc., provided the total amount remains the same. You can use partridge, quail, duck, and so on...

Boil the meats together long enough to make the bones separate from the meat by themselves. Reserve the resulting broth and set meats aside.

In a large bowl place the thinly sliced bread and add the reserved broth. Cover with a towel and, as soon as the bread is soft enough, mash it with an wooden spoon. Add the mashed garlic and ground pepper, paprika and a little salt. Add the meats cut in very little pieces. Mix thoroughly.

When everything is completely mixed add the olive oil and the pork drippings, hot. Fill the casing using a suitable funnel. Tie each 'alheira' so that it's about 8" long, with the filling concentrated in the middle section, leaving the ends almost empty.

Smoke for 2 or 3 hours a day, for a week. Tie both ends together before selling or using ~ the 'alheira' should be U shaped. A typical way of serving 'alheiras' is frying them in hot oil, and presenting them with fried eggs and potato chips. Some add broccoli as a side dish.