Home made Portuguese sweet bread, amongst many other things, reminds me of growing up in the rural countryside with my many cousins. Hot from the oven the aroma takes me back: I see my Va and Aunts around the wooden table in the kitchen, slabs of butter, children's chubby hands, coffee brewing, white ironstone mugs, the Holy Ghost crown in the living room and the Portuguese chatter filling the air with a happiness that gives my roots a safe place to remember.
Portuguese sweet bread begins with melted butter, eggs, flour, sugar, yeast…
Though it also begins with my Va passing the tradition of bread making to her daughters, and her daughters making it for every reason and none for their children. Since I have been home I have had five rolls and plan to have many more, preferably hot from the oven.
Today I went to my Aunt Louie's to make sweet bread.
Guess which ones are mine?
Recipe to follow.
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