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PortugueseAuthentic Cuisine

Galão

Serves 4 to 6 Beverage vegetarian, Beverages

Galão

Hailing from the bustling cafés of Lisboa, Galão is a cherished morning ritual, offering a comforting embrace to start the day. It's a simple yet elegant concoction, often enjoyed during leisurely breakfasts or as a mid-morning pick-me-up. This home-style version captures the essence of Portuguese hospitality, where ingredients are measured with intuition rather than precision, embodying a laid-back approach to life.

A proper Galão should be a silky fusion of robust espresso and creamy milk, gently sweetened and dusted with a hint of cinnamon. Each sip delivers a harmonious blend of flavors, striking the perfect balance between bitter and sweet, with the warmth of the cinnamon rounding out the experience. It's a soothing reminder of the simple pleasures found in everyday routines.

Ingredients

  • 200 mlstrong espresso coffee
  • 600 mlwhole milk — steamed
  • 2 tspsugar — to taste
  • 1 tspground cinnamon — optional

Method

  1. Start by brewing 200 ml of strong espresso coffee. If you have an espresso machine, use it to pull a fresh shot. If not, use a stovetop espresso maker or French press to achieve a strong brew. This will be the base of your Galão, so ensure it's rich and aromatic.
  2. While the coffee is brewing, pour 600 ml of whole milk into a small saucepan. Place the saucepan over medium heat and gently warm the milk. Stir occasionally to prevent a skin from forming on the surface. The milk should be heated until it's steaming but not boiling.
  3. Once the milk is warmed, add 2 teaspoons of sugar to the saucepan. Stir continuously until the sugar is completely dissolved. This ensures that the sweetness is evenly distributed throughout the milk.
  4. Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the milk and sugar mixture. Stir well to combine, allowing the cinnamon to infuse into the milk. The aroma of cinnamon should be noticeable, indicating that it's well incorporated.
  5. Combine the brewed espresso with the milk mixture. Pour the coffee slowly into the saucepan, stirring gently to blend the flavors. The color should be a light, creamy brown, typical of a Galão.
  6. Allow the Galão to rest for a minute to let the flavors meld together. Taste the drink to check the balance of sweetness and strength. Adjust with a little more sugar if desired, but remember that Galão is traditionally not overly sweet.
  7. For serving, warm your cups by rinsing them with hot water and then drying them. Pour the Galão into the warmed cups, ensuring an even distribution of the liquid and froth. Serve immediately while the drink is hot, optionally garnished with a light dusting of cinnamon on top.
Cover of Authentic Portuguese Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Portuguese Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Portuguese Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Portuguese volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

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