For the love of bread

Tim Lee in Leiria. Photo by Luís Neves

In some ways, Tim Lee is more Portuguese than most of us. He loves bread and has learned to cook it at home. How does an American change his life for the love of a country, a language, a gastronomic culture… and, above all, a woman?

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Tell us about yourself. Where are you from, what do you do, and any
other info you might want to share?

My name is Tim Lee and I was born in Memphis, TN in the United States but my parents moved a lot and ended up living in California most of my time growing up. I am a translator and started my career in the intelligence community and then worked both for a translation company and as a freelancer but am now retired, although I still do an occasional translation job.

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What is your earliest memory of Portugal?

The first time I came to Portugal was in October of 1980 and when the plane touched down in Lisbon I had that reassuring feeling one gets when one walks in their house after being away, that comfortable sense of being home. I was excited to be here and knew from that moment that I wanted to make Portugal my new home, but that took 25 years to make happen.

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What do you really look forward to eating (or drinking) when you’re on
the plane to Portugal?

I spend several months a year in the US visiting my children and grandchildren and I really just think about all kinds of food, from bacalhau to bifanas and leitão, chouriço and of course the pastries. Oh, and cheese…lots of it, but the absolute first thing I do is eat great Portuguese bread.

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Something you don’t like about Portuguese food.

That I haven’t tried everything yet.

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A memorable meal (were, what, who, whatever…).

Too many to count over 40+ years coming to and living in Portugal but here is one.

My brother and his wife were visiting us here a few years ago and we went along with my nephew and nieces from Lisbon to the best little prego café/restaurant that is under a bridge in Lisbon for prego sandwiches.  My brother spoke some Portuguese and found it hilarious that the Portuguese eat nail sandwiches. Great food, great company and great views.

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Your favorite dish in Portugal.

Where do I begin? In the interest of keeping it short, bacalhau any way I can get it, and pastries.