We travelled to the Algarve to visit the Vila Lisa restaurant in Mexilhoeira Grande and get to know one of its owners, José Vila, a little better. We were welcomed as friends and soon felt at home. On the long, wooden tables, we enjoyed some of the more popular dishes and its famous squid.
Vila Lisa’s ‘Lula ovada cozida’ (boiled squid) is one of the best known dishes on the menu and a simple recipe that focusses on the flavour of each ingredient. The squid is boiled in a little water and chopped various times for the ink to seep out. José Vila recommends not boiling it too long, so it retains its genuine flavour. In order to emphasise its natural sweetness, the squid is unsalted and garnished with olive oil, vinegar, parsley and chopped onion.