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Rissois, Chamussas, Empadas: Guide to Portuguese Appetisers in Brussels

Rissois, Chamussas, Empadas & Pastéis de Bacalhau: The Complete Guide to Portuguese Appetisers in Brussels

While the world knows the Pastel de Nata, Portuguese cuisine holds another treasure: an extraordinary savoury appetiser tradition. Golden shrimp rissois, spiced triangular chamussas inspired by Portuguese India, generous chicken empadas, and crispy codfish croquettes... These bites are the cornerstone of every Portuguese celebration.

At Wooly Pâtisserie, we prepare them fresh every morning in our Brussels kitchen.

1. Rissois — The Queen of Portuguese Appetisers

The rissol is the most iconic Portuguese savoury bite. Its distinctive half-moon shape and golden breadcrumb coating are universally recognisable on Portuguese festive tables. The dough is made from fine semolina, filled with a creamy mixture, folded, egg-washed, breadcrumbed, and deep-fried to golden perfection.

At Wooly:

  • Shrimp Rissol — Fresh shrimps in velvety béchamel with bay leaf and lemon. Crispy outside, melt-in-the-mouth inside. The classic every Portuguese person grew up with.
  • Suckling Pig Rissol (Leitão) — Premium version inspired by the legendary leitão à Bairrada. Confit suckling pig with garlic and spices.

Serving tip: Reheat 8-10 minutes at 180°C for maximum crispiness. Avoid microwaving. Serve with a squeeze of lemon or light piri-piri sauce.

2. Chamussas — Heritage of the Portuguese Empire

Chamussas are one of the most flavourful legacies of Portugal's colonial empire, directly inspired by Indian samosas via Goa, Portugal's former colony on the west coast of India — where cuisines blended for over 450 years.

The Portuguese chamuça has its own identity: thinner, crispier pastry than the Indian samosa, with spicing adapted to the Portuguese palate — less hot, more fragrant, with yellow curry notes that evoke the spice routes.

At Wooly: Meat & Yellow Curry — Beef or lamb minced and slow-cooked with onions, garlic, ginger, yellow curry, fresh coriander, and mild chilli. Each bite is a journey through Portuguese-Indian spices.

3. Empadas — Portuguese Comfort Food

Empadas sit between appetiser and starter — small individual shortcrust pies, baked (not fried), denser and more rustic than rissois. Portugal's ultimate comfort food.

At Wooly:

  • Chicken Empada — Slow-cooked shredded chicken with onions, garlic, bay leaf, parsley, and creamy sauce in buttery homemade shortcrust.
  • Vegetarian Empada — Seasonal vegetables, melted cheese, fresh herbs.

Storage: Empadas keep 3-4 days at room temperature or frozen for several months. Reheat 10 minutes at 180°C. Perfect for buffets, picnics, and lunchboxes.

4. Pastéis de Bacalhau — The Soul of Portuguese Cuisine

To understand the pastel de bacalhau, you must first understand bacalhau (salt cod) in Portuguese culture. They say Portugal has 365 bacalhau recipes — one for each day of the year. Since the 15th century, Portuguese sailors fished cod in the icy waters of Newfoundland; the salting and drying process gives it a unique flavour impossible to replicate with fresh fish.

Our Pastéis de Bacalhau follow the traditional recipe: bacalhau desalted for 48 hours, flaked and combined with homemade mashed potato, eggs, garlic, and fresh parsley, shaped into ovals, and fried golden. Crispy outside, softly fibrous inside. Serve with a squeeze of lemon — nothing more.

Building the Perfect Portuguese Aperitivo Platter

For 10 people (cocktail aperitif): 20 Shrimp Rissois + 15 Chamussas + 10 Empadas + 20 Pastéis de Bacalhau

For 10 people (dinner cocktail, replaces meal): 30 Rissois + 20 Chamussas + 15 Empadas + 25 Pastéis de Bacalhau + 20-25 mixed Pastéis de Nata

Perfect Drink Pairings

  • Vinho Verde — Lightly sparkling, fresh, acidic. Perfect with shrimp rissois and bacalhau.
  • Sagres or Super Bock — Portugal's iconic beers, great with spiced chamussas.
  • White Port on ice — Elegant pairing with empadas.

Order Portuguese Appetisers for Your Event

Corporate events: Client cocktails, product launches, seminars, welcoming foreign partners. Delivery to Brussels offices via Wooly Carrier.

Weddings & receptions: Custom packages for any guest count.

Year-end events: Themed platters for corporate Christmas parties.

Lead time: 48h minimum for orders over 50 pieces. Contact: info@woolypatisserie.com / 0497 55 15 20