About
A smooth black spread of cuttlefish and shrimp in equal measure, coloured by the cuttlefish's own ink. Tomato pulp, onion, garlic and pepper sit underneath, with white wine and a little olive oil to carry it. Salty and deeply savoury, and far easier to like than it looks.
Cuttlefish and shrimp make up a little over half the tin between them, at much the same share each. Behind them come tomato pulp and a blend of onion, garlic and black pepper. Then white wine and the ink that turns the whole thing black. Extra virgin olive oil and a spoon of mayonnaise smooth it out, and it is ground fine enough that no pieces show.
José Gourmet packs its pâtés in the same small tins and illustrated wrappers as its whole fish. Teresa Lima drew this one. The story and the recipe are printed inside.
Spread it thick on hot toast or a hard cracker and squeeze lemon over the top. It holds its own on a board with pickles and nuts. Something dry and sparkling works beside it, or a chilled fino.
Producer note
José Gourmet is a Portuguese brand built on conservas and on the illustrators who wrap them. Nearly ninety artists have drawn for it since it started in 2008.