This is one of the most ancient of Macanese dishes that was served on days of abstinence. Missó or Miçó in Japanese is a bean paste similar to the Chinese Min Tze. In Maquista we have Chilli Missó (Chilli Sauce) and Miçó Cristão which is mashed soy beans fried in olive oil, turmeric and chopped spring onions as a savoury dish reserved for days of abstinence – hence the name Missó Cristão (Christians’ Bean Paste). Of course, it could be that the Japanese derived the word Missó/Miçó from Maquista/Portuguese as they have so many of their words.

J. Bosco Correa

1 lb 2 oz | 500g soy beans or white kidney beans
4 spring onions chopped
1 onion finely chopped
1 tsp turmeric
2 cloves garlic
Portuguese extra virgin olive oil
1 tbsp vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

Cook the beans in salt water until tender but still firm. Drain and rinse with cold water and blend in a food processor, adding a little olive oil if necessary until the consistency is smooth, thick and firm.

Fry the turmeric in sufficient olive oil with the garlic, shallots, onions and green onions. When cooked, stir in the processed beans and continue to fry for five minutes, then mix in well the vinegar, salt and pepper and fry for a few more minutes to blend in the taste.

Spread on a flat dish and, with the blunt edge of a knife, decorate the surface with a large criss-cross pattern.

Serve in diamond-shaped pieces with rice to accompany a main dish which has gravy – perhaps a prawn, fish or boiled egg curry on days of abstinence.

¼ lb | 110g soy beans
1-2 dsp white vinegar
¼ tsp turmeric
2 spring onions, chopped
salt to taste
2-3 dsp lard

Wash the beans and soak overnight in cold water.

Drain the beans, put them in a pot, cover with 3″ of cold water and boil till quite tender. Remove and pass through the mincing machine.

Heat lard till quite hot and fry the spring onion for 1 minute, add turmeric and fry, taking care not to burn, then add the minced beans and fry for 5 mins. Lastly, add vinegar and salt and fry for a few minutes stir and it is ready.