B R A Z I L
Food & Culture
Brazilian Culture
Brazil has people of many different ethnicities. Italian, German,African, Portuguese , and Native American cuisine has had an influence on Brazilian food. Explorers and the various early settlers of Brazil have introduced a numerous amount of animals and plants from their homeland.
Brazilian Customs & Holidays
* On New Year's, its customary to eat pomegranate seeds for good luck.
* Brazilians eat candied pumpkins on Dia de Los Muertos
* On Christmas, the traditional dinner consists of kale with lots of garlic, local fruits, nut, signature Brazilian rice (white rice cooked with garlic and onions in oil), ham, salad,and Rabonada (Brazilian version of French toast.
Staple Foods
Arroz (white rice), beans,bananas,shrimp,pork,coconut,papaya,maize (its like corn), lemon/lime ,mango,acai ,cupuacu, passion fruit are staples in Brazi
Spices & Herbs
Cayenne Pepper
Annatto
Used to flavor food and to dye food ;known for its peppery and sweet taste
Tempero Baiano
Its used in majority of Brazilian cuisine
Jambu
Comes from northeastern Brazil and used to season many rice dishes
Parsley
Known for its sweet savory flavor
Cinnamon
Used in many desserts
Traditional Dishes
Empadão
baked casserole usually made with chicken, olives, hearts of palm, corn, and other fillings.
Beijinho de Coco
coconut truffle with chocolate in the middle
Romeu e Julieta
guava paste and white cheese stacked on top of each other
Moqueca de Camarão
shrimp stew cooked in coconut milk and palm oil
Feijoada
black bean stew with many types of beef and sausage
Mandioca Frita
fried yucca sticks
Feijão Tropeiro
Pinto beans sautéed with cassava flour, scallions, egg, and bacon
Bolinho de Chuva
Small balls of fried dough sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar
Vatapá
very thick spicy stew made with fish and shrimp and cooked in peanut sauce
Unusual Foods
Acaraje
Fried black bean balls stuffed with shrimp, pork and vegetables
Lucuma
native Brazilian fruit that looks like an avocado
Jaboticabas
small clusters of edible, grape-like fruit.