Traditional brigadeiros in Brazil are chocolate fudge balls served in little cupcake flutes and topped with chocolate sprinkles. Like many Brazilian desserts, condensed milk is used as a base. Brigadeiros are considered a “must” at parties, since the bite-sized treats are so delicious and easy to make. They are also highly customizable, since they require […]

Picanha originated in Brazil, where it is considered the best cut of beef and is the signature dish at churrascarias. While still lesser known in the States, picanha has nonetheless made its way into specialty restaurants via the Brazilian steakhouse, where it is served in traditional “gaucho” style and carved directly from a long roasting […]

Autumn is upon us, and the craving for pumpkin-spice everything has taken a firm hold on us Americans. We seem to put cloves, cinnamon, and nutmeg in just about everything, from coffee drinks to quick breads. In some cases, however, too much spice can distract from the elegance of a primary ingredient. Exhibit A: Brazilian […]

Italian Brazilians form a large part of the country’s population, with over 60,000 individuals claiming Italian heritage in Sao Paulo alone! This means that, along with other customs, Italian food has made its way well into mainstream Brazilian cuisine. Today’s dish of shrimp risotto is heavily rooted in Italian tradition, but features a few quintessential […]

Brazilian Romeu e Juliete Cheesecake Recipe Brazilian guava cheesecake is a refreshing spin on its American cousin, which typically uses cream cheese and a graham cracker crust. In Brazil, the guava cheesecake uses a dense, salty cheese known as minas gerais. It is paired with a sweet guava paste on top of a crisp, flour-based […]

In the US, pancakes are almost always thought of as a sweet breakfast food. Our versions are fluffy and loaded with syrup, fruit, or even chocolate syrup. In other parts of the world, however, savory pancakes are often eaten for any meal of the day. In Brazil, for example, thin pancakes are used in a […]

The history behind the gaucho knife is intertwined in the culture and history of the gauchos themselves. The image of the lone horseman hunting and foraging on the pampas, selling animal hides and ostrich plumes and sleeping under the stars sounds like a character from a novel rather than history. But the day-to-day existence of the […]

It’s that time of year when many of us start thinking about Autumn. After a long, hot summer, we might find ourselves daydreaming about cooler temperatures, changing leaves, and comfort food. In America, Fall is also the season of all things pumpkin spice. Breads, lattes, soups, candles–whatever you can think of, there is probably a […]

Traditionally, picadillo is a ground beef stew popular in Latin America, especially Cuba and Mexico. It is also eaten in the Philippines and parts of the Caribbean. The exact ingredients vary slightly depending on the region, but most versions incorporate a base of ground beef, tomatoes, or tomato sauce. In Brazil, picadillo is referred to […]

Tapioca starch is a very popular ingredient in Brazil, where it is often substituted in recipes that would otherwise call for wheat flour. The result is that many of Brazil’s “breads” are naturally gluten free, while still offering a similar chewy texture and satisfying taste. The famous Brazilian cheese bread, for example, is made using […]

Escondidinho is popular all over Brazil as an inexpensive yet tasty comfort dish. It is, essentially, a shepherd’s pie, with a few classic Brazilian twists. The most important difference between shepherd’s pie and escondidinho is the topping: instead of the mashed potato layer of a traditional cottage pie, escondidinho substitutes whipped yuca root (or cassava).   […]

Immigration from the Levantine Region to Brazil began in the late 19th century. The Ottoman Empire had collapsed, resulting in uncertain political and economic futures for the citizens of Lebanon and Syria. Between 1885 and 1933, over 130,000 Lebanese immigrants arrived in Brazil through the Port of Santos.  Today, over 7 million Brazilians claim Lebanese […]