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Tag: #coconut

Cornmeal Porridge With Coconut Milk (Canjica)

Posted on by John Reynolds

blue bowl of cornmeal porridge topped with cinnamon sticks

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Corn dishes are extremely popular in Brazil, especially in sweet favorites like curao de milho, cornmeal cake, and pamonhas. Today’s recipe is another sweet treat featuring corn: cornmeal porridge with coconut milk and, of course, sweetened condensed milk. Infused with warming spices, it is the perfect comfort dish on a cold winter morning. 

Do Brazilians Eat Cornmeal Porridge for Breakfast?

Generally speaking, breakfast in Brazil is a light meal with milky coffee and a little starch, like a buttered roll or slice of baguette. While porridge is generally consumed in the States as a breakfast item, this creamy cornmeal version is more often eaten as a dessert or snack during the Festas Juninas in Brazil. 

The Festas Juninas take place shortly after the country’s second harvest of sweet corn. They honor St. John the Baptist and are meant to celebrate the harvest, with plenty of corn dishes for sale. It is, after all, winter in the Southern Hemisphere, so warm, comforting dishes are in order. As a cheap and plentiful crop, you’ll find corn just about everywhere: popcorn, roasted corn on the cob, sweet corn pudding, cornmeal cakes, and even on top of hot dogs. 

Where Does Cornmeal Porridge Come From?

Cornmeal porridge is called “canjica” in Portuguese. Like many dishes, it likely arrived with slaves from West Africa. The Bantu languages have similar words to describe dishes made from ground corn. 

From Portuguese, “canjica” also refers to hominy, which is dried corn kernels that have been soaked in an alkali solution (sometimes lye). Traditional Brazilian recipes for canjica often call for canned or dried hominy in place of cornmeal. This is certainly an option, but we like the cornmeal for simplicity and speed.

Toppings for Cornmeal Porridge?

This canjica is already infused with lovely spices and vanilla, as well as that sweet shredded coconut. It really doesn’t need much on top, except another dash of cinnamon and a few coconut flakes. That being said, you can kick it up a notch with a few toppings that pair well with the other flavors:

  • Fruit: bananas, peaches, and apples work especially well with the cinnamon and coconut
  • Cream: a splash of heavy whipping cream never goes amiss with a good bowl of porridge
  • Roasted peanuts: many Brazilians like to top their canjica with some chopped roasted peanuts for added crunch and flavor
  • Shaved chocolate: why not? Chocolate is always welcome, and with the cinnamon, the taste would be reminiscent of a lovely Mexican hot chocolate. 

Cornmeal Pudding Recipe 

Ingredients:

1 cup cornmeal
2 cups water
1 can (13.5 oz) coconut milk
1/2 cup shredded coconut
1/2 cup condensed milk
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt (optional, to taste)
Additional condensed milk or brown sugar for sweetening (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Prepare the Cornmeal Mixture: in a bowl, mix the cornmeal with 1 cup of water until it forms a smooth paste.
  2. Cook the Cornmeal Mixture: in a pot, bring the remaining 1 cup of water to a boil. Once boiling, gradually add the cornmeal mixture to the pot while stirring continuously to prevent lumps from forming.
  3. Add Coconut Milk and Shredded Coconut: lower the heat to medium and stir in the coconut milk and shredded coconut. Let the mixture simmer gently for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens to your desired consistency.
  4. Add Condensed Milk and Spices: pour in the condensed milk and stir well to combine. Add the ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt if desired. Continue to simmer for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
  5. Adjust Consistency and Sweetness: if the porridge is too thick, you can add more water or coconut milk to reach your desired consistency. Taste and adjust sweetness by adding more condensed milk or brown sugar, if needed.
  6. Serve: once the porridge reaches your preferred consistency and sweetness, remove it from the heat. Serve warm in bowls, garnished with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon or shredded coconut on top if desired.

Enjoy!

 

One Pan Coconut Lime Chicken

Posted on by John Reynolds

coconut lime chicken with fresh lime and cilantro garnishes

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Coconut milk is a popular ingredient in many Brazilian recipes, like savory pumpkin stew or the famous moqueca. It lends a creamy, tropical note to any dish, and this one pan coconut lime chicken recipe is no exception. It incorporates the bright taste of coconut and lime, with the earthier, warming spices of a traditional curry. It comes together in less than an hour and cooks in one pot for easy clean up. In other words: one pan coconut lime chicken is your next go-to weeknight dinner. 

Is One Pan Coconut Lime Chicken Spicy?

Yes, this recipe has a bit of a kick to it. It has both cayenne pepper and diced jalapeno, so we’d give it a heat rating of medium to medium high. That being said, you can customize the recipe to suit your preferences. Want more heat? Add another jalapeno or a pinch more cayenne. Prefer it mild? Remove the ribs and seeds from your jalapeno, use half the cayenne, or skip the spicy bits all together. 

Healthy Versions of Coconut Lime Chicken

There are a couple ways you can tone down the calories in your one pan coconut lime chicken dinner. While we love the silky, creamy texture and toasted flavor of full fat coconut milk, we are aware it is not the most waist-friendly of ingredients. You can substitute fat-free coconut milk if you are trying to limit your calorie intake. You can also use chicken breasts in place of chicken thighs, which are slightly higher in fat and calories. 

What to Serve with One Pan Coconut Lime Chicken?

Our favorite thing to eat with this chicken, or almost any Brazilian dish, is Brazilian rice. It is a simple recipe of white rice toasted with garlic and onions, then simmered in water or broth until fluffy but not sticky. This style of rice is served with nearly every meal in Brazil. It is so popular that many Brazilians prepare a jar of the aromatics (“refogado”) ahead of time. 

Another great pairing would be crispy yuca fries. Serve the chicken and a generous ladleful of the coconut lime sauce over a bed of fried yuca and *chef’s kiss* you’ll have your new favorite comfort food.

Chicken Breasts vs Chicken Thighs

We like to use boneless, skinless chicken thighs in this recipe for three reasons:  

  1. They have a deeper flavor that can stand up to the spices 
  2. It is much harder to overcook thighs.  
  3. They are way cheaper than chicken breasts. 

However, you can absolutely substitute the chicken thighs for breasts in your one pan coconut lime chicken. 

Can You Freeze One Pan Coconut Lime Chicken?

Sure. You can store leftovers or a make-ahead version in your freezer for up to three months. We’d recommend thawing it in the oven, however, as opposed to the stove top, so you don’t aggressively reheat the chicken. Bake it covered in an oven-safe dish at 350 for around an hour, then squeeze some fresh lime juice over the top to awaken the zing you may have lost from the cold. 

One Pan Coconut Lime Chicken Recipe

Ingredients:

2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken thighs cut into 2 inch cubes
1 can unsweetened coconut milk
1 small onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp coriander
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp cayenne
1 tsp turmeric
1 tsp salt
Ground black pepper, to taste
1 green bell pepper, chopped
1 jalapeno, minced
1 can stewed, diced tomatoes
2 tbsp fresh lime juice
Extra virgin olive oil
Fresh, chopped cilantro for garnish

Instructions:

  1. Marinate the Chicken: in a bowl, combine the chicken with coriander, cumin, cayenne, turmeric, salt, black pepper ,fresh  lime juice, and a splash of olive oil. Toss the chicken until evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 15-20 minutes.
  2. Preheat the Pan: heat a large pan over medium-high heat and add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil.
  3. Cook the Chicken: place the marinated chicken in the pan and cook until browned on all sides. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Once browned, remove the chicken from the pan and set it aside.
  4. Saute Onions and Garlic: reduce the heat to medium. In the same pan you used for the chicken, add a bit more olive oil if needed. Saute the chopped onion until it becomes translucent. Add minced garlic and cook for an additional 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
  5. Pour in Coconut Milk: pour in the can of unsweetened coconut milk, stirring well to combine with the spices and onions.
  6. Add Tomatoes, Jalapeno, Bell Pepper, and Lime Juice: stir in the can of stewed, diced tomatoes. Return the browned chicken to the pan. Add fresh lime juice and diced jalapenos and bell pepper.
  7. Simmer: bring the mixture to a rolling simmer. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it cook for about 10-15 minutes, or until the chicken is cooked through and the jalapenos and bell pepper have softened.
  8. Serve: once the chicken is fully cooked and the flavors have melded together, serve your One Pan Coconut Lime Chicken over Brazilian rice or with your favorite side dishes. Garnish with fresh cilantro if desired.

Texas de Brazil Meat Delivery

Don’t forget to order your butcher box to arrive in time for Valentine’s Day! Select from premium cuts of beef, pork, and lamb so you can prepare the perfect romantic dinner at home. For a limited time, orders of $150 or more earn a free Australian rack of lamb ($24 value). Visit our online market today to get started. 

Brazilian Coconut Cocktail (Batida de Coco)

Posted on by John Reynolds

Brazilian coconut cocktail with straw, mini umbrella, and lime wedges

Coconut features heavily in much of traditional Brazilian cuisine. This is especially true in the north and northeastern regions of the country, which account for more than 80 percent of the country’s entire crop. You can find coconut milk enriching soups and stews, added to desserts, and of course, blended into drinks. Today’s recipe is a refreshing coconut cocktail called a batida de coco. Creamy, frothy, and incredibly simple to make, we’re certain you’ll be adding this to your list of poolside cocktails. 

Shaken Drinks in Brazil

For many of us, fruity adult beverages mean blended beverages: pina coladas, blended margaritas, daiquiris, and even frozen wine cocktails are a favorite in America. But Brazilians tend to favor shaken and muddled drinks over blended ones. The word batida itself means “shaken” in Portuguese. 

While today’s coconut cocktail recipe does involve a blender, it is merely to incorporate the liquid ingredients and produce a frothy texture and appearance. The ice will remain separate. If you wish, however, you can blend the ice with the other ingredients to make a blended version. 

Cachaça Substitutes for Batida de Coco

Your Brazilian coconut cocktail wouldn’t truly be Brazilian without a key ingredient: cachaca. Cachaca is the national liquor of Brazil. It is strictly regulated and, like rum, can be produced in light or dark varieties. Unlike rum, however, cachaca is made from fresh sugarcane juice that has been fermented. Rum is also derived from sugar, but it is made from the by-products of boiling it (namely, molasses). 

Cachaca has become more popular outside of Brazil in the last few years, so you shouldn’t have any trouble finding it at a larger liquor store. If you simply cannot find it, though, you can substitute a spiced rum or vodka. It may not be authentic, but you will still be getting a taste of Brazil with the coconut and condensed milk flavors. 

How to Choose Cachaca?

Again, cachaca is gaining in popularity, so you may be able to find several varieties at your local bottle shop. Cachaca may be consumed young or aged, light or dark. So what makes a good cachaca? In general, you want to look for small batch cachaca that has been pot distilled. Column distilled cachaca is mass produced and will lack depth of flavor. 

In terms of age, this will be your preference. Younger cachaca will retain some of the grassy, bright flavors of the sugarcane, while older varieties will incorporate the flavor of the wooden barrels in which they were aged. This can lend a smoky layer that you may or may not like. 

When it comes to a coconut cocktail, we tend to find that a semi-aged, small batch cachaca adds both a level of brightness and sophistication to an otherwise heavy drink. But again, you can customize this ingredient to suit your own palette.

Related: How to Make a Caipirinha

Coconut Cocktail Recipe from Brazil (Batada de Coco)

Makes eight 8 oz cocktails

Ingredients:

8 oz cachaca, rum, or vodka
2 cups coconut milk
2 cups coconut water
20 oz of sweetened condensed milk (more or less to taste)
Ice cubes

Directions:

  1. Fill a large pitcher with ice and pre-chill serving glasses in the freezer.
  2. Put all ingredients except for the ice in the belly of a blender. Blend or pulse until the mixture is frothy and uniform.
  3. Pour the mixture over the ice in the pitcher. If any of the ice has melted during blending, replace it with fresh ice.
  4. Fill the chilled glasses to the brim and garnish with fresh grated coconut and lime rounds. Enjoy responsibly! 

More Great Brazilian Drinks  to Try:

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