Foods To Try In Brazil
The Olympics are in full swing in Rio. In addition to all the entertainment from the events, there’s a lot of food to try. If you happen to be in Brazil for the games, make sure you try some of these foods.
Quindim
This dessert consists of coconut, eggs, sugar and sometimes butter. You’re probably wondering what makes it so special. Well, it’s the way it’s cooked. The bottom is toasted while the top of it has a smooth texture. The combination of the two is very pleasing to your taste buds. Quindim is fairly small and resembles a cupcake.
Moqueca
While this dish may appear to just be a fish stew, don’t let the appearance fool you. Moqueca generally consists of seafood, onions, tomatoes, coriander, rice and pirão (which is sort of a fish porridge). All of these ingredients combined really give it it’s flavor. Depending on where you go in the country, annatto seeds, coconut milk or peppers may be added to the dish.
Acarajé
This is what Brazilians call a street snack. It is basically a patty made out of black eyed peas and puréed onions. It is deep fried to perfection and sliced open. It is then stuffed with items like shrimp, prawns and nuts. Acarajé is also usually topped with chili sauce and served very hot.
Brigadeiros
These little balls look similar to a chocolate donut hole that you’d find in the U.S., but they are packed with a lot more flavor. They are actually a chocolate truffle that’s made with butter, cocoa powder and condensed milk. They are very sweet and sure to wake you up better than a cup of coffee in the morning.
Feijoada
This hearty stew can be found in many homes and restaurants in Brazil. It’s often made with pork, sausage and black beans. It’s bound to keep you full for hours. Most people would be surprised to find out that they actually use poor cuts of meat in this stew and what actually makes it so flavorful is the amount of time it’s cooked. It takes about 24 hours to make it, if it’s done right. Feijoada is generally served with orange slices or rice on the side.
Throughout the country there are many delicious dishes to try. Not sure what to eat while you are in Brazil? Ask a local as they can probably steer you in the right direction.
