Brazil is the largest country by territory and population in South America. Its population is the mixed descendants of the Indians, Portuguese, Africans and French. And as a result, the cuisine of Brazil formed taking into account the culinary traditions of these peoples.
Each region has its own type of cuisine, sometimes completely different from neighboring. It all depends on the majority of ethnic groups.
Curious fact
Residents of Rio Grande do Sul, lovers of churrasco – grilled meat, might not have heard of pato no tucupi – the crown dish of the Amazon – pieces of duck cooked in a thick sauce with cassava. This grass will burn the stomach for a couple of hours after eating.
History with geography: cuisine of the regions
From the time of colonization, a strong bond from the traditions of the Indians, Portuguese and African is the basis of Brazilian cuisine. But in the same time of her general portrait, which is true for all of Brazil, it is almost impossible to describe. To make up your mind about Brazilian kitchen, you have to get acquainted with the culinary of each of its twenty six states. And this is not counting the metropolitan area.
The cuisine of the regions has shaped its features thanks to the history and geography. Each region has a typical local dish, which is prepared daily. And dishes that are prepared only on holiday days.
The north of Brazil is famous for the following dishes:
- tacaca no tucupi – pasta with cassava flour in a sauce of dried shrimp and jumbo, astringent grass tongue;
- munguza – a mixture of corn kernels and small pieces Coconut
- grated green bananas fried in milk;
- guisado de tartaruga – braised turtle;
- cooked in a sauce crab with freshwater fish.
The Northeast is known for others:
- carne de sol – salted meat, sun-dried;
- lobsters in coconut milk;
- fish stewed with coconut pulp in coconut milk;
- prawns cooked with seasoning from coriander, onion, pepper, as well as with the addition of lemon, coconut milk and palm oils;
- hinxim de galinha – the heritage of African traditions, which prepared from chicken, with peanut sauce with cashew nuts, sun-dried shrimp and slices of ginger;
- frigideira – fish and shellfish in batter on coconut milk, baked in a clay pot.
The West is famous for the following recipes:
- lombo de porco – pork loin roast;
- Jacare – a dish of alligator meat;
- pao de queijo – bread with cassava and cheese.
Southeast prefers:
- couscous mixed with cornmeal and dried shrimp;
- dried cod;
- grilled sardines.
However, in Brazil there are also regions whose cooking so far still in the process of formation. For example, cuisine in the Southern region, on the formation of which was influenced by German immigrants. And culinary traditions of the state of sao paulo that has hosted immigrants from Italy.
With all the variety of tastes and preferences, still in Brazil there is one dish that can be called truly Brazilian. it feijoada – for its preparation is taken black beans, pork, garlic, dried meat, cassava flour, smoked sausage, pepper and Bay leaf. Dish served with orange slices, cabbage and white rice.
The amazing taste of feijoada in its verses immortalized Vinicius de Morais is a famous Brazilian poet, playwright and diplomat.
The history of this recipe has been preserved. According to legends about three hundred years ago, it began to prepare African slaves. Pork scraps that they got from the master’s table, they cooked with black beans, animal food. Then this recipe the Portuguese complemented by adding sausage, and the Indians added flour from cassava mixed with butter.
Traditionally with feijoada drink caipirinha. Drink from cachasa – sugarcane vodka with lemon and honey. Regardless of history, or perhaps thanks to it, feijoada is everyone’s favorite dish Brazilians. Let her recipe vary from region to region.
What to eat in Brazil: holidays and weekdays
Brazilian menus are made from black beans and rice, coconut milk and palm oil, cassava and chicken, beef and pork, sausages and shrimp, pasta and cheese, pumpkin and tomato, as well as all kinds of seafood.
Traditional green salads from chicory, bacon and parmesan; salads of golden, juicy and crispy palmito – core palm tree. Boiled or fried are preferred for garnish. cassava tubers, it tastes like sweet potatoes.
Brazilians often eat bean soups and broths with chicken and rice. In their opinion, this is healthy food for children, sick and elderly people, as well as nursing mothers.
Brazil has an interesting tradition: a seasonal menu. At first it was associated with fruit ripening in Africa, and only then in Brazil became a cult system of food bans. For example, such dishes, like efo, kapoor, hin hin. They are made from meat with rice, in the process adding bell peppers and fruits.
Brazilians prefer soups to rice soaps. One of the most delicious is considered to be oxtail. Her served in a clay jug.
As for desserts, in times of slavery, their creation could boast only rich houses and convents. Surprisingly, but it was in Portuguese convents that arose Confectionery art of Brazil. The nuns taught this and the young Senorit from wealthy families.
Now this art is the lot of chocolatiers. Graceful in everyday life recipes of bygone days were replaced by simpler and more affordable sweets, mainly using condensed milk.
Coffee in Brazil
Any meal with Brazilians is necessarily accompanied cafezinho, known worldwide as espresso. Love and appreciate coffee all over the world, but only in Brazil is it akin to religion. It is served in demitasses, in small cups.
A real Brazilian will drink 12-30 demitasses per day.
Brazilian businessman is sure to invite a partner for a cup cafezinho. A good hostess will first offer the guest cafezinho. For coffee for the Brazilian is an indestructible symbol hospitality.
After breakfast, but before lunch, Brazilians must drink coffee with dessert and fruit juice. But not just cafezinho alone is alive Brazilian. Among local drinks must be noted guarana. Guarana seeds, like coffee, contain caffeine, and in the modern market of Brazil, this drink is successful today competes with Pepsi and Coca-Cola.
Street kitchen
By the way, Brazilians are very fond of snack food. The one that they take hands and eat a couple of bites. Such food can completely fill any holiday menu: from weddings to birthdays. Brazilians have many favorite recipes for snacks: canapes stuffed with olives, fried cheese or cod meatballs, mini pies with shrimp or chicken, fried chicken legs.
Squares in front of churches, parks, squares, beaches – everywhere you can buy street food. She enjoys the same love among Brazilians any social class. On the street you can enjoy boiled corn, coconut milk sweets, meat pies, fruit or take a thick stew. Outdoor cuisine is diverse and endless in listing dishes.
Restaurant Cuisine Brazil
Of course, the daily menu of ordinary Brazilians is very different from restaurant kitchen. They may well offer to try the snake, fried in slices.
In restaurants in Brazil, not only national cuisine is presented, but also the cuisines of all countries of the world. The city of Sao Paulo is considered a gastronomic center where you can try almost any a dish of any cuisine.
Intricate and sophisticated Brazilian cuisine will delight The discerning gourmet for its unusualness. But to make up full opinion, he will have to visit all regions of Brazil. However, it will be an unforgettable trip!
