Apr-2014
My favorite Brazilian dishes
I’ve been trying out everything the Brazilian kitchen has on its menu and I have to say that it’s a pretty darn good meal every time! All seems extremely healthy with many natural ingredients and it tastes amazing. Here is a list of things you should try!
- Moqueca
Moqueca de Peixe ao Molho de Camarão, which is fish and schrimps in a sauce, is a typical plate from the North-East of Brazil. What seems to be some kind of fish soup becomes a local delicatessen by the authentic way op preparation. They squeeze the fish through a kind of instrument which creates a special sauce and add shrimps, some paprika and onions. You eat it with farofa and rice.
- Tapioca
Salty or sweet, to me it looks like a crepe, but with a different structure. The first time I tried it I still had to figure out if I liked it or not but I soon got enthusiastic when I saw the name Tapioca written on a street sign again! I think it’s more a desert rather than a heavy meal, but it still fills your stomach. I love Tapioca with banana, condensed milk, chocolate and cinnamon.
- Carne de sol com mandioca
You have to try this when you’re very hungry. The meat and the mandioca have been cut into tiny pieces and many times it looks like a culinary pyramid covered with cheese. De-li-cious!
- Esfiha
A dish that’s more Arabic than Brazilian, but one can find it in Brazil at many places. Probably due to the many Arabic people living in Brazil.
There is again a choice of sweet and salty, but since I eat pancakes only with sweet ingredients and the Esfiha looks like a pancake to me I prefer to have a sweet Esfiha with chocolate and banana.
- Picanha
This meal is perfect for the real carnivore. Farofa, beans, rice and a lot of meat will make your day complete. As I am a big fan of meat I enjoyed the many many pieces of meat they serve you when you ask for Picanha.
Going out for a meal
It’s best to go for lunch or dinner with more people than just yourself since the Brazilians are kings at preparing a whole lot of food. For me to go to a restaurant and order my favorite dish has always been embarrassing because there would be a lot of delicious food left over afterwards. However, the chef might take this as a compliment as he now knows he prepared enough and nobody is left with a hungry feeling. I on the other hand think it’s a waste to through food away so I tend to ask for a doggy bag which many people still find too embarrassing to ask. I really think you should take the leftovers back home and warm them up later instead of just leaving it for the garbage. It’s all too delicious anyway.
How to handle the bill
Then another thing. Tips. Know what you are paying for! In Brazil it’s quite normal to add another 10% to the bill for service costs. Remember that you are not obligated to pay this 10%, only if you think the service was good then you should pay it. If you wish to leave another tip then the waiters might serve you another beer as they are not used to receiving more than what’s on the bill.
About Renate Rigters
Ever since I left my home country I felt at home at any other place I went to. I enjoy getting to know more cultures by talking to strangers and hearing their philosophy about life. Speaking with gestures when you can not find a shared language, finding places only the locals go to and learn about their customs and values. Hanging out with local people makes me happy. The experience of every new place is a step out of your comfort zone where I like to wander around until it feels like a second home.
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