Brazilian food certainly is delicious. Once tasted, you will be craving for it time and time again. To get the closest flavors to Brazilian food outside of Brazil, the best way would be to simply prepare it at home. While visiting Brazil, you can take a 1 day cooking class that will teach you the steps to cook a simple dish, or, if times allows it, you can opt for more in depth courses that will offer broader training. Consider Cook in Rio, this center, located in Rio de Janeiro, hosts 4 hour classes designed especially for tourists. They offer two different sessions, each specializing in a unique Brazilian dish. For booking enquiries and general questions, call them at +55 (21) 98761-3653 or email them at [email protected]. On the other hand, if you are in São Paulo, Receitaria Escola Gourmet also offers similar lessons. They can be contacted at [email protected] or +55 (11) 2892 0031.
Feijoada
To get started, let’s run through how to prepare one classic dish called Feijoada, and one popular drink known as the Caipirinha.
This is a hearty Black bean pork stew. Rich in flavor, it will delight anyone who tries it. This is a large stew so make sure you have guests over! Here is what is needed (serves 5):
- 225 grams dry black beans
- 225 grams pork shoulder, cut into chunks
- 225 grams carne seca or corned beef
- 115 grams fresh sausage, such as fresh chorizo or Italian sausage
- 225 grams smoked sausage, such as linguiça or kielbasa
- 225 grams crushed tomatoes
- 1 small smoked ham hock or shank
- 1/2 head of garlic, peeled and chopped
- 1 large onions, sliced
- 4 tbsp. olive oil
- 2 bay leaves
- Rice
- Water
- Salt and pepper to taste
First, take the black beans and put them in a pot and cover with water. Bring the pot to a boil then immediately remove from the flame and let it sit.
Take a large pot, add the oil and put over medium-high heat. Brown the pork shoulder. Once browned remove and add the onions. Add a pinch of salt and the garlic, sautéing the onions till translucent.
Add the other meats plus the browned pork shoulder back into the pot. Fill with water until the meat is just covered. Add the bay leaves and cover the pot to simmer for an hour. After the hour is up, add the black beans then continue to simmer for a further 1.5 hours.
Now add the tomatoes and taste, add extra salt/pepper if needed. Give it a stir and simmer for a further 2-3 hours uncovered. The stew will be ready when the meat is tender enough to fall off the bones.
Serve with rice, and enjoy this delicious stew with friends and family.
Caipirinha
This refreshing drink is the best Brazilian way to relax during the hot summers.
You will need:
- 1 Lime
- Ice
- 2 teaspoons brown or raw sugar
- 2 shots Brazilian cachaça
(the better the cachaça is, the better the drink!)
Take your washed lime and cut it into 4 wedges. Put them in the bottom of your glass and muddle it along with 2 teaspoons of sugar. Fill the glass with ice; add the Cachaça and stir. Drink through a straw.
That’s it! Cachaça might be hard to obtain outside of Brazil, so stock up when available. However, if you’re truly dying to try this drink and can’t find any Cachaça, a good rum can be used as a substitute.
Have fun exploring Brazilian cuisine in the comforts of a home kitchen!