Traveling to a new destination means embracing the foods and drinks offered in that region during your stay. Preparing your mind and body for this change can improve your traveling experience. If you are visiting Brazil for the World Cup this summer, you may be wondering about common food ingredients, including meats and spices, and the different cooking methods used to prepare them. In addition, you might want to know about some famous dishes you should definitely try on your trip. Well you are in luck!
Ingredients
Brazilian cooks use lots of green vegetables, potatoes, rice, and dairy to complete the meals. You will find dishes made with pork, beef, chicken, and seafood, such as crab and lobster. Lots of beans adorn rice dishes to round out the protein values. Spicy dishes are the norm in Brazil. Many dishes are spiced up by adding a few scoops of spicy sausage to each meal. Cooks also like to add fruit to their dishes to cool the mouth back down. You will find dishes filled with pineapple, guava, passion fruit, and mangos. Many dishes receive a sprinkle of paprika, garlic, cumin, cinnamon, and chili. Chefs commonly blend cinnamon into their savory dishes to up the spice factor. Chili powder gives many of the meals a delicious red color and yummy flavor profile.
Cooking Methods
Chefs regularly use wood-fired ovens, stovetops, and grills to prepare their dishes. The grills frequently include spits that allow cooks to spin meat on the rotisserie throughout the day. Some of the grills even include raised surfaces for roasting skewered meats and vegetables. Chefs cook certain meats, like whole chickens and ducks, in the oven, and then boil the meat or bones to pull out the juices to make rich gravy. Cooks mix up desserts on the stovetop or in mixing bowls before placing it in the oven to finish up. Desserts often include sweet sauces, chocolate crumbles, and fresh fruit.
Famous Dishes
Although favorite dishes vary from region to region in Brazil, everyone agrees about the national dish: feijoada. This exciting dish varies depending on the ingredients on hand at the time. This dish frequently includes salt pork or beef cuts mixed with sausage. Vegetables, like okra, cabbage, and potatoes, are stirred into that mixture to finish it off. A side of rice completes this dish and makes it extra filling. Other famous dishes you should try include chicken skewers, pork belly sandwiches, and cheese buns. Furthermore, you should enjoy coffee, the national drink, in quantity during your stay. For dessert, be sure to check out the chocolate fudge and peanut or cashew based treats. Desserts come in a wide range of flavors and styles, so try them and figure out your favorites.
