Brazilian Cooking Class

As I typically do on all my travels, I signed up for a cooking class as soon as I arrived in Brazil.  It was winter and the weather was a bit dreary during the week I was in Rio de Janeiro.  Cooking classes are a great rainy day activity (although I would do it even … Continue reading

Caipirinha de Limão

Well, obviously you cannot take a cooking class in Brazil without making the country’s national cocktail!  This famous drink is made of cachaça, a distilled spirit made from sugarcane juice, that I refer to as “fire water.”  I tried drinking it straight once when I was in Rio and wow that hurt bad… reminded me … Continue reading

Farofa de Banana

Farofa is a typical accompaniment to many Brazilian dishes, especially the classic black bean stew feijoada.  At many locals restaurants in Brazil, you will often see a bowl of farofa already on the table, just waiting to complement some hearty Brazilian dishes. Farofa is made of manioc flour, also known as cassava powder.  Cassava is … Continue reading

Moqueca Baiana

Moqueca baiana which translates to “Bahian stew” in Portugese is literally that — a delicious Brazilian seafood stew originating from the Bahia state in the Northeast region of the country.  This dish is influenced by African cuisine, which is most noticeable in its use of palm oil.  Palm oil is an edible vegetable oil made … Continue reading