Molho Vinagrete (vinaigrette salsa)

Ingredients

1 cup of chopped tomatoes
1/2 cup of chopped onions
1/2 cup of chopped parsley
2 table spoons of olive oil
2 table spoons of any lime juice (or vinegar)
Sugar
Salt (or some flavoring powder)
Black pepper

Preparation

Put the tomatoes, onions, parsley, lime juice, flavoring power and olive oil in a bow. Add a bit of water and a bit of sugar, and mix everything. (Add the pepper if you want to)

Hint: If you're using salt instead of flavoring powder, add the salt right before serving. Salt dehydrates the tomatoes in the mixture if let for long time.

Marinated BBQ Chicken

Ingredients

750 g of Chicken Thighs/Legs/Wings (with the skin)
2 spoons of Vinegar
2 squeezed Limes
1 full spoon of Paprika
1 cup of chopped parsley
3 gloves of garlic (chopped)
Sea salt (as much as you like – if you put too much the chicken only absorbs the right amount)

Preparation

Mix all the ingredients with your hands and than marinate it for at least 2 hours.

Place the chicken on the BBQ not close to the fire and eventually turn the chicken. It’s meant to be slowly cooked.

Corn Cake (Bolo de Fubá)

For a big corn cake:

3 whole eggs

2 1/2 cups of milk

1 1/2 cup of sugar

2 1/2 cups of 'polenta' (or corn flour, but polenta is better)

1 1/2 cup of plain wheat flour

1/3 cup of oil

2 soup spoons of baking powder

Mix everything and bake for 35 minutes at 180 degrees.

Optional: 1 spoon of ground cinnamon and 2 spoons of coconut.

Brigadeiro (chocolate sweet)

Ingredients:
- 1 can of condensed milk (405g);
- 200ml milk;
- 1 tbsp butter;
- 6 tbsps chocolate powder;
- chocolate sprinkle or hundreds-and-thousands or silver balls;
- mini paper cases



In a sauce pan, add the condensed milk, milk and butter. Take it to boil, stirring all the time.
When the butter melts, add the chocolate powder.



After boiling, keep stirring for around 20 minutes or until the mixture stops sticking on the bottom of the pan. It is a very thick and sticky consistency.
Take it off the heat and set aside to cool down completely. You can put it in the fridge if necessary.


Spread the chocolate sprinkle on a plate and place the paper cases on a separate plate.
Spread butter in your hands, so the brigadeiro won't stick.
With a teaspoon, take a litte bit of the mixture and roll into small balls, truffle size.
Roll the truffle on the sprinkle plate and place it in the paper case.



It is a messy business, but everybody loves it. :)

P.S.: you can also make another version, without the chocolate powder, adding grated coconut and using granulated sugar instead of sprinkles. This version is called "coconut kiss". :)

Brazilian 'feijoada'

Ingredients for the feijoada:
- 750g Black Beans
- 300g Pork (Streaky slices), diced
- 50g chorizo, diced or in round pieces
- 150g smoked Bacon, diced
- 300g British Beef, diced
- 200g Pork, diced
- 1 Smoked Sausage, diced
- 1/2 red pepper, chopped
- 1/2 pack of coriander, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 lime, juice of
- 1 1/2 tbsps tomato purée
- 4 Bay leaves
- 2 pork stock cubes
- 2 Spring onions
- Black Pepper and Salt
- 3 tablespoons of Cumin
- 2 tablespoons of Paprika
- 1 clove of Garlic, squashed
- 5 tablespoons Olive Oil/Oil

Preparing:
The night before, soak the beans in a large bowl with water to cover at least 3-4 inches (for around 12h).
Cook in a high heat until the beans are soft (around 1 1/2 hours), adding water when necessary to keep beans covered.

On a separate pan, add the olive oil and when hot, add the onions, garlic and red pepper. When the onion is gold, add all the meat, paprika, tomato purée, lime juice, and cumin. Mix well and cook for around 30 minutes.

Add the coriander, spring onions, black pepper, bay leaves, stock cubes and the cooked meat to the beans and cook for another hour and a half.

A good feijoada should have a creamy consistency when done.
Serve with white rice, sliced oranges, cabbages and 'farofa'.



Ingredients for the cabbage:
- olive oil
- 1 clove of garlic
- 1 savoy cabbage, cut into thin strips
- 1 tbsp Aromat

Sprinkle olive oil on a frying pan, fry the garlic until golden brown. Add the cabbage and sprinkle the aromat on top of it, mixing well.

Ingredients for the cassava meal:
- 300g cassava (Gari)
- 2 tbsps butter
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1/2 pack of parsley, chopped

Melt the butter on a frying pan, add the onions and fry a little. Add the cassava, and the parsley, mixing them well until the flour is a bit toasted.


Serves 12