Brazil Nuts:

Many different nuts grow in the amazon rain forest so why not nibble on some brazil nuts or cashews for an easy snack.

Pão de Queijo (Cheese Bread):

If you can find tapioca flour try to make these delicious snacks that were a hit with my family:

http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/brazilian-cheese-bread-pao-de-queijo

This is the recipe we are going to make one day soon....

http://southamericanfood.about.com/od/desserts/r/Brazilian-Banana-Cake-Cuca-De-Banana.htm

Photo: O. Zwarych

Quindim:

This was our favourite dessert by far! It was gobbled down quickly. I took a photo of it still in the pie plate just in case it didn’t flip well and then one as I served it in pieces inverted so you can see the beautiful yellow custard!

We found the recipe here: http://allrecipes.com/recipe/190357/quindim/?internalSource=search%20result&referringContentType=search%20results

For a great book for kids on Brazilian food try this one:

Foods of Brazil, by Barbara Sheen, Gale Cengage Learning 2008 - This has both recipes and information about food rooted in the past and foods from different regions.

I found most of my recipes here: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/search/recipes?query=brazil

BREAKFAST:

According to my research, a typical Brazilian breakfast is usually light because lunch is more substantial. Coffee, milk, bread (usually a French roll) skillet toasted with butter or jam, and fresh fruit. The most common fruit is the papaya. Sometimes cheese and ham are served with the bun. The Pao de queijos (we made for our snack) are often served for breakfast as well. I used flaky rolls and served pinapple, papaya and mango along with some jam.

Here's where I found my research:

http://www.maria-brazil.org/brazilian_eating_habits.htm

http://thebrazilbusiness.com/article/what-brazilians-have-for-breakfast

http://southamericanfood.about.com/od/exploresouthamericanfood/fl/Breakfast-in-Brazil.htm

Also enjoyed at breakfast are cakes whose batter is mixed in a blender and poured into a pan, like the Cuca de banana (a southern Brazilian treat influence by German immigrants.

We tried some empanadas from a food truck!

Beans have always been an important part of the Brazilian diet. Traditionally Brazilians make black beans using dried beans that take hours to cook.

Feijoada

Feijoada is the national dish of Brazil for more than 300 year! It is a black bean stew make with sausage and pork. Because it takes a long time to prepare it is usually eaten on Saturdays giving the cook plenty of time to make it and everyone else plenty of time to enjoy the meal. This dish is usually made with a side of kale or collard greens, which you could also make if your kids will try “green” foods!

SNACKS:

Salgdadihos/ Little Salty Treats:

Tiny meat, bean or cheese pies are an example of Salgdadihos. Empadinhas are probably the most common. Make your own (here is a recipe: https://atasteofbrazil.org/2013/10/02/empadinha-de-frango-chicken-pies/) or see if you can buy some already made. Another snack is the Pastel (fried empadinha) or Pamonhas (little purses of corn, coconut, sugar and farofa wrapped in corn husks and steamed.

NOTE: Caipirinha is an alcoholic cocktail which of course isn’t for kids, so in it’s place I created a lime drink.

Brazilian Inspired Lime Soda:

Put I tbsp (or less) of sugar into a glass. Cut 1 lime into wedges and squeeze into the glass so the juice lands on the sugar. Mix the juice and lime. Drop in the used lime pieces, add ice cubes and then top with club soda or sparkling water.

Moqueca:

Moqueca is a seafood stew that comes from the northeastern part of Brazil.

We used the Moqueca recipe found in the book listed above (which my kids found a little plain) but here is another recipe if you cannot find the book: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/bahia-style-moqueca-prawn-stew

Brazilian Rice:

Although rice is not native to Brazil it was brought over by the Portuguese and it grew well in Brazil’s rich soil which made it soon a part of the Brazilian diet. We served the seafood stew over this rice.

Here is the recipe we made for our Brazilian dinner: https://atasteofbrazil.org/2013/07/30/brazilian-rice/

LUNCH:

Brazilians typically enjoy a hearty meal at midday, accompanied by a caipirinha and then a nap.

Photo: O. Zwarych

I opted to make something less authentic and created my own quick stew for lunch using a can of drained black beans, mixed into browned susage and onions with salt and garlic. I then added some chopped ham, a bay leaf and a can of crushed tomatoes, stewing this mixture until heated through. For an authentic recipe try this one and let me know how it goes: http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/feijoada_brazilian_black_bean_stew/

DINNER:

Churrasco:

Churrasco is a Portuguese term for grilling meat! Barbecued meat is very popular in Brazil so if you don’t why to try a more authentic recipe simply grill up your family’s favourite meat for this Theme Day!

Have your own Brazilian Festa (celebration) and serve up some of these foods from Brazil.

Brazil

Photo: O. Zwarych

FOODS

DESSERT:

Brazil has a variety of candies that are enjoyed as sweet treats. Here is the one we made...

Brigadeiros (Brazilian Chocolate Truffles):

This sweet treat is often made for birthday parties. My boys especially liked the ones rolled in coconut!

Here is the recipe we tried: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/brazilian-chocolate-truffles-brigadeiro

Rice Pudding:

Rice pudding topped with melted sugar and cinnamon is also eaten all over Brazil so whip up your favourite recipe for this Theme Day and serve it hot or cold.

Here is the recipe we used: https://atasteofbrazil.org/2016/02/19/brazilian-rice-pudding/

Juice Bars:

Brazilian Juice bars are world famous. Costumers choose to have the juice natural or can add sugar and water and even milk. If made with milk they are called Vitamina . Serve up some orange, pineapple or grapefruit juice for this Theme Day or try to find something more exotic like coconut water or Acai juice.

Vitamina de abacate – we made this delicious smoothie like drink which blends avocado sugar and milk.

https://atasteofbrazil.org/2013/12/03/vitamina-de-abacate-an-avocado-vitamin/

If you can find frozen Açaí pulp try this recipe (we couldn’t find any): http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/acai-smoothie

we made Brigadeiros rolled in coconut, almonds and pistachios!

Other foods that come from the amazon rainforest include, cola nuts (used to make your favourite soda), coffee beans, vanilla beans, chocolate beans, and tea!

An assortment of desserts from Brazil!