Boas Festas – Happy Holidays
In Brazil the holidays fall in the very beginning of the summer, and although many of the American traditions have been incorporated into Brazilian holidays celebration, many things, including food and drink remain as tropical as the country.
Brazilians place greater emphasis on the Christmas Eve celebration, but lunch on the 25th is also important.
For both events the main dish is one or two roasted meats, such as turkey, pork, ham or leg of lamb. Some regions in the North will have fish or cod.
Along with these, depending on the region, people serve rice prepared with raisins, almonds, or other festive add-ons, farofa, a classic manioc flour side dish that goes very well with roasts and salpicao, a hearty yet fresh salad that mixes chicken, fruits, nuts and vegetables, present in most tables from north to south.
Recipe for Salpicão [sahl pee KOUN]
Although each region in the country has it’s on take on this salad, and each cook, insists he or she knows exactly which ingredients make the best salpicão, here’s a basic recipe from São Paulo:
| Ingredientes* 500 gramas de peito de frango cozido e desfiado* 1 pé de salsão * 1 pimentão verde* 1 pimentão vermelho* 2 cebolas médias
*2 maçãs verdes * ½ xícara de nozes picadas * ½ xícara de uvas passas pretas * 2 cenouras médias * salsinha picada * sal * pimenta do reino 500 gramas de maionese 300 gramas de batata palha
Modo de Preparo Corte o salsão, os pimentões, , as cebolas e as maçãs em cubos bem pequenos Rale as cenouras Misture todos os ingredientes, exceto a batata palha Coloque na geladeira por uma hora Espalhe a batata palha por cima antes de servir.
|
Ingredients* 500 grams of chicken breast cooked and shredded* 1 head of celery* 1 green pepper* 1 red pepper* 2 medium onions
* 2 green apples * ½ cup chopped walnuts * ½ cup of black raisins * 2 medium carrots * chopped parsley * salt * black pepper 500 grams of mayonnaise 300 grams of potato sticks (store bought)
Instructions Cut the celery, peppers, onions or apples into small cubes Grate carrots Mix all ingredients except potato sticks Place in refrigerator for an hour Sprinkle the potato sticks on top of the salad before serving. |
A traditional dessert in most homes is rabanada, a simple type of French toast. Along with fresh fruit and panettone, rabanada is a favorite among children.
Recipe for Rabanada [hah bah NAH dah]
| Ingredientes* ½ lata de leite condensado* 2 ovos batidos* ½ xícara de leite * 1 colher de chá de baunilha* 16 fatias de pão francês amanhecido
* açúcar e canela a gosto * óleo para fritar
Modo de preparo Misture em uma tigela o leite condensado, os ovos batidos, o leite, e a baunilha. Mergulhe uma fatia de pão na mistura Retire a fatia rapidamente para não ficar muito encharcada Frite em um frigideira com óleo, virando quando ficar dourada. Coloque num papel absorvente e espalhe açúcar com canela por cima enquanto quente.
|
Ingredients* ½ can of condensed milk* 2 eggs, beaten* ½ cup milk* 1 teaspoon vanilla extract* 16 slices of baguette type bread
* sugar and cinnamon to taste * oil for frying
Instructions In a bowl, mix the condensed milk, beaten eggs, milk, and vanilla. Dip a slice of bread in the mixture Remove the slice quickly so it won’t get too soggy Fry each slice in a skillet with oil, turning when golden. Place on a paper towel and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar over while still hot.
|
Again, because it is summer, there are no hot drinks at holiday celebrations in Brazil. Brazilians drink beer, cider, wine and juices at holiday parties. The cocktails served are usually peach juice with champagne or batida de fruita, a blend of fruits with cachaça, the native rum made from fermented sugarcane.
Recipe for Batita de Coco [bah TEE dah dgi KOHcoo] – Coconut Cocktail
| Ingredientes Rende 4 batidas* ½ xícara de leite condensado* 1 xícara de leite de coco* 4 doses (200 ml) de cachaça* gelo
Modo de preparo Em um liquidificador misture o leite condensado, o leite de coco, a cachaça e o gelo e bata até o gelo ficar triturado. Sirva em taças tipo martini.
|
IngredientsMakes 4 cocktails* ½ cup of condensed milk* 1 cup coconut milk* 4 doses (200 mL) of cachaça* ice
Instructions In a blender combine the condensed milk, coconut milk, cachaça and ice and blend until the ice is completely crushed. Serve in martini glasses. |
