Spring recipes

While October means autumn for Europeans, i.e. cooler and crisper weather, in Brazil it is true spring weather. Temperatures are pleasant, nature is alive with colour and everything is coming to life. And what better way to brighten up these positive days than with tasty spring recipes.

Spring weather in Brazil

As Brazil is located in the southern hemisphere, the seasons here run in reverse. Spring in Brazil therefore occurs between September and November. During this period there are longer days, milder temperatures of around 20 °C and nature is waking up intensively. The spring rains, which occur regularly in many areas, help the landscape to recover. Moisture and freshness are important conditions for plant growth, and the landscape glows with beautiful colours.

With the arrival of beautiful spring weather, it is time to enjoy delicious recipes. Let’s introduce a few Brazilian dishes.

Pão de Queijo

A typical pastry that adds to the atmosphere of spring is Pão de Queijo, or Brazilian cheese bread. To make it you will need:

• 1.5 dl of semi-skimmed milk
• 0,75 dl oil
• 1 teaspoon of fine salt
• 250 g of sour cassava starch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 125 g grated Flemish Pingo Doce cheese
• L size egg
• yeast

Preheat the oven to 180 °C. Place a saucepan with milk, oil and salt on the hob. Once the mixture is hot, set aside and leave to cool. Then add the starch and yeast. Mix the ingredients together and then add the cheese and eggs and knead the dough. Form into balls and place them on a baking sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the bread is golden brown.

Vinaigrette salsa

Any Brazilian restaurant offers vinaigrette salsa, which is commonly served with feijoada or any grilled meat or fish. To prepare it you need:

• 1 large diced onion
• 4 diced tomatoes
• 1 diced green or red pepper
• 1/3 cup chopped parsley
• 1/4 cup white wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well. Then season with salt and pepper to taste.

Feijoada

One of the most popular Brazilian dishes is feijoada, a black bean stew. Its taste is considered to be really delicious, which is why it appears very often on the table.

Ingredients:

• 1 beef carne seca
• 3 large smoked Calabresa sausages
• 2 paio sausages
• 5 cups of dried black beans
• 3 dried bay leaves
• ½ large orange
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 6 slices of bacon, diced
• 1 large onion
• 12 minced garlic cloves
• salt and freshly ground pepper

The day before preparation, trim the fatty parts from the meat, place in a bowl and cover with cold water. Leave in the fridge for 24 hours, but change the water 3-4 times. Do the same with the beans. The next day, drain the meat and beans. Prepare a large pot, cover with enough water and put the meat in. Bring to the boil and cook for a further 20 minutes. Drain the water.

In the next step , mix the cooked meat, beans, bay leaf and orange. Then pour in 2.5 litres of cold water, bring to the boil and reduce to a gentle simmer, cover and cook for 30 minutes. When the time is up, add the sausages, cover again with a lid and simmer for about 1½ to 2 hours. Continue by removing the orange and bay leaves. Take out the meat and sausages, then cut these into pieces.

Prepare a frying pan, heat the oil, then add the bacon and fry until golden. Add the onion and garlic and fry again. Then add a ladleful of beans, which you mash. Pour the resulting mixture into a saucepan and cook over a medium heat without a lid for 10-15 minutes. Finally, season with salt and pepper. Serve with rice, fried bananas, vinaigrette salsa or orange slices!