Receiving the Daily Order

When you place a food order in Brazil, you can forget about it arriving in a refrigerated 18 wheeler, vacuum packed and stored in sealed boxes, stacked from floor to ceiling. Here the food is purchased as locally as possible and transported as inexpensively as possible - usually in one of these old school Volkswagon Vans. This one was parked outside of a local live market where they were unloading the daily products. While some people would be disgusted by the "display," I find the lack of synthetic packaging very comforting. It helps make the connection, which so many people today often forget, that food actually comes from a farm...from nature. My experience with food here in Brazil has helped me remember and appreciate this fact.

Sul do Brasil: The Land of the Churrasco

This may be the most commonly known version of Brazilian food. All over the U.S., Brazilian Churrascarias are becoming more and more popular. Visit one and you will find a classy restaurant that serves many cuts of high quality meat on skewers that are brought to the table and sliced onto your plate. This is the glamorized version of a Brazilian Churrasco.

But here in Brazil, a Churrasco is all about the party. Family and friends gather to enjoy an entire day of eating and drinking and good conversation. A variety of meats are cooked to perfection on metal skewers above embers of charcoal or wood. In the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul, where the churrasco originated, they typically use wood to add an additional layer of depth to the meat. The typical Brazilian churrasco grill looks like the one below.

Another difference is that Brazil takes advantage of the whole cow, pig, and chicken, offering cuts that are not even available in the States. Just take a look at the diagram below: 21 cuts of beef! The typical American diagram boasts a mere 13. Notice #21 - the hump of the cow. You won't find that in the States. Chicken hearts and a variety of homemade pork sausages are other examples of meats served at your neighborhood churrasco.

Brazil's Butcher Shop: At live markets in Brazil, whole sides of meat hang from hooks waiting for the butcher to skillfully carve your selection. I would personally recommend Picanha, costellas defumado, and hand made linguica.

The Feira- Brazil's Open Air Market

It can be as small as a one street block or as large and encompassing as 20 street blocks. Usually held on Wednesdays and Sundays, one will find anything from fresh fruits and vegetables to meat, herbs and spices, eggs, honey, liquor, flowers and even kitchen supplies. Strolling along the streets you'll hear vendors boasting about their product, you'll see locals stocking up for the week, and strolling along you'll start to feel the essence of the Brazilians and their food.

A Great Example of Food in its Pre-Fabricated State

Take bacon. Commonly used in the U.S. as well as here in Brazil. The difference is in the packaging, or lack thereof. In the States you find bacon sliced, shingled and placed neatly in a plastic pouch ready for consumption. If you were to ask your average shopper they would most likely explain bacon comes directly out of the pig that way. Here in Brazil, it's a different story. Bacon is cured, kept at room temperature and sold in blocks at your local market. If you want bacon in neat slices, well, you better know how to handle a knife.

Brazil's Gems

For the past several months, I've been blessed with the opportunity to spend some time getting to know the magnificent country of Brazil. Vast and diverse, this country offers a Culinary WonderLand to us kitchen folk. Unique ingredients and flavors speak boldly in their cuisine. It takes time to really get to know each dish's true identity, and time is what the Brazilians put into their cooking. There are no short cuts, no pre-cut, pre-cooked food. Here they take the time to ensure perfection allowing flavors to mix together resulting in a divine creation. 

Let's also not forget two of Brazil's Gems of the culinary world: Coffee and Cachaca! 

Appreciate the Beauty of Nature

Take time to get to know your local food market. Visit regularly, form relationships with the vendors and open your eyes to the beauty of fresh fruits and vegetables. 

Cut out the Middle Man

Freshest of the Fresh - be the first to select your seafood by meeting the fishermen at the docks

This place can't be beat. CEAGESP - Sao Paulo General Warehousing and Centers Company- is the point of reference in the sale of fish integrating about 70 fish companies and sellers. Meet them there at 2am and witness the magic.