Brazil Night - Creme de abacate (Avocado Cream)


From original website: Most Americans are surprised when they see avocado cream in the dessert menu in Brazil. In this country, avocados are used in salads only. In Brazil, they become delicious ice creams and creamy desserts like this one. The fruit are also amazingly huge down there, so when I say large in the recipe I mean LARGE.





1 large avocado, peeled and pitted (We were lucky to find XL Avocados almost the size of papayas)
2 Tbsp fresh lime juice (I like mine on the tart side)
2-3 Tbsp sugar





Place all ingredients in a blender and puree. Serve in a stemmed glass; it looks beautiful and will impress your guests no end. You can also use a fork and mash the fruit with the lime juice, then add sugar to taste and serve it in little bowls. Decorate with a little sprig of mint.





Original Recipe from: http://www.maria-brazil.org/creme_de_abacate.htm
OUR Rating: Groceries expense very reasonable
Very Very Easy to make
4 out of 5
Would we make again? Yes. WE ended up using 2 XL avocados and filled 3 large martini glasses, it was a bit much and we would say the dessert should probably be a half of the martini glass we used. We also made fresh whip cream and added lime zest on the top.

Brazil Night - Brazilian Feijoada (Beans, Pork & Spices)


From original website: “Feijoada” means “bean” in Portuguese and is considered the traditional national dish of Brazil. It is a delightfully tasty blend of black beans, pork and spices in proportion to taste. This “bean potpourri” was originally created by early slaves from “discarded pig parts” such as snouts, ears, feet and tails. Today, Feijoada combines more palatable pork delicacies of sausages, ribs, bacon and pork sirloin. It is more visually appealing than its original creation. Feijoada is a similar cuisine to America’s “soul food”.



Ingredients:


16 oz. Canned black beans

1 lb. bacon (cut into squares)

1 lb. smoked pork sausage (sliced thick)

1 lb. pork sirloin (cubed)

2 onions (diced)

4 garlic cloves (crushed or finely diced)

4 bay leaves

1/2 tsp. Salt

1 tbsp. black pepper

hot pepper sauce (optional)

4 tsp. light oil


Preparation:



Heat the beans in a pot along with the salt, 2 cloves of garlic, 2 tsp. oil and the bay leaves.



In a separate pan add 2 tsp. Oil sautéing the onions with 2 cloves of garlic. Once the onions are clear drain the pan and reserve the onions.



Cook the bacon, sausage and sirloin in the same pan adding back the onions once meats are near completion.



Add meats and onions to the beans and cook an additional 10 minutes.



Add pepper sauce if desired, remove bay leaves and serve with rice.


Original Recipe from: http://www.braziltravelvacation.com/food-recipes.html
OUR Rating: Groceries expense a bit high due to 3 types of pork
Easy to make
4 out of 5
Would we make again? Yes. But we think we should try frying the bacon a bit first before adding the rest of the meat.

Brazil Night - Aztec South American Chocolate and Chilli Glazed Pork Strips


SERVES 4

Ingredients
700 g pork belly, cut into 3cm strips
salt & freshly ground black pepper
4 fresh red chilies, deseeded
2 tablespoons clear honey, warmed
50 g 75% cocoa solids chocolate, melted
stir-fried vegetables, to serve

Directions

Set the oven to 200°C/gas 6.

Season the pork, lay it on a rack in a roasting pan, and then roast it in the hot oven for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown.

Meanwhile, blend the chillies and honey together in a food processor.

Add the melted chocolate and process again to mix.

Remove the pork from the oven and drain off the fat. Brush the meat generously all over with the chocolate glaze and return to the oven for 10 minutes. Serve on a bed of crisp stir-fried vegetables.

Original Recipe from: http://www.recipezaar.com/294853

OUR Rating: Groceries expense very reasonable
Very Easy to make
5+ out of 5
Would we make again? Yes. Most definately.

NUTRITION INFORMATION
Serving Size 1 (244g)
Recipe makes 4 servings
Calories 1029
Calories from Fat 904 (87%)
Amount Per Serving %DV
Total Fat 100.5g 154%
Saturated Fat 38.5g 192%
Monounsaturated Fat 45.6g
Polyunsaturated Fat 10.2g
Trans Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 126mg 42%
Sodium 63mg 2%
Potassium 594mg 16%
Total Carbohydrate 16.9g 5%
Dietary Fiber 3.1g 12%
Sugars 11.1g
Protein 19.1g 38%