100 Things to Love About Brazil (Part 3 of 10)

Brazilian cuisine is not simply about the taste, but about the experience.

21.  Churrascarias

The world famous Brazilian churrascaria is an all-you-can-eat meat buffet and not for vegetarians.  Skewers of grilled meat, right off the spit, are served and carved at your table.  Churrascarias serve several cuts of beef such as picanha (shown above), cupim, and filé, as well as pork, chicken wrapped in bacon, chicken hearts, pork, and lamb.  Brazil may not be considered a first world country yet, but it could be considered a first world problem when you have to turn down an offer of filet mignon because you've eaten too much meat.  Also, not to be missed, the grilled cheese, bread, and pineapple with cinnamon.  

22. Churrasco 

The at-home version of a churrascaria, churrasco, or Brazilian BBQ is very popular for social gatherings.  Cuts of meat are seasoned with rock salt, grilled to perfection, and then cut into bite size pieces.  It is typically served with rice, farofa, mandioca, and vinegrete.  

23.  X-Tudo -- The Everything Hamburger

Going out for an evening snack?  Most likely you'll find yourself at a lanchonete that serves Brazilian hamburgers. However, these aren't your average burger.  These two-handed sandwiches can have any combination of filet mignon, hamburger patties, bacon, hotdogs, ham, fried eggs, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, corn, peas, and shoe string potatoes. Also known as a baguncinha, which literally means little mess, it's not hard to see how it got its name.  

24. Pasteis

Deep-fried pockets of meat and cheese.  What's not to love?  Dessert versions also available.

25.  Salgadinhos

These deep fried treats are perfect for parties and large gatherings.  Filled with shredded chicken, ground beef, and cheese, who can eat just one?  

26.  Brigadeiros

Made from chocolate powder and cooked sweetened condensed milk, these decadent bite size sweets are popular at birthday parties.  

27. Pudim

Made from sweetened condensed milk and topped with caramelized sugar, pudim is the Brazilian version of Mexican flan, but with a hole in the middle (and better).

28. Creme de Leite (Table Cream) and 
Sweetened Condensed Milk

It seems that almost any Brazilian dessert contains one or both of these.  You can even mix them together to make ice cream.

29. Brazilian Pizza

Brazilian pizzas usually have less tomato sauce than their American counterparts, but the topping options are considerably more creative.  Besides typical American pizza toppings, Brazilian pizzas may have tuna, hard boiled eggs, corn, peas, jerky, shrimp, chicken hearts, broccoli, palm hearts, and shoe string potatoes.  Brazilians eat pizza with a fork and a knife and frequently complement their slice with ketchup and mayonnaise.

30. Pizza Buffets 

Can't decide if you want to try the tuna or chicken heart pizza?  Why not visit a Brazilian pizza buffet?  A variety of pizzas are served right to your table.  Ready for dessert?  Brazilian sweet pizzas can include toppings such as banana with cinnamon, sweetened condensed milk with coconut, chocolate sauce with chocolate sprinkles and strawberries, and sometimes even topped with ice cream.