THE MAGIG OF THE SUPERSTITION

Logical or not, I believe in some superstitions. As an example I’m going to tell you a story that happened in my childhood, it was one day before Christmas. My mother, who normally seems happy, had a gloomy face, was quiet, and was looking around the kitchen; surely thinking what to cook to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

It was a tough year. We were financially broken, even though my father had worked very hard. He had hardly made enough money to pay the rent. While my mother and brothers had concentrated all their efforts to pay the other bills, and to buy the daily food. As child, I did my best too, every Friday I went to the open market in front of my house to sell flowers that my mother raised in the small yard we had.

Suddenly, we heard the bell ringing. It was my neighbor, who like an angel, came into my house to give us a Christmas gift. She brought a green corn and explained to my mother that if she put it behind the kitchen door in the first hour of the New Year, and to repeat this every year we would be fortunate forever. Also, she left some money to buy groceries, so that my mother would be able to buy turkey, Panetonne*, and everything we usually had to make the super for Christmas and for the New Year.

It was a magic moment for all my family. We’ll always be thankful for her kindness. Since then, our lives had changed. Actually, we followed this superstition for many years and we had fun doing it. For now, we keep the tradition to cook lentil and to make the 7 fruit salad** for the New Year which represents fortune too.

* Panettone is a italian Christmas bread made with raisins and candied fruits.

** If you want make my mother 7 fruits salad, it’s very easy and delicious. Choose 7 season fruits of your preference, peeled and diced. Mix the fruits with sugar, one can of condensed milk, and heavy cream. Enjoy it!

What’s for breakfast?

Hey there, I know I have been far from my blog since I have started it. You know , life is so busy and everyday I have something new to learn and something different to do. That’s my life is US! Last time I wrote here I promissed you I was going to show how to make pão de queijo. So let’s start it. I hope you like….it’s delicious!!!

As I told you before, in Brazil, pão de queijo is a popular breakfast and frequently had as snack. Made of tapioca starch, a lot of brazilian habiatually prepare the mix and make it at home rather than buying it, although pão de queijo is broadly sold at snack bars and bakeries. Additionally, cheese puff mix packages are easily found in most supermarkets in Brazil and here in Houston you can find it at Café Empório Brazilian Café (12288 Westheimer Rd., Suite 210). Some mainstream brands are ‘Yoki’ and ‘Hikari’.

Now, take note and make it by yourself:

1 cup water
1 cup milk
½ cup oil
1 teaspoon salt
1 pack tapioca starch
3 eggs
200 grams grated parmesan cheese

Steps

1. Bring to a boil in a big pan the water, the milk, the oil and the salt. Remove from the heat and add the tapioca starch, stirring with a wooden spoon. Let it cool down.
2. Transfer the mixture to a bowl, add the eggs anf knead well. Add the grated cheese and keep kneading until the dought is smooth.
3. Roll 1 tablespoon of the mixture into small balls. Place the balls on a baking tray greased with oil or lined with baking paper.
4. Bake the cheese rolls in hot oven (350 degrees) about 20 minutes or until golden brown.

Tips: In step 3 grease your hands with oil before making the balls. Wash your hands once in a while if necessary. Serve warm with cream cheese or butter!

Bom apetite!!!!

LCC Culture Festival, an amazing experience….

I have been in the US for almost four months, and since I arrived here I’m living strong and unforgettable experiences. And last Friday (July 18), I had an enjoyable afternoon with my friends and teachers from UH (LCC).It was the Culture Festival, a meeting to show up our traditional culture. Almost everything is like a new taste, literally! I mean….cultures and, of course, new food!

Well, when I start to thing what to wear to symbolize Brazil, my friends said: Brazilian bikini. I could as the weather here is extremely hot, but come on, it was a cultural event and I think we have more than bikinis…..

About food, you know, Feijoada, Bobó de Camarão…Well, I’m a good cook, but I couldn’t make anything, because a day before my kitchen was almost broken (it’s a new house, but I’ve been have a lot problems). So, I had the idea to call the best Brazilian Restaurant we have here (Empoório Brazililian Café), but they didn’t have enough time to prepare the food. Antony, who’s the owner, gentility offered a packed of “Guaraná”, a Brazilian soda. And then I bought some “pão de queijo” there, and I made some “brigadeiros”.

Completing my performance, I invited my Brazilian friend Paty Sue to come with me and she brought some nice music. The party was ready! We had a lot of fun and the opportunity to meet anothers cultures.

I’m so glad!!!! ;-)

P.S.: Next time I'll show you how to make pão de queijo and brigadeiro.

Brazil: synonym of beauty

Located in South America, Brazil is the fifth largest country in the world. Blessed with lands, rivers, minerals, beaches and a nice weather, it’s a synonym of beauty. Who had never heard about Rio de Janeiro, called as “marvelous city” or Amazônia?

More than nature Brazil has a rich culture that mix songs, dances with a lot of influences from Africa and Europe, as instead Carnival.

Also brazilian people are bubbly, exuberant and attractive. The celebrated supermodel Gisele Bündchen is from Brazil. Her beauty is showing in many well-known magazines and websites.