Looking to throw the ultimate Brazilian bash to celebrate the 2016 Rio Olympics? Brazil native Junea Rocha of Brazi Bites, the successful Brazilian cheese bread company, shares her favorite recipes for hosting Brazilian-themed parties during the Olympic Summer Games.
Feature The Brazilian National Cocktail
Cachaça (pronounced Ka-sha-sa) is a spirit distilled from cane sugar and the main ingredient in Brazil’s national cocktail, the Caipirinha.
Ingredients:
1 lime, cut into chunks
2 teaspoons white sugar
4 fluid ounces Cachaça
2 cups ice cubes
2 glasses, low ball
Preparation:
1) Squeeze a couple chunks of lime into each glass and drop them in the glass
2) Add the sugar – split between each glass.
3) Crush or muddle the mixture.
4) Add the ice, and Cachaça, split between each glass, and stir well. Serve with a lime garnish.
A colored sugar rim and pineapple or other tropical fruit garnish add the perfect finishing touch!
Makes 2 cocktails
Put A Twist On The Typical Chicken Salad
Chicken salad in Brazil — salpicão — is very popular served chilled on hot Brazilian days. In Brazil, chicken salad has bits and pieces of fruit and vegetables and plenty of fresh lime juice.
Ingredients:
4 cups cooked, shredded chicken (rotisserie chicken works great)
2 cups chopped celery
1 cup shredded carrot
1/2 cup raisins
2 medium apples, chopped
1/2 cup canned peas, drained
1/2 cup red grapes, cut into rounds (optional)
1-1/4 cups mayonnaise
1/2 cup fresh lime juice
Salt to taste
Ground black pepper to taste
Serves 4
Preparation:
1) In a large bowl, toss together the chicken, celery, carrot, raisins, apple, peas, and grapes (if using them). Set aside.
2) In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, lime juice, salt, and pepper.
3) Add to the chicken mixture, mixing gently until combined. Refrigerate.
4) Serve chilled on its own or make sliders with Brazi Bites.
