Ever wondered what the food is like in, Brazil? Well, if the answer is yes, then welcome!
Welcome to our 'Must Try Brazilian Food Guide' - 'Savoury Bakery Edition'.
For the past 3 years we have been living in Brazil, sampling and enjoying all the food that this beautiful country has to offer. Now, Brazil is a HUGE, HUGE country and each region of the country has its signature dish. However, one thing that is relatively the same throughout Brazil are the foods that you find in a bakery, aka, Padaria. And let me tell you, they are pretty dang good.
Whether you have a sweet-tooth, or prefer something savoury, a Brazilian bakery is sure to have something that you will love.
Now, Brazil is a huge country of meat eaters, but if you're a vegetarian don't fret. There are plenty of vegetarian options available. In-fact, one of Brazil's most famous and most delicious savoury snacks, Pao de Queijo, just so happens to be vegetarian, which is a fantastic for me. So, in no particular order lets get started with our, 'Must Eat Savoury Bakery Foods In A Brazilian Bakery'. Known in Brazil as, salgados.
Pão de Queijo
Pão de Queijo simply translates to, 'Cheese Bread'. Although it sounds and looks pretty boring, it is NOT - especially when eaten warm from the oven.
These 'little balls of joy', as we like to call them, are super simple, yet super delicious. Crunchy on the outside, and cheesy, chewy and elastic on the inside.
These cheesy bread balls are not made from regular flour, but are in-fact made from, 'cassava flour'. Cassava flour is made by drying and grating the fibrous cassava root. Making this a great food choice for those avoiding grains.
These little balls of joy can be found everywhere across Brazil, from street vendors to restaurants, and are typically enjoyed with your morning coffee, or as a snack. Trust us - they are good at any time of the day.
Coxinha
Now, these crispy croquette goodies are unlike anything we had ever tried before, and we're happy to report that they are, AMAZING!
The Coxinha (drumstick) is typically filled with shredded chicken, requeijão (cream cheese), onions, parsley, green onions, and occasionally tomato sauce and turmeric. It is then wrapped in a dough, typically made from wheat flour and chicken broth, and sometimes mashed potato. Finally it is coated in breadcrumbs, then deep fried until golden and crispy.
These are typically served with some hot sauce and enjoyed as a snack throughout, Brazil.
Pastel
These are flaky, golden and deep fried pastry pockets of deliciousness, and are available with a variety of fillings. Some of those filings consist of; cheese, chicken, beef, shrimp, crab, beef & egg, plus a variety of sweet fillings, and 'Romeu & Julieta', which is guava and cheese (so good).
Pastels tend to come in two shapes, half-circle or rectangle.
Pastels are everywhere in Brazil, just as pasties and sausage rolls are in the UK, and you're sure to find a street vendor, pastelaria, or padria (bakery) on every street corner of Brazil, selling this delicious snack.
Enroladinho de Salsicha - 'Salsicha'
Enroladinho de Salsicha translates to, Sausage Roll. A little different from the sausage rolls we have back in the UK. However, they are delicious. In the UK a 'Sausage Roll' is seasoned sausage meat wrapped in flaky pastry and then baked. A Brazilian Sausage Roll is completely different. It consists of an American style hot-dog sausage wrapped in a layer of wheat flour dough, rolled in breadcrumbs and then deep fried. The outer layer is golden and crunchy, and the inner dough has almost a mashed potato consistency - its so good. And when ordering one, just ask for a 'Salsicha'. Locals will only say, "salsicha".
Empanada
Empanada's are Brazils version of a pasty, although a lot smaller than the pasties found in the UK. I guess not technically, Brazilian, I believe they originated in Portugal. However, they are very popular throughout South America, including, Brasil.
Empanadas are a crescent-shaped thin crust pie that is stuffed with various fillings and then oven-baked.
They are of course delicious and make a delicious, and filling snack. The fillings are vast and include; beef & vegetables, calabresa & cheese, vegetables & cheese, chicken, and even sweet fillings, including, nutella.
Kibe
Kibe is of Lebanese origin, and typically made from ground lamb. However, here in Brazil they tend to be made from ground beef and bulgar wheat, and loaded with lots of delicious herbs and spices such as, garlic, mint, cinnamon and onions. These are a delicious oval shaped, finger food snack, and are found throughout Brazils bakeries (Padaria).
Pão de Batata
Pão de Batata translates to, Potato Bread. These are little rolls of deliciousness and are stuffed with various fillings, such as; calabresa com queijo (pepperoni and cheese), frango e catupiry (chicken and catupiry), requeijão (cream cheese).
Pão de Batata are delicious potato bread rolls stuffed with cheesy fillings, and are a satisfying snack.
Dogão
This is one of my sons absolute favourite Brazilian snacks. The 'Dogão' consists of an American style hot dog sausage, and cream cheese wrapped in a soft bread dough, and then topped with potato chip-sticks (batata palha), and a sprinkling of dried herbs, and then baked. Every padaria (bakery) will have there own style and size. We've seen them sold with a single sausage, 2 sausages, and even 3. They're very tasty and filling for a mid-day snack or light lunch.
Risoles
Risoles are delicious patties that come in various shapes. The most common shapes we've seen are, spheres and cylinder shape, similar to that of a 'salsicha'.
Risoles are another form of croquette, and are deep-fried mouthful's of deliciousness. The texture of them are very similar to the 'salsicha', and 'coxhina'.
You can get them filled with various fillings. However, the most popular filling we have seen is the, presunto e queijo (ham and cheese) - delicious!
The filling is encased in a meat broth soaked flour dough, and then rolled in breadcrumbs and deep fried.
Almôndega
Almôndega simply translates to, 'meat-ball'. These well seasoned beef meatballs are typically deep-fried, However, some places do oven bake them. Typically they are seasoned with onion, garlic and salt and bounded together with egg and flour to help form the ball. If you're a fan of meat, then we're sure you'll be a fan.
And there you have it. Our top 'salgados' recommendations for you to try when visiting beautiful, Brazil.
Which ones would you like to try? Which ones have you tried? Which is your favourite or least favourite? Perhaps you have a favourite that we haven't mentioned?
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