Crisp Brazilian Bites
Begin your culinary journey with delightful mini baked empanadas, a perfect cocktail appetizer. These bite-sized pastries feature a savory filling of sharp
cheddar cheese and a hint of heat from finely chopped jalapeño, balanced by the subtle crunch of toasted Brazilian nuts. The golden, flaky puff pastry shell is meticulously prepared, ensuring a satisfying crispness with every bite. Crafted to yield 12 individual portions, each weighing between 20–25 grams, these empanadas are designed to impress without overwhelming your guests. The preparation is straightforward: toast the Brazilian nuts until fragrant, then combine them with grated cheddar, deseeded jalapeño, and a pinch of salt. The ready-made puff pastry is rolled thin, cut into discs, and pressed into mini muffin moulds. A tablespoon of the flavorful filling goes into each shell before baking at 180°C for 15–18 minutes until beautifully golden and puffed. Allow them to rest slightly before serving to enhance their texture and flavor.
Hearty Feijoada Tacos
Transition to a robust and satisfying main course with Feijoada-Style Refried Beans served in a flatbread taco. This dish offers a hearty vegetarian option or a delightful sharing platter for four. The base is a flavorful mixture of tender kidney beans, cooked down with butter, aromatic thyme, smoky paprika, and softened tomatoes to achieve a pleasingly coarse refried texture. Seasoned perfectly, these beans form a comforting foundation. Complementing the beans is a vibrant avocado salsa, a refreshing counterpoint to the richness. It's prepared by gently tossing diced avocado with fresh cilantro, a hint of green chili, and the bright, zesty juice of Tahiti lime, seasoned with salt to taste. For assembly, warm soft flatbreads are spread generously with the feijoada-style beans, then topped with the cool avocado salsa and a final flourish of lime juice. Serve immediately to enjoy the delightful contrast of warm and cool elements.
Silky Açaí Trifle
Conclude your dining experience with an elegant and chilled Açaí Berry Caramel Trifle, designed for four individual servings. This dessert presents a sophisticated layering of textures and flavors, reminiscent of a boutique patisserie creation. The foundation is a delightful crumble base, evenly distributed into serving glasses. A luscious açaí custard is then prepared by cooking custard powder with milk, incorporating the vibrant açaí pulp, and folding in half of the semi-whipped cream for a light yet rich consistency. Separately, the remaining semi-whipped cream is combined with vanilla custard for a smooth, creamy layer. The trifle is then artfully assembled with layers of the crumble, followed by the açaí custard, a drizzle of luscious caramel sauce, and finally topped with the vanilla cream. After chilling for at least one hour to allow the flavors to meld, the trifle is garnished with a dusting of açaí before being presented. This dessert offers a perfect sweet finale, balancing fruity notes with creamy sweetness.
