Brazillian Legends

 


 
Caipora
It is a dwarf with Red Hair, hairy body and green teeth. As protector of Plants and Animals, usually punishes the nature abusers and the hunters who kill for pleasure. It is very powerful and strong.
His feet turned backwards serve to outwit the hunters, leaving them always to follow false trails.

Boitatá
It is a monster with huge fiery eyes. During the day is almost blind but at night sees everything. Legend has it that the Boitatá was kind of a snake and was the sole survivor of a great flood that covered the earth.
Sometimes it takes the form of a snake with flaming eyes of your head size and chases the night travelers. Sometimes it is seen as a shimmering flash of fire running from side to side of the forest.
  

 
                                                          Mula sem cabeça
 In small villages or towns where there are houses surrounding a church, at night, there may be appearances of the Headless Mule. Also if anyone go running before a cross at midnight, it appears. They say it's a woman who dated a priest and was cursed. Every passage from Thursday to Friday she goes at a crossroads and there becomes the beast.

Iara
The seductive mermaid Uara or Iara who enchants the fishermen. Those who give in to the charms of the beautiful Iara end up drowned. She leaves her home in the bottom of the river in the late afternoon and comes to border of the river: half woman, half fish, long hair decorated with red flowers. Sometimes it takes the human form and heads out looking for victims.

          



                    Saci Pererê


It's a black little boy with one leg who smokes a pipe and wears on his head a red cap that gives him magical powers, such as fading and appearing anywhere he wants.
He loves making small pranks, such as hiding toys, drop animal pens, pour salt in other people's meals, braiding the manes of the horses, etc. Says the popular belief that inside every whirlwind there is a Saci. It does not cross streams or creeks. Someone chased by it, should play knotted ropes in his way because he'll stop to untie the knots, allowing one to run away.

Typical brazillian food

                                        

 Coxinha
 
 What is it: Little raindrops of fried goodness usually filled with chicken and a very creamy cheese called “catupiry.”
Tastes like: A fried mac ‘n’ cheese ball, sans noodles, plus chicken
Get a recipe here.

Brigadeiro

What is it: Chocolate truffles made with condensed milk instead of cream and covered in chocolate sprinkles.
Tastes like: A Nutella ball sprinkled with chocolate.
Get a recipe here.

Pão de Queijo 

What is it: Little rolls of bread with cheese baked into it.
Tastes like: Yup, little rolls of bread with cheese baked into it.
Get a recipe here.

Farofa 

  

What is it: Fried cassava flour. It can include egg, bacon, and other add-ons. It’s usually sprinkled over rice and beans.
Tastes like: Nothing you’ve ever tasted. Come on, it’s fried cassava flour, but it’s still DELICIOUS!
Get a recipe here.

Feijão Tropeiro

What is it: Pinto beans sautéed with cassava flour, scallions, egg, and bacon.
Tastes like: Someone put eggs and bacon in your beans.
Get a recipe here.

Açaí

What is it: A superfood berry used to make fruit bowls and smoothies. Pro tip: Blend with bananas and strawberries and top with granola and honey.
Tastes like: A granola bowl, sans yogurt, plus berry goodness.

 Get a recipe here.

Pastéis

 

What it is: More fried goodness but this time with less dough, which you can fill with everything from cheese, to beef, to cod fish, and pretty much whatever else your stomach desires.
Tastes like: A deep-fried empanada.
Get a recipe here.

Mousse de Maracujá

 

What is it: Passion fruit mousse.
Tastes like: Passion fruit pudding.
Get a recipe here.

Feijoada

 

What is it: A black bean stew with various types of beef and sausage.
Tastes like: A hearty black bean chili.
Get a recipe here.

Bolinho de Chuva

 

What is it: Little balls of glorious fried dough sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon.
Tastes like: Cinnamon doughnut holes.
Get a recipe here.

Moqueca de Camarão

 

What is it: A shrimp stew cooked in coconut milk and palm oil. Add veggies such as peppers and tomatoes to complete.
Tastes like: Clam chowder if it were cooked in coconut milk, minus the clams, plus the fish…and the vegetables.
Get a recipe here.

Beijinho de Coco

 

What is it: Coconut truffles.
Tastes like: A coconut explosion.
Get a recipe here.

Vatapá

 

What is it: A spicy cream of fish and shrimp dish cooked in peanut sauce.
Tastes like: A thick shrimp curry, kind of.
Get a recipe here.

Bauru

 

What is it: A traditional sandwich with roast beef, mozzarella cheese, tomato, and pickled cucumber served on a French roll. Pro tip: Cut out the excessive dough from inside the roll.
Tastes like: A yummy roast beef sandwich.
Get a recipe here.

Creme de Papaya

 

What is it: Papaya blended with vanilla ice cream. Pro tip: Top with some créme de cassis.
Tastes like: Papaya ice cream with a sweet liqueur drizzled on top.
Get a recipe here.

Acarajé

 

What is it: A black-eyed pea ball fried in palm oil, usually stuffed with shrimp and vinaigrette.
Tastes like: A stuffed shrimp falafel.
Get a recipe here.

Romeu e Julieta

 

What is it: Guava paste and white cheese stacked on top of each other.
Tastes like: A guava and white cheese finger sandwich.
Get a recipe here

Misto Quente

  

What is it: A melted ham and cheese sandwich usually on white bread.
Tastes like: A grilled cheese with ham.
It’s grilled cheese with ham, you don’t need a recipe.

Requeijão

 

What is it: A ricotta-like cheese spread.
Tastes like: A thicker ricotta-like cream cheese.
Get a recipe here.

Mandioca frita

  

What is it: Fried yucca sticks.
Tastes like: Hearty French fries. .
Get a recipe here.

Salpicão

 

What is it: A salad made of chicken, ham, raisins, carrots, apples, olives, and mayonnaise, and topped with shoestring potatoes.
Tastes like: A sweet chicken salad with shoestring potatoes.
Get a recipe here. 

Pavê 

 

What is it: Layers of cookies filled with chocolate or fruit, lemon, coconut, etc.
Tastes like: A chocolate or fruit-filled Neapolitan.
Get a recipe here.

Empadão  
 

What is it: A baked casserole usually made with chicken, olives, hearts of palm, corn, and other fillings. You can sub chicken for beef, shrimp, or any other type of “meat.”
Tastes like: A chicken pot pie without the creaminess.
Get a recipe here.

Quindim

 

What is it: A baked dessert made of egg yolks, sugar, and ground coconut flakes.
Tastes like: A coconut flan.
Get a recipe here.