Brazil+-+FCP-+PD1+-+SP11


 * BRAZIL **** CUISINE **

__** In what way does food represent the cultural norms of the greater region? **__ Food represents the cultural norms of Latin America by having diverse cuisines that vary from nation to nation. Latin American cuisines have a distinct flavor due to using different spices. Brazil has one-fourth of the world's plants, including some of the most famous and rare spices. Some nations use spices at different quantities, which leads to variety across the land. Some spices that are used are tempero baiano, paracress, annatto, and more. Also, within the different regions food becomes very diverse. For example, in the southeastern region the dishes include corn, pork, beans, chicken and local soft ripened traditional cheeses. While in the south region one the dishes called the gaucho, a national cuisines, is made with sun or salt dried meat and churrasco (a Brazilian counterpart of barbecue). As one can see, due to the different spices in Brazil, food becomes very diverse across the regions. Brigadeiro is a very popular candy in Brazil. Brigadeiro is usually served at birthday parties, but it can also be found at any type of social gathering. Brigadeiro is made out of condensed milk, butter, and cocoa powder together. In the end, after you roll them in a ball, one can put sprinkles or coconuts on the Brigadeiro. Brigadeiro are usually a small round ball. Sometimes if a brigadeiro is made really small, one can serve them with coffee. Brigadeiro got its name from Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes, a very famous Air Force commander from the forties. But later he tried to run for presidency in 1946 and 1950. At the time in Brazil, traditional imports such as nuts and fruits were becoming a shortage due to war. But at the same time, Nestles introduced its brand of chocolate powder and condensed milk into the country. This is how the Brigadeiro was created.
 * Brigadeiro**

__** How is that society's food a reflection of the culture's beliefs? behaviors? **__ The main culture in Brazil is Portuguese. Brazil is in the south eastern part of Latin America. They have this culture because there is a strong ties with the Portuguese empire. Brazil mainly speaks Portuguese, they are also mainly catholic. Brazil is big into agriculture, they have a lot of farms, so there for they have a lot of crops, for example corn, and grain. A main dish would have a side of corn or some type of grain like rice. Since Brazil has a lot of farms that they grow crops on. Therefore, a lot of the meals are very healthy and homemade. They use the crops that they grow on their farm in a lot of their meals, so they have a lot of organic foods. Also, because the soil in Brazil is so fertile they grow coffee beans. They are the world leader in production of green coffee. So all together their culture believes in lots of agriculture and therefore they eat a lot of foods that they have grown themselves, for example corn and grains. //1. Brigadeiro-// These sweets made with condensed milk and chocolate. They are perpetual favorites with children and adults alike. A Brazilian birthday party would not be a party without them. They are baked for everybirthday party and this has been a tradition for many years. With tradition like this it shows how food can impact a culture. It is understandable that with this food being present at birthday events that this dessert would be valued highly among the people. This dessert is present in the time celebration therefore it an item of item resembling celebration. Pictures of Brigadeiro can be found in any brazilians birthdayphotos, remembering the great times spent with friends and family. Brigadeiros are a huge success. They are one of the most important foods of the southeastern region of brazil. With a dessert that is found in all birthday celebration it is resonable to understand the excitement that all brazilians show when they see the circular chococolate desserts.
 * __ List 4 cultural dishes and why the reflect that society's culture? __**

// 2. Corn Tortillas-// In the southeast region of Brazil there are many farm lands. With this farm land many citizens partake in farming jobs. Among the exports of Brazil corn is of the most importance. The city of Pintos de Minas is known as a corn city, and when asked about the importance of their city, these citizens would say with pride the importance of the corn. On an average Patos de Minas has the main crop of corn with the amount near 12,000 ha. With this much corn in the land it is understandable that this city consumes lots of corn. Whether it is from their own farm or from a near by farm many cook with the corn making many more meals than just straight corn. One treat made out of corn is corn tortillas. Rather than buying premade tortillas many Brazilians make their own. Being that this tortilla is made with the cities best known crop pride is taken from the satisfaction of the tortillas. Obviously corn impacts these Brazilians greatly economically impacting their culture by providing a source of income, but with the values with the corn is even more, it is a pride that the citizens, especially in Patos de Minas cherish



// 3.Pao de queijo- // are tiny cheese puffs made with yucca flour and a slightly sour, tangy fresh cheese. They smell awesome when they're hot.Yuca is a starchy root ve getable **.** It turns pleasantly stretchy and gooey when baked, but unlike other starches, will never get doughy or gummy. Again this is a crop planted in many of the farm land it is a treat enjoyed by many. It is great for many meals in Brazil and is flexible for the meals of the day. For instance it can be used as an entire meal at brea kfast which is not a heavy meal. This would be used more as a sandwich bread with a piece of ham inside. It also can be used as more of an appetizer for lunch which is more of the main meal of the day. Or as a quick bite to eat for dinner which is often just a slight snack rather than a meal. With this flexibility the cheese bread is a must to many Brazilians, and greatly enjoyed in many ways. This bread is often one of the must haves for tourists, again showing that this is a treat that the Brazilians take pride in and lo ve seeing other cultures enjoy there favorite foods.

// 4.Frango //// com Quiabo ( c //// hicken with okra)- // This is a meal that would often be a lunch in Brazil for it is the main meal of the day. It is a Brazilian dish typical from the southeastern region of Brazil, especially Minas Gerais and Rio de Janeiro. The dish was originally brought to the country by African slaves along with the Quiabo itself, becoming then part of the traditions across Brazil. Quiabo or okra is th e fruit of an African native plant but could be said that it became more traditional of the Brazilian cuisine than of the African one. This meal is a meal that shows some of the diversity of Brazil. Although the original Frango com Quiabo has been changed so current day this dish is more flavored with Brazilian styles it still shows the impact of other cultures to the nation. It is a meal that is commonly consumed on a daily basis and is flavored with other crops grown on the farm. Many of the dishes made in Brazil are fresh and contain less fat than common American meals. This meal is often served with rice, which is a source of grain found in many lunch meals in Brazil.

The people of Brazil place great importance on food and it holds a central place in their social life. Gatherings with friends or family is normally revolved around food. It could be in a restaurant or in a person's home but somehow there is mostly always food involved. Traditionally the most important meal of the day is a multi course meal eaten after midday but as Brazil urbanizes the family centered meal at midday is being replaced by lanches (comes from the English word lunch), which is a smaller meal normally consumed in restaurants like buffets or fast food places such as McDonalds. Food is also a historical mark in Brazil. In the 15th Century, Prince Henry the navigator, ordered his explorers to bring back any new and exotic fruits, nuts, and plants from their travels. This introduced Brazil to tomatoes, potatoes, chillis, coffee, cashew and Brazil nuts as well as an array of spices from the middle and far east. Brazil was introduced to spices such as cinnamon, star anise, turmeric, coriander and cardomom, which all have a place in Brazils modern cuisine
 * __ Why is food important to that culture? __**

3 ½ tablespoons of Nestlé Quick 1 Tbsp of butter 1 can sweetened condensed milk In a heavy saucepan mix chocolate with condensed milk and add the margarine. Cook in low heat stirring constantly until you can see the bottom of the pan. Continue to stir for another two minutes. Pour onto a plate and let cool for 30 minutes before you form the little balls. Butter your hands slightly to form the little balls. Roll the balls in chocolate sprinkles and put them in small paper cups.
 * Alexia Moreira recipe for a easy Bridadero**

Works Cited (Brazil)