The Brazilian Kitchen: 100 Classic and Creative Recipes for the Home Cook
Starred Review. Expatriate Moreinos-Schwartz takes readers on a mouthwatering tour of her native country in this outstanding guide to Brazilian cuisine. Basics like the Caipirinha cocktail (which finds its way into marinades, risotto and bon bons), Caldo Verde, the fish stew known as Moqueca, and empanadas (served here in a pot pie-like version), as well as fudgy Brazilian truffles called Brigadeiros, enable residents of the northern hemisphere to recreate the country's bounty. Inspired dishes like Striped Bass with Cashew Soy Sauce, Passion Fruit Cannoli, and Coffee Souffle with Dulce De Leche Sauce, meanwhile, elevate this volume above the standard culinary tour. Coconut seems omnipresent, appearing in soups (paired with both pumpkin and yucca), sauces for seafood, and cakes (including a luscious Coconut Cheesecake with Guava Sauce); fritters and croquettes also make multiple appearances. Though readers may encounter the occasional sourcing dilemma (quail eggs, minas cheese), Moreinos-Schwartz keeps recipes as convenient as possible, sticking mostly to ingredients easily found on U.S. shores and offering suggestions for substitutes. With this smart, eye-opening and palate-expanding volume, Moreinos-Schwartz has an outstanding collection sure to inspire adventurous eaters.