Week 5: Brazil

Brazil is named after a tree, can you guess which one? Wrong! It's the Brazil Tree. Brazil also is the leading exporter of which nut that is not a nut? The answer is: the Brazil Nut. Despite being only slightly smaller than the US, Brazil only has 26 states which is barely over half what the United States has. Quitters. Suck it Brazil! USA USA USA!

Feijoada, which is considered the national dish of Brazil, was brought to South America by the Portuguese. It is a stew of beans with beef and pork meats. W found many recipes for this and thought it might be fun to just wing it. And maybe use only the tastiest meats. The result was not at all soupy, because I’m not feeling particularly soupy today.

Jeanoada’s Feijoada

• 2 T olive oil
• 2 linguiça sausages, casings removed
• 2 pork spare ribs, chopped
  
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 2 bay leaves
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 cans black beans, drained and rinsed

Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add sausage and pork and cook until browned, breaking up the sausage. Add the onions and garlic and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the bay leaves and black beans and cook until the meat is fully cooked. Add a little water to the pan if necessary. It made about 4 portions of deliciousness. Definitely a repeat. Next time I’ll remember to add bacon.