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The flavourfull Brazilian Rice

Filed under: Brazil General - March 5th, 2005

Brazilians definately know how to make a really tasty bowl of rice!! Since I have returned home from Brazil, I have always cooked my rice the same way the Brazilians do. It’s really easy to do and the taste is so flavorful.

Here are the ingredients you’ll need to make this easy recipe:

• 3 cups of white rice
• 1 spoon of salt
• 3 garlic cloves
• boiling water (better to have too much that not enough)
• enough oil to just cover the bottom of a medium-large sauce pan

Steps in how to make Brazilian Rice:

1. Wash the rice with clean water then leave it to strain while you prepare the other ingredients;
2. Put the water on to boil in a separate pot or kettle;
3. In a pot, put a little bit of oil, enough to cover the bottom of the pan;
4. Turn the heat on the stove and let the oil get hot (approximately 1 minute);
5. Using the garlic press, squish the garlic heads into the pot with oil;
6. After 1 minute put the dry rice and start stirring it still at a high heat;
7. While you stir the rice, add a spon of salt and mix it together;
8. After cooking it for 4 minutes, add the boiling water until all the rice is covered;
9. Cover the pot and turn the heat of the element on low; every 5 minutes add more water to make sure your rice is getting cooked and softer.
10. It will take approximately 20 minutes until your rice is ready. Once it is done, let it sit for about 5 mintues and then enjoy the flavorful Brazilian rice

Bon Appetit!

Brazilian Beats!

Filed under: Brazil General - March 5th, 2005

As many of you know, Brazil is a country full of fun and excitement. You never know what’s going to happen next! Well from personal experience this is increadibly true. During my travels throughout Brazil I realized that in this country… anything goes! I love the mentality of the Brazilians. One night as I was walking along the street, a car drove by with a man playing the guitar and singing. In no time at all, a group of people had walked up to the car window and started singing along with a car full of strangers.

Brazil has many different styles of music. My personal favorite is called Pagode. It has a great beat and can be danced to alone, with a partner, or in a big group. Another form of Brazilian music is forro. This music is a little mellower but still has a very alluring beat that will make you want to move your feet. The third type of music that you will most likely hear, especially in the more northern states of Brazil, is axe. Axe music gets everybody dancing. Many of the songs however are more like instructions telling people how to dance. For me, this was the most difficult to dance to because I hadn’t yet picked up on much Portuguese and I just tried to keep up.

If you ever get the chance to travel to Brazil, don’t be shy to go out and try dancing. Brazilians are extremely welcoming and would love the chance to help a gringa learn the steps.

Facilities at the Beaches

Filed under: Brazil General - March 5th, 2005

Most people may not know that almost all of the Beaches in Brazil offer a variety of facilities that can be used by the public. The most common facilities are fresh water showers, beach volleyball courts, and near by restaurants or mini-huts which sell food and drinks - both alcoholic and non-alcoholic. Some other features that will most likely be offered to you if you stay in a hotel near the beach are the use of an umbrella, chairs, and some form of security for your items. This is very beneficial because on many of the beaches it’s hard to find a nice place to set up an umbrella and chairs and it’s especially hard to trust that your items won’t get stolen when you go into the ocean for a swim. Make sure that when you go to Brazil you make good use of all the facilities that are offered at the beach, it will definately aid in the pleasure of your trip.

Link: Rio Beaches