My first adventure in the kitchen was cooking vegetarian meals. For a few years, I was the only vegetarian at home, so I had to cook for myself. I also used to help my grandma bake cakes.
Feijoada is Brazil's national dish. I love the story of how it was created and how it became Brazil's most well-known food. Feijoada was created during the colonization of Brazil when slaves had very little to eat and few options to cook with. Black beans are abundant in South America so combining them with all the animal parts that were remaining; such as pig ears, snout, and the feet was the only choice for so many people. Nowadays, eating Feijoada on Saturdas is traditional in Brazil. All types of restaurants and bars or botecos (small bars or restaurants) serve traditional feijoada and variations of the same recipe. Feijoada is served with farofa (sauteed cassava flour), sauteed collard greens, rice, and orange slices. It is a meal that all classes eat and love.
Brazilians are party people. Where a feijoada is being served, there will always be music (samba or pagode) playing and caipirinha (Brazilian drink) or cachaca to drink!
Due to the meat selection here in Whistler, I had to adapt my recipe.
