TODAY Food's editors are mad for Brazilian foods like chimichurri and chewy cheese puffs which are hearty, flavorful and take just a few ingredients. But the fun doesn't end there.
Get a taste of Rio with these 15 delicious Brazilian dishes, the perfect way to celebrate at an Olympic viewing party.
Brazilian Cheese Bread (Gluten-Free)
Chewy, cheesy and completely addictive, no Brazilian party is complete without these bites called pão-de-queijo that are made with tapioca flour.
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Brazilian Chicken Croquettes (Coxinhas)
Stuffed with shredded chicken and cheese, these crispy and gooey fritters are a universal crowd-pleasing hors' d'oeuvres and party snack.
Pastel with Meat and Cheese (Pastel de Carne con Queijo)
Pastel is one of the most loved bar foods in Brazil. Your guests will love this empanada-like appetizer that's filled with ground beef and Gouda cheese.
Brazilian Salt Cod Fritters (Bolinho de Bacalhau)
These Brazilian salt cod fritters are made with fresh fish rather than dried, salted fish. They're crispy and creamy all at once.
Churrasco de Flank Steak (Flank Steak Brazilian Style)
Quick-cooking flank steak is delicious on its own but add a little chimichurri sauce and you've got a home run dish that will get rave reviews from your friends and family.
Brazilian Beef Stroganoff (Estrogonofe de Carne)
Believe it or not, this recipe is comfort food in Brazil! Down there, it is served with white rice on the side, instead of pasta. This traditional Brazilian recipe is fairly easy and quick to make!
Brazilian Shrimp Stew (Bobo de Camarão)
The key to this hearty shrimp stew is cassava (also called yuca or manioc), which makes the dish both sweet and savory.
Camila Alves' Brazilian Slow-Cooker Chicken
Supermodel Camila Alves cooks up one of her favorite Brazilian dishes, a Crockpot stew teeming with chicken, beans, tomatoes, corn and olives. Serve it over rice to make it a complete hearty meal.
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How feijoada became Brazil's national dish is the source of some debate. Typically this is an all-day Saturday cooking extravaganza in which families and friends get together around the table to share a good feijoada served with garlic sautéed kale and a caipirinha (Brazilian mojito-like drink). It is a relatively dense meal, hence it's done on Saturday (because you may need a nap afterwards). Natalie Morales's version is much lighter and easier to make since it's done in a slow-cooker... you can set it and forget it until later in the day!
Natalie's Moqueca (Brazilian Seafood Stew)
Moqueca is like Brazil's version of chowder or a bouillabaisse. This is a recipe that originates from the northeastern state of Brazil called Bahia, but it is now widely found throughout the country and is a signature Brazilian dish.
Natalie's Cilantro and Lime Coconutty Rice
Pep up rice with garlic, flaked coconut, lime zest and cilantro.
Spice up a minty Brazilian caipirinha cocktail with jalapeño.
Passion Fruit Cocktail (Maracuja)
This juicy Brazilian cocktail is a vacation in a glass.
Make this creamy, chocolaty Brazilian dessert with brandy, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, lemon juice, cocoa powder and lady fingers or graham crackers. Shredded coconut is the perfect finishing touch.
Brazilian Flan (Pudim de Leite Condensado)
Sweetened condensed milk is the key to this luscious Brazilian flan.