The Art of Brazilian Cooking

My cookbook club picked this book for the month of April and I’ve got to say, the recipes are pretty good.

As a long-time resident of Brazil I am quite critical when it comes to Brazilian recipes, but I found these authentic, delicious, and easy to prepare , both for family meals and dinner parties. Photos are terrific! I purchased five copies, one for each of my Brasilian born children.

like brazilian food...like cooking...so of course,i like this cookbook...

I had the good fortune to live in Brazil for seven months, during which time I fell in love with the food and the people. This book gives me a chance to revisit the country by cooking up some of my favorite dishes - Moqueca, Pao de Batata and Feijao, to name a few.One problem I often find with international cookbooks is that they either rely on ingredients that are difficult to source outside of their home country, or practically require a sous-chef to prepare. Fortunately, this book suffers from neither. The ingredients are easy to obtain and the recipes straightforward. There is a great variety of recipes in the book as well, ranging from the traditional (i.e., Frango Caipira) to the more eclectic (i.e., Carrot Soup with Thyme and Yogurt). The Bolo de Milho Verde (sweet corn cake) is worth the price of the book alone. This cake is delicious and very easy to make.After you get this cookbook pour yourself some Cachaca, put some Joao Gilberto on the stereo, and get in the kitchen. You will be glad you did!

I was reading this Book Description to see if I should buy it or not and one thing called my attention: "..the taste of Brazil's most authentic foods-such as pork tenderloin, fish with papaya and banana, coconut pudding with mango and strawberry sauce, squash soup, and rice with bananas...". I'm a Brazilian chef and cookbook translator and I can assure you: none of these dishes would figure in a list of "most authentic Brazilian foods"! This makes me just not want to buy this book anymore, although I'll probably do, since I work with cooking and need to keep up with the new books published on Brazilian cooking.

We love cookbooks that focus on a specific international destination because it allows us to travel the world without leaving our kitchen! Author Cuza immediately draws you into the exciting world of Brazilian food with a visit to the Brazilian fiera outdoor market and the four staples of cooking here: beans, onions, garlic and rice. The majority of the menu offerings featured include at least one of these ingredients and the dishes featured are colorful, earthy and uncomplicated, from Hearts of Palm and Avocado Salad to Maria Rita, a one-dish meal using ground beef and served in most Brazilian homes. Especially intriguing are the desserts, one of which is filled with an easy to create Eggplant Jelly! Cuza also includes a good resource list of US sources for the more unusual Brazilian cooking ingredients. The book is nicely illustrated and Cuza's easy manner and enthusiasm for her adopted Latin American homeland is contageous!

The dishes provided us with a truly Brazilian experience with ingredients easy to find! We received this recipe book as a wedding gift and immediately loved the vibrant cover (we keep it on our counter). The first meal we tried was the Baked Salmon with Brown Sugar (page 48) - Delicious! Excellent with Banana Puree (page 171) and Oxum's Papay (page 97), which added a little spice to the sweetness. As I went through the book, I appreciated the recommendations for pairing the dishes. It's also fun to read the cultural context of the dishes and experience a piece of Brazil through a cookbook.

A note to the author:I live in Brazil and I have bought several copies of your cookbook. I loved it! So did everyone I gave a copy to. The book is a fabulous gift for my friends living here and friends in the States. The recipes and the vibrant photos are truly a taste of Brazil today. Congratulations - what a beautiful way to symbolize your years in in this country. My copy will be on my kitchen counter at all times!