Brazilian Shredded Chicken Croquettes (Coxinhas) and Padarias (Bakeries)

As I've mentioned before, Brazilians are very fond of snacking. Perhaps because dinner is traditionally eaten late, people always grab a bite in the afternoon. You can always find a bakery that sells not only breads, pastries and sweets, but which also includes a café selection of sandwiches, snack and good drinks. These are also popular places for breakfast on the go.

These bakeries/cafes also serve traditional savory snacks called “salgadinhos," which are very popular among Brazilians and include pão de queijo (bite-size cheese puffs made with tapioca starch), rissoles, empadinhas (bite-size pies made of buttery crust) and even snacks of Lebanese origin that have become very traditional in Brazilian cuisine, quibes and esfihas (kibbeh abd sfiha).

But the queen of salgadinhos, very popular among Brazilians of all ages is coxinha, shredded chicken enclosed in dough shaped to resemble a chicken drumstick (coxa, and from there coxinhas or small coxa) and deep fried.

Farmer Markets, a Brazilian tradition (Feiras) and Avocado Shake Recipe

These days many in the US are turning more and more toward buying fresh food from local farmers and neighborhood street markets. Brazilians have been doing this forever. Street markets, “feiras” as Brazilians call them, have always been where we shopped for much of our home goods. Sure, retail chain supermarkets are increasingly gaining in popularity for the same reasons of convenience they've always been a hit in the US, but feiras are still are the preferred source of fresh produce for the majority of Brazilian homes.

All over Brazil, every neighborhood has a weekly street market that sells fresh produce, meat, poultry and fish, spices, and other things such as dairy products and flowers. As a child, I really enjoyed these visits to the feira with my mother because I couldn't wait to visit the lady that sold handmade clothes for my Barbie dolls.

Market Musings in São Paulo, Brazil

São Paulo, Brazil, may not be an average traveler's chosen destination. It definitely doesn’t compete with Rio de Janeiro for the title of “marvelous city.” And while São Paulo doesn’t offer an array of natural attractions like the water falls of Foz de Iguaçu or all the wonders you'll find in Salvador, it is quite notable as one of the largest metropolitan and economic hubs of the world. It is overwhelmingly considered the gourmet capital of Brazil, offering over 12,500 restaurants representing more than 42 different ethnicities which makes the city a top destination for any foodie.

And for anyone who appreciates food, a visit to São Paulo Municipal Market, or Mercadão (Big Market) as it is dearly called by locals, is a must and a delight for all senses. At Mercadão not only you can see fruits that you never dreamed existed but you can try all of them as the sellers offer free samples for buyers. Other offerings include meats, olives, cheeses, dried fruits and nuts, spices and almost everything a gourmand heart desires.

Dreamy Fig Ice Cream

As you certainly must know by now, one of the things I enjoy most when visiting new places is the more unusual food unique to each destination. And, believe me, Morocco has a lot more to offer beyond tagines and couscous.

Djeema el-Fna, Marrakech

They serve the best orange juice ever, can’t visit Djeema el-Fna without having at least 2 or 3 glasses.

At the market in Morocco

Sorry for not posting in a while. I am currently in Morocco on vacation with my family. I plan on posting some recipes from here, but for now I will just post some pictures. Please keep checking for updates.

Waiting for flight to Rabat @ Paris-Charles de Gaulle