A Taste of Brazil: Carnaval

There are many popular festivals in Brazil, but the most famous festival is Carnaval for its fun and exciting atmosphere. Carnival is celebrated for 4 days before Ash Wednesday, which is the beginning of fasting for Lent. Originally it was celebrated in honor of the Dionysus, Greek God of wine, where slaves and masters would exchange clothes and have a huge alcoholic celebration. Carnaval is celebrated differently in every region of Brazil. In Rio de Janeiro, Bloc parades are a known feature, where dancers and performers dress up in colorful costumes playing samba songs or mocking celebrities. The costumes can have many themes like a masquerade ball with horse drawn floats and military bands. In Salvador de Bahia, the main focus are the different types of music such as samba, samba-reggae, and axe blasting through huge speakers and boom-boxes. These types of music have the most African influences in Brazil to show African independence from racism and oppression. For food, there are many street vendors and restaurants that sell feijodas, pasteis (fritters filled with meat, fruit, vegetables), tasty smoked meats, bolinho de chuva, and many non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks. Most people drink water to refresh themselves from all the dancing or the energy infused soda Guarana. Carnaval is definately a festival to be a part of when visiting. Here is a recipe for a doughnut (bolinho de chuva) snack eaten during Carnaval:

Ingredients

• 2 cups flour
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1/2-1 cup buttermilk
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• Vegetable oil for frying

In a deep fryer or skillet, heat several inches of vegetable oil to 360 degrees (F). In a small bowl, stir the cinnamon into the 1/2 cup sugar and set aside. Mix the flour, salt and 3 tablespoons sugar in a bowl. Stir in the eggs and 1/2 cup buttermilk with a wooden spoon. Add more buttermilk, slowly, until mixture has the consistency of a very thick cake batter. Stir in the baking powder. Using 2 teaspoons (or a small cookie scoop), scoop a generous teaspoon of batter and carefully drop it into the oil, using the second spoon to help scrape the dough off of the first one. Repeat with several more teaspoons, but do not overcrowd the doughnuts or they will stick together. Cook the doughnuts, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides. Remove doughnuts from the oil with a slotted spoon, and drain briefly on paper towels. Roll the doughnuts in the cinnamon sugar while still hot. Cook the rest of the doughnuts in batches. Doughnuts are best served warm, and can be reheated or kept warm in the oven. You can enjoy these delicious doughnuts by themselves for a snack or dessert or have them for breakfast with some tea.




sources: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/401011, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_Carnival, http://southamericanfood.about.com/od/snacksstreetfood/r/bolinhosdechuva.htm