Culinary Adventure in Brazil, Then Pequi Is a Must-Try

If you're looking for a culinary adventure in Brazil, then pequi is a must-try. This fruit, known as the "danger fruit" due to its thorny exterior and strong, pungent odor, is a beloved ingredient in traditional Brazilian cuisine, particularly in the state of Goiás. And if you want to taste pequi prepared to perfection, look no further than Restaurante Braseiro in Old Goiás.

Located in the historic town of Pirenópolis, Restaurante Braseiro has been serving traditional Brazilian cuisine since 1992. The restaurant's menu is filled with dishes made with local ingredients, including pequi. Here's a guide to tasting pequi at Restaurante Braseiro and experiencing the unique flavors of this "danger fruit."

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1.       Start with a pequi appetizer

To ease into the flavors of pequi, start with an appetizer. The restaurant offers several options, including pequi in a savory pastry, pequi with cheese, and pequi in a vinaigrette sauce. The pastry is a great option for those who want a milder taste of pequi, while the vinaigrette sauce adds a tangy kick to the fruit's unique flavor.

2.       Try the pequi rice

One of the most popular dishes at Restaurante Braseiro is the pequi rice. This dish features rice cooked with pequi and spices, giving it a bright yellow color and a distinctive flavor. The rice is often served alongside grilled meats, such as chicken or beef, and is a staple in traditional Goiás cuisine.

3.       Order the pequi chicken

For a main course, try the pequi chicken. This dish features chicken cooked in a pequi sauce, giving it a rich, savory flavor. The sauce is made with pequi, onions, garlic, and other spices, creating a delicious and aromatic dish. The pequi chicken is often served with rice and beans, a staple of Brazilian cuisine.

4.       Don't forget the pequi liqueur

To round out your meal, try the pequi liqueur. Made with pequi fruit and cachaça, a Brazilian spirit similar to rum, this liqueur has a strong, fruity flavor and a smooth finish. It's a great way to experience the unique flavors of pequi in a different way and is a popular drink in Goiás.

5.       Embrace the flavor of pequi

When trying pequi at Restaurante Braseiro, it's important to embrace the fruit's unique flavor. Pequi has a strong, pungent odor and a slightly bitter taste, which can be off-putting to some. However, when prepared properly, pequi has a delicious, savory flavor that pairs well with meat dishes and adds a distinctive taste to rice and other dishes.

In conclusion, if you're looking to experience the unique flavors of pequi, Restaurante Braseiro in Old Goiás is a great place to start. From appetizers to main courses to drinks, the restaurant offers a variety of dishes made with this beloved "danger fruit" of Brazil. Don't be afraid to try new flavors and embrace the culinary adventure that pequi has to offer.

 

Traveling for food can be a fantastic way to experience new cultures, cuisines, and culinary traditions. Whether you're a foodie or just someone who enjoys trying new things, traveling for food can open up a world of new flavors and dining experiences.

To make the most of your food-focused travels, it's important to do some research ahead of time. Look for local food blogs, food-focused travel guides, and restaurant reviews to get a sense of the local cuisine and dining scene. You can also ask locals for recommendations or try visiting local food markets or street food vendors to sample a variety of dishes.

Staying positive is also important when traveling, especially when things don't go exactly as planned. Keep an open mind and be flexible, and try to find the silver lining in any unexpected situations. Embrace new experiences, even if they're not what you had originally planned, and stay optimistic about what the rest of your trip has in store.

Remember that traveling for food and staying positive are both about enjoying the journey and being open to new experiences. So take your time, savor the flavors, and enjoy everything that your food-focused travels have to offer.

 

Pequi fruit is a delicious and nutritious ingredient that is commonly used in Brazilian cuisine. This small, bright-yellow fruit is native to Brazil and is known for its distinct, slightly sweet, and nutty flavor. Pequi fruit can be used in a variety of dishes, from savory stews to sweet desserts. In this article, we'll explore some tips and recipes for cooking with pequi fruit.

Tips for Cooking with Pequi Fruit

Before you start cooking with pequi fruit, there are a few things to keep in mind. First, pequi fruit is typically sold whole, and the flesh is encased in a hard, spiny shell. To prepare pequi fruit, you'll need to remove the shell and the flesh inside. This can be a bit tricky, so it's best to use gloves to protect your hands from the sharp spines on the fruit.

Once you've removed the flesh from the shell, you can use it in a variety of dishes. Pequi fruit pairs well with meat dishes, especially beef and pork, and can be used to add flavor and complexity to stews, soups, and curries. It's also a great addition to rice dishes and can be used to make a flavorful and fragrant rice pilaf.

When using pequi fruit in your cooking, it's important to keep in mind that the flavor is quite strong, so a little goes a long way. You may also want to balance the flavor with other ingredients, such as onions, garlic, and spices, to create a more complex and nuanced dish.

Recipes with Pequi Fruit

Here are two delicious recipes that showcase the unique flavor of pequi fruit:

Pequi Rice Pilaf

Ingredients:

·         2 cups long-grain white rice

·         1 onion, chopped

·         3 cloves garlic, minced

·         1 pequi fruit, flesh removed and chopped

·         3 cups chicken or vegetable broth

·         Salt and pepper to taste

·         2 tbsp olive oil

Instructions:

1.       In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat.

2.       Add the onion and garlic and sauté until fragrant and softened, about 5 minutes.

3.       Add the rice and cook, stirring frequently, for 2-3 minutes, until the rice is lightly toasted.

4.       Add the pequi fruit and chicken or vegetable broth to the pot and stir to combine.

5.       Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low and cover the pot.

6.       Simmer the rice for 18-20 minutes, or until the liquid is absorbed and the rice is tender.

7.       Fluff the rice with a fork and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Pequi Beef Stew

Ingredients:

·         1 lb beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch pieces

·         1 onion, chopped

·         3 cloves garlic, minced

·         1 pequi fruit, flesh removed and chopped

·         2 cups beef broth

·         2 tbsp olive oil

·         Salt and pepper to taste

·         1 tsp cumin

·         1 tsp paprika

·         1 bay leaf

Instructions:

1.       In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat.

2.       Add the beef stew meat and brown on all sides, about 5-7 minutes.

3.       Remove the beef from the pot and set aside.

4.       Add the onion and garlic to the pot and sauté until fragrant and softened, about 5 minutes.

5.       Add the pequi fruit, cumin, paprika, and bay leaf to the pot and stir to combine.

6.       Return the beef to the pot and add the beef broth.

7.       Bring the mixture