Food Friday! When Asia meets Brazil

I’m Backkkkkk…. Yeah let’s just say a hyper baby = a sleep deprived mama, that can’t write new content!  

I have a lot to say about our vacation in Rio, but as promised it’s Friday so I will stick to food today and be back this weekend with tales from Rio.

WHEN ASIA MEETS BRAZIL …….

I have a soft spot in my heart for Asian food, I really do.  I know what you must be thinking..”Why the hell is she writing about Asian food, and she has a blog about Brazil?”  I miss GOOD Asian food, and I wanted to share my improvisations with others here.  I have learned to make things out of nothing.  So today I dedicate this post to expats in Brazil that are craving something new in the kitchen (*ahem* cheaply) or just the random vacationer that has no clue what to make for dinner tonight.  

After spending almost a year here and not discovering this candy, I simply don’t know how-I-made-it-through. I LOVE peanut butter.  And this candy resembles it to a T, in my opinion.  And we all know what marvelous things we can make with peanut butter.   So as soon as I made my new candy discovery (about 2 years ago) the wheels started turning in my head.  {{what wonderful things can I whip up in the kitchen, with this magic candy}}  So what’s the secret … its’s called  ”Pacoquita”  For those of you not familiar,  Pacoquita is a little rolled candy ball, made up of ground peanuts and sugar.  It tastes EXACTLY like peanut butter .. just a little drier.  Peanut butter is one thing I MISS the most .. {{ hint, hint ..if you are in the US and just so happen to be visiting Brazil any time soon, and would like to bring your good ol’ bloggie friend Tanya some PB .. please feel free to do so.   All donations accepted. *wink* }} 

OK back to cooking .. so here is where Asia comes in.  I have always loved chicken satay or beef, basically grilled meat on a skewer with peanut sauce.  So….. I improvised .. and did a damn good job… if I say so myself.  *pats self on back*   

Here is the recipe to follow.  I have put this improvised recipe up here for fellow expats or travelers in Brazil, but please feel free to replace the candy with the “real deal” peanut butter if it is available in your area.  I can say I have found peanut butter here, but it is much too expensive for my budget… ..( R$ 14,00 = $7.00 *ouch*)  

Chicken (or beef) Satay, crusted with sesame seeds with Asian Peanut Sauce :

• about 1 lb. of chicken breasts (or beef) cut into strips  (peito de frango or carne)
• 1/2 cup sesame seeds mix of black and white (gergelim preto e branco)

Sauce :

• 2 tablespoons of soy sauce ( molho shoyu) 
• 3 individual wrapped Pacoquita candies, any brand, I like the ones pictured below the best (if using real PB about 1/4 cup) 
• 1 clove of garlic (alho)
• 1/4 cup of coconut milk  ( leite de coco) 
• ginger, optional, a touch (gengibre)
• chili pepper, optional, a touch  (pimenta calabresa) 
• salt to flavor (sal)
• Chopped green onions to garnish (cebolinha)
• water if you would like to thin it 

Cut chicken (or beef)  in thin slices put on a skewer if using a bbq, otherwise no skewer.  Moisten chicken lightly and roll in mixed sesame seeds.  Set aside. 

 In a blender, add peanut candies, soy sauce, coconut milk, garlic, salt.   Ginger and red pepper to season, if using. ( I like a lot of pepper, but beware it gets spicy)  Blend until smooth in texture.  If you are serving with a salad or noodles you want your sauce to be a bit thinner, in this case add a bit of water until you achieve a thinner sauce (like a dressing) Season to taste.  If serving just with meat, as a dipping sauce you want your sauce to be thicker in consistency, therefor do not thin it. 

Add a bit of olive oil in a frying pan and pan sear chicken until cooked.  If you are using a grill,  lightly drizzle olive oil over chicken and grill until cooked, about 5-7 mins on each side. Thinly slice chicken into strips.  Serve on top of a fresh green salad and/or thin noodles. ( I put pineapple with mine, but any fruit would work) Can be served warm or cold. Drizzle peanut sauce on top.  Garnish with chopped green onions.

Enjoy !   or as we say here … Bom Aproveite !

{{ingredients in portuguese are to the right}}

Peanut Candy

Opening the wrapper of the peanut candy

Black Sesame Seeds in Brazil

My wonderful green tropical salad with grilled sesame chicken and asian peanut sauce