{All Around Latin America} Cooking With Books’ Exploration: Brazilian Brigadeiros in Celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month

Where has this year gone?! It is really mid-September already?? My goodness! I hope you’ve enjoyed all the goodness summer has offered you! And now that fall is just a few days away, it means it’s time to celebrate my culture, our culture, a global influence that excites so many of us in so many ways– Hispanic Heritage! During this annual celebratory exploration of our diverse culture from September 15th – October 15th, I personally learn more and more about the countries that make up Hispania. 

I’m happy to participate in Hispanic Heritage Month in my own way with the 4th annual {All Around Latin America}, a culinary roundup taking us through several countries. This is my 2nd favorite special feature on Flanboyant Eats. Not only because I get to enjoy my participating friends’ food, but I get to introduce you to some of my favorite foodies! In year’s past I’ve had bloggers share food from their own country. This year, I wanted a different approach, allowing anyone to take stab at doing something  not necessarily natural or classic to them. We get to see the myriad of ways and culinary techniques into making popular dishes and are exposed to new ones we’ve not heard of. We’re always learning, you know! 

This year’s kickoff comes from my sweet Dominican friend, Marnely of the blog Cooking with Books. This is her second time participating in {All Around America} and I’m thrilled to have her surprise me with these little nuggets of joy! I’ve had them from a Brazilian friend but I’m loving her recipe! I’ll let her tell you about them. 

Welcome to the annual series, where I’ll have sprinkles of deliciousness shared my friend all month-long! And, welcome Marnely! Make sure to check out her life on Martha’s Vineyard, where she enjoys life as a pastry chef on a golf course. 

By Marnely Rodriguez

Once again, I am so excited to participate in Bren’s Hispanic Heritage Month ‘All Around Latin America‘, her 4th Annual Virtual Culinary Trip that takes you on a foodie discovery trip around Latin America. Two years ago, I shared our recipe for Crab Cakes with a Papaya Mango Salad that is inspired by the flavors of the Caribbean and the fresh available seafood of the islands.

This year, I’m sharing a traditional recipe for a classic Brazilian sweet treat, Brigadeiro. These Brazilian chocolate truffles are so simple, you’ll be making them for parties, dinners, celebrations – heck, you’ll make them on a Tuesday just because they are that simple and that delicious. Made up of only five ingredients which I’m pretty sure you have them all in your pantry, these Brigadeiro will impress your guests and have you smiling from ear to ear knowing they only took you ten minutes to assemble.

Sweetened condensed milk is such a staple in the Latin pantry. I have fond memories of drizzling it over fresh mangoes and guavas, and just eating it by the spoonful. It was cloyingly sweet, but oh so good! Bite down into one of these Brigadeiro and it literally melts in your mouth, chocolate swirling flavors with a hint of sea salt and vanilla.

Come back on Wednesday for another fabulous recipes from {All Around Latin America}!

 *This is part of an annual Hispanic Heritage Month food  & culture series, now in its 4th year. Catch up on this years and previous delicious features: 

{ALL AROUND LATIN AMERICA} FOOD SERIES

How do you celebrate this culturally inspiring month?

This year’s {All Around Latin America} is especially dedicated to Elle of the blog “Elle’s New England Kitchen.” Elle passed away earlier this year and shocked us all whom knew and loved her. She was very sweet and kind to me and participated in this series (and other times I needed her to chip in) with her popular pupusas.  Though Elle wasn’t Latina, her husband is, so she was pretty well-versed in our foods, particularly El Salvadoran cuisine. In honor of her memory and joi de vivre for life and her compassion for furry little ones, we will eat well, we will love fully, we will pray with intention and take care of ourselves.  

Eat well, love unapologetically, pray with true intention, and take care of yourself.

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Enjoy

BRIGADEIRO (or Brazilian chocolate truffes)

Ingredients:

• 7.5 ounces sweetened condensed milk
• 1 ounce dark cocoa powder
• pinch of sea salt
• 1 1/2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• toppings: chocolate sprinkles, cacao nibs, shredded coconut

Method:

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the condensed milk and sifted cocoa powder. Stir in the salt and cook for 8-10 minutes constantly stirring as to avoid it from burning. The mixture will become very thick.

2. Swirl in the butter and vanilla extract and place in a plastic container in the refrigerator to chill. Once chilled all the way through, grab a teaspoon and roll small truffles. Coat the rolled truffles in chocolate sprinkles, coconut, or cacao nibs. Serve chilled.

Recipe makes 10 medium sized truffles