feijoada
Feijoada is a rich, hearty Brazilian stew traditionally made with black beans and a variety of salted and smoked pork or beef products. Imagine a bubbling, dark-colored pot served over white rice, accompanied by orange slices and toasted cassava flour, known as farofa. It is widely considered the national dish of Brazil. While it is a staple comfort food, it is also a social event. It is most commonly served on weekends, particularly Saturdays, as a long, leisurely lunch shared among family and friends. Because it is quite heavy and filling, it is rarely eaten as a quick snack; it is meant to be savored slowly.
In conversation
Planning a weekend lunch
Are you coming over on Saturday? My mom is making a huge pot of feijoada.
Are you coming over on Saturday? My mom is making a huge pot of feijoada.
Oh, you know I can't turn down her feijoada! Should I bring some drinks?
Oh, you know I can't turn down her feijoada! Should I bring some drinks?
Feijoada is often associated with weekend gatherings and home cooking.
At a restaurant
The feijoada special comes with rice, farofa, and sliced oranges.
The feijoada special comes with rice, farofa, and sliced oranges.
That sounds perfect, I'll take that. Is it very spicy?
That sounds perfect, I'll take that. Is it very spicy?
Not at all, it's very savory and traditional.
Not at all, it's very savory and traditional.
Oranges are a classic side dish to help balance the richness of the beans.
Examples
I ate feijoada for lunch.
I ate feijoada for lunch.
Every Saturday, the family gathers to share a large pot of traditional feijoada.
Every Saturday, the family gathers to share a large pot of traditional feijoada.
Feijoada is a complex dish requiring hours of slow simmering to properly meld the flavors of the pork and black beans.
Feijoada is a complex dish requiring hours of slow simmering to properly meld the flavors of the pork and black beans.
