Feijoada

The Feijoada is also known as the "national dish" of Brazil. Many foreigners and tourists are thrown off by its black and purple-ish looks and some cannot handle the strong taste of black beans, pork and beef. This is, however, a weekly traditional Brazilian dish and definitely one of my favorites!

The dish came from Portugal, just like many others, due to the Portuguese colonization back in days. The name comes from the Portuguese word "feijão" which means "beans" - the main ingredient. The beans are typically cooked in a thick clay pot over a small fire together with salted pork, bacon, some pork trimming, smoked sausage and jerked beef. The stew is then accompanied with rice, farofa (lightly roasted coarse cassava flour), stir fried collard greens and slices of oranges. 

Because it is such a heavy dish, Feijoadas are typically served only on Wednesday's and Saturdays.