Cozinhando 101

Cooking class for "Dummies" was held in Sister Freide's apartment Monday.

Zenia is always cooking up something - she truly keeps us in Brazilian treats. 

I told her to call me down the next time she made coxinhas. She said that they were so very easy to make!

First, you have to pressure cook the potatoes - mash them up - add the chicken stock and milk - simmer - add the flour - cook it up - plop it on a buttered counter - knead it - roll it - cut it - roll it into balls - flatten it - add the stuffing - make it into a teardrop - splatter it with egg white - roll in bread crumbs - fry.

Easy?

HAHAHAHAHA

(That's what she thinks!)

Then, with the same dough, we made nyoki.

(Shirley was the scribe.)

Lastly, we made empanadas.

Chicken, beef, and cheese filled these little babies. 

They may not have been that easy to make, but they were sure yummy to eat.

Easter (Páscoa) is just around the corner.

Brazil is ready!

 This is one of the mall attractions. You make your very own cupcake and then, while it bakes, you color an Easter picture. 

 

Zenia made us ovos de Páscoa de chocolate (chocolate Easter eggs). In between the two chocolate layers you will find creamy coconut. 

REALLY?!

With half of the temple property in jungle/forest I guess this is to be expected. Little critters can be found in the shrubs. The top guy is a preás (Brazilian guinea pig). They get pretty big and seem to think that they can play in and out of the gardens. (Elder Carmargo says they taste like chicken.)

I just spotted this bottom guy the other day. Talk about ugly! He's a Brazilian Gamba. He looks like a mole-rat to me. I believe his only purpose is to scare me out of my wits. (I'll have to ask Elder Carmargo if he tastes like chicken!)

Moving into March

I can't believe that so much of March is already gone! And tomorrow is the first day of autumn!!

(I know, I don't think I would ever get used to the reverse seasons down here.)

Anyway...this is what has been keeping us busy.

We celebrated summer's end by going to the beach.

(This was the best place to get Frutos do mar - seafood for you English speakers)

President and Sister Stadler have a home on the beach about two hours from Curitiba. It was a nice break from the city.

The water was so very warm!

So, if seafood isn't your thing, the Cesars took us out for pizza one night.

Or, if you're looking for something with a little more meat - we missionaries took ourselves to....what else....a churrasco.

And since we're on the subject of food, last night's FHE had a great selection to choose from.

(Can you guess which item I made? They had never seen deviled eggs before, but, since they love eggs and mayonnaise, the little guys were a big hit.)

And, in between all that eating, we still found time to finish a 1,000 piece puzzle. (999 actually. One piece was missing.)

Hope your March has been as fine as ours. And who knows what the next 11 days will bring!!