There is such a diversity when it comes to South American cuisine. With 12 different countries within South America, each has their own individual style and flavour but with similar European influences and foods indigenous to the area. Although similar, the cooking processes, recipes and foods are all different. One cuisine has always intrigued me and that’s Brazilian cuisine. Here’s what you need in your pantry to make Brazilian food at home.

Isn’t food an amazing thing? Not only does it taste good and nourish you, it can conjure up the whole culture of the country and there’s no better example of this than Brazilian cuisine. A melting pot of different nationalities from countries such as Portugal, African and other European countries helped to create what has become a very unique and individual country.

There’s the Rio Carnival, the samba and other dances, the sport, music, religion, everything relating to Rio de Janiero and the landmarks like the Christ the Redeemer statue, all make Brazil such an individual country. And then there’s the food.

I can only ever remember having Brazilian food at a restaurant once but it was lip smacking delicious so I can’t wait to start using some of these recipes. Let’s see what I need to keep on hand.

Meat & Protein

Beef, pork, chicken & other poultry, seafood, pulses, beans (etc black turtle beans, black eyed peas, chickpeas)

Fruit & Vegetables

Avocado, Açaí berry, Brazil nuts, bananas, cashew fruit & nuts, cassava, chayoto (choko), corn, guava, lime, kale, papaya, spring onions, passionfruit, pineapple, pumpkin, chillies, sweet potato, mango, oranges, okra, onion, tomatoes, onions, garlic

Herbs & Spices

Cinnamon, cloves, paprika, coriander (cilantro), fennel seeds, parsley, chilli

Pantry Staples

Chunky cornflour (farinha de milho), coconut and coconut milk, condensed milk, cornmeal (polenta), guava paste, tapioca flour, peanuts, preserved hearts of palm, tapioca, dried shrimp, palm oil, rice