Salgadinhos consist of a delicious cheesy, vegetable or meat stuffing, wrapped in a baked or fried dough. In the empanada family, you can find a variety of these perfectly sized snacks at just about any corner in Rio de Janeiro. Despite the variety of sizes, all cost exactly the same, and pretty much all are quite delicious. I went on the hunt to discover what these salty, cheesy, cheap carioca morsels were all about.
Pao de quejo (cheese bread) and salgado de frango (chicken salgado) accompanied with both molho de alho (garlic sauce) and molho de pimenta (hot sauce).
Pao de queijo and another salgado surprise…
Calabresa – thick layer of toasty cheese and a slice of salty meat. On the side you will see a tasty sauce, Molho de alho, or garlic sauce that they will bring you upon request.
Umm, not really sure what this one was, but I’m sure it was good. The purple stuff, Acai – the miracle fruit of Brazil, started a huge trend a few years ago for its cancer fighting, anti-aging, and wish granting magical powers. Although acai may not cure cancer, it still is very nutritious and widely available at any suco (juice) kiosk in Rio where it is blended with ice, made into an almost frozen yogurt like consistency.. perfect for breakfast right before a long day bathing in the sun.
Fried balls of cod, cheese, shrimp, meat… yum? Didn’t try it.. looked like a stomach ache waiting to happen.
[…] found the ultimate combination is the lime-passionfruit.The menu consists of about a dozen of salgadinhos and appetizers, main dishes, vegetarian options and sides. Word to the wise: don’t go too […]