See how many of these you know and try to make the other ones

Rafaela Polo

Brazilian cuisine is full of mysteries – and we love to reveal them at Instituto Brasil a Gosto. When you look at the pages of the book Básico: Enciclopédia de Receitas do Brasil, which has more than 500 typical recipes, you find lots of funny names. Check how many of these names you are familiar with.

*The names were translated to English literally

Roupa Velha (Old rags)

O prato, feito com charque (uma carThis dish is made with charqui (a jerked beef typical from the South region) and got this name because it needs to be prepared one day in advance. In Portugal, it is done with cod fish.

Mão de Vaca (Cow’s hand)

This stew is made with cow’s back foot and is rich and invigorating. “I Don’t know how many times I ended up eating ‘mão de vaca’ in food markets in the Ceará countryside after a night out with my cousins”, says Ana Luiza Trajano, chef from Instituto Brasil a Gosto.

Amor-Perfeito (Perfect love, Tocantins Cracknel)

The name is related to how this candy looks, it looks as if it was an undressed underwear. In Santa Catarina, it is known as ‘orelha de gato’ (cat’s ear). And in other parts of the country it is called ‘cueca rasgada’ (torn underwear) .

Cueca Virada (Turned briefs)

This candy with a teasing name was created in the Convento Santa Clara do Porto (Portugal) and was first brought to Brazil in the 17th century, possibly by the Clarissa nuns. The original recipe uses almonds and was adapted to a Brazilian version, made with yolks, sugar, butter, baking powder, vanilla essence, cornstarch, wheat flour, crystal sugar and goiabada (guava sweet).

Beijo-de-Freira (Nun kiss, guava jam cookies)

This candy with a teasing name was created in the Convento Santa Clara do Porto (Portugal) and was first brought to Brazil in the 17th century, possibly by the Clarissa nuns. The original recipe uses almonds and was adapted to a Brazilian version, made with yolks, sugar, butter, baking powder, vanilla essence, cornstarch, wheat flour, crystal sugar and goiabada (guava sweet).

Orelhas de burro (Donkey ears, goma cake)

Also known as bolo de goma (gum cake) it is a simple recipe made with only three ingredients: egg, oil and tapioca flour.

Mané-pelado (Naked mané)

You might know this one, because it is also known by the simple name tapioca and cheese cake and is very usual at Festas Juninas in the states of Goiás and Minas Gerais. Apparently, the funny name is a tribute to a farmer who used to harvest manioc… naked. 

Espera-marido (Husband waiting)

There are several versions for this bread name origins. In Portugal, ‘espera-marido’ was the name of a cream made with eggs, sugar and cinnamon. Another name for the recipe in Brazil is ‘sonho de pobre’ (poor people’s dream). What matters is that it is delicious, with or without a husband to wait for.

Papo de Anjo (Angel’s double chin)

This eggs candy with a, let’s say, blessed name is ready in only 30 minutes and is delicious. It is a good option when someone says they are going to visit you and you have little time to organize everything.