3 snack recipes to enjoy Brazil’s matches | Press

Chef shares tasty bites to gather friends at home and cheer for the national team.

The biggest soccer tournament in the world has already kicked off. For die-hard fans, it’s the perfect chance to get friends and family together at home, catch up, place score predictions, and root for your chosen team. Be still, my heart!

To make the get-together even tastier, Lisiane Miura, chef and nutritionist at the Umami Committee, has selected three special, practical snacks: bruschetta, salad in a Parmesan basket, and crunchy cheese bread. “These three recipes are great easy-to-make options. Choosing preparations with umami-rich ingredients like Parmesan and tomato makes the snacks even more delicious,” says the chef, referring to the fifth basic taste of the human palate, discovered in 1908 by Japanese scientist Kikunae Ikeda.

Check out these crowd-pleasing recipes and score a culinary goal!

BRUSCHETTA

Ingredients

• 8 slices Italian bread (400 g)
• 4 tbsp olive oil (60 ml)
• 1 medium tomato, peeled, seeded, and chopped (150 g)
• 10 basil leaves, chopped (10 g)
• 50 g sliced mozzarella, chopped
• ½ tsp salt (2.5 g)

Method

• Place the bread slices on a medium baking sheet and brush one side with half the olive oil.
• In a bowl, mix the tomato, basil, and mozzarella.
• Season with the salt, spread over the bread slices, and bake in a preheated moderate oven (180 °C / 350 °F) for 10 minutes or until the mozzarella melts.
• Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Yield: 8 servings.
Tip: If using round Italian bread, cut the slices in half.

SALAD IN A PARMESAN BASKET

Ingredients

• 3 cups coarsely grated Parmesan (300 g)
• 6 large leaves iceberg lettuce, torn (75 g)
• 6 cherry tomatoes, quartered (50 g)
• 1 small beet, grated (90 g)

Dressing

• ½ cup light mayonnaise (100 g)
• 2 tbsp milk (30 ml)
• 1 medium garlic clove, pressed
• ½ tsp salt (2.5 g)

Method

1. In a small nonstick skillet, spread ½ cup of the grated Parmesan on the bottom and cook over medium heat for about 2 minutes, until it begins to brown.
2. Carefully lift with a spatula and drape over the bottom of a small bowl or glass.
3. Let cool until firm to form a “basket.”
4. Repeat with the remaining cheese.
5. In a blender, combine the mayonnaise, milk, garlic, and salt; blend until smooth.
6. Divide the lettuce, tomato, and beet among the baskets, drizzle with the dressing, and serve immediately.

Yield: 6 servings.
Chef’s tip: You can use a blender instead of a food processor to make the dressing.

CRUNCHY CHEESE BREAD

Ingredients

• 4 cups sweet tapioca starch (polvilho doce) (400 g)
• 1½ cups milk (300 ml)
• ½ cup oil (100 ml)
• 1 whole egg
• 1 tsp salt
• ½ cup grated Parmesan (50 g)
• 1 cup grated Minas Padrão cheese (40 g)

Method

1. Place the tapioca starch in a bowl; set aside. In a medium saucepan, bring the milk and oil to a boil. Pour over the starch and mix well with a spoon. Let cool slightly; knead by hand until warm. Add the egg and incorporate. Add the salt and cheeses; mix until the dough is smooth and uniform. Shape small balls and arrange on a greased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated moderate oven (180 °C / 350 °F) for about 20 minutes, or until golden.
2. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Yield: 42 pieces.
Tips:

1. To check doneness, look for a golden bottom.
2. Polvilho doce yields a milder flavor; polvilho azedo makes them puffier and a bit hollow inside, with a stronger taste—choose according to preference.

UMAMI

Umami is the fifth basic taste of the human palate, discovered in 1908 by Japanese scientist Kikunae Ikeda. It was scientifically recognized in 2000, when researchers at the University of Miami confirmed specific receptors for this taste on the taste buds. The amino acid glutamic acid and the nucleotides inosinate and guanylate are the main umami substances. Two key characteristics of umami are increased salivation and the lingering of taste for a few minutes after eating. Learn more at www.portalumami.com.br and follow facebook.com/ogostoumami and instagram.com/ogostoumami.