Brazilian Flavours at Cajú

A recent outing to Toronto’s own Brazilian-inspired restaurantCajú netted a culinary experience that was as enjoyable to learn about as it was to savour. Chef Mario Cassini is celebrating his restaurant’s fourth birthday by launching the new “Experience the Flavours of Brazil” tasting menu. Using the various regions and culinary traditions found in his homeland, Chef Cassini is offering diners a selection of fabulous dishes from Brazil’s most prominent culinary hot spots.

Given that the country’s history boasts influences and indelible imprints left behind by the Portuguese, native populations, Africans, Asians and the immigrants from the Middle East, Chef Cassini has a wide swath of flavours and ingredients from which to draw. He says, “Brazilian cuisine is not well known to most Toronto diners. We’d like our diners to discover classic Brazilian dishes prepared with a contemporary touch and try menu items inspired by Brazilian flavours.”

The Belo-Horizonte born and raised chef gave me a chance to do just that recently as I sampled Bahian (from the Northeast coast of the country) style shrimp in a Moqueca sauce of fiery malagueta peppers, ginger, and tomatoes in a distinctively Bahian coconut milk broth. This latter ingredient was brought over by African slaves and even today, contemporary Bahia can trace many of its culinary treasures to its African roots. As an interesting aside, the word moqueca comes from the native word “moquen” which describes the way the native population in the region cooked over an open fire. Just as tasty and from the Northeast as well is the seared fish with Vatapá. The fragrant sauce in this dish includes a blend of cashew nuts, ginger and coconut milk of course.

From Chef Cassini’s home state of Minas Gerais comes the Isca de Feijoada- pork tenderloin, beef and chouriço (sausage) braised in a rich and flavourful black bean sauce. Good to the last drop! Just as lovely is the Pork tenderloin with Feijão Tropeiro- a sauté of beans, vegetables, chouriço and pork crackling blended with cassava flour.

Beef lovers will enjoy the Rio Grande do Sul region’s Churrasquinho, or grilled sirloin beef skewers with caramelized onion, farofa and tomato salsa vinaigrette. The best part about this tasting menu, apart from the variety of flavours and terrific dishes, is that for $30 CDN (tax and tip not included), diners can choose three items from the tasting menu (some outlined above) and have a cool glass of Caipirinha (Brazil’s cocktail of choice) to accompany their meal. A lot less cost-prohibitive than a flight down to Rio and just as tasty!

Coconuts

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