Brazilian Coconut Rice Recipe

I love finding old posts to share with you and I wrote this one for our Brazilian Coconut Rice Recipe almost 8 years ago. This is still a weekly staple at our home and even young Bella loves it. Oh Brazil how I miss you...enjoy.

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In preparation for our trip to Brazil last year, we started to try to make AND eat as much Brazilian

food as possible. We found one amazing Bossa Nova Brazilian restaurant in San Francisco that played live music and had tapas. Their Classic Calpirinhas and the nut crusted goat cheese still makes my mouth water. I fell in love with the coconut rice and wanted to make it at home.

This coconut rice recipe has become a fast favorite side dish. When I make it in San Francisco for friends, they ask me if it was a side dish or dessert. Now that's a compliment!

INGREDIENTS:

1 tablespoon butter 

1 teaspoon brown sugar 

2 teaspoon of kosher salt 

2 cups jasmine rice, washed and drained well 

1 can of coconut milk 2 cups water 

1/2 a cup of chicken broth (hint: this gives the rice a wonderful flavor) 

*1/4 cup sweetened coconut flakes (optional)

DIRECTIONS: First drain jasmine rice in a strainer for 15 minutes. Place butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When butter is melted, add brown sugar and salt and stir until dissolved. Then turn heat to high, add rice and stir until all grains coated evenly. Add coconut milk, chicken broth and water. Stir occasionally to prevent grains from sticking to bottom. When boiling, immediately cover with tight fitting lid, turn heat to medium-low and simmer for 20 minutes. (Remember to stir the rice occasionally or it will stick to the bottom.)

Remove saucepan from heat, but do not open lid. Let sit for 10 minutes. If you want to add coconut flakes while the rice is cooking, now toast them on a dry skillet over medium high heat. Stir frequently to avoid burning. Remove the flakes from the skillet as soon as coconut is golden brown, about 2 minutes. Put flakes over the rice. Coconut rice can be served with so many things. Such as chicken, steak, with pineapple or with a side of shrimp.

Maybe you can try this great and yummy recipe this weekend. Would you like our Brazilian shrimp recipe next?  Comment here if you’d like to swap recipes.

Is Canada the New American Dream?

I am often asked what it was like growing up and being from Canada? Most of my American friends are curious about how friendly Canadians are, want to know if the school system is the same (yes) and how paying higher taxes are put towards everyone’s health care? But my favorite question has to be… did I know Drake?

Believe it or not… yes he did live near, but sadly my singing career hasn’t taken off in the same way.

                                                                  

You can usually tell the difference between our countries by the Canadian smiling and apologizing and knowing about ketchup chips & smarties. The sarcastic humor, proud to learn French & ice skating to school.

But how does Canada view America now? Canada, our cold friend, seems to be happy to put their arms around our shoulders, but not fully committing to being our parent.

As we changed Presidents a lot of American citizens crashed the Canadian Immigration website, but maybe Canada is on to something with a happier, but much much colder way of life. All I know is the second I get onto an Air Canada plane the apologizing and kindess comes flying down the aisle.

Has Canada taken over the American Dream? Last weekend I saw this segment on CNN’s Fareed Zakaria and overall Canada does sound like they are doing pretty well. Higher percentage of college degrees, higher rate of life expectancy and the sixth happiest place in the world.

Have you ever asked yourself what would our society be like without citizens going bankrupt due to health care and education costs? That’s basically how to have a caring country that watches out for one another. J’adore California and the stunning beauty of the Bay Area. We are nestled in magical views, gorgeous backdrops and nearby wine country, but what would it be like if we married the two countries? Do you think Canada is the new American Dream?

10 Things You Don’t Know About Me

As we get to know each other better, I wanted to share with you 10 things that you didn’t know about me. Well at least this won’t be published online for all to read…oh come on...your turn next.

1) Out of all the places in the world that I’ve been lucky to travel to, I would live in Italy or in Brazil. Both places had a warmth, love for family, light, beauty, I had food crushes and each place is filled with dance and music. (Argentina is a close second.)

2) I developed a love for writing/performing at a young age when we created speeches for school. I loved writing out of the box and then performing the speech in front of my classmates.

3) My favorite street has to be Union Street in San Francisco. Still to this day, I find my Zen walking up and down that street with window shopping, sitting in a secret garden, watching the dogs walk by and smelling the soaps at Lush.

4) I love staying in hotel rooms. Getting free slippers, sitting in robes and room service. Do you like taking a break from your day to day?

5)  I am in awe of stand-up comedians. They are so brave to stand up there and put it all out on stage.

6) T.V. remotes and I are not friends. We try to be, but I think we should always get a universal one. I just can’t remember how to work the darn thing. Is there a course I can take lovely?

7) Can you keep a secret? I love documentaries, independent films, museums, but I am a sucker for the Bravo channel. Please help me and don't tell!

8) As the sun sets over Hawaii, you can find me eating a rainbow flavored shaved ice with vanilla ice cream at the bottom. Now... that’s an entire bowl of happiness.

9) I didn’t learn how to cook until my thirties because cooking was something you ordered or just heated up. After taking some cooking lessons, I developed a love for it. Early on, my poor honey had to deal with some frozen in the middle (I am so embarrassed) meals.

10) If I could wear Lululemon pants every day...my life would be complete. Belt it, wear them to a work interview, yoga it up, but never intense exercise. I wouldn’t want to ruin them!