With the month of June approaching, the June festivities also arrive and, in this month, what cannot be missing are the typical recipes of São João.
Festa Junina is a typical Brazilian celebration held in June. Although very common in the country, did you know that it has been adapted? And it also features some of the best traditional recipes from all over Brazil.
It actually came about through similar celebrations that were held in Portugal and Spain.
In the past, it was called Festa Joanina, in honor of São João, however, over time its name was changed to Festa Junina, as it traditionally takes place in the month of June.
In these festivities, there are classic elements that create the atmosphere of June, such as square dances, games, flags, straw hats, plaid shirts, and of course, the typical dishes cannot be missing.
Although the pandemic has prevented these festivities from happening in recent years, nothing stops you from having your own party, right? So, we've put together some typical São João recipes to help you celebrate.
1 – Creamy Corn Cake
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| Creamy corn cake – image of cake for sale |
Being one of the best known typical recipes from São João, the creamy corn cake needs ingredients such as:
- 2 tablespoons of margarine;
- 400ml of milk;
- 1 and a half cup (tea) of sugar;
- 1 tablespoon of yeast;
- 3 eggs;
- 2 cans of corn or 2 ears of green corn;
- 1 cup (tea) wheat flour.
How to prepare:
Transfer the corn to the blender and add the milk and eggs and beat for 2 minutes so that the mixture is homogeneous.
Soon after, add the margarine, wheat flour and sugar. Add the baking powder and mix well.
Done that pour the mixture into a greased form with flour. Take it to bake in the preheated oven at 180º for about half an hour to 40 minutes and it's ready.
2 – Apple of Love
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| Candy apple – image: fantasy and fun |
- 1 tablespoon white vinegar;
- Apples;
- Sticks to stick the apples;
- 500g of sugar;
- 250ml of water;
- 1 tablespoon red food coloring powder.
How to prepare:
Start by washing the apples well and sticking the toothpick in them. Once that's done, put the sugar, water, red food coloring and vinegar in a pan. Let it simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. After 15 minutes, test the syrup point.
If you have a culinary thermometer, the syrup point should reach 145ºC. However, if you don't have it, a good tip is to take some of the syrup and drip a drop on a flat plate.
Soon after, take this same tip and throw it on the plate again and if it makes a sound similar to that of glass, it's because it's in the right spot.
Soon after, remove the syrup from the heat and let it cool for 30s. Soon after dip the apples holding the toothpick before the syrup hardens. Place the apples on a greased surface with butter and wait to dry.
3 – Corn hominy with condensed milk
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| Creamy Canjica – image: Cooking Guide |
- 1 box of condensed milk;
- 250 ml of milk;
- 1 can of green corn;
- 1 glass of 200 ml of coconut milk;
- 1 tablespoon (soup) cornstarch;
- 2 tablespoons of water.
How to prepare:
Place the corn in a blender, add the coconut milk, milk and blend until smooth.
Soon after, strain the mixture and discard the bagasse, dissolve the cornstarch in the water and add it to the mixture. Put the mixture in a pan, add the condensed milk and stir well. Place over medium heat and stir until it starts to boil.
After this step, lower the heat, meanwhile keep stirring for another 15 minutes, pour it on a platter and wait to cool down to be able to serve.
4 – Homemade paçoca
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| Homemade paçoca – image: Moui Blog |
Being one of the easiest typical recipes from São João to make, you only need three ingredients:
- 1 pinch of salt;
- 1 cup (tea) of sugar;
- 2 cups skinless and roasted peanuts.
How to prepare:
Put the sugar, peanuts and salt in the blender, beat everything until it forms a fine crumbly texture, transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir this crumble with your fingertips for a few minutes.
Done that, transfer to a form, spread and press well. Take it to the fridge and leave it for half an hour. Cut into squares and enjoy.
5 – Salted Pamonha
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| Salty Pamonha – image: Food on the Table |
- 2 tablespoons of butter;
- ½ pepperoni sausage;
- Salt, pepper and parsley;
- 8 ears of corn;
- 3 thick slices of mines cheese in cubes.
Method of preparation:
Remove the husks from the corn, place them in the boiling water, pick each ear and grate until all the kernels are removed.
Beat the corn in the blender and transfer to a bowl. Add the sausage or other stuffing of your choice, the cheese and seasonings.
Over the straw until it forms a kind of cup. Add the corn dough and tie with a string. Cook in water for half an hour and it's ready.
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