Green and yellow on the table perfect food for the

Green and yellow on the table: perfect food for the games 11/24/2022

When there’s a Brazil game at the World Cup, people gather. When family and friends are together, it is obvious that food cannot be missing to accompany the more than 90 minutes in front of the screens.

For those who, in addition to decorating the house, like to get in the mood, it is worth sitting on a table in the main colors of the Brazilian flag.

The first scheduled games of the selection always take place at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. today against Serbia at 4 p.m. That means hungry time for lunch or afternoon snacks.

In a busy house and an atmosphere of “chaos” in the air, the basic rule is to serve dishes that don’t require dishes and can be eaten with your hands in the best “finger food” style and if you want disposable tableware, that’s it is recyclable.

“Late afternoon games pair well with snacks like tapioca dadinho and ribs, two dishes that still evoke Brazil,” says chef Malu Mello of eponymous catering in Rio de Janeiro.

The recipe, created by chef Rodrigo Oliveira and explained step by step in the video above, has become a hit in bars and restaurants and is a great choice to accompany beer at games. Also, check out a version of the recipe that can be made in just over an hour, including resting the dough in the fridge:

By the way, all kinds of croquettes and rolls go well with it. Rice cake with beef jerky, for example, has everything to do with the Brazilian table, as do green cornbased snacks.

“For games just before lunch, despite the demand for good food, the portions should be smaller and served on small plates, since people are sitting on the sofa and having a beer,” advises Malu.

In the December heat, cold alternatives have the edge because they are light, do not fill you up and still mean practicality in the kitchen.

Buns always

Regardless of the departure time, a sandwich is a pretty obvious alternative, but sure to be every time. Depending on the number of people, it is good to think of three different flavor alternatives.

You can compose a caprese sandwich with brioche bread, explore the green of the basil alongside minas or goat cheese, and swap out the red cherry tomato for the yellow to stay in the colors of the flag,” suggests Malu.

Burgers are also welcome. In the classic XSalada, the yellow of the cheese or mozzarella cheese and tomatoes contrasts with the green of the salad, which can also be paired with colorful bread (e.g. spinach or carrot) and mustard sauce.

Bread is also indispensable. A tip is to think of some varieties served in baskets to be eaten with pastes like guacamole or chickpea hummus.

Incidentally, this is a nod to the host country of the World Cup, Qatar, and brings a touch of Arabic cuisine to the food.

Salads for the heat

Summer calls for fresh dishes that value salads. The bittersweet versions are great and guarantee the chromatic combination. Chef Malu proposes the Rodrigo Carioca salad, based on mango, pineapple and diced bananas, with pieces of grilled chicken wrapped in yoghurt or cream sauce and seasoned with salty granola.

“Decorate the dish with lettuce leaves, in the best combination of green and yellow,” emphasizes the expert. You can also serve a cold macaroni salad stuffed with basil leaves, olives, and a little bit of greenery in addition to yellow pepper slices. But any alternative with leaves guarantees the necessary greenery for decorating the table.

Also in the slightly lighter category, Karla Brunelli, partner at Quadrado Restaurante in São Paulo, suggests the classic Fish & Chips. Despite its British origins, it’s perfect for match days. The decoration with lemon slices is not only practical for consumption, but also refers to the colors of the flag. “It’s delicious and delights everyone’s taste buds, from adults to children,” he says.

Brazilian style at the table

Enhancing the crowd by serving signature ingredients guarantees grace and flavor. Traditional ingredients are great, like boiled corn in chunks, as well as bits of fried polenta and cassava that add yellow to the table.

Another tip is couscous, which can be served with spinach cream a very good option for lunch, by the way. “Couscous represents too much Brazil and is very convenient to serve in portions,” adds chef Malu.

Still with a Brazilian twist, popcorn always goes down well and stands out when it comes in color easy to get with food coloring, decorate the table and delight the kids’ taste buds.

Speaking of children, there should be plenty of fruit on the table. Pineapple, mango, orange, banana, kiwi, carambola, medlar or green apple can be served in slices or mixed into a salad.

From beer to drinks

When it comes to drinks, it’s easy to satisfy the kids in a healthy way with natural fruit juices. For the adult group, in addition to the ubiquitous beer, it is advisable to serve drinks based on the typical cachaça, such as caipirinhas, or drinks with a colored base.

Curaçao blue, for example, adds grace to many glasses and is an important ingredient in certain beverages. Bartender and mixologist Marcelo Serrano from Bambu Restaurante in São Paulo proposes a combination of gin, orange juice and tonic (to bring refreshment), a drink inspired by the colors of the Brazilian flag.

Bartender Wanderson Lima from The View Bar in São Paulo recommends discovering Taithi and Sicilian lemons in the composition of caipirinhas to guarantee the basic colors at the table. Audacity is also valid as a banana and lemon version.

“Also, Cozumel beer, salt, and lemon is a good option, as are white or green wines,” Wanderson says

Sweets are a must

Salty foods are the basis of the meal, but sweet treats should not be missing either. As well as fruit salads intended for kids as great alternatives to adult desserts, practical dishes can include colorful brigadeiros (do you want a more Brazilian candy than that?) or cakes with ice cream.