Hello guys…this is one great recipe and I love to eat great dishes and I love to cook sometimes. Today I decided to make a fish stew where it origins is from Bahia – Brazil, but first made by indians in a very diferent way.

Ingredients:

- Fish: Whiting or any other like white grouper, hake yellow.
- Tomatos;
- Onions;
- Potatos (not a must);
- Few Leaves of Cilantro;
- Oil Palm known as “Oleo de Dende” (in portuguese);
- Coconut Milk;
- Salt (as you like);
- Black Pepper (as you like);
- Green, Red and Yellow Peppers;
- Garlic (not a must);
- Olive Oil.

Second, a glass of a good wine has always helped to calm you down – yes I believe you can pray and have a glass every now and than.

My last trip to Brazil I happened to taste some great wines. While I am by no means a connoisseur or sommelier, I happened to know what I like. I like wines that have a taste to them. That stands up and justify themselves. Most important thing is that they don’t give me headache in the morning (either from drinking too much or costing too much!!!!!) Not opposed to buying good wines, but as an EverydayGuy, I always have a cost/performance ratio running.

So let me tell you about three wines that I found and fell in love with (all are from the Miolo Family):

Miolo Reserva Cabernet Sauvignon – Cabernet Sauvignon
Safra 2006. Great Red Stand up against any wine in the $15-25 range. At about $6-10 USD a bottle, it is a great buy. They even have reasonable prices in the restaurants.

Miolo Lot 43 2004 – Cabernet Sauvignon – Here is a wine that I put against some of the Bordeaux that I love from France. This wine is exceptional and in limited supply. I do not believe it is available in the states. It is in limited supply in Brazil (one available per Citizen – they actually ask for your Brazilian CPF – that also means if you can afford it). At $30-35 dollars a bottle, it is a steal!!! Almost worth the flight to Brazil. Find a friend that can get you a bottle if you are not able to make the trip…

Miolo Fortaleza do Seival Pinot Grigio 2008. – Now for those of you that like white wines, I happen to like drinking this one. It is about the same price as its “brother from another mother” Reserva Cabernet and has a lot of body for a Pinot Grigio! Love it, great bottle even with cheese, dessert.

Okay, I have had my drink – back to the rat race.

Stay safe, and God Bless!!!!!!!!

The other thing that is good and bad about Rio is that everything happens between the boroughs (barrios) of Leblon and Copacabana – actually a lot happens in areas, like Barra Tijuca, Lapa and others but for the tourist – Leblon and Copa can offer you a lot and are centrally located.

I happen to like to stay in Copacabana due to its proximity to some of my friends and also being closest to the metro and buses to go to other places. It also happens to have a lot of good restaurants and clubs that are not as touristy as some of the ones in Ipanema – definitely not at pricey.

My last couple of times there – I have used Rio Rentals 4 Less.

One of the locations:
Rua Constante Ramos 13 & Avenida Atlantica – with Internet, and International Phone Available! Lateral Ocean View, 3 Bedroom with private entrance to apartment (1 Apartment per Floor). 3 Queen Beds, Cable Flat Screen TV, IPOD Connection in all Rooms, Living Room, Dining Area, Full Kitchen, 2 Full Baths. Excellent location directly across the street from the beach and close to everything. Digital Safe, 24 Hour Doorman security.Towels and Linens Included.
• Local Convenience:
o Luncheonette
o Breakfast / Juice bar
o 5 Eateries
o Pharmacy
o Locksmith
o Internet Cafe
o Laundromat
3 bedroom ( 3 Quartos)
Low season – US$120 / night
High season – US$ 140/night

Clean and close to the beach. The price is also right when you consider that a decent hotel will run you about $100-200 (USD) per night.

It is the next day, I have some company come over to discuss www.everydayguy.tv and our future. It is time to make something for the company. Yesterday, I made the feijao and rice.

Just want to make some appetizers, tapas type of food for people to snack on while we sit around and talk (bate-papo)!!!!!!!

So WHAT’S IN THE FRIDGE ?

Rice, eggplant, cheese, herbs, eggs.

Let’s make a Rice Cake.

Ingredients:

- Cooked Rice (about 2 cups)
- One Eggplant
- Herbs (fresh) I had Cilantro, Chives
- Green Onions
- Serrano Pepper
- Bacon (4 strips)
- Cheese (Gouda, Provolone)
- 3 eggs
- Salt, Pepper, Garlic

This dish is very easy!!!!!!!

C
Dice the eggplant, green onions, cheese, bacon and peppers
Brown off the bacon in a pan.
Place them in a bowl with the rice.

Now, crack the eggs in a bowl, beat them.
Add your salt, pepper and garlic to the rice mixture. Chop the herbs and add them as well.Take the bacon place it on a paper napkin to remove some of the grease. (With the cheese, you will get a lot of oil, don’t need more).

Add in the bacon, stir the mixture to thoroughly mix all the ingredients.

I am using a Bunt baking pan to make the cake.

Make sure your oven is preheated at 350.

Line the pan with olive oil. Add in the rice mixture.

Cover with aluminum foil. If possible, use some rocks or something to place on top of the aluminum foil, this will press the cake and help shape it.

20-30 minutes later.

You are ready!!!!!!!

Let sit upside down on a plate till cool.

Remove the pan. You are ready to serve.

As some of you may know, I love meat and salads. Have company coming over. Need to do some more things. I am going to make an appetizer (will be in the next post) my take on an Italian Rice Cake. But for sure, Brazilians need Beans (Feijao) well at least I think (haha).

So I really don’t understand how you can do Feijao in Brazil and make it light. I mean I am trying to watch the diet but every now and than, you need some good hearty food.

Wally’s Feijao includes the follow:

- Pack of Beans (1lb) – (Soaked over night in water with Garlic, Onions, bay leaf and salt).
- Assorted Dry Herbs (that is what I can get), including oregano, bay leaf, thyme and basil.
- Fresh Cilantro
- Garlic
- One whole Onion
- One Green Pepper
- One Red Pepper
- One Serrano Pepper (wanted to go hotter but decided to leave it on the side).
- a small piece of thick cut bacon – about 3 strips.
- Salt
- Pepper
- Cumin
- Curry

In a large pot, go the onions and peppers that have been diced. let them “sweat” for about 2 minutes. Now remove the beans from the water and add them to the pot. I like to let everything at this point begin to “Combinate” (not a word but I am branding it – hahaha) Combination and Marination is the key to Wally’s cooking.

Add in the herbs, salt, pepper, cumin, curry.

Now I typically let everything sit on low to medium heat for at least 5 minutes. Constantly stirring, add a little more Olive Oil. Now the Beans are really seasoned. Coated with all the seasoning – they have been through the C & M process.

Add water to cover the beans. Cover. Let it stay on a low-medium heat for about 1.5 – 2 hours. You will need to constantly check the pot and add cups of water so not to burn. After the 2 hours – turn up the heat about 20% uncover and began to stir the beans while mashing some of them with something like a wooden spoon. The starch in the beans will assist in thickening the beans. The beans are almost done. – About 15 minutes of stirring and they should be ready.

Hope my friends like them!!!!!!!!!

Marcos Carnaval (a.k.a. Mark UC) is one of the most respected DJs and producers to come out of Brazil. This acclaimed NY-based executive has produced, remixed and licensed tracks for labels such as Tommy Boy, Ministry of Sound, Star 69 and EMI Japan.He has won multiple awards including DJ Sound Magazine’s best Brazilian DJ/Producer in 2000/2001. In addition, Marcos’ songs are featured on over 30 (thirty) CD compilations, a movie soundtrack, and 4 solo albums.
Some of his remixes charted on the “Billboard Hot Music / Club Play Top 100″ and remained on the “Billboard Club Charts” for more than 20 weeks.
Marcos has played prime time at nightclubs in Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Ukraine, Russia, Lithuania, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia, Philadelphia, Boston, New Jersey, New York, Miami Beach, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and at the 2008 edition of the ULTRA MUSIC FESTIVAL.
Now Marcos is celebrating five years of the creation of his own record label “UC Music” by releasing his 5th album named “UC Beats.

” DJ & Producer Fabricio Moraes launched hisprofessional career in Brazil at the age of 15.
Now days residing in New York he credits his success to his passion for the music and his power of innovation.
His recognized as one of the most talented DJs on thetri-state area, his DJ case is always well updated withthe hottest tunes on the market.
Fabricio has shared the decks with well know DJssuch as Richie Santana, Peter Bailey, Chus & Ceballos,Saeed & Palash, Jorge Jaramillo (Of Who Da Funk),Rob Mirage among others.
His style reflects a complete understanding of hisaudience, always playing on the hottest New York City, New Jersey and Miami Clubs and festivals, hishouse beats are contagious and full of groove and rhythm setting any crowd on fire.
Look out for Fabricio’s upcoming new single named “Yeah” out soon on UC Music world wide!

Well this is a little of a lot of info that i have about this two Good friends and Great Dj’s.
Music is Freeddom!!! Music is the Answer!!! Music is Therapy!!! Music is Joy!!! Music is Love!!!

5 September 2007

In Salvador, Bahia, just met up with my buddy Captain Ron (yes, he is really named Capt. Ron – LOL). Ron has a slight problem. He is stuck in Salvador. Does not speak the language. Has a beautiful Catamaran that he needs to deliver to South Africa. But he has to wait for at least two more weeks for another mate to arrive and a part. What do we do?

Let’s take a trip.

1^st thing – go shopping. Need to buy supplies. We strike a deal with my buddy – Ron! He sails. We buy the stock and chip in for any gas. In addition, I COOK. He has already tasted my cooking and is keen on having some REAL food instead of eating out every night and suffering to order (in Portuguese).

So I am off – Shopping in Perini (www.perini.com.br) Great place. Looking for what will go well on a boat for a day or two trip. Get some breads, cheeses, cold cuts (a must Mortadella). What do you know they actually have something from back home – BACON, I mean real bacon must buy! Get some fresh Seafood (fish – Dorado / Mahi Mahi and Tuna, plus shrimps!). Load up on fresh herbs, I find rosemary, garlic chives, basil, cilantro and dill. Need eggs and just other stuff – filler –rice, pasta, polenta. Plus don’t forget the must haves for the morning while traveling with anyone an assortment of salgados (empanadas, tortas, etc.) and pastries.

Don’t forget liquor, beer, juice, water and ice! Take everything to the boat pack the coolers. Take out a Picanha (Rump Roast) set it to marinate in garlic, beer and a little Guarana (Brazilian 7-up). That will be tomorrow night’s dinner. The beer is in the cooler on ice. We are all set ready to travel tomorrow.

Let’s get going.

It is now tomorrow morning. Leave the apartment early. Pick up some more ice and get ready to sail. One problem! It is raining. Are we going to sail in the rain? So there is an immediate remedy – old fashion American Breakfast with a twist – cooking for 8 Hungry persons.

Bloody Mary

-

I told you – we got Vodka – In Brasil – Smirnoff is some of the best priced Alcohol you can buy.

- Everything should be made to taste. My guests are seasoned partiers and getting ready to enjoy a couple of days on this lovely boat.

- Liter of Vodka

- Tomato Juice

- Ground Pepper (hard to find in Brazil, not really used).

- Salt

- Scallions.

- Worcestershire Sauce.

- Tabasco Sauce.

- Celery.

o I use a 3 – 2 ratio for mixing. 3 Parts Tomato Juice to 2 parts Vodka. Over Ice in a pitcher. Stir add in salt (should not need a lot), pepper, Tabasco, Worcestershire sauce and chopped scallions and celery (finely chopped).

- Pour for your guest while they are waiting on breakfast. Got to keep them happy.

Wally’s Hash Browns

- Dice your potatoes and place them in a large non-stick skillet. With Olive Oil, salt and pepper.

- Now dice an onion and bell pepper.

- Finely chop Leeks (if you can find them – we did)

- In addition, a roasted mild pepper – I found a Poblano-like pepper already roasted. Chopped it fine.

- Place all ingredients in a pan to sauté separate from the potatoes.

- Now in concert – the potatoes should be browning and the other ingredients should be ready to combine. Does not really matter which pan to which.

- I like to take the onions, etc to the potatoes.

- Now that they are together add Bay Leaf, one cup of water and cover. Let simmer for 15-30 minutes on low heat –constantly stirring.

- You want the texture to be almost close to mash. Let the water dissipate. Now add a dash of olive oil. Uncover and let the bottom brown (I like almost burnt). Now these are Wally’s Hash Browns.

Spicy Scrambled Eggs with Cheese and Chives.

- Easy

- Of course we are serving these with Bacon and Bread

o Place the Bacon in non-stick pan to cook. Make sure you regulate the heat. At least 2 – 3 strips per person.

o Place the bread – we had loafs in the oven on low heat to warm.

- Crack Eggs (2 – 3 per person) beat until thoroughly mixed. I like it to be almost like a batter. If you have a processor, not a bad usage for a lot of eggs – but I am old fashion – we did not even have a whisk – used a fork.

- Add salt, pepper, and dry seasonings (had garlic powder and Italian seasoning). Also a couple of dashes of Worcestershire sauce (I can never say that word).

- Beat it well. Let sit in the Refrigerator.

- Heat a non-stick pan (the largest you can find)

- Chop some Onions (I prefer Shallots, if I can find them, if not Red).

- Put them to sauté. Once translucent and soft, turn down the heat. Add some of the cheese (I found provolone and a white Brazilian cheese – queijo mineira – mild and creamy). Let it start to melt. I like to add a ¼ cup of milk. Make makes almost a cheese sauce at this point, lets’ add the eggs. Slowly stirring and folding the eggs, until creamy and soft now time to add the rest of the cheese (to your liking – I like CHEESY Eggs) and the chives (of course chopped).

- Your Eggs are ready to serve.

Sit everyone down! The sun is coming up. Almost time to Sail! Hope everyone likes it.