Lamb Roulade with Tomatoes and Gouda, Mint Pesto, and Farofa
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
The mint pesto and the farofa (a typical Brazilian side dish) make this tomatoes and Gouda stuffed lamb irresistible!
Add a commentRead more: Lamb Roulade with Tomatoes and Gouda, Mint Pesto, and Farofa
Pork Tenderloin with Dried Apricots-Gouda-Mascarpone Filling, with Cashew Rice Pilaf and Farofa (Lombo Recheado com Damascos Secos, Queijo Gouda e Mascarpone, com Arroz de Castanha-de-Cajú e Farofa)
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
Christmas in Brazil is celebrated on the evening of the 24th and dinner is served only after mid-night, on the 25th. It might sound kind of crazy for most people here in the US, but it is just how it is done down there... Since people wait for supper for a long time, it better give them some sustenance! This meal translates very well what a traditional Brazilian Christmas supper looks like. In this recipe, the pork tenderloin is moist and well seasoned, with a creamy and sweet filling, complimented with the richness of cashews from the rice and crunchiness from the farofa. This family recipe was passed over to me by a friend, and I am excited to present it to you. Enjoy!
Add a commentPulled-Pork Sandwiches with Chimichurri and Onions Sauté
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
My guests put together their own pulled-pork sandwiches, since I arranged the ingredients in a “pulled-pork sandwich bar” (sorry, no pictures of the buffet table). I wanted to make things easier for the hostess (me!) and more fun for the guests – who could pick and choose sauces for their own sandwiches. Everything was easy and perfect for entertaining! The pork was tender and moist (thanks to Chef Andrés Dangon method). The sides were delicious and complimented the pulled-pork very well! Check it out.
Add a commentRead more: Pulled-Pork Sandwiches with Chimichurri and Onions Sauté
Hamburger with Chimichurri Sauce and Provolone
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
This hamburger recipe gets a delicious South American twist: chimichurri sauce! This tangy and flavorful Argentine sauce combined with Provolone and home-made hamburger patties is my husband’s new favorite. This is the ultimate grilling experience!
Add a commentQuinoa with Sausage, Pine Nuts and Spinach
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
Quinoa is a very healthy grain and it can be used as a more nutritional alternative to rice or pasta.
Add a commentFig and Prosciutto Risotto
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
The sweetness of the fruit balances the prosciutto and cheese in this delicious dish.
Add a commentBeef Tenderloin with Dried Porcini and Fresh Mushrooms
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
This easy recipe is very elegant and flavorful. Perfect with a glass of Bordeaux.
Add a commentRead more: Beef Tenderloin with Dried Porcini and Fresh Mushrooms
Easy Penne with Mustard-Marsala Tenderloin
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
If you are looking for a quick and easy meal to impress someone special, this is what you have been looking for!
Add a commentLamb Stew with Raisins, Pine Nuts and Mint
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
By marinating the lamb overnight the flavors in this stew become much deeper, which makes prep time on the stove top much faster so all the ingredients make a statement.
Add a commentPork and Vegetables Grilled Quesadilla with Fresh Mozzarella and Gouda Cheese
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
In this quesadilla recipe, the marinade from the pork brought a unique, fruity flavor to the mix. The grilled vegetables added a smoky taste which has become even more accentuated by also grilling the quesadilla. I am all about creating new flavors!
Add a commentRead more: Pork and Vegetables Grilled Quesadilla with Fresh Mozzarella and Gouda Cheese
Pork Tenderloin with Apricot-Pomegranate-Miso Marinade
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
The combinations of ingredients in this marinade is very unique. The result is a lightly sweet, fruty and spicy flavor that goes wonderful not only with pork but also with chicken and fish.
Add a commentRead more: Pork Tenderloin with Apricot-Pomegranate-Miso Marinade
Gnudi with Veal Ragù
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
Gnudi (pronounced "nu-dee") is a type of gnocchi made from ricotta cheese and a little bit of flour. The result is a dumpling that some describe as "nude" ravioli, or filling without the pasta. It is fantastic!
Add a commentChimichurri
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
Chimichurri is a flavorful sauce, with lots of fresh herbs, garlic and olive oil. Especially delicious over steak, Chimichurri is originally from Argentina, but it is also popular in Uruguay and in the South of Brazil. I became obsessed with this sauce after I went to Argentina in 2011, so when I came back home to the US I developed my own Chimichurri sauce. My recipe has the additional flavors of aged balsamic vinegar, which gives a touch of sweetness; and smoked paprika, which obviously gives a touch of smokiness. I love it drizzled over any cut of steak, and even over dark meat chicken and salmon, but my favorite cuts to serve with chimichurri are tri-tip and rib-eye. It sure elevates the flavors of any steak. Enjoy!
Add a commentSausage, Mushrooms, and Herbs Stuffed Bell Peppers
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
This colorful dish is crazy good! And since it is also low-carb you don't have to feel bad about eating a little extra.
Add a commentRead more: Sausage, Mushrooms, and Herbs Stuffed Bell Peppers
Brazilian Stroganoff
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser

This recipe is comfort food in Brazil! Very simple to make, everyone has it's onw version. My twists are adding rosemary, brown sugar, and fresh mushrooms instead of canned mushrooms. I hope my friends from all over the world (including Brazil) enjoy this easy dish!
Add a commentWhite Wine, Paprika, and Rosemary Marinated Pork Tenderloin
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
This dish is perfect for outdoor entertaining. Enjoy this light, delicious meal with a side of roasted asparagus, and, of course, a glass of Pinot!
Add a commentRead more: White Wine, Paprika, and Rosemary Marinated Pork Tenderloin
Apricot-Cranberry Pork Chops
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
This recipe was one of those situations when I had a few ingredients on hand but no recipe to use them, so I went online, googled some things, added some twists and Voila!
Add a commentEggplant Cannelloni
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
I don’t just make this dish just because it tastes great. I also make it because it is a delicious way for me to watch my carbs!
Add a commentTenderloin Strips with Orange and Cognac Sauce
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
This dish is one of my husband's favorites. That's how I got him to marry me!
Add a commentFake and Steak
- Details
- Written by Cynthia Presser
This is a low-carb dish, but being low-carb is not the main purpose of this recipe. It's main purpose is simply to be delicious! So feel free to use the steak sauce over diferent bases like pasta or rice. You can also use the spaghetti squash with other sauces, like white sauce with chicken. The idea here is to experiment with a healthy and delicious ingredient.
Add a commentMore Articles...
- Steak Lulu with Gnocchi
- Baked Pumpkin with Chicken, Coconut Milk and Cranberries
- Chicken Pot Pie, Brazilian Style (Empadão de Frango)
- Coq au Vin with Cachaça, Cilantro and Yuca
- Mushroom Stuffed Chicken with Coconut Milk-Lemongrass Sauce
- Chicken Fricassee (Brazilian Style)
- Chicken Bobó (Brazilian Chicken Stew)
- Spicy Thai Chicken Skewers
- Pineapple, and Roasted Red Bell Pepper Crusted Chicken
- Cynthia’s 3 Favorite Marinades for Pork, Chicken, or Fish





















