It's Not About Nutrition

To this day, just the smell of freshly sliced limes sends me right back to my first big adventure in Brazil. Picture it: sweaty Rio days, flip-flops slapping down cobblestone streets, and—oh! That first icy sip of Brazilian lemonade. Brazilian Lemonade, with its zingy citrus punch and creamy finish, was unlike any lemonade I’d tasted back home. And here’s the funny part—it’s not made with lemons at all! It’s all about the limes. (I know, I know. I was confused too at first!) One glass, and I was hooked. Now, every summer when the days feel impossibly hot, I whip …

Can I just tell you—there is nothing better than sitting on the back porch with a homemade margarita while the sunset does its thing. I mean, it’s practically my summer love language. Ever since I stumbled on a ridiculously easy homemade margarita mix recipe (straight from that amazing link over at Brazilian Kitchen Abroad), I’ve been obsessed. The bottled stuff? Left in the dust. Now I make a fresh, citrus-packed batch almost every barbecue. Kids running wild, dogs barking, grill smoking—that first icy sip? Sheer bliss. Party or not, I keep a jar ready just for those “me time” nights, …

  There’s a funny story my husband always tells about his first trip to Brazil: he ate so much grilled picanha at a backyard barbecue that he ended up skipping dessert. In our family, steak always means celebration, and picanha is the crown jewel — extra juicy, especially beefy, and covered in that oh-so-delicious crust. Around here, we don’t need a special occasion to make it! Light up the grill and call your friends—it’s time for some real Brazilian comfort food (and trust me, there won’t be any leftovers). Why You’ll Love This Seriously craveable—think super juicy, tender beef with …

  I still remember the first time I tasted passion fruit juice. I was traveling with my family—we’d just spent an afternoon in the blazing summer sun, wandering around an outdoor market, sunhats on, a little sweaty, and desperate for something cold (you know that sticky kind of thirst?). My husband spotted a little stand serving icy cups of tropical juice. I grabbed the bright yellow one, took a sip, and oh my heavens… where has this sunny, citrusy magic been all my life?! Pure refreshment, bright and tangy, with a smell that reminded me of sunshine and vacation. Ever …

  You know that moment when you’re grilling out back and suddenly realize something’s missing? It’s not the meat (though, yum), or the fire (I may or may not have set off the smoke alarm, but that’s another story). It’s that little pop of flavor that makes everything sing—a sauce, a drizzle, a scoop of something bright, herby, and just plain irresistible. Last summer, a good friend from Argentina handed me a jar of homemade cilantro chimichurri to go with our steak, and oh my goodness… my world changed. I’d had classic chimichurri before, but this cilantro twist? Pure magic. …