Minas Gerais food is one of Brazil’s heritage cuisines. Its simple and mixed origin wins the palates around the world.
Only those who have eaten Minas Gerais food understand the part of the song “ô Minas Gerais, whoever knows you will never forget…”. Minas Gerais cuisine is one of the richest and most delicious heritages of the most traditional state in Brazil. Its strength and simplicity are so great that it is already part of other cultures as if it had been there since the roots of existence.
Goiás, for example, is initially one of the places that most reproduce Minas Gerais food. The culinary and territorial proximity resulted in unforgettable dishes and recipes for those who visit the places. Brazil itself is a source of diverse cultural influences in the food sector and this is the country’s greatest wealth. Therefore, if you are going to stop by Minas, be sure to take a look at the article below so you don’t miss the opportunity to eat the spices there.
History of Minas Gerais food
At first, it all started with the gold rush in the center of Brazil. The historic milestone of the Portuguese invasions brought a large number of immigrants to the country and specifically Minas Gerais. Now, remember, if before the State was seen only as a source of mineral exploration, there were no cities, restaurants and much less living conditions equal to what we see today.
For these people (explorers, miners, slaves, landlords and others) making their own food was a daily challenge. With this, we took as a basis that the meals were prepared according to what was possible to eat there. This is exactly where the basis of Minas Gerais cuisine lies. Typically, the dishes came from things that were easy to find and make.
Corn, cassava, and various other types of vegetables had finally become the food base of these people. Easy-to-make meals with just a few ingredients like cornmeal and water gave life to the famous “angu” from Minas Gerais. Both ingredients at the time were above all very healthy and full of energy for the mine workers. That’s it! Those who don’t have a dog hunt with a cat and the way was to invent what to do in the middle of the forest.
Simplicity of dishes
Firstly, know that simplicity does not mean a lack of vitamins for the body. On the contrary, Minas Gerais food is very rich in substances that are important for health. Corn is one of the bases of Minas Gerais cuisine and is a source of antioxidants, low-calorie cereals, fibers that directly influence the functioning of the organs.
Tropeiro beans are a great example to illustrate how perfect the food is for health. The iron present in the grains and cabbage that are normally included in the recipe combat diseases such as anemia. Just imagine the mine workers with symptoms of weakness and drowsiness? That’s why they invented this tasty, vitamin-packed food.
There are more than 300 years of Minas Gerais food culture. Therefore, do not underestimate the teachings passed down from generations to generations. The simple ingredients receive such unique seasonings and secrets that there is no Brazilian who would deny the excellence of the preparation.
Once again, analyze and try to understand this culinary miscegenation. Brazil welcomed people from all over the world with their wisdom, seasonings, customs and ways of cooking. All of this gave the air of simplicity of Minas Gerais food an unmistakable touch of sophistication for the population.
Mining food base
Run and grab your paper and pen, because Minas Gerais food is super diverse and the shopping list is huge. Corn, potatoes, cabbage, chicken, okra, cornmeal, tomatoes, flour, beans, all of this and much more are included in the Minas Gerais recipe package. The homemade way of making and keeping the tradition alive is the main secret to making everything tastier too.
In fact, have you ever stopped to notice how colorful the dish from Minas Gerais is? Greens, vegetables and proteins of all colors and flavors make up the aesthetics at mealtime. Sweet and savory recipes are not left out of festive moments, Sundays and work weeks. Therefore, health is what is not lacking for the people of Minas Gerais.
Typical dishes from Minas Gerais cuisine
Anyway, after knowing all this about Minas Gerais cuisine, we will present some options to try at home. The following recipes are the most consumed and sought after in Minas Gerais. Some may even be familiar to you depending on the state where you live. Just take a look, it’s mouth-watering.
Chicken with okra
The flagship, the most requested and coveted is, above all, the chicken with okra. Certainly even those who have problems with the “babento” vegetable should make an exception and make peace with okra. In principle, the combination of the two foods is fundamental to truly compose the Minas Gerais tradition. Each one has its own tastes and vitamins, but they add points for health and taste when combined.
Crackling
A good cachaceiro knows that a pork rind when drinking is the ideal snack to enjoy before lunch. Pork skin toasted in oil has been a tradition for many years in Minas Gerais. Once again we bring here its origins, because pig skin is normally discarded. However, due to the scarcity of the past, it began to be reused and gained space in the region’s cuisine.
Cheese Bread Mineiro
Good old cheese bread could never be missing from the Minas Gerais food list. This food made from blanched tapioca starch is a favorite among people from Minas Gerais, but it has also spread throughout Brazil and perhaps around the world. This unique and exclusive creation from the State of Minas is, in principle, a food that dates back to the 18th century.
There are records that say that the base of the recipe comes from the Portuguese, however it received some adaptations from slaves. And, to top it off, the indigenous people also influenced the mix when they decided to add cassava to the mix. Therefore, it is more than proven that one of the best foods in the world is from Minas Gerais and has several positive influences on its origins.
Armadillo from Minas Gerais
Tatu à Minas Gerais or, as it is better known, tutu de bean is a dish very different from the beans we know. This type of dish uses cassava flour in its mixture so that the texture is just like the image above. Normally, the grain is cooked without seasoning, and the flavor is given after it comes out of pressure.
The good thing about Minas Gerais bean tutu is that you can add different things to your recipe. Bacon and cabbage is the most common in the state, however there are other tips for mixing things that will add a “chic” to the meal. Furthermore, due to the armadillo flour from Minas Gerais, it is ideal for leaving the person satiated without having to add so many things to the plate.
Chicken in sauce
Firstly, anyone who has never tried chicken in sauce doesn’t know what’s good. This food straight from the farm has improved and won over Brazil. It is from there that okra was added to the recipe and won over Minas Gerais palates, without exception. So, get ready, because when you venture into the kitchen and prepare the chicken with Minas Gerais sauce, your guests will definitely love the little surprise.
Tropeiro beans
Anyway, a good barbecue calls for that vinaigrette and some impeccable tropeiro beans. If you have understood well so far, you must have already understood that when it comes to beans, people from Minas Gerais know how to diversify the dish. Unlike bean tutu, tropeiro is another less cooked way of making a cool mix with other types of vegetables and proteins.
The so-called pagan cooking style makes the beans harder than normal. This is how it becomes possible to take the beans to the next procedure without them melting like other types.
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Has anyone ever heard the saying “in the middle of this angu there are lumps”? If you listen to it, you certainly know that it can only be created in Minas Gerais. The dish made with cornmeal and water was and still is the most consumed by the population and has also been at the top of orders for Sunday lunch. As it is a simpler type of recipe without much seasoning, angu is ideal for serving as an accompaniment to other types of savory Minas Gerais food.
Ambrosia
Sweet Minas Gerais foods are also well known, especially ambrosia. Don’t worry, if you don’t know this different name, it’s very likely that you’ve already heard of or tried “egg candy”. This type of preparation based on eggs, sugar, cloves and affection is highly appreciated by its consumers.
Milk cream
A dulce de leche with cheese is one of the main desserts in Minas Gerais. Cooked curdled milk is very well known and there are several ways of preparing it and consistencies to eat and enjoy. Granulated, smooth, chunky, whatever your way, there is no disappointment on the palate.
Tapioca biscuit
Tapioca starch biscuits are a very light type of food, baked in the oven, often used as an afternoon snack with a good coffee. This recipe is one prepared by grandma from Minas Gerais and that she always has at home when making something quick to serve. Currently, the option is even sold in supermarkets and bakeries already made in the factory. But, the ideal is to try that warm from the oven that only Minas Gerais has.
Finally, read more interesting facts in How to replace salt when cooking without losing the flavor of your food
Sources: Food Magazine, GHP, Tudo Gostoso, 360 Meridianos, Lokamig, mg, Procopão,
RFimage sources: BN, Uai, Travel Panorama, Isamara Amâncio, Band, Paleodiário, Cooking with Ly, Tudo Gostoso, Divinas Recipe, Pinterest, Sabores Ajinomoto, Na Mira, Na Minha Panela, Circuito de Minas
