A Brazilian Sparkler + Frango à Passarinho and Pão de Queijo #WinePW #Sponsored

This is a sponsored post written by me in conjunction with the September #WinePW Brazil event.

Wine samples were provided for this post and this page may contain affiliate links.

Susannah of Avvinare is hosting this month's Wine Pairing Weekend as we explore pairings with Brazilian wines. Read her invitation here.

If you're reading this early enough, join in the live Twitter chat - Saturday, September 14th at 8am Pacific time. Follow hashtag #WinePW; and be sure to add that hashtag to any tweets you post so we can see it. Here's what the Wine Pairing Weekend group is sharing...

• Camilla of Culinary Adventures with Camilla shares A Brazilian Sparkler +Frango à Passarinho and Pao de Queijo.
• Linda of My Full Wine Glass will Head to Southern Brazil for High-Quality Wine.
• Cindy of Grape Experiences writes Wine and Dine Brazilian Style with Alma Brut White Sparkling Wine from Salton Winery and Fried Calamari.
• Gwen at Wine Predator posts A Poet Pairs Poetica Sparkling Rosé from Brazil.
• David of Cooking Chat  matches Brazilian Beans, Greensand Bacon with Sparkling Wine.
• Pinny of Chinese Food and Wine Pairings offers Miolo Alisios Pinot Grigio/Riesling and Raw Ahi Tuna 3 Ways.
• Wendy of A Day in the Life on the Farm is Enjoying Indian Summer with Alma Sparkling Brut from Brazil.
• Cynthia and Pierre of Traveling Wine Profs shares Friends, Seafood, Bubbly and Chardonnay: Our Brazilian Wine Pairing Dinner.
• Debbie of The Hudson Valley Wine Goddess writes Final Garden Harvest Accompanied by Brazilian Wine.
• Sarah of The Curious Cuisiniere pairs Pastel de Queijo and Brazilian SparklingWine Pairing.
• Jill of L’Occasion pens Bubbles from Brazil: a Treat for Wine Lovers.
• Liz of What's in That Bottle? asks us to Discover Brazilian Bubbles.
• Jennifer of Vino Travels talks Brazilian Sparkling Wines with Salton Brut.
• And host Susannah at Avvinare writes about Miolo Merlot Paired with Brazilian Skirt Steak with Golden Garlic Butter.

In My Glass

This was a wild month for the #WinePW. Initially, we were scheduled to open, pair, and post about Slovenian wines. I know a few people had already tracked down bottles, including me. Then the opportunity for wines from Brazil came through and we switched directions completely. Many thanks to Wines of Brasil* for sponsoring this event and sending samples to several of us. I am grateful for the opportunity to try wine from Brazil.  I received a bottle of Alma Brut Sparkling Wine from Salton Winery in Brazil.

A little research revealed that Salton Winery, the oldest working winery in  Brazil, was founded around the turn of the 20th century by immigrants from Northern Italy who settled in the Serra Gaucha wine region. In 1878 Antonio Domenico Salton arrived in Bento Gonçalves where he planted grapes and made wine for himself. It wasn't until 1910 when he established a winery with the help of his seven sons.

Four generations later, the Saltons specialize in sparkling wine but also produce some still as well as tea! I'd love to get my hands on some of that.

This wine was light-bodied and dry - beautifully refreshing on a warm summer's evening. On the nose, aromas of ripe tropical fruits and heady florals swirled in the glass. But, on the palate, it was more refined with hints of toasted bread. And best of all, this sparkler retails at less than $5. You read that correctly - five dollars.

On My Plate

Given that I received the wine late on a Wednesday afternoon and my post needed to be live between Friday and early Saturday morning, I was scrambling to find Brazilian recipes that were completely new to us and used ingredients I already had in the house. I could have done a riff on some Brazilian favorites such as Moqueca, Queijo Coalho (Brazilian Grilled Cheese), or even Acarajé. But I landed on two recipes I've been meaning to try: Frango à Passarinho and Pão de Queijo.

Frango à Passarinho

Translated literally as ‘little birdie chicken’, Frango à Passarinho is a typical Brazilian appetizer consisting of chicken marinated with lime juice and seasonings, breaded, and deep fried in oil. Then they are topped with garlic, olive oil, and parsley. I decided to make my own version, skipping both the breading and the frying. I made these in the oven and they were delicious, but definitely not traditional.

Ingredients

• juice from 3 organic limes, divided
• 1 T mustard (I used yellow mustard)
• 1 t smoked paprika
• 1 t freshly ground salt
• 1/2 t freshly ground pepper
• 2 T minced garlic, divided
• 2 pounds chicken wings, tips discarded and cut at the joint
• 2 T fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 organic lime

Procedure

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together lime juice from 2 limes, mustard, smoked paprika, salt, pepper, and 1 T minced garlic. Place chicken wings in the bowl and massage the marinade into the meat. Refrigerate overnight or for, at least, an hour.

Remove chicken from the fridge and preheat the oven to 450° F. Line baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Place wings - skin side up - on the prepared baking sheet. Roast them for 45 to 50 minutes. They will be cooked through and the skin nicely browned and crisped.

To finish, place juice from 1 lime, 2 T parsley, remaining 1 T minced garlic in a large mixing bowl. Add in the cooked wings and toss to coat. Place wings on a serving platter and place lime wedges on the side.

Pão de Queijo

Pão de Queijo means 'cheese bread' in Portuguese and it's long been on my list of things to try. Ummm..cheese and bread. Yes, please. But there doesn't seem to be a definitive recipe. Some are made in muffin tins; some are pinched and rolled. The version that seemed most interesting to me was similar to a cream puff process but with tapioca flour and two kinds of cheese. I used queso fresco and shredded cheddar cheese, because that's what I had in my cheese drawer in the fridge.

Ingredients

• 1/2 C whole milk
• 1/4 C water
• 1/4 C (1/2 stick) butter
• 2 C tapioca flour
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 C crumbled cheese (I used queso fresco)
• 1 C shredded cheddar

Procedure

Preheat to 425° F. 

Place milk, butter, and water in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until butter is melted and mixture begins to boil, approximately 4 minutes. Remove from heat and add flour; stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until dough is shaggy, usually just a few seconds. Transfer from the saucepan to a mixing bowl and let cool 5 minutes.

With a hand mixer or a wooden spoon, beat on until dough starts to come together, less than a minute. Add eggs, one at a time, and continue to beat on low speed or with a spoon until incorporated. Add in crumbled cheese and 3/4 C shredded cheese. Beat until well-incorporated.

Form ping pong ball-sized balls of dough and place on a parchment paper or silicone mat-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 C shredded cheese over the top.

Place in the preheated oven and bake for 5 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350° F and continue to bake until pão are lightly browned, approximately 20 minutes. Let cool 10 minutes before serving.

And that's a wrap on the #WinePW Wines of Brazil event. Next month, I think, we'll be joining in the #MerlotMe fun again. Maybe. Stay tuned!

Wines of Brasil on the web, on Twitter, on Facebook, on Instagram

*Disclosure: I received sample wines for recipe development, pairing, and generating social media traction. My opinions do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the organizer and sponsors of this event.