Your predictions have been made, you’re wearing your jersey under your work clothes and sneaking off for “coffee” and “lunch” during game times. You’re almost doing the World Cup right. Now, you’ve gotta throw a weekend viewing party. We couldn’t possibly let you put out chips and dip. Instead, try whipping up some of these Brazilian favorites for your friends. They will be most impressed with your varied use of palm oil, coconut, cassava and seafood.
1. Quindim: These party treats are a favorite among Brazilians because of their coconutty, eggy, sugary deliciousness. And they generally come in sets of four. We’ll take four (sets), please! (via La Casa Sin Tiempo)
2. Acarajé (Brazilian Black-Eyed Pea and Shrimp Fritters): A specialty in the region of Bahia, this deep fried street food and beach snack is South American comfort food at its finest. (via About)
3. Pavê de Chocolate (Chocolate Cookie Parfait): Alright, this isn’t a truly authentic version of the dish… but it features cookie dough, so we’re willing to overlook everything else. (via Cookie Monster Cooking)
4. Salpicão (Brazilian Chicken Salad): This easy to replicate dish is diet friendly, has all the South American flavor you’re looking for and is perfect for your World Cup backyard BBQ. (via The Iron You)
5. Vegan Feijoada (Brazilian Style Black Bean and Smoked Tofu Stew): Meat and beans are staples in Brazil, but with this recipe, vegans can get in on the action, too. (via Veggie Belly)
6. Pao de Queijo (Brazilian Cheese Bread): If cheese and bread are two of your favorite foods (like ours) then the logical next step would be to put them together to create one warm and gooey ball of NOM. (via Kirbie Cravings)
7. Yuca Fries (Baked Crispy Cassava Fries): Cassava is a starchy root many Brazilians (and people in other tropical regions) use for pasta-y dishes. Even though it’s carb loaded, it’s a much healthier alternative to the fries we eat here. Win! (via Brit + Co.)
8. Mousse de Maracujá (Passion Fruit Mousse): Get your fix of sweet and tart in this fruit-whipped traditional Brazilian dessert. (via Sips + Spoonfuls)
9. Pastel Frito de Frango (Fried Pastels): These are like empanadas, only better. Like all the best things to be found in Brazil, these are considered street food, meaning you can order it to go and eat it as you walk along the ocean. (via The Big Field Trip)
10. Açai Bowl: This Amazonian superfruit scores, like, 10,000 on the antioxidant scale. So start your futból-watching day (or any day for that matter) off right with a healthy and delicious meal. Add some berries, oats or seeds to really bump up the nutrition. (via Epicurean Mom)
11. Coxinha (Brazilian Chicken Coquettes): Meat is dropped right into dough, rolled into balls and deep fried. What’s not to love? (via Fields)
12. Brigadeiro (Brazilian Bonbon): Easy to make, bite-sized and wonderfully sweet — could they give our movie theater candy a run for their money? We’re thinking yes. (via What’s Gaby Cooking)
13. Brazilian Shrimp Soup: This coconut-milk-based soup can be topped with any meat or veggie you’d like. So go crazy while you get down with your South American roots. (via Jo Cooks)
14. Beijinho de Coco (Coconut Kiss): With the plethora of coconuts in Brazil, it’s not hard to guess why so many things are flavored with them. These sweet coconut balls are a favorite for birthday parties. (via Manu’s Menu)
15. Moqueca (Brazilian Fish Soup): Brazilians are fans of their seafood and their soups, and you should be too since this one is low carb, packed with a ridiculous amount of flavor and seriously velvety. (via The Wanderlust Kitchen)
16. Caipirinhas: And of course, no Brazilian feast would be complete without the signature national drink. Throw some sugar, cachaça and lime into a glass, mix it up well and give an enthusiastic cheer for whichever team you’re rooting for. (via Bon Appétit)
Have you had your World Cup Party yet? If so, Tweet us pics of your Brazilian spread. If not, let us know what you’ll be cooking up in the comments below!
Getting the word out about your brand takes time, drive, and ingenuity. And it doesn't come easy for many entrepreneurs. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're chatting with Selfmade alum Taylor Morgan McPherson, founder of Sustainable Sparkle Bar, about ways in which she scored press as a solo startup brand and what she learned from Selfmade to take her brand marketing up a notch.
B + C: How did you know Sustainable Sparkle Bar was your business to start?
Glitter has always been my thing, so when I started my event company I decided to make it my niche. I started telling people I threw glitter-themed parties where people would get sparkled with glitter body art and makeup. Six months after that I applied to my first festival and to work with SUR restaurant in West Hollywood.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
I honestly can't say that I've had a specific strategy that I've followed when it comes to getting my business off the ground. I have a PR background so I was just constantly pitching new business and posting on social media.
B + C: What's the biggest challenge you face as a small business owner?
I would say creating a stable income and revenue stream. With a seasonal, event-based business it can be very up and down.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
The relationships I made and the push to start an email database.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I love what I do and I believe in myself 100%. Staying motivated isn't the hard part. Pushing myself to do the work and staying accountable is the hard part.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip? Do you use any apps that help you manage your business?
I keep multiple to-do lists, hand-written and digital. I also tell clients and partners that I will have something to them by a certain time or day so I have to stick to it.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Just do it, take the leap. And don't worry about what anyone else says to thinks.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Issa Rae, I'm so inspired by everything that she's created being a creative and a black woman. It's my dream to have my own show one day based on my life and where I give advice and talk about the world. She's doing it and making people laugh and giving people joy. And it's based in LA. Watching Insecure only further cemented my dreams of wanting to live in LA.
B + C: How did you hear about the Office Depot scholarship?
One of my friends that I met through Camp No Counselors saw an IG ad for it and nominated me.
B + C: What has receiving the scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start/grow your business?
It's completely helped me level up and take my business to another level. Selfmade helped me host my first virtual event and taught me how to set up my website to sell tickets to events and get RSVPs.
B + C: How have Office Depot services or products helped you accomplish more in your business?
I got new cards to send in all of my orders with my discount code on them. I also bought a really cool 4K camera that I now use for my social media.
Thanks Taylor! You really know how to sparkle. We love her colorful, creative vibe. You can follow Sustainable Sparkle Bar on Instagram @sustainablesparklebar.
Let Office Depot OfficeMax help you stand out in the crowd. From signs, posters & banners to promote your business, to marketing materials to keep your customers informed, Office Depot OfficeMax offers a full suite of business services & solutions to help you & your business get noticed.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.