TIPS from ERIKA

03/11/2025

01/11/2025

18/10/2025

Creamy Chocolate Cake with Nutella
Ingredients:

2 cups all-purpose flour

1 ½ cups sugar

¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon baking powder

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

4 large eggs

1 cup whole milk

½ cup vegetable oil

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup boiling water

1 cup Nutella (for filling and topping)

200 g (7 oz) semisweet chocolate (optional, for ganache)

½ cup heavy cream (optional, for ganache)

Instructions:

Prepare the batter:

Preheat oven to 180 °C (350 °F).

Grease and flour a cake pan.

In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, milk, oil, and vanilla until smooth.

Gradually add flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.

Slowly add boiling water while stirring until the batter is smooth (it will be thin).

Bake:

Pour the batter into the prepared pan.

Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Let cool completely before unmolding.

Filling and topping:

Cut the cake in half horizontally (optional). Spread Nutella in the middle as filling.

Spread more Nutella on top as frosting.

Optional ganache:

Heat heavy cream until just about to boil, then pour over chopped chocolate.

Stir until smooth and pour over the cake before adding Nutella decoration.

Serve:

Garnish with chocolate shavings or extra Nutella drizzle.

Slice and enjoy a creamy, indulgent chocolate cake.

17/10/2025

Chicken Coxinha
Ingredients:

For the dough:

2 cups chicken broth (from cooked chicken)

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons butter

Salt to taste

For the filling:

2 cups cooked and shredded chicken breast

1 small onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 tablespoons olive oil

Salt and black pepper to taste

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

Optional: 2 tablespoons Catupiry or cream cheese

For breading and frying:

2 eggs, beaten

1 cup breadcrumbs

Vegetable oil for frying

Instructions:

Prepare the dough:

In a pot, bring chicken broth, butter, and salt to a boil.

Gradually add flour, stirring constantly until the dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pot.

Let it cool slightly.

Prepare the filling:

Heat olive oil in a pan. Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.

Add shredded chicken, salt, pepper, and parsley. Mix well.

Optional: add Catupiry or cream cheese for a creamier filling.

Shape the coxinhas:

Take a small portion of dough, flatten it in your hand.

Place a spoonful of filling in the center.

Fold the dough around the filling and shape into a teardrop.

Breading and frying:

Dip each coxinha in beaten eggs, then roll in breadcrumbs.

Heat oil in a deep pan and fry until golden brown.

Drain on paper towels.

Serve:

Serve warm as a snack or appetizer.

17/10/2025

Basic Pizza
Ingredients:

1 ready-made pizza dough (or homemade, about 30 cm / 12 in)

200 g (7 oz) tomato sauce

250 g (9 oz) mozzarella cheese, shredded

Toppings of your choice (pepperoni, ham, vegetables, chicken, etc.)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Fresh basil leaves for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare the base:

Preheat oven to 220 °C (430 °F).

Place the pizza dough on a baking sheet or pizza stone.

Spread tomato sauce evenly over the dough.

Add the toppings:

Sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese over the sauce.

Add your chosen toppings.

Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle oregano on top.

Bake:

Bake for 12–15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serve:

Remove from oven, garnish with fresh basil if desired.

Slice and serve hot.

17/10/2025

Creamy Strawberry CakeIngredients:2 cups all-purpose flour1 ½ cups sugar1 tablespoon baking powder½ teaspoon salt4 large eggs½ cup vegetable oil1 cup milk1 teaspoon vanilla extract250 g (9 oz) fresh strawberries, chopped200 g (7 oz) whipped creamOptional: extra strawberries for decorationInstructions:Prepare the batter:Preheat oven to 180 °C (350 °F).Grease and flour a cake pan.In a large bowl, whisk eggs, sugar, oil, milk, and vanilla until smooth.Gradually add flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing until fully combined.Gently fold in chopped strawberries.Bake:Pour batter into the prepared pan.Bake for 35–40 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.Let the cake cool completely before removing from the pan.Prepare the cream layer:Spread whipped cream over the cooled cake.Optionally, layer some chopped strawberries inside the cake for extra creaminess.Decorate:Arrange fresh strawberries on top of the whipped cream.Serve:Slice and enjoy a rich, creamy strawberry cake.

17/10/2025

Feijoada (Brazilian Black Bean Stew)
Ingredients:

500 g (1 lb) black beans

200 g (7 oz) pork ribs, cut into pieces

150 g (5 oz) smoked sausage, sliced

150 g (5 oz) bacon, chopped

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 bay leaves

1 tablespoon olive oil

Salt and black pepper to taste

Optional: orange slices and chopped parsley for garnish

Water as needed

Instructions:

Prepare the beans:

Rinse and soak the black beans for at least 8 hours or overnight.

Cook the meat:

In a large pot, heat olive oil.

Sauté onion and garlic until fragrant.

Add bacon, pork ribs, and smoked sausage. Cook for 5–7 minutes.

Combine beans and meat:

Drain soaked beans and add to the pot.

Add enough water to cover all ingredients.

Add bay leaves, salt, and black pepper.

Simmer:

Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.

Cover and simmer for 1.5–2 hours, or until beans and meat are tender.

Stir occasionally and add more water if necessary.

Serve:

Remove bay leaves.

Serve hot with rice, orange slices, and chopped parsley.

Optional sides: farofa (toasted cassava flour) and sautéed greens.