Research on Brazilian-style Rice

Unlocking the secrets to Brazilian style rice

I know this sounds silly, but let me explain. For years, I have tried to make Brazilian-style rice. I would add a tablespoon of oil, 1 cup of rice, and 2 cups of hot water. But my rice was always sticky and never resembled the loose and glistening rice I often enjoy at friends' home or at Brazilian restaurants. Frustrated and determined to know the secret, I began my research. I started noticing preparation strategies, ingredients, tools, and variations of the dish I love so much (Note that I don't really like rice, but am more than happy eating a plate of pure Brazilian-style rice. It's something about the texture and flavor that keeps me coming back for more).

I've come to the conclusion that it's all in the oil or I should say the amount used. The 1 or 2 tablespoons mentioned in cookbooks really isn't enough. From my observations, one needs to cover the bottom on the pot with oil. It gets better! Once the oil is hot, add chopped garlic and/or onions and sauté for 5 minutes. Next, mix Jasmine rice with the ingredients; make sure to coat the rice with the oil. After a few minutes add water. This is where noted rice makers disagree. Some believe that the water must be hot before adding it to the pot. Others are comfortable using room temp water. Conclude by adding salt and pepper and bringing the water to a boil. Once the water begins to boil, lower heat and let it cook for 15-20 minutes.

Whenever I make sticky rice, hubby usually  says, "united we will win/succeed." Apparently, it's a common saying and an indirect insult if someone says this about your rice. 

Note that my research is all theoretical. Once I overcome my fear of coating the bottom of the pot with oil, I will begin empirical research. Wish me luck!

Tough Decision

Recently, I wrote about circumcisions. After the birth of my son, the doctor asked if we were planning on going through with the procedure. Since hubby preferred not to have our son C. and I knew very little about the benefits and disadvantages of the procedure, I left it alone. Actually, I just can't bring myself to watch or participate in the process. I couldn't bring myself to have my daughter's ears pierced let alone C. my little boy. I know, I'm a wimp!

Still curious about the process, my sister emailed me info on the benefits. Let me sidetrack and tell you that I have the best sister ever (I hope she reads this!). Really, of the three Juqueira kids, my sister has the biggest heart and is surprisingly resourceful. In a matter of minutes, she can tell you the best car to buy, provide feedback on a shitty easy, and plan a great family trip. Needless to say, she sent me info on the benefits of C. Here are her findings:

Here’s are some interesting facts related to the benefits of circumcision from a WebMD article: In studies published in the past decade, the removal of the foreskin provided a 50% reduction in HIV transmission, a threefold reduction in human papillomavirus (HPV) infections in female partners of circumcised men (HPV can cause cervical cancer), and lower rates of syphilis and chlamydia, which causes sterility and is the main sexually transmitted disease among teenagers. Circumcised infants were also roughly 10 times less likely to suffer urinary tract infections and the high fevers associated with them. And circumcision virtually eliminates serious penile cancers, which invade about 1 in 100,000 uncircumcised men. The evidence from Africa of circumcision’s potential role in AIDS prevention led the New York City Health Department in April to begin considering outreach programs to promote circumcision among gay adult men and drug addicts.

Baby Boy

New baby boy

The nine month wait is finally over. My baby boy was born on Easter, April 8th, after 17 hours of labor!

Baby and mom:

Aquarela Kids Above:

Throughout the preg, I opted not to know the sex of the baby. Since knowing but not allowed to talk about it was too much pressure, hubby also decided not to know the sex of the baby.

We would have been more than happy with either sex, but the idea of having a little boy and girl, a couple, was top on our list. Needless to say, we were and are thrilled to have a little boy. He is going to learn how to dance with mom and will become a soccer-fan-cake-baking little boy with dad!

Baby and Dad:

While at the hospital, we were given the option to circumcise him. To be honest, I know little of the benefits or disadvantages associated with the procedure, but hubby felt no need to go through with it. After a little research, I discovered that C is on the decline in the U.S. Excluding cultural or religious reasons, parents and doctors see little benefits to it.

After asking around, a friend sent me this video on circumcisions. It's a little long and graphic but informative.

Bringing up Bebe

Vive la France!!

As a new parent for the second time, I often think about the successes and failures of the first run-through. I often ask, "Am I doing a good job? Should I do this differently?" The list of questions can be extensive.

Needless to say, I often look for information and strategies that will help me be a better parent (oddly enough, some of the information and strategies help me improve as a teacher. Something about classroom management and patience). Lately, I began reading Bringing up Bebe and can't put the book down. Pamela Druckerman, author of Lost in Translation, compares the parenting styles of French and American parents and notes differences in the behavior of French and American children. According to Druckerman, French parents are doing a great job, which leaves me to think that not only are the French great soccer players, make great fries, and sound sexy every time they speak, they are also great parents. Who knew?!?

I haven't finished the book, but have noticed reoccurring ideas: 1) talk to your kid as if he/she is a rational person who can understand and deal with concepts, b) be very firm with a few rules but give kids lots of freedom to explore, grow, and be kids, and c) don't let parenting get in the way of you being an adult. Parents also need their space, individuality, and entertainment.

From little princess to little diva!

"Whatcha looking at?"

Toddler and Mommy Book Selection

April Book Selection

Finding engaging, culturally diverse, and entertaining books for Camila is always a top priority. Though I have mentioned it before, I strongly believe that a love for books and literature will prep Camila for a successful academic and professional future. Thus, Camila and I regularly search the aisles of local book stores or the public library for something catchy and interesting. This month, I want to share two great books.

Priscilla and the Pink Planet by Nathaniel Hobbie:

As with many little girls, pink is the color of choice. Camila is no exception. Priscilla focuses on a little girl who lives in a pink world but eventually decides to search for other colors.

Camila loves the book because Priscilla and the butterfly happily walk away after achieving their goal. I love the book because of the book's allusion to Alice in Wonderland.

Noddy and the Sunny Day by Enid Blyton:

On Camila's first birthday, a friend gave her the book. Since it is a pop-up book, Camila, at the time, destroyed many of the ages, but it still remained one of her top choices.

Camila loves the story line...a little boy who unsuccessfully tries to entertain himself only to realize that the best activities are those shared with friends. I, on the other hand, love the book for its diversity. Noddy, at the end of the story, leaves his toys behind and decides to join his friends for a game of soccer. Yes, soccer! On Sundays, Camila and hubby watches Globo Esporte, a Brazilian version of ESPN Sports News. Consequently, Camila is very familiar with soccer but has no clue of football or baseball. When we reach the last page, she often yells football (Portuguese accent) or Vasco, hubby's favorite soccer team.

Not Finding Out the Gender

I recently discovered a baby registry designed for parent who choose not to know the gender of the baby. According to the registry, friends and family can select items and once the baby is born the gender-appropriate gift and color is mail to the parents.

Unfortunately, Not Finding Out still perpetuates gender specific colors and items but it does make it easier for friends and family shopping for couples who choose not to know the gender of the baby.

From a Baby to a Little Girl

Camila's Right of Passage

Yes, gymnastics is really paying off. Two nights ago, Camila somersaulted out of her crib for the first time. She got so good at it that she did it twice in one night!
Camila's crib-crawling incident got me thinking. She didn't simply crawl out of the crib, she underwent a right of passage! Like Andy Dufresne in Shawshank Redemption, Camila managed to escape from her barred crib and was determined never to return.
Just to make sure, the next night hubby asked if she wanted to sleep in her crib or in the big-girl bed (her cousin stayed with us for a few months and slept in a twin bed, which we never got around to putting away). Without blinking, she opted for the bed. Hubby lowered the bed to the ground, grabbed her dolls and tucked her in. Ironically, my little girl slept like a baby! She never got up, called for mommy, or complained. The transition was smooth and successful.

Here is the catch. Camila's right of passage affected my hubby more than Camila. Once she went to bed, he moped around the house and repeatedly complained that his baby was now a little girl. The idea that Camila entered a new phase in her life completely caught him off guard. Imagine how he is going to act when Camila goes on her first date. I just hope her date cheers for Vasco da Gama, his favorite soccer team.

Benefits of Being Bilingual

Bilingual

Living in the San Francisco Bay Area, I'm surrounded by bilinguals, trilingual, and polyglots. It's great! When I get yelled at in traffic, it's often in some foreign language that make "Fuck you!" sound eloquent and pretty. You may find it strange, but it's true. Next time you yell at someone in traffic say, " Merde" (maird) and note all the great smiles you get in return ;)

Needless to say, speaking additional languages brings great benefits. Check out a New York Times article on the benefits of being bilingual.

For Portuguese/Brazilian parents, I recently discovered the Instituto Brasilia de Educacao e Cultura (IBEC). It's a cultural center that teaches kids Brazilian Portuguese. For more info go to www. ibec-ca.org.For those interested in combining their love for Brazilian music, martial arts, and Portuguese, ABADA Capoeira in San Francisco is the place for you or your kids. For first and second generation Brazilians, you may want to ask about Ponto de Cultura. Click on the links above for more information.