Churrasco: a guide

What is it? Churrasco (pronounced hoo-ras-co) is a 400-year-old barbecuing method made famous by gauchos (South American cowboys) in southern Brazil. It was totally convenient for the gauchos as all they required was an open fire, something sharp to skewer the meat on (a sword or big knife, say) and meat (dude, they were herding cattle). To prepare, the meat is heavily salted, left to stand for half an hour or so, then skewered before being cooked over an open fire where it is continually basted with brine to keep the meat juicy. You'll find anything from offal to chicken legs in this style - the fattier cuts placed above the leaner ones so the juices drip down on the other meat - but the surefire protein are the chunks of different cuts of beef, pork and lamb.

How do you eat it?  There's not much to it - just put it in your mouth, as the bishop said to the actress. It's served right at the table so it's more a matter of point and shoot. There are, however, a few tips to getting the most out of your meat-fest. See below.

The dos and don'ts  

Don't go too hard, too soon - the meat doesn't just do one round - it does plenty, and they're continually barbecuing more.
Do lay off the carbs - they'll always offer bread or cassava chips or something in that vein but these fill you up too quickly.
Do order a salad - it might be a celebration of meat but sometimes too much can be, well, too much.
Don't settle for the first thing that arrives - often the more interesting stuff comes out later in the evening and if you've filled up on sausages and chicken, you'll miss out.
Do ask for meat done the way you like it - it won't all be burnt to a cinder or still mooing, bleating or clucking.

What do I drink with it?

A cold beer is always good but if you want to be super Brazilian, drink a Caipirinha - cachaça, lime juice and sugar.

Where can I get it?

Churrasco Coogee
It's Brazilian by the beach and soon to be in the city. All you can eat is a mere $35 a pop.

BrazaLeichhardt
All the meat you can eat, as well as all sorts of sides, is only $38. 

FavelaPotts Point
This cocktail bar now serves Brazilian barbecue - $35 for all-you-can-eat. 

ChurrasDarlinghurst
It's everything you love about churrasco, only takeaway. You can eat-in too, for $35pp.

What the hell is...

...that strange flour stuff you see in every churrasceria? It's called farofa and it's roasted cassava flour.

So what the hell is cassava? It's a type of root native to South America. Its tough brown skin covers a crisp, white flesh and the flour made with the dried root is incredibly versatile and is used in soups, stews and desserts. It should be eaten while fresh, either hot or at room temperature.

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