Torta de Palmito (Heart of Palm Casserole)

As it happens at tables all around the world, we talk about other food experiences during the meal. During lunch with our Brazilian client and art director, Ellen Marquart, she shared with us one of her favorite dishes ever, the Torta de Palmito!  Not just any Torta de Palmito, but her mom's Torta de Palmito!  Elisa Marquart! This Brazilian Kitchen Goddess has been cooking for her family almost every day for 45 years!  That does not include the time little Elisa spent learning to cook with her mom. Can this Kitchen Goddess teach Emeril Lagasse a thing or two?  I think so!  

Papá Dirceu Marquart, has been right there by her side, making sure mama is comfortable and happy in the kitchen.  Dirceu's specialty is the churrasco (Brazilian barbecue)  All this on the beautiful island of Florianopolis, Santa Catarina, where the Marquarts are from.  An island off the southern coast of Brazil, with over 40 drop dead gorgeous beaches! 

So this is what I am imagining right now: the sound of the waves, the salt in the air, the smell of chouriço, beef, pork, and chicken on dad's churrasqueira. Elisa already has the Torta de Palmito in the oven and has just served us some refreshing Suco de Maracuja (passion fruit juice) poured over ice in tall glasses,  while she hums a Julio Iglesias tune, "Recuerdos de Ypacaraí".   Um paraíso! 

I raise a glass of maracuja to Elisa!  Here's to 45 more years of memories and passion in the kitchen!

Bom apetite! 

For the rest of Ellen's story and the recipe, click here.