Farofa

Farofa is a common side dish in Brazil that no churrasco (barbecue) is complete without. It consists of toasted manioc flour dressed up with complementary ingredients such as onions, olives, nuts, crispy bacon pieces, dried jerky, or fresh herbs. Popular since the time of Brazil's first settlers, it is typically sprinkled over savory dishes such as feijoada and xinxim. One popular variety from Bahia is made with bananas and onions. Farofa has such a legacy in Brazil that it even has its own shaker, called a farinheira, found on virtually every table in the country. Due to its sandy texture and a relative lack of flavor, outsiders are sometimes puzzled by farofa, but the habit of eating it easily sneaks up on anyone that is commonly indulging in Brazil's meat dishes.