Brigadeiro recipe

Street signs, statues, history books, newspaper headlines... all of these are places you would usually expect to see the names of politicians. However, in Brazil, they name their desserts after top political figures.

Why? Because around the time that Nestle was importing condensed milk and cocoa powder to Brazil Brigadier Eduardo Gomes was a very influential figure. The Brigadiero recipe is rumoured to be asociated with him for a variety of reasons. In both 1946 and 1950 he ran for presidency and the women involved in the campaign used the newly imported products to create new desserts named after the brigadier. However, it's also rumoured that the dessert was created by some people who didn't like Brigadier Gomes. He had lost a testicle during the war and it is said that the recipe was named after him because it does not have eggs (egg in Portuguese is slang for testicle).

Whichever reason, the fact still remains that this is one of the tastiest and easiest desserts to make.

All you need is:
Condensed milk (395g)
Cocoa powder (3 or so tablespoons)
Butter (1 tablespoons)
Toppings: choice of chocolate sprinkles, sugar, cocoa powder, grated nuts.

To cook:
1. Heat the condensed milk in a pan on low heat.
2. Add the cocoa powder and butter and stir until both are melted and the mixture is smooth.
3. Keep stirring until the mixture begins to boil slightly and gets a little thick. At this point make sure none of the mixture sticks to the bottom of the pan.

Prepare:
1. Pour the mixture onto a cold plate to cool for 15 minutes.
2. Decide which toppings you want and pour these onto another plate.
3. Rub a little cocoa powder into your hands so the mixture doesn't stick to them
4. Using a spoon scoop up a little of the mixture and then roll into a ball in the toppping of your choice.
5. Leave to set a little longer before eating.

Find Brigadeiros in London at:

Casa da Sogra, 4 Ferdinand Street, Camden
Guanabara, Parker Street, Covent Garden
Canela, 33 Earlham St
Made in Brasil, 12 Inverness Steet, Camden
Casa Brasil, 1st Floor, 71 Charing Cross Road
Brazil by Kilo, 17 Oxford Street