Who am I ?        Products        Where To Buy ?        My Favorite Links        Other Services        Contact Me       Place An Order

Brazilian Cuisine - Many Faces, Many Tastes Nothing brings people from diverse cultures together in harmony like food; and that is the main reason why I decided to share a bit of my Brazilian heritage with you. I want to take you on a sensory journey to Brazil, so that at every bite, the flavors and textures of my food will invite you to explore new gastronomic territories. People often ask me what the typical food in Brazil is, and the answer is: "It depends!" :. Likewise the United States, Brazil is a melting pot of different cultures that populated the country since its discovery and colonization, gradually evolving throughout the centuries, and to this date. From the steamy and fluffy cheese breads, made with tapioca, to the gooey "Brigadeiros", our rich chocolate-caramel candies, from the rich "Feijoada" (black bean and pork stew) to the "Muqueca de Peixe" (fish stew), each dish has a story to tell and a pleasure to give. I hope you embark on this journey with me and enjoy every bite of the way :-)

Who Am I ?

I was born and raised in São Paulo, the financial hub of Brazil, where I lived for the first 30 years of my life. I got my Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of São Paulo in 1989, and I moved to New Jersey in 1996, where I worked for a Japanese-American company for 10 years; my main focus was always on customer training and support. After almost 18 years in the corporate world, I decided to follow my passion and enrolled in the Culinary Arts program at Hudson County Community College, where I got my Associate's degree, in May/2008. In September that same year, we (my husband, I and our two Greyhounds), packed our bags, filled up a trailer and drove cross-country to sunny Napa, California, a true paradise on earth. In the past three years, I have been on the fast track, gathering as much experience as I can, working at restaurants, private cooking studios and catering companies; but I never lost track of my true goal: to become my own boss. Now, I have come full circle and decided to start my own venture. I love cooking; I really enjoy interacting with my customers, and that is why teaching and working at places such as the Farmer's Markets are great outlets for me. Some call me crazy, others call me brave; I just think I am fortunate! :-)

Back to Top

Products

Pizza Crust Also made with tapioca flour and cheese, our pizza crust is a delicious gluten free treat. The dough already tastes deliciously of pizza, with its blend of sundried tomatoes, oregano, and mozzarella cheese. The 9-inch crust is pre-baked for your convenience and ready to receive your favorite toppings! Enjoy :-). Details

	Pão de Queijo - Brazilian Cheese Bread This unique bread, made with tapioca flour and cheese, is a staple food in Brazil. Like biscuits to Americans, cheese breads grace our tables as meal accompaniments, or simply, as delicious snacks and party hors d'oeuvres. Naturally gluten free, the cheese breads are a safe and delicious alternative for those who are gluten intolerant. I only use the best and freshest ingredients.   I have the following flavors:
	TRADITIONAL: As one of my most loyal customers describe it, this is the "Cheesy Cheese" one :-) Details
	BLACK OLIVE : Kalamata olives, diced small and combined with the cheese dough. Great with wine. CHEERS! Details
	JALAPEÑO: Fresh jalapeños diced small and blended in the cheese dough, along with the seeds, pureed in olive oil. Not so hot, be brave, preferably with beer. Details
	PESTO: Fresh basil and toasted pine nuts combined with the cheese dough. Great with pasta and salads! Yummy. Details
	PIZZETTA (NEW!!!) : Sundried tomato, oregano and mozzarella cheese, blended with the cheese dough. Who can resist a good old pizza? I can't. Details
	ROASTED GARLIC : with real garlic, roasted slowly in olive oil, until it is buttery sweet. Hmmm. It will ward off the vampires. Details

Brigadeiro - Chocolate Caramel Candy Every self-respecting kid's birthday party has lots of Brigadeiros for everyone; otherwise it is not a party worth going to. These little balls, covered with sprinkles, are crusty on the outside and gooey on the inside, like nothing you experienced before. It is impossible to eat only one! Our flavors: SEMI-SWEET CHOCOLATE : The sweetness of the condensed milk combined with the richness of dark semi-sweet chocolate result in this highly addictive treat. Not too sweet, not too bitter, just right. CAFÉ - MOCHA (NEW!!!) : It would not be Brazilian, if it did not have coffee. Dark espresso and semi-sweet chocolate combined, give the traditional Brigadeiro a classy twist. What a sweet way to get your coffee fix!

Beijinho - "Little kiss" - Coconut $ Condensed Milk Candy Who doesn't like to get a little kiss? I know I do! :-) And this little kiss comes full of sweetness and flavor, with the coconut and condensed milk combined together and cooked until nice and gooey. Your sweetheart better watch out, because this is one kiss you will keep coming back for more!

Brigadeiro Cake- Chocolate Cake with the Chocolate Caramel Ganache This is a sinful and delicious death by chocolate cake!!!! This super moist rich double layer chocolate cake is filled and covered with a smooth and creamy chocolate-caramel ganache and sprinkled with chocolate jimmies. For an adult version, I moisten the cake with dark rum simple syrup, which adds a rich smoky flavor to the cake. What a way to go!! :-) Available in different sizes.

Fruit Mousse Tropical fruits have that unique refreshing taste that is sweet and tangy at the same time. Luscious and juicy, they make delicious desserts that are the perfect complement to any meal! They are a great pair for a cold and crisp Brut Sparkling Wine. Our flavors: PASSION FRUIT MOUSSE : Creamy, Tangy and Sweet, all at the same time. A cool and refreshing dessert that is impossible to resist. Great with a crisp sparkling wine. TROPICAL FRUIT MOUSSE : Mango and Passion Fruit are in perfect balance, in this luscious and sinful dessert. It will make you think of white sandy beaches, coconut trees and cocktails with umbrellas:-)

Back to Top

Where To Buy ?

Place An Order Online

Or come and buy SAMPAS products directly at :
Farmer's Markets:

Grocery Stores:

Back to Top

My Favorite Links

• http://www.terra-roxa.net/
• http://cookingwithalexandra.blogspot.com/
• http://www.epicurious.com/
• http://tudogostoso.uol.com.br/
• http://www.gourmetsleuth.com/  - especially the conversion section.

Back to Top

Other Services

I love cooking and interacting with people. So besides the Farmer's Market, I also provide the following services:

• Private Chef
• Private Parties
• Cooking classes (private or groups): Do you want to wow your friends with an original party? Let's cook together. Just gather a group of friends, choose a menu or theme and let's get to work. I am sure you will be the talk of other parties for a long time to come.
• Cooking advice: want to revamp your kitchen? Don't know which appliances and gadgets to get? Call me, I will help you out!
• Home delivery: If you want to buy any of our products and do not have time to go to the Farmer's Market, just let me know. If you are in the Napa Valley area, I can deliver them for you, and save you some time.

Back to Top

Contact Me

alex@sampasfood.com         http://www.facebook.com/alexzchef          Sampas on FaceBook

Back to Top