Regina’s Farm Serves Authentic Brazilian Food for a Worthy Cause

 

Regina’s FarmBrazilians have found a home away from home at Regina’s Farm, a quaint backyard dining experience tucked away in Fort Lauderdale’s Sailboat Bend Community across the street from Las Olas Worship Center. Most Saturdays, Regina Rodriguez rises early to begin preparing authentic Brazilian fare for the evening’s guests to experience the food and culture of her homeland.

Regina’s Farm is a non-profit used as a church function of Las Olas Worship Center, where her husband, Elizeu Silva is pastor. “It is used to raise funds for building programs, mission funds and helping the needy,” said Silva.

 

A family atmosphere

When you visit, you will feel like you have stepped through the gate onto a small family farm. Chickens roam freely about the property as children swing from rope swings, ride around on tricycles and pull wagons. There is even a train that chugs around the property giving kids a ride.

Guests are welcomed with fresh coconut milk served from the coconut with a straw, a sweet glass of sugar cane juice, or a hot cup of Brazilian coffee brewed with cane sugar while pots of hearty food simmer the old fashioned way over an outdoor wood stove.

“This is a great family time where children can come and feel safe and play around,” said Silva. And people come from all over for this unique experience. During Memorial weekend, Camila Magalhaes and her friend drove all the way from Stamford, Conn., to visit Regina’s Farm. “When we saw the pictures on Facebook, we chose to visit South Florida just so we could come here,” she said.

Adriana Grotti invited 30 of her South Florida friends to Regina’s Farm to celebrate her birthday in Brazilian fashion. “We wanted to dress up and dance like we do in Brazil,” she said. “It’s the perfect place for a party.”

 

A three course meal

The meal begins with guests lining up for a steaming bowl of corn and chicken soup with pork rinds, cheese or scallions for toppings, as warm cheese bread is brought to the picnic tables in baskets fresh from the oven.

The main course is a feast of traditional dishes including oxtail, ribs, roasted chicken, sausage, carne de panela (beef knuckle), and an abundance of side dishes such as yuca cooked in butter, yucca mash with beef, rice, polenta, okra, corn on the cob, black beans with pork, and plantains.

She also served a traditional Portuguese cod fish dish made with hearts of palm, collard greens, olives and vegetables called Baccallou, a sweet salad called Farofa made with carrots and raisins among other ingredients, and beans made with farinlia, which is a traditional meal served on farms in Brazil.

And just when you think you cannot eat another bite, Regina brings out the desserts. Guests line up at the outdoor counter to taste delicious delicacies like homemade flan, banana pie, coconut cake, passion fruit mouse, melt in your mouth cookies, brownies and fruits, among others. Guests may also wish to finish their meal with a sip of Quentao, a hot spiced wine with ginger.

Throughout the evening, new friends are made as guests mingle about Regina’s Farm, and Brazilian music plays in the background.

 

A simple start

Regina has been entertaining guests at her little farm since 2013. After working in the kitchen at Westminster Academy and driving the school bus in the evenings, Regina decided she wanted to cook for a lot of people instead, similar to some of the banquets she had catered in the past. So Regina placed an ad in the New Brazil Newspaper and the phone started ringing for Regina’s Farm.

“We would like to invite all of you to come and join us,” said Silva. “It’s our home and your home.”

Reservations are required to enjoy Regina’s Farm as space is limited to 120 people, and they are open most Saturdays. Reservations can be made by phone at 954-465-1900 Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. or online on Facebook at Fazendinha Da Regina or Regina’s Farm or visit https://reginasfarm.com/

For more articles by Shelly Pond, please visit goodnewsfl.org/author/shelly/

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