That’s the great thing about market food at the weekend (and weekday) food markets. It introduces the masses to food they might not ordinarily be exposed to and the delights being served up at Rootz of Brazil is a classic example.

Rafael Mirava only moved to Australia six months ago but when he started making his everyday Brazilian dishes for his housemate Matthew Lonzar, the pair realised the delicacies that Brisbane market goers were missing out on. The boys set up Rootz of Brazil and starting making Brazilian delights including beiju, a tapioca pancake made from cassava flour. Beiju is a staple that Rafael grew up eating every day and the boys realised that with gluten-free eating becoming so prominent, these pancakes would be a hit at the markets. Sweet beiju is traditionally served up wrapped around coconut and banana, but there are a number of other sweet variations to choose from including the use of condensed milk, chocolate and maple syrup. On the savoury front, beiju is traditionally served wrapped around cheddar, parmesan and coconut but with the Australian palate in mind the boys introduced an Italian-style version with cheese, tomato, basil with garlic and oregano as extras.

Another Rootz of Brazil menu item is the Brazilian national icon, the brigadeiro, which is a cupcake-styled sweet made from condensed milk, cocoa, butter and chocolate sprinkles. Of sentimental value to all Brazilians, eating a brigadeiro is said to bring about ‘happy time’ sensations. The boys also make cheese bread (also using cassava flour), that is prepared and baked at the markets and kept warm in a pie warmer waiting to be eaten. To satisfy your newly developed Brazilian street food craving, head down to Eat Street Markets this weekend and visit Rafael and Matthew at Rootz of Brazil.