Pão de queijo are cheese buns with a delicious, airy texture. They are not dense like you imagine with biscuits; rather they remind me more of a pastry dough with a fresh, cheesy surprise in the middle. My stepdad came into my life when I was 3 years old, and at the time had an expired student visa after he and my mom finished college together. He stayed here in the US with us, and I grew up making many things with my mom and stepdad. Here in the US, pão de queijo is by far the most well known and iconic representation of Brazil’s cuisine. They are seen at “Brazilian Steakhouses” across the country, and people love them. Yes, they are very delicious. In Brazil, they are most often served at breakfast. For me, it’s the importance of the memories of my fingers in sticky dough, relishing the mess. Flour floating in the air like dust particles and peppering my face. The representation of those times my stepdad made time for us, regardless of him juggling three jobs off-the-books; cleaning pheasants, tearing down condemned homes, local cover bands, etc. Knowing now just a fraction of the weight he must have carried at times, and still worked to put a smile on all of our faces including his own. Remembering his sense of humor, the smell in the air and the windows open on a sunny day, this is always where I wanted to be.

– Marina L

Relationship:  Child of im/migrant Child of im/migrant