Coxinha

A Brazilian savoury pastry shaped like a teardrop or chicken drumstick: shredded chicken (usually with cream cheese or catupiry, a Brazilian fresh cheese, mixed in) wrapped in a soft wheat-and-broth dough, breaded with panko or flour, and deep-fried until golden. Sold at every padaria (bakery) and lanchonete (snack bar) across Brazil, eaten warm out of hand or with a small dab of hot sauce. The signature is the crisp fried shell, the soft enriched dough, the savoury shredded chicken filling with its creamy catupiry richness, and the gentle warm-from-the-fryer comfort. Light to medium weight, casual register, snack rather than meal. The wine must handle fried fat and creamy chicken filling without overwhelming the casual snack context.