Brazilian recipe
Savory Beef and Cassava Casserole (Escondidinho de carne)
A beloved Brazilian comfort dish, this recipe layers a velvety cassava mash with a rich, savory ground beef filling, all baked under a golden layer of cheese.
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Ingredients
1 kg yuca (mandioca)
2 tbsp butter
2 cups heavy cream
300 ml coconut milk
4 tbsp finely grated Parmesan cheese
Salt to taste
White pepper to taste
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 kg beef (top round), hand-cut into small pieces
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 onion, finely chopped
2 tsp annatto powder (colorau)
2 tbsp green bell pepper, chopped
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp chopped olives
2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (cheiro-verde)
1 beef bouillon cube
Dedo-de-moça chili pepper, minced to taste
Water as needed
200 g sliced mozzarella cheese
100 g coarsely grated Parmesan cheese
150 g creamy processed cheese (requeijão cremoso)
Extra coarsely grated Parmesan for sprinkling
Chopped fresh herbs (cheiro-verde) for garnish
2 tbsp butter
2 cups heavy cream
300 ml coconut milk
4 tbsp finely grated Parmesan cheese
Salt to taste
White pepper to taste
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 kg beef (top round), hand-cut into small pieces
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 onion, finely chopped
2 tsp annatto powder (colorau)
2 tbsp green bell pepper, chopped
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp chopped olives
2 tbsp chopped fresh herbs (cheiro-verde)
1 beef bouillon cube
Dedo-de-moça chili pepper, minced to taste
Water as needed
200 g sliced mozzarella cheese
100 g coarsely grated Parmesan cheese
150 g creamy processed cheese (requeijão cremoso)
Extra coarsely grated Parmesan for sprinkling
Chopped fresh herbs (cheiro-verde) for garnish
Where to find ingredients
Yuca (mandioca) can be found fresh or frozen in the produce section of ethnic markets or well-stocked grocery stores. Requeijão cremoso is a unique Brazilian creamy cheese spread; if unavailable, a thick cream cheese or a mix of mascarpone and a little sour cream can serve as a substitute for the texture, though the flavor will differ from the original. Annatto powder (colorau) is available in the spice aisle of Latin American grocers.
Preparation method
- Boil the yuca until it is very tender
- Drain the yuca and pass it through a potato ricer while still hot
- In a large pot, melt the butter and gently sauté the mashed yuca
- Transfer the sautéed yuca into a blender
- Add the heavy cream and coconut milk to the blender
- Blend until you achieve a smooth, homogeneous consistency
- Stir the finely grated Parmesan cheese into the mixture
- Season with salt and white pepper to taste
- Set the cassava cream aside
- In a separate pan, heat the olive oil
- Add the diced beef and sear until browned
- Add the minced garlic and onion, and sauté for a few more minutes
- Stir in the annatto powder, green bell pepper, tomatoes, olives, fresh herbs, bouillon cube, and the minced chili pepper
- Cook the filling mixture until well combined
- Adjust the salt to your preference
- Add small amounts of water as needed to keep the filling moist while the beef finishes cooking
- Spread half of the cassava cream into the bottom of a baking dish
- Cover with the beef filling
- Layer the mozzarella slices over the meat
- Spread the requeijão cremoso evenly over the mozzarella
- Cover with the remaining cassava cream
- Sprinkle the coarsely grated Parmesan cheese on top
- Garnish with the chopped fresh herbs
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 20-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling
Observations
The Escondidinho is a quintessential Brazilian comfort food, perfect for family dinners or gatherings where you want to serve something truly satisfying. The name translates to 'little hidden one,' referring to the savory meat tucked away beneath a thick, smooth layer of mashed root vegetables. This version uses yuca, known in Brazil as mandioca, which provides a unique, earthy flavor that pairs beautifully with the spiced meat base.
Following this traditional method, you will achieve a perfect home-cooked result. The mash is blended with heavy cream and coconut milk to reach a silky, rich consistency. The beef filling is carefully seasoned with a mix of aromatics and a hint of spice, creating a robust depth of flavor. Once assembled in a baking dish with layers of cheese and a final golden crust, it delivers a deeply comforting texture that is sure to please everyone at your table.
Following this traditional method, you will achieve a perfect home-cooked result. The mash is blended with heavy cream and coconut milk to reach a silky, rich consistency. The beef filling is carefully seasoned with a mix of aromatics and a hint of spice, creating a robust depth of flavor. Once assembled in a baking dish with layers of cheese and a final golden crust, it delivers a deeply comforting texture that is sure to please everyone at your table.
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