Brazilian recipe
Savory Cassava and Ground Beef Casserole (Escondidinho de carne)
A beloved Brazilian comfort food, this dish features a velvety cassava mash layered with seasoned ground meat and topped with melted cheese.
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Ingredients
1 kg cassava
2 tbsp butter
2 cups fresh heavy cream
300 ml coconut milk
4 tbsp finely grated parmesan cheese
Salt to taste
White pepper to taste
1/2 cup olive oil
1 kg lean beef, finely chopped
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 onion, chopped
2 tsp annatto powder
2 tbsp chopped green bell pepper
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp chopped olives
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and scallions
1 beef bouillon cube
Dedo-de-moça chili, chopped to taste
Water as needed
200 g sliced mozzarella cheese
100 g coarsely grated parmesan cheese
150 g requeijão cremoso
Coarsely grated parmesan for sprinkling
Chopped parsley and scallions for garnish
2 tbsp butter
2 cups fresh heavy cream
300 ml coconut milk
4 tbsp finely grated parmesan cheese
Salt to taste
White pepper to taste
1/2 cup olive oil
1 kg lean beef, finely chopped
1 tbsp minced garlic
1/2 onion, chopped
2 tsp annatto powder
2 tbsp chopped green bell pepper
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp chopped olives
2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley and scallions
1 beef bouillon cube
Dedo-de-moça chili, chopped to taste
Water as needed
200 g sliced mozzarella cheese
100 g coarsely grated parmesan cheese
150 g requeijão cremoso
Coarsely grated parmesan for sprinkling
Chopped parsley and scallions for garnish
Where to find ingredients
Cassava can be found in the produce section of local markets. Requeijão cremoso is a signature Brazilian cream cheese; if unavailable, a high-quality cream cheese or thick sour cream can be used as a substitute. Look for annatto (colorau) in the spice aisle or at specialty Latin Caribbean grocers.
Preparation method
- Boil the cassava until tender
- Drain the cassava and press through a ricer while hot
- Melt butter in a pot and lightly sauté the mashed cassava
- Transfer the sautéed cassava to a blender
- Add the heavy cream and coconut milk to the blender
- Blend until the mixture is smooth and homogeneous
- Mix in the finely grated parmesan
- Season with salt and white pepper
- Set the cassava cream aside
- Heat olive oil in a separate pan
- Add the chopped beef and sauté until browned
- Stir in the garlic and onion and cook for a few minutes
- Add the annatto, green bell pepper, tomatoes, olives, herbs, beef bouillon, and chili
- Sauté all the filling ingredients together
- Adjust salt to taste
- Add a splash of water as needed to keep the mixture moist while the meat cooks through
- Spread half of the cassava cream in a baking dish
- Cover with the ground beef mixture
- Arrange the mozzarella slices over the meat layer
- Spread the requeijão cremoso evenly
- Cover with the remaining cassava cream
- Sprinkle the coarsely grated parmesan over the top
- Garnish with chopped herbs
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 20-30 minutes, or until golden and bubbling
Observations
Escondidinho is a cornerstone of home-cooked Brazilian cuisine, celebrated for its heartiness and popularity at family gatherings. The dish relies on the elegant contrast between a smooth, rich cassava mash and a savory, robust meat filling, all finished with a golden, bubbly cheese crust.
This classic preparation focuses on authentic flavors and reliable techniques, making it approachable for any home cook. The mash is crafted from boiled cassava, blended with fresh cream and coconut milk for a luxurious texture. The ground meat filling is deeply seasoned, featuring a hint of heat if desired, while the layers of mozzarella, requeijão, and parmesan create a perfectly melted topping that defines this traditional dish.
This classic preparation focuses on authentic flavors and reliable techniques, making it approachable for any home cook. The mash is crafted from boiled cassava, blended with fresh cream and coconut milk for a luxurious texture. The ground meat filling is deeply seasoned, featuring a hint of heat if desired, while the layers of mozzarella, requeijão, and parmesan create a perfectly melted topping that defines this traditional dish.
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