Brazilian recipe
Creamy Chicken Balls with Minas Cheese (Bolinhas de frango cremosas com queijo minas)
A comforting Brazilian-style treat: tender potato and shredded chicken bites stuffed with Minas cheese, nestled in a creamy sauce and golden-baked.
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Ingredients
1 kg chicken breast
1 kg potatoes
1 pinch salt (for the chicken)
Salt to taste (for the potatoes)
1 tablespoon butter
1 large egg
1 pinch grated nutmeg
Cornstarch, as needed for consistency
1 tin tomato sauce
1 carton table cream
50 g grated Parmesan cheese
500 g fresh Minas cheese
Chopped black olives (optional)
Dried oregano to taste
1 kg potatoes
1 pinch salt (for the chicken)
Salt to taste (for the potatoes)
1 tablespoon butter
1 large egg
1 pinch grated nutmeg
Cornstarch, as needed for consistency
1 tin tomato sauce
1 carton table cream
50 g grated Parmesan cheese
500 g fresh Minas cheese
Chopped black olives (optional)
Dried oregano to taste
Where to find ingredients
Find fresh chicken breast, potatoes, and table cream in the produce and dairy aisles of any local supermarket. For the 'queijo minas', as it is a specific Brazilian fresh cheese, look for it at specialty international delis or Caribbean grocers that carry Latin American staples. If unavailable, a mild, firm white cheese such as a low-moisture fresh mozzarella or a mild farmer's cheese can serve as a suitable substitute.
Preparation method
- Boil the chicken breast in salted water until tender; drain, shred, and set aside.
- In a pan, mix the shredded chicken with the tomato sauce and simmer for a few minutes; keep warm.
- Boil the potatoes in salted water until they are fork-tender.
- Drain the potatoes and mash them while still hot using a potato ricer or fork.
- Mix the butter, egg, nutmeg, and salt into the mashed potatoes until combined.
- Gradually add the cornstarch, working the mixture until you have a firm, pliable dough ready to shape.
- Divide the dough and roll into small, even balls.
- Cut the Minas cheese into small cubes.
- Press a thumb into each dough ball, stuff with a cheese cube and a few chopped olives if using.
- Carefully seal the dough around the cheese to ensure it stays inside during baking.
- Arrange the stuffed chicken balls in a circle inside a deep baking dish.
- Pour the prepared shredded chicken and tomato sauce into the center of the dish, between the balls.
- Drizzle the table cream over the balls and the central chicken mixture.
- Sprinkle the top generously with grated Parmesan cheese.
- Dust with dried oregano to taste.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden and bubbling.
Observations
These creamy chicken balls are a beloved staple of Brazilian home cooking. They are the perfect bite-sized delight for family gatherings, hosting friends, or simply elevating your afternoon snacking. The base is crafted from a soft, seasoned potato dough, filled with succulent shredded chicken and pockets of melting Minas cheese. Once arranged, they are bathed in a rich, velvety tomato sauce and finished under the broiler until golden and bubbly.
Get ready to impress your guests with this unique combination of fluffy potato, savory chicken, and the mild, fresh tang of Minas cheese. It is a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that brings warmth and classic flavor to any table.
Get ready to impress your guests with this unique combination of fluffy potato, savory chicken, and the mild, fresh tang of Minas cheese. It is a hearty, crowd-pleasing dish that brings warmth and classic flavor to any table.
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