Brazilian recipe
Homemade Beef Escondidinho: An Easy and Delicious Recipe (Escondidinho de carne : receita e)
A beloved Brazilian comfort classic, this dish features a silky cassava mash layered over succulent minced beef, all finished with a golden, cheesy gratin.
0.0 / 5 by 0 Reviews
Ingredients
1 kg cassava
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups heavy cream
300 ml coconut milk
4 tablespoons finely grated parmesan cheese
Salt to taste
White ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup olive oil
1 kg top side beef, finely hand-chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 onion, finely chopped
2 coffee spoons annatto powder
2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped olives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley and spring onion
1 beef bouillon cube
Chopped red finger chili (pimenta dedo-de-moça) to taste
Water as needed
200 g sliced mozzarella cheese
100 g coarsely grated parmesan cheese
150 g creamy processed cheese (requeijão)
Coarsely grated parmesan cheese for sprinkling
Chopped fresh parsley and spring onion for garnish
2 tablespoons butter
2 cups heavy cream
300 ml coconut milk
4 tablespoons finely grated parmesan cheese
Salt to taste
White ground pepper to taste
1/2 cup olive oil
1 kg top side beef, finely hand-chopped
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/2 onion, finely chopped
2 coffee spoons annatto powder
2 tablespoons chopped green bell pepper
1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons chopped olives
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley and spring onion
1 beef bouillon cube
Chopped red finger chili (pimenta dedo-de-moça) to taste
Water as needed
200 g sliced mozzarella cheese
100 g coarsely grated parmesan cheese
150 g creamy processed cheese (requeijão)
Coarsely grated parmesan cheese for sprinkling
Chopped fresh parsley and spring onion for garnish
Where to find ingredients
You can find fresh cassava, beef (top side/coxão mole), and local cheeses at central markets or large grocery stores in the produce and refrigerated meat aisles. For the requeijão, look for a creamy processed cheese alternative if the original Brazilian product is unavailable. Fresh herbs, peppers, and aromatics are best sourced from local greengrocers.
Preparation method
- Boil the cassava until tender.
- Drain the cassava and press it through a ricer while still hot.
- Melt the butter in a saucepan, add the riced cassava, and sauté gently.
- Transfer the sautéed cassava to a blender.
- Add the heavy cream and coconut milk to the blender.
- Blend until you achieve a smooth, homogeneous cream.
- Fold in the finely grated parmesan cheese.
- Season with salt and white pepper to taste.
- Set the cassava cream aside.
- In a separate pan, heat the olive oil.
- Add the hand-chopped beef and sear until browned.
- Add the garlic and onion, sautéing for a few more minutes.
- Stir in the annatto powder, green bell pepper, tomatoes, olives, fresh herbs, bouillon cube, and chopped chili.
- Sauté all the filling ingredients together.
- Adjust salt levels to your preference.
- Add a splash of water little by little as needed to keep the mixture moist and allow the meat to cook through.
- In a baking dish, spread half of the cassava cream as the base layer.
- Cover with the prepared beef filling.
- Distribute the mozzarella slices over the meat.
- Spread the creamy processed cheese over the mozzarella.
- Cover with the remaining cassava cream.
- Sprinkle with the coarsely grated parmesan cheese.
- Scatter the remaining fresh herbs on top.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 20-30 minutes, or until golden and bubbling.
Observations
The 'escondidinho' is a staple of Brazilian home cooking, cherished for its warming, hearty character and its ability to turn any family gathering into a special occasion. At its heart lies the contrast between the velvet-smooth cassava puree and the robust, savory beef filling, a pairing that remains deeply satisfying. The dish is sealed with a generous layer of melted, bubbly cheese, which provides the perfect golden crown.
This recipe presents a traditional approach focused on achieving that authentic home-cooked flavor. We have broken the process into clear, manageable steps suitable for cooks of all levels. The mash uses boiled cassava blended with heavy cream and coconut milk to reach a luxurious consistency. The beef filling is seasoned with aromatic spices and a touch of heat, then assembled in a baking dish with layers of cheese to ensure it emerges from the oven perfectly browned.
This recipe presents a traditional approach focused on achieving that authentic home-cooked flavor. We have broken the process into clear, manageable steps suitable for cooks of all levels. The mash uses boiled cassava blended with heavy cream and coconut milk to reach a luxurious consistency. The beef filling is seasoned with aromatic spices and a touch of heat, then assembled in a baking dish with layers of cheese to ensure it emerges from the oven perfectly browned.
Ratings and comments