Brazilian recipe
Traditional Cassava and Dried Beef Casserole (Escondidinho de carne seca)
A classic comfort dish featuring a velvety cassava purée layered over a savory, shredded carne seca filling. Perfectly hearty and satisfying.
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Ingredients
1 kg cassava (boiled)
1 litre whole milk
1/2 kg requeijão cremoso
2 kg carne seca (boiled and shredded)
200g onion, chopped
200g butter
Grated Parmesan cheese for gratin
1 litre whole milk
1/2 kg requeijão cremoso
2 kg carne seca (boiled and shredded)
200g onion, chopped
200g butter
Grated Parmesan cheese for gratin
Where to find ingredients
You can find cassava, carne seca, and requeijão at specialized international markets or local grocers stocking Latin American pantry staples. If you cannot find carne seca, salt-cured beef or bresaola may be used as a substitute, though the texture and salt profile will vary. Requeijão is unique, but a high-quality, spreadable cream cheese can be used as a replacement.
Preparation method
- Prepare the cassava purée by blending the boiled cassava with the whole milk and requeijão cremoso until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- For the filling, melt the butter in a pan and sauté the chopped onion until it becomes translucent.
- Add the boiled and shredded carne seca to the pan with the onions and sauté for a few minutes to allow the flavours to meld.
- Begin assembly by spreading a layer of the cassava purée into a baking dish.
- Cover the purée layer entirely with the prepared carne seca filling, spreading it out evenly.
- Finish the assembly by spreading the remaining portion of the cassava purée over the beef layer.
- Sprinkle the grated Parmesan cheese over the top layer of the purée.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for approximately 10 minutes, or until the cheese has melted and formed a golden crust.
- Serve the casserole warm and garnish as desired.
Observations
The carne seca escondidinho stands as a quintessential pillar of Brazilian home cooking, revered for its masterful balance of textures and deep, savory notes. This dish is an ideal centerpiece for a family lunch or a sophisticated dinner, pairing a silky cassava mash with a robust, sautéed filling of cured beef. Its layered assembly and golden, gratinéed top make it both visually inviting and deeply comforting.
Its straightforward preparation, paired with an impressive result, makes this casserole a favorite for those seeking a substantial meal imbued with the warmth of traditional, hearty cooking.
Its straightforward preparation, paired with an impressive result, makes this casserole a favorite for those seeking a substantial meal imbued with the warmth of traditional, hearty cooking.
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