Brazilian recipe
Creamy Brazilian oven-baked beef with cheese (bife de forno)
A family-favourite comfort dish featuring thick, seared beef steaks topped with rich tomato sauce and melted mozzarella. Quick, practical, and incredibly satisfying.
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Ingredients
6 thick-cut large sirloin steaks (300g each)
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Vegetable oil for frying
1 carton tomato pulp (passata)
300g grated mozzarella cheese
Dried oregano to taste
Salt to taste
Black pepper to taste
Vegetable oil for frying
1 carton tomato pulp (passata)
300g grated mozzarella cheese
Dried oregano to taste
Where to find ingredients
For the thick-cut sirloin steaks, visit your local butcher or the meat section at supermarkets like Shoprite, Spar, or Prince Ebeano; ask for 'sirloin' or 'striploin' cuts. Tomato pulp (passata) can be found in the canned goods or Italian imported sections of major supermarkets. Grated mozzarella is standard in the dairy aisle, while dried oregano is readily available in the spice section. If you can't find specific cuts, any premium, tender beef steak suitable for searing will work.
Preparation method
- Season the steaks generously with salt and black pepper on both sides
- Heat enough vegetable oil in a large frying pan and sear the steaks quickly on high heat until they develop a nice brown crust
- Place the seared steaks side-by-side in a large baking dish
- Pour the tomato pulp evenly over the steaks to cover them well
- Top each steak with a thick layer of the grated mozzarella
- Sprinkle the dried oregano over the cheese for that authentic flavour
- Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C until the cheese has completely melted and is bubbling with a slight golden finish
Observations
This oven-baked beef is a classic Brazilian comfort food, perfect for family dinners. The secret is to start with thick cuts of sirloin (contra-filé), searing them quickly to lock in the juices before finishing them in the oven with a generous layer of tomato sauce and mozzarella. It’s a fuss-free way to serve a hearty, crowd-pleasing main course that pairs perfectly with white rice and crispy shoestring potatoes.
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