Brazilian recipe
Beef Escondidinho with Cassava Mash (Escondidinho de carne)
A Brazilian classic, this escondidinho pairs creamy cassava mash with a juicy minced beef filling, finished with a bubbling cheese topping.
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Ingredients
1 kg cassava
2 tbsp butter
2 cups fresh 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 beef (coxão mole), hand-chopped
1 tbsp chopped 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 herbs
1 beef stock cube
Chopped bird’s eye chilli to taste
Water as needed
200 g sliced mozzarella cheese
100 g coarsely grated Parmesan cheese
150 g creamy requeijão
Coarsely grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling
Chopped fresh herbs for finishing
2 tbsp butter
2 cups fresh 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 beef (coxão mole), hand-chopped
1 tbsp chopped 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 herbs
1 beef stock cube
Chopped bird’s eye chilli to taste
Water as needed
200 g sliced mozzarella cheese
100 g coarsely grated Parmesan cheese
150 g creamy requeijão
Coarsely grated Parmesan cheese for sprinkling
Chopped fresh herbs for finishing
Where to find ingredients
Find the ingredients in the fresh produce section, butcher counter, dairy aisle, canned goods aisle, and spice section of major supermarkets or neighborhood grocery stores. If needed, ask for minced beef, coconut milk, mozzarella, Parmesan, and a smooth cream cheese-style spread.
Preparation method
- Cook the cassava until very soft
- Drain the cassava and pass it through a ricer while still hot
- In a pan, melt the butter and add the mashed cassava, sautéing lightly
- Transfer the sautéed cassava to a blender
- Add the fresh cream and coconut milk to the blender
- Blend until smooth and creamy
- Mix the finely grated Parmesan into the cream
- Season with salt and white pepper to taste
- Set aside the cassava cream
- In another pan, heat the olive oil
- Add the chopped beef and sauté until browned
- Add the garlic and onion and sauté for a few more minutes
- Add the annatto powder, chopped green bell pepper, chopped tomatoes, chopped olives, chopped fresh herbs, the beef stock cube and the chopped bird’s eye chilli
- Sauté all the filling ingredients
- Adjust the salt to taste
- Add a little water, little by little, as needed to keep the sauté moist and cook the beef through
- In a baking dish, spread half of the cassava cream over the base
- Cover with the beef filling
- Arrange the mozzarella slices over the beef
- Spread the creamy requeijão
- Cover with the remaining cassava cream
- Sprinkle the coarsely grated Parmesan on top
- Scatter over chopped fresh herbs
- Bake in a preheated 180°C oven for about 20–30 minutes, or until golden
Observations
Escondidinho is a comforting dish and a much-loved part of Brazilian cooking, ideal for family meals or for serving to guests with confidence. Its soft cassava mash base contrasts beautifully with the savoury beef filling, creating an irresistible combination. The gratinated cheese topping finishes the dish with a special touch.
This recipe is a traditional version that highlights homestyle flavour, with clear steps to help even beginner cooks succeed. The mash is made with cooked cassava blended with fresh cream and coconut milk, giving it a velvety texture. The beef filling is well seasoned, with an optional spicy note, and the final assembly in a baking dish with different kinds of cheese ensures a golden, bubbling crust.
This recipe is a traditional version that highlights homestyle flavour, with clear steps to help even beginner cooks succeed. The mash is made with cooked cassava blended with fresh cream and coconut milk, giving it a velvety texture. The beef filling is well seasoned, with an optional spicy note, and the final assembly in a baking dish with different kinds of cheese ensures a golden, bubbling crust.
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