Brazilian recipe
Tender Pot Roast in Creamy Sauce (Lagarto com creme de leite)
Learn how to prepare a succulent, fork-tender roast with a luxurious cream-based gravy. This classic home-cooked meal is perfect for a comforting family lunch.
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Ingredients
1 kg lagarto beef roast
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 can (approx. 300g) heavy cream (creme de leite)
2 cups vegetable oil for searing
8 to 9 small potatoes
1/2 raw carrot, grated
1 pinch black pepper
Mayonnaise to taste
Hot water
2 beef bouillon cubes
1 can (approx. 300g) heavy cream (creme de leite)
2 cups vegetable oil for searing
8 to 9 small potatoes
1/2 raw carrot, grated
1 pinch black pepper
Mayonnaise to taste
Hot water
Where to find ingredients
You can source the lagarto beef from local butchers or the meat counter of larger supermarkets in Lusaka or other urban centers. If 'lagarto' is unavailable, ask for 'eye of round' as a substitute. Cream (creme de leite) and standard pantry staples like potatoes, carrots, and bouillon cubes are easily found in the produce and dry goods aisles of any major food store.
Preparation method
- Season the lagarto roast to your preference. If desired, heat the oil in a pan and sear the meat on all sides to lock in the juices.
- Place the seared beef into a pressure cooker and cover with enough hot water to submerge it.
- Add the beef bouillon cubes, previously dissolved in a glass of hot water, to the pot.
- Seal the pressure cooker and cook for approximately 30 minutes once it reaches full pressure.
- While the meat cooks, prepare the mash: boil the potatoes until tender, then mash them thoroughly until smooth.
- Season the mashed potatoes with a pinch of black pepper and fold in mayonnaise to taste until you achieve a smooth, creamy consistency.
- Once the 30 minutes are up, carefully remove the beef from the pressure cooker and slice it into uniform rounds.
- Into the same pressure cooker with the remaining cooking liquid, stir in the heavy cream (drained of any excess whey).
- Gently warm the sauce over low heat and return the beef slices to the pan to coat them thoroughly.
- Serve the roast hot, drizzled with the creamy sauce, accompanied by a portion of white rice.
- Garnish the final dish with the fresh grated carrot before serving.
Observations
This recipe for Lagarto com creme de leite is a quintessential Brazilian comfort food, cherished for its depth of flavor and velvety texture. By using a pressure cooker, the lean cut of beef becomes incredibly tender, while the rich sauce—enriched with heavy cream—adds a sophisticated finish that pairs beautifully with steamed white rice.
It is a versatile dish that works just as well for an everyday family meal as it does for a Sunday gathering. The secret lies in the contrast between the tender slices of beef and the silky, savory sauce. It is a reliable, time-tested preparation that highlights the art of slow-cooking flavors in a fraction of the time.
It is a versatile dish that works just as well for an everyday family meal as it does for a Sunday gathering. The secret lies in the contrast between the tender slices of beef and the silky, savory sauce. It is a reliable, time-tested preparation that highlights the art of slow-cooking flavors in a fraction of the time.
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