Escondidinho de Carne — Print Recipe

A Brazilian comfort casserole of shredded beef "hidden" between layers of creamy cassava purée, topped with melted cheese and baked until golden.

Ingredients

2 lbs cassava (yuca), peeled and cut into chunks
1 lb dried beef (carne seca) or shredded beef
1 cup whole milk
2 tbsp butter
1 large onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 cup heavy cream
2 tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1 If using dried beef, soak it in water overnight, changing the water 3 times to remove excess salt, then boil until tender and shred with two forks.
2 Boil the cassava chunks in salted water for 25 to 30 minutes until completely tender, then drain and mash with butter, milk, and heavy cream until smooth and creamy.
3 Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat, sauté the onion and garlic until golden, then add the shredded beef and cook for 10 minutes, seasoning with pepper.
4 Spread half the cassava purée in the bottom of a greased baking dish, layer all the seasoned shredded beef on top, then cover with the remaining cassava purée.
5 Sprinkle the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the top and bake at 375°F (190°C) for 20 to 25 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbly with golden spots.

Did You Know?

The name escondidinho means "little hidden one" in Portuguese because the meat filling is hidden between the layers of cassava purée, making it a delicious surprise in every bite.