Feijoada: a classic Brazilian recipe

Welcome to Paulina Cocina! Or should I say Welcome? Because today's recipe takes us straight to Brazil, our neighbors to the west who generously share with us all the beauty of their cuisine and culture. Today, in particular, we're going to talk about Feijoada, a typical Brazilian dish, specifically from a region in Rio de Janeiro.

For those who've never heard of this name, and for those who've been craving it for a while but haven't found how to make feijoada easily , we're here to help.

About traditional feijoada 

Its translation means "Fava Bean Stew," and I thought there was no better way to understand it. The most characteristic of this typical Brazilian feijoada is that it contains at least salted meats ribs, various chorizos, cured meat, foot, ear, tail, loin, and belly . This is a dish that is often prepared specifically to boost the diner's energy . Do we understand why now?

Interesting fact: Reliable sources tell us that in Brazil, it's a long-standing tradition to make feijoada for construction workers on the day the slab is laid. They often gather together, and besides celebrating with this dish, it's also a very effective way to obtain the energy needed to finish the job.

The most common way to accompany feijoada is with garlic stew, rice and farofa . Don't worry, we're now going to talk a little more about how to accompany this dish.

A little bit of its history

Rio de Janeiro is the birthplace of the traditional feijoada we know today. One of the most well-known and popular dishes in Brazilian cuisine .

Part of its history tells us that it once emerged as a symbol of Brazil's resistance to the dictatorship of European etiquette during Portuguese colonization. However, it is not known exactly when this dish was first prepared.

Today, it's a relatively inexpensive dish consumed by almost all social classes . In many places, it's customary to prepare large pots of food on certain days to share, making it a symbol of the country. It's closely associated with samba, carnival, and the caipirinha.

Other ways to cook it  

A dish that comes in many variations , simply because of the number of pork cuts that can be used in its preparation.

For many, this might be considered a rather heavy dish, due to the beans and meat. However, some prefer a simpler version : they use only cuts of meat like smoked chorizo (paio) or bacon and cecina, creating a lighter feijoada.

For those who want to go beyond the traditional feijoada, there are many other variations of the dish to try. For example, if you want to try a lighter or vegetarian , I recommend trying it without meat. It's a very nutritious and tasty option.

Best side dishes to accompany feijoada

Below we list how to prepare the 5 most common side dishes you can choose to accompany this dish.

White rice

• Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Sauté 1 minced garlic clove in this.
• Now add 1/2 cup of rice and sauté until the rice turns white. Add 1 cup of water, cover, and simmer until all the water is absorbed.

Farofa

• Cut the onion into julienne strips. In a pan, heat a little olive oil and the butter until melted, then reduce the heat and add the onion. Stir. 
• Finally, add the cassava flour with a little pepper and parsley. Continue stirring until golden brown. 

Couve

Also known as kale, wild cabbage, chard or curly cabbage. 

• Wash and dry the vegetables. Cut off the stems and then slice them thinly lengthwise. Set aside.
• In a pan, sauté chopped garlic and salt until lightly browned. Then add the chopped couvé and sauté for 5 minutes until softened. 

Spicy mojo

• In a blender, place one red bell pepper, two garlic cloves, one tablespoon of cumin, one tablespoon of paprika, oil, and vinegar. Blend for a few seconds, stir, and blend again. Repeat until you achieve the desired consistency.

A very interesting fact to keep in mind is that the feijoada side dishes served today were added much later; originally, the dish consisted of beans and meat. Nothing more.

⚠️ It is recommended to accompany it with a cold drink: beer or caipirinha, and if not, give it a good Baileys but with lots of ice.

Before moving on to the recipe, we recommend you prepare your stomach because this is one of the most filling dishes on the planet. Let's get to it!

Feijoada recipe

Ingredients for 5 people

• 250 g of black beans
• 110 gr of pork ribs
• 90 g of bacon or smoked bacon
• 50 gr of smoked sausage

Seasoning:

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• Chopped spring onion
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 ½ cloves of garlic, minced
• Cumin
• Olive oil
• Salt 

How to make original Brazilian feijoada

1. Cut the meat into medium-sized squares and place in a pot with plenty of hot water. Cook for 10 minutes.
2. In another pot, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sauté the onions with a tablespoon of salt over high heat for 8 minutes. Then, add the garlic cloves, bay leaves, and 1 teaspoon of cumin.
3. Place the soaked beans on top of the onion and cover with 1 1/2 cups of hot water. When the water boils, add the meats. Cook this over medium heat for 2 hours. Stir gently every now and then. 
4. Serve with the side dish of your choice.