Cheese Bread: Brazil's Favorite Snack Explored

Brazilian cheese bread, or pão de queijo, is a popular snack in Brazil. It is believed that the recipe originated in the state of Minas Gerais in the 18th century, when Brazil was a Portuguese colony. Pão de queijo is made with tapioca flour, milk, oil, salt, and cheese. The dough is formed into balls and baked until golden and puffed. The result is a soft, chewy, and gooey bread with a crispy exterior. Pão de queijo can be served plain or with marinara sauce, butter, or dulce de leche. It is often enjoyed as a breakfast food or snack and is commonly paired with an afternoon coffee.

The history of Brazilian cheese bread

Brazilian cheese bread, or pão de queijo, is a traditional Brazilian snack, originating in the states of Minas Gerais and Goiás. It is suspected that the recipe was created around the 18th century, during the slavery period, in the farms located in Minas Gerais.

At the time, it was customary to serve bread and coffee to masters in the afternoon. However, as wheat products were not yet widely produced in Brazil, cooks had to use manioc products instead. Manioc, or cassava, was widely available and had been used long before colonisation. By mixing tapioca flour (manioc starch) with cheese, the first pães de queijo from Minas were created. The original recipe uses sour or sweet manioc starch and "meia cura" cheese.

The pão de queijo was baked in wood-burning stoves and prepared with ingredients produced on the farms. The recipe became popular across the country by the 1950s and has since spread worldwide, with many Brazilians having their own family recipe.

The pão de queijo is typically formed into small balls, around 3-5 centimetres in diameter, and has a chewy and elastic texture, being crunchy on the outside. The distinct texture is created by the use of cassava flour, which is a powerful starch. The dough is not leavened, and small pockets of air within it expand during baking and are contained by the elasticity of the starch paste.

The type of cheese used varies according to preference or availability, with the most common being mozzarella, parmesan, and minas or canastra cheese. The fat in the recipe acts as a molecular lubricant, while the egg gives colour and flavour, contributing to the elastic texture of the dough.

How to make Brazilian cheese bread

Brazilian cheese bread, or pão de queijo, is a gluten-free snack that is chewy and flavorful. It is made with tapioca flour, which is gluten-free, and can be served with butter or dulce de leche.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup tapioca flour
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 cup grated cheddar cheese (preferably medium or sharp)
• 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1/4 cup oil

Method:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

For the traditional method:

• Place the milk and oil in a small pot and heat until just simmering, then remove from heat.
• Place tapioca flour and salt in a mixing bowl and pour the hot milk and oil over. Beat to combine.
• Add cheese and beat to combine.
• Use a cookie scoop to drop the dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and bake until puffed and set on the outside, and slightly golden.

For the shortcut method:

• Place the egg, milk, oil, tapioca flour, and salt in a blender and blend until smooth.
• Add the cheeses and pulse a couple of times.
• Pour the batter into a mini muffin tin and sprinkle a bit of Parmesan cheese on top.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes until puffed and golden.

Tips:

• If your batter is too runny, simply add a bit more tapioca flour and cheese.
• If your batter is crumbly, that is okay! This can be due to different brands of tapioca flour having different levels of absorbency.
• You can play around with the cheese. Try Monterey Jack, low-moisture mozzarella, Swiss, or Gruyere instead of cheddar.
• These rolls do not reheat well, so it is best to make and eat them fresh.

Enjoy your Brazilian cheese bread!

The best cheeses for Brazilian cheese bread

Brazilian cheese bread, or "pão de queijo", is a popular snack in Brazil, often enjoyed as a breakfast food or paired with an afternoon coffee. The traditional recipe for Brazilian cheese bread uses "Minas" cheese, a hard cheese similar to Parmesan, but the type of cheese used can vary depending on region and availability. Here are some of the best cheeses to use for an authentic Brazilian cheese bread experience:

Minas Cheese

Minas cheese is a type of cheese that is commonly used in Brazilian cuisine. It is a hard cheese with a salty flavour, similar to Parmesan. Minas cheese is the traditional cheese used in Brazilian cheese bread, and it is believed that the dish originated in the Minas Gerais region of Brazil in the 1700s, where the production of milk and cheese was high.

Parmesan Cheese

If you can't get your hands on Minas cheese, Parmesan cheese is a good substitute. Parmesan is also a hard, salty cheese that will give your Brazilian cheese bread a similar flavour and texture to the traditional recipe. Parmesan is commonly used in Brazilian cheese bread recipes outside of Brazil, as it is more widely available in other parts of the world.

Mozzarella Cheese

Mozzarella cheese is another popular choice for Brazilian cheese bread. It has a stretchy, stringy texture and a mild flavour that pairs well with the other ingredients in the bread. Mozzarella is often used in combination with Parmesan to create a balance of flavours.

Queso Fresco

Queso fresco is a fresh, crumbly cheese with a mild flavour. It is sometimes used in Brazilian cheese bread recipes, either on its own or in combination with other cheeses. If you can't find queso fresco, you can substitute it with aged white cheddar.

Cheddar Cheese

Cheddar cheese is a popular choice for Brazilian cheese bread, especially when combined with other cheeses like Grana Padano. It has a sharp, salty flavour that complements the other ingredients well.

When making Brazilian cheese bread, it is important to note that the type of cheese you use can affect the texture of the bread. For a lighter, airier texture, it is best to chop the cheese into small pieces instead of grating it. Additionally, using cold milk in the dough can create pockets of melted cheese throughout the bread, while using scalded milk will result in a more evenly textured bread.

The best drinks to pair with Brazilian cheese bread

Brazilian cheese bread, or Pão de Queijo, is a snack that originated in the state of Minas Gerais, Brazil. The snack is made from cheese, corn, and spices, and baked in a pan. It is often served as a dessert, but can also be eaten as a snack or appetiser. Here are some of the best drinks to pair with Brazilian cheese bread:

Coffee

Brazilian cheese bread is commonly served with coffee. This pairing is rooted in the history of the state of Minas Gerais, where it was customary to serve farm owners bread and coffee in the afternoon.

Guaraná

Guaraná is the national soft drink of Brazil, and it is also a great pairing with Pão de Queijo. It is said to be a delightful combination that creates an authentic Brazilian snack.

Wine

A classic pairing with cheese is wine. Medium-bodied reds like Merlot or Tempranillo go well with the bold flavours of Brazilian cheese bread. For white wine lovers, a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or a sparkling wine like Prosecco would be a refreshing contrast to the rich cheese.

Beer

Brazilian cheese bread is often served as a side to grilled meats, so it is no surprise that beer is a great pairing. The bread complements the smoky flavours of grilled food, and the carbonation of beer helps to cut through the richness of the cheese.

Fruit Juice

Brazilian cheese bread is sometimes served with fruits, so a glass of fresh fruit juice can be a great pairing. A citrus juice like orange or grapefruit can provide a tangy contrast to the savoury flavours of the bread.

The best recipes for Brazilian cheese bread

Brazilian cheese bread, or "Pão de Queijo", is a gluten-free snack that can be made in under 20 minutes. It is perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a snack. Here are some of the best recipes for this delicious treat:

Olivia's Cuisine's Recipe

This recipe yields 30 cheese rolls and takes 30 minutes in total to make, with 10 minutes of preparation and 20 minutes of cooking. The ingredients required are:

• 4 cups tapioca flour
• 1 1/2 cups grated parmesan cheese
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Milk
• Water
• Oil
• Salt
• Eggs

Preheat the oven to 400°F and combine the milk, water, oil, and salt in a saucepan. Bring this mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Next, add the tapioca flour to the bowl of a stand mixer and pour the milk mixture over the flour once it boils. Turn the mixer on and mix well—the texture should be fondant-like, white, and sticky. With the mixer still on, add the eggs one at a time. Once the eggs are incorporated, add the cheese a little at a time until fully mixed in. The dough should be soft and sticky. If it seems too liquidy, add more tapioca flour, but be careful not to overdo it, or the bread will become tough.

To shape the balls, wet your hands with cold water. Using a spoon, scoop out some dough and shape it into balls that are slightly smaller than golf-sized. Place the balls on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper and bake for 15-20 minutes or until they are golden and puffed.

Simply Recipes' Blender Method

This recipe yields 12-18 mini cheese breads and also includes a recipe for a larger batch. It is adapted from a recipe by Bill, the husband of the author's Brazilian friend, Silvia. It takes 20 minutes to make and uses a blender for convenience. The ingredients required are:

• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing the pan
• 1 1/2 cups (170 g) tapioca flour
• 1/2 cup (66 g) packed grated or crumbled cheese of your choice
• 1 teaspoon salt (or more to taste)

Preheat the oven to 400°F and grease a mini muffin tin with olive oil. Put all the ingredients into a blender and pulse until smooth, using a spatula to scrape down the sides if needed. Pour the batter into the prepared mini muffin tin, leaving about 1/8 inch from the top. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until puffy and browned. Let the bread cool on a rack for a few minutes, then serve warm or at room temperature.

Allrecipes' Test Kitchen Recipe

This recipe yields 6 servings and takes 20 minutes to make. The ingredients required are:

• 1/2 cup olive oil or butter
• 1/3 cup milk or soy milk
• 2 cups tapioca flour
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Combine the olive oil, water, milk, and salt in a large saucepan and place over high heat. Bring to a boil and immediately remove from the heat. Stir in the tapioca flour and garlic until smooth, then set aside to rest for 10-15 minutes. Stir in the cheese and eggs until combined—the dough will be chunky, like cottage cheese. Drop the dough by 1/4 cup-sized balls onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the tops are lightly browned.

My Cooking Journey's Recipe

This recipe yields 18 mini rolls and takes 20 minutes in total to make, with 5 minutes of preparation and 15 minutes of cooking. The ingredients required are:

• 1 cup tapioca flour
• 1/2 cup milk (room temperature)
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 large egg (room temperature)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup cheddar cheese

Preheat the oven to 400°F. In a blender jar or food processor bowl, add the tapioca flour, milk, oil, salt, and egg. Pulse a few times to blend into a smooth batter. Add the cheese and pulse a few more times to combine. Grease a mini muffin pan liberally. Fill each hole halfway with batter to allow room for the bread to puff up. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until crusty and lightly browned. Remove from the oven and let sit for a couple of minutes before serving warm.

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