Pão de Queijo
(Brazilian cheese buns)
Pães de queijo are tasty little cheese buns popular in Brazil. They are made with yuca (cassava) flour, which gives them an interesting taste and texture and makes them a gluten-free treat. Modern Brazilians can purchase packaged mixes or buy pães de queijo from street vendors, but homemade is best. Serve pão de queijo with coffee for breakfast.
Makes about 20 rolls
- Milk -- 1 cup
- Oil or butter -- 1/4 cup
- Salt -- 1/2 teaspoon
- Yuca (cassava) flour -- 1 pound
- Eggs -- 3
- Grated parmesan cheese -- 1 cup
Method
- Preheat oven to 375°F. Bring the milk, oil or butter and salt to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high flame.
- Remove from heat and slowly whisk in the yuca flour until it forms a smooth batter. Set aside to cool somewhat, 10-15 minutes.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time until they are fully incorporated, then stir in the parmesan cheese.
- Form 2-3 tablespoons of the batter at a time into balls with moistened hands and set on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake until puffed and golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Serve hot.
Variations
- Chipás (Argentina): form the batter into biscuit or donut shapes before baking.
- Try using different types of grated cheese.
- Add a pinch of dried oregano or basil to the batter.
- Cornstarch is sometimes substituted for the yuca flour.
Authentic "Pao de queijo" from Brazil
I have lived in Brazil for 12 years and I am a food lover, so I understand the feelings to learn to cook "Pao de queijo". The recipe looks okay but the proportions do not seem appropriate. Those who are interested may try the following recipe that I have personally tested a number of times:
Ingredients:
1 lb (450 - 500 g) Polvilho azedo (Sour or fermented Tapioca/Cassava flour)
1 cup (240 mL) whole milk
1 cup (240 mL) filtered water
3 medium eggs beaten
1 tsp (5 mL) common salt
1/2-cup (120 mL) cooking oil
6-8 oz Parmesan cheese (grated)
Procedure:
1. Mix milk, water, oil, and salt well in a large metallic container.
2. Bring it to boil. Turn off heat.
3. Mix polvilho well with a wooden spoon/spatula. Let it cool so you can knead.
4. Add beaten eggs and knead until smooth. It'll be too sticky. Have patience.
5. Gradually mix cheese until the dough stops sticking in your hand. Knead well.
6. Make 1-inch balls and place them on a baking pan with some space between them for expansion.
7. Pre-heat oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit and put the pan on the bottom rack.
8. Let it cook for 20 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the ball until slightly brown.
Serve hot with breakfast or as snack to go with tea, coffee, or soft/hard drinks.
I tried this recipe. How
I tried this recipe. How can you make it into balls.. it ends up like soup. I found another recipe like this that said the same thing. I did find one recipe that left out the cup of water. That may leave it with the consistency of dough, but I haven't tried it yet.
I agree with Mike
Your recipe seems to have too much liquid. The Whats4Eats recipe only has half the liquid that you're calling for, so I think the dough should turn out better. I'll try to make it this weekend to retest the recipe.
Bah! I tried the Whats4Eats
Bah! I tried the Whats4Eats recipe.. doesn't seem to have enough liquid.. added a little water but the dough ends up like glue or a huge wad of gum. I couldn't get it off my hands and onto a cookie sheet. I finally got a little onto a cookie sheet and cooked it. They were interesting.. need more salt and more cheese!
turned out perfect
My husband is a chef at a brazilian resturant and I discovered these cheese pastries there. They were not made in house however so he did not know the recipe. This recipe, after trying it out, is extremely close. they were easy to make and tasted great. I made them, not my culinary trained husband and they still turned out great...