Pão de Queijo

Pão de Queijo is a beloved Brazilian snack originating from the state of Minas Gerais. These delightful cheese balls feature a crisp crust and a soft, airy interior bursting with rich cheese flavor. Perfectly paired with coffee, they're an irresistible treat for any time of day. This recipe offers a traditional preparation that's easy to follow and freeze for later enjoyment.

Ingredients

🧀 250g or 2 cups meia cura da canastra, half-cured cheese
🧀 85g or 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
🛢️ 50g or 4 tablespoons cooking oil, such as canola or sunflower
🥛 200g or 1 American glass/cup whole milk
🌿 250g or 2 cups sour cassava starch, polvilho azedo
🍯 85g or 1/2 cup sweet cassava starch, polvilho doce
🧂 6g or two generous pinches salt
🥚 1 whole egg

Instructions

1- Prepare the Cheeses:

• Grate the meia cura and Parmesan cheese using a box grater, such as the Stainless Steel brand grater.
• Ensure even textures.

2- Heat the Liquids:

• In a small stainless steel saucepan, combine the whole milk and cooking oil.
• Heat over medium heat until it begins to boil.

3- Combine Dry Ingredients:

• In a glass mixing bowl, combine the sour cassava starch, sweet cassava starch, and salt.
• Mix well with a spoon.

4- Scald the Starches:

• Carefully pour the boiling milk and oil mixture over the starch mixture.
• Stir vigorously with a spoon until the mixture is crumbly and all starch is coated.

5- Cool and Mix (First Stage):

• Allow the dough to cool to lukewarm, preventing the egg from cooking prematurely.
• Once cooled, mix and press the dough by hand until smooth and homogeneous.

6- Add the Egg:

• Create a well in the dough and crack in the egg.
• Mix thoroughly by hand until fully incorporated, yielding a smooth and malleable dough.

7- Incorporate Cheeses:

• Add the grated meia cura and Parmesan into the dough.
• Fold and press by hand until cheeses are evenly distributed, achieving a cohesive dough.

8- Form the Balls:

• Measure 60g portions for each pão de queijo and roll into uniform balls.

9- Prepare for Baking:

• Arrange balls on a non-stick baking tray, ensuring spacing to allow for expansion.

10- Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
- Bake for 30-40 minutes until golden brown with a slightly crispy crust.
- If frozen, adjust baking time accordingly.

Prep Time: 15-20 minutes
Cook Time: 30-40 minutes
Total Time: Approximately 45-60 minutes
Servings: Makes approximately 10-12 medium-sized pão de queijo balls
Calories: 120 per serving
Proteins: 4g per serving
Fats: 6g per serving
Carbohydrates: 13g per serving
Equipment:

• Box grater (Stainless Steel brand)
• Mixing bowls (glass)
• Small saucepan (stainless steel)
• Spoon
• Baking tray
• Oven

Cooking Tips:

• Use both sour and sweet cassava starches for ideal texture: crispy on the outside while chewy inside.
• Consider curing fresh cheese to meia cura for deeper flavor: unwrap and store in cool place covered with breathable cloth for 6 days.
• Excess dough can be frozen for later use; bake straight from the freezer for a quick snack.

#brazilianfood #paodequeijo #glutenfree #cheesebread #homemade

Mohamad Hindi: https://www.youtube.com/@mohindi

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Pão de Queijo