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Espetinho de Carne

Serves 4 to 6 Appetizer meat, Appetizers

Espetinho de Carne

Espetinho de Carne is a beloved staple of Brazilian street food, often found sizzling on grills at open-air markets and festivals. The home version captures that same essence, bringing the vibrant energy of a bustling street stall to a family table. It's a dish that thrives on the simplicity of its ingredients, where the quality of beef and the subtlety of seasoning speak volumes.

The taste is robust and straightforward, with the beef cubes absorbing the smokiness from the grill while remaining juicy and tender. Coarse sea salt enhances the meat's natural flavors, complemented by the sweet, softened onion. This dish is all about sharing, inviting everyone to gather around and enjoy each juicy morsel directly from the skewer.

Ingredients

  • 600 gbeef cubes
  • 1onion
  • to tastecoarse sea salt

Method

  1. Start by cutting 600 g of beef into uniform cubes, roughly 2.5 cm each. This ensures even cooking. Peel and cut the onion into quarters, then separate the layers to use them as spacers on the skewers.
  2. Thread the beef cubes onto skewers, alternating with onion layers. This not only adds flavor but also allows the meat to cook more evenly. Leave a small gap between each piece to allow heat to circulate.
  3. Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat. If you don't have a grill pan, a regular frying pan will work as well. You want the pan hot enough that a drop of water sizzles and evaporates immediately upon contact.
  4. Place the skewers on the hot pan, ensuring they are not overcrowded. This helps achieve a good sear. Let them cook without moving for about 2-3 minutes on each side until the beef develops a rich brown crust and the onions begin to caramelize.
  5. Turn the skewers to cook all sides evenly. The beef should be browned on the outside and slightly pink in the center, indicating it's juicy and tender. The onions should be soft and slightly charred.
  6. Once cooked to your liking, remove the skewers from the pan. Sprinkle coarse sea salt over the meat, adjusting to taste. The salt should enhance the flavors without overpowering them.
  7. Serve the Espetinho de Carne immediately, while the skewers are hot and the flavors are at their peak. This dish is best enjoyed fresh off the grill, with the table set for sharing.
Cover of Authentic Brazilian Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Brazilian Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Brazilian Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Brazilian volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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