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Brasileiro Bean Stew

Serves 4 to 6 Entree vegetarian

Brasileiro Bean Stew

Brasileiro Bean Stew is a staple on Brazilian home tables, offering a comforting embrace of familiar flavors and heartiness. Traditionally, it's prepared with a generous hand, seen in the liberal use of salt and fat, and is meant for sharing among family and friends. This version captures the essence of how a Brazilian family cook would naturally prepare it, with no fuss, just authenticity.

The stew should taste rich and savory, with the beans providing a hearty base that's elevated by the sweetness of onion and the depth of tomato paste. The oil binds these flavors together, creating a luscious texture that invites you to scoop up every last bite. Seasoned simply with sea salt and black pepper, it allows each ingredient to shine, making it a true reflection of Brazilian home cooking.

Ingredients

  • 400 gdried beans — soaked
  • 1onion
  • 2 tbsptomato paste
  • 80 mloil
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Start by sorting through 400 g of dried beans to remove any debris or damaged beans. Rinse them under cold water until the water runs clear. Place the beans in a large bowl, cover them with water, and let them soak overnight. This will help soften the beans and reduce cooking time the next day.
  2. After soaking, drain and rinse the beans again. Set them aside. Finely chop 1 onion and set it aside as well. Measure out 80 ml of oil and 2 tbsp of tomato paste, and have them ready for cooking.
  3. In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the 80 ml of oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and cook slowly, stirring occasionally, until the onion becomes translucent and soft, about 5 to 7 minutes. This slow cooking allows the onion to release its sweetness, forming a flavorful base for the stew.
  4. Add the 2 tbsp of tomato paste to the pot and stir it into the onions. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes, allowing the tomato paste to caramelize slightly. This step enhances the depth of flavor in the stew.
  5. Add the soaked and drained beans to the pot. Pour in enough water to cover the beans by about 2 inches. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce the heat to low. Cover the pot and let the beans cook until they are tender and creamy, stirring occasionally. This can take about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the beans' freshness. The beans are done when they are soft and easily mashed with a fork.
  6. Once the beans are cooked to your desired tenderness, taste the stew and season with fine sea salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well to ensure the seasoning is evenly distributed. Adjust the seasoning as needed, keeping in mind that the flavors will continue to meld as the stew sits.
  7. Serve the Brasileiro Bean Stew warm, ideally with rice or crusty bread. This dish is meant to be shared, embodying the spirit of Brazilian home cooking. Enjoy the rich, comforting flavors with family and friends.
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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