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Brasileiro Meatball Pot

Serves 4 to 6 Entree meat

Brasileiro Meatball Pot

Brasileiro Meatball Pot is a staple at Brazilian home tables, where it is cooked with instinctual flair rather than rigid precision. This dish captures the essence of everyday Brazilian cooking, featuring generous use of salt, a touch of fat, and an invitation to share. It's an everyday meal, found often on weeknight tables, bringing warmth and comfort as families gather around for a hearty dinner.

The meatballs are tender and savory, with a balance of seasoned beef, softened onions, and ripe tomatoes. Each bite offers a satisfying blend of textures, from the soft interior to the slight crust on the outside, delivering a flavor that is both simple and fulfilling. The dish is best enjoyed when everyone digs in, passing the pot around and savoring each spoonful together.

Ingredients

  • 700 gground beef
  • 1onion
  • 1egg
  • 2 tbspbreadcrumbs
  • 2tomatoes
  • to tastefine sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Begin by finely chopping 1 onion and setting it aside. In a large mixing bowl, combine 700 g ground beef, the chopped onion, 1 egg, 2 tbsp breadcrumbs, and a generous pinch of fine sea salt and black pepper. Mix the ingredients thoroughly with your hands until they are well combined and the mixture feels cohesive.
  2. Shape the mixture into meatballs, each about the size of a golf ball. Ensure they are compact so they hold together during cooking. This should yield approximately 12-15 meatballs, depending on size.
  3. Heat a generous amount of oil in a large, heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat. Once the oil shimmers, carefully add the meatballs in a single layer, making sure not to crowd the pot. Brown the meatballs on all sides until they develop a deep, rich color, which should take about 3-4 minutes per side. This step enhances the flavor and ensures the meatballs hold their shape.
  4. While the meatballs are browning, dice 2 tomatoes. Once the meatballs are browned, remove them from the pot and set aside on a plate. Add the diced tomatoes to the same pot, using the juices to deglaze the bottom, scraping up any browned bits. This will form the base of your sauce.
  5. Return the meatballs to the pot with the tomatoes. Lower the heat to medium, cover the pot, and let the meatballs braise in the tomato juices. Stir occasionally, allowing the flavors to meld and the meatballs to cook through. The meatballs are done when they are firm to the touch and the tomato sauce has thickened slightly, enveloping the meatballs in a rich, flavorful coating.
  6. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning with more fine sea salt and black pepper if needed. The sauce should be savory and slightly tangy, complementing the rich flavor of the meatballs.
  7. Serve the Brasileiro Meatball Pot hot, accompanied by rice, bread, or a fresh salad. This dish is meant for sharing, embodying the warmth and hospitality of a Brazilian home meal.
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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