Escondidinho de Carne Seca (Dried Beef and Cassava Mash Casserole)
In short: Shredded dried beef sautéed with tomato and onion, hidden under creamy cassava mash and melted mozzarella, baked until bubbling and golden. It takes about 2 h 30 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 1 h 50 min
- Resting
- 12 h
- Total
- 2 h 30 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 635 kcal
Escondidinho means little hidden one, because the meat is buried under a blanket of mash. In Northeastern Brazil the mash is made from cassava and the filling is carne seca, a salted dried beef that is soaked, boiled and shredded. The casserole is baked until the cheese on top turns golden. It is a favorite for family lunches and keeps well, so it is also popular for freezing.
Instructions
- Cover the carne seca with cold water and soak for 12 hours, changing the water 3 or 4 times to draw out the salt.
- Simmer the soaked beef in fresh water for 45 to 60 minutes, until tender. Drain, shred finely and discard any fat or sinew.
- Boil the cassava in salted water for 25 to 30 minutes, until very soft. Drain, remove any woody core, and mash with the butter and milk until smooth. Season with the salt.
- Heat the oil in a large pan and cook the onion for 5 minutes. Add the garlic and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes until jammy.
- Stir in the shredded beef and pepper and cook for 5 minutes. Add the parsley. Taste before adding any salt, since the beef is already salty.
- Heat the oven to 200°C (400°F) and butter a 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 in) baking dish. Spread half the cassava mash in the dish, cover with all the beef, then top with the rest of the mash and smooth the surface.
- Scatter the mozzarella over the top. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until bubbling and golden. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.
Tips
- No carne seca? Use shredded cooked beef brisket or rinsed corned beef, and skip the soaking and long simmering.
- If you cannot find cassava, use potatoes or sweet potatoes for the mash. Frozen peeled cassava works well and saves time.
Questions and answers
What does escondidinho mean?
It means little hidden one. The filling is hidden under a layer of mash, like a Brazilian cousin of shepherd's pie.
Can I freeze escondidinho?
Yes. Assemble it without baking, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bake for about 30 minutes.
What other fillings can I use?
Shredded chicken with cream cheese, creamy shrimp and seasoned ground beef are all popular. Use the same mash and cheese topping.
How long does it take to make Escondidinho de Carne Seca (Dried Beef and Cassava Mash Casserole)?
About 2 h 30 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 1 h 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Escondidinho de Carne Seca (Dried Beef and Cassava Mash Casserole)?
About 635 kcal per serving, with 35 g of protein, 68 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 635 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 35 g |
| Carbohydrates | 68 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 7 g |
| Sugar | 6 g |
| Sodium | 1500 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
