I never craved a food other than chocolate, until I tried pão de queijo. I love these little cheese puffs! I have found them everywhere I have been in Brazil, at bakeries, cafes and diners. They are one of the cheapest, satisfying snacks you can buy. Usually served warm, crispy on the outside and gooey on the inside, and cheesy, what’s not to love! The recipe remained a secret to me until just a few days ago, when I went to visit Sergio and Angela.
My parents lived near Rio de Janeiro in a city called Angra dos Reis for 6 years before I was born. A few days ago I visited a couple of very close friends of my parents, Sergio and Angela. They lived with my parents here in Brazil and then even moved to Seattle and lived near us there. I have known them since I was little girl and it was such a treat to be able to visit them here in Rio.
It turns out that Angela used to make and sell pão de queijo and she shared her super simple recipe with me! I still have not tested it out, but as soon as I get back to the states I’m going to make pão de queijo for my parents, para matar saudades, for them to reminisce. The only difficult ingredient is manioc flour, but I’m sure you can find it at Latin markets now-a-days.
This is a big pão de queijo, you can make them small and cute too. just don’t overbake them!
Pão de Queijo
Recipe from Angela, a carioca (from Rio de Janeiro)
- 1 egg
- ½ cup of oil
- 1 cup of whole milk
- 3 tablespoons of shredded parmesan cheese
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups of polvilho doce, manioc flour
- Grease a muffin tin, or mini muffin tins if you have them.
- Throw all the ingredients in a blender and blend to combine.
- Pour batter into tins and bake at 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes or so. Serve immediately when they are still warm!