HOW TO PREPARE FEIJOADA.

Feijoada is a traditional Brazilian stew made with black beans, various cuts of pork and beef, and flavored with garlic, onions, and bay leaves. It’s often served with white rice, greens (like collard greens sautéed with garlic), farofa (toasted cassava flour), and slices of orange.

Here’s a basic recipe for feijoada:

Ingredients:
500g of dried black beans
250g pork shoulder, cut into chunks
250g chorizo or Portuguese linguiça, sliced
250g pork ribs
100g bacon, diced
1 smoked pork ear (optional)
1 smoked pork tail (optional)
1 smoked pork foot (optional)
2 onions, finely chopped
4 cloves of garlic, minced
3 bay leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
Water
Olive oil or lard
To Serve:
White rice
Sautéed collard greens
Farofa
Sliced oranges
Hot sauce (optional)
Instructions:
Soak the Beans: The night before, soak the black beans in a large bowl of water. They will expand as they absorb the water, so make sure to use plenty of water.

Cook the Meats: In a large pot, heat the olive oil or lard. Add the bacon and cook until it’s slightly crispy. Add the pork shoulder, chorizo (or linguiça), and pork ribs. Brown the meats on all sides.

Add Aromatics: Add the chopped onions and minced garlic to the pot and sauté until the onions are translucent.

Cook the Beans: Drain the soaked beans and add them to the pot. Cover the contents of the pot with water (about 2 inches above the ingredients). Add the bay leaves, smoked ear, tail, and foot (if using).

Simmer: Bring the pot to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook for 2-3 hours or until the beans are tender and the meats are easily pulled apart with a fork. Add salt and pepper to taste. If the stew becomes too thick, you can add more water as needed.

Serve: Serve the feijoada with white rice, sautéed collard greens, farofa, and orange slices. If desired, you can also offer hot sauce for those who like a spicy kick.

Feijoada is best enjoyed with friends and family, as it’s a communal dish. It’s also traditional to serve it with caipirinha, Brazil’s national cocktail made with cachaça, lime, sugar, and ice. Enjoy your meal!