Garlic Brazilian Cheese Bread
Do you like garlic bread? I’m sure the answer is who doesn’t? I mean very few people will say no. It’s one of those breads that is hard to say no to especially when it’s *winking right in front of you. Am I right?! Serve it fresh from the oven, you’ll be left speechless.
The best garlic cheese bread minus the gluten. Wait, is that even possible? Umm, Y-E-S! Tapioca flour or cassava flour is going to prove it. This type of flour is naturally gluten-free food that also serves as good source of calcium and iron. It contains zero saturated fat or cholesterol, essential health benefits that are worth mentioning to lower the risk of developing heart disease.
Brazilian Cheese Bread (Pão de queijo) is the most famous bread in Brazil. It’s like talking about pandesal in the Philippines that is eaten regularly for breakfast or snack. The big difference is that Brazilian bread uses tapioca flour (cassava flour) and mozzarella cheese as the main ingredients. It is also a lot quicker to make compared to pandesal that uses wheat flour because you don’t have to spend time waiting for the dough to rise to double its size. Picture below is how Philippines usually think of cassava. Making freshly grated cassava into a sweet dessert simply called cassava cake.
Adventurous Appetite.
If you’ve been following my food blogs, you’ll notice that I crave fusion foods that are sure to unlock your adventurous appetite. So, let me take your taste buds to Brazil. I’ve never been but I lived near New York City for quite sometime, that made me feel that I’ve been there. If you’ve been to NYC, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.
Using a small ice cream scooper is also a good idea! I actually prefer this size. Just a warning, you’ll eat a lot of this in one seating.
Garlic Brazilian Cheese Bread
Equipment
- 7 inch round pan
Ingredients
Brazilian Cheese Bread
- 1 1/2 cup tapioca flour regular cassava flour not fermented
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup mild olive oil avoid extra virgin olive oil
- 1 medium beaten egg
- 1/2 tbsp fine salt
- 1 cup finely shredded mozzarella avoid fresh mozzarellas
Garlic Spread
- 3 garlic cloves or more if you like
- 1/4 cup softened unsalted butter
- 2-3 tbsp parmigiano
- fresh parsley eyeball it =)
Instructions
- Leave butter out of the fridge to soften.
- Pre-heat oven to 400°F / 200 °C.
- Line your baking pan of choice with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, using a spatula, combine tapioca flour, milk, and olive oil.
- This step is crucial. It will be hard at first but keep mixing until crumbly. It should not be too sticky and wet.
- Add beaten egg and salt. Mix until free of lumps.
- Add mozzarella. Using your hands, mix until smooth.
- Grab a large ice cream scooper and start forming it into a large ball.
- Arrange balls in baking pan.
- For large bread, bake for 22-25 minutes. Small bread ~ 12-15 minutes.
- While baking, make garlic spread. Start pressing garlic using a garlic press.
- Finely chop fresh parsley.
- Combine softened butter, pressed garlic, parmigiano, and parsley.
- Mix until well incorporated and spreadable.
- Spread on top of warm cheese bread.
- Serve immediately and Enjoy!
Notes
- I used store bought regular tapioca flour not the brazilian sour fermented tapioca starch (polvihlo azedo) .
- Notice that I didn't have to warm my liquids because it turned very wet when I did. Normal temp liquids work for this recipe.
- Use mild olive oil instead of extra virgin olive oil because the flavor is too strong.
- Use a spatula when mixing tapioca flour, oil, and milk. It will make it a lot easier to combine these ingredients.
- For beginners, use finely shredded mozzarella. Avoid fresh mozzarellas because it's too moist.
- Experiment with different cheeses after your first try with mozzarella. So, you know your base.
- For convenience, wear disposable food prep gloves when it's time to mix everything with hands.
- Mix with your hands after adding cheese. This technique will ensure you that the cheese is well blended.
- You can bake these on a baking sheet and make smaller balls of bread. Please adjust baking time. (~12-15 minutes)
- Always serve WARM fresh from the oven! It's really good with garlic!
WATCH Garlic Brazilian Cheese Bread Step-By-Step Video Tutorial:
My name is Dhin. I'm delighted that you are here to join me in cooking delicious food and baking adorable pastries. Working in the kitchen became my therapy when the pandemic struck all of us. Join me on my journey, one bite at a time.
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