Feijoada is a popular Brazilian stew consisting of black beans and various types of meat, including pork shoulder, bacon, dried beef, and smoked sausage. The dish is typically enjoyed on Saturdays with loved ones. The recipe requires the beans to be soaked overnight and then cooked with the meat, bay leaves, cumin, and paprika for about two hours. It can be served with rice, sliced oranges, and limes, and goes well with beer or a caipirinha cocktail. To make it healthier, one can remove the bacon and dried beef and use turkey sausage instead of smoked sausage.

Brazilian Feijoada: A Hearty Stew of Beans and Meat for Meat Lovers

Feijoada is a beloved dish in Brazil, traditionally enjoyed on Saturdays with friends and family. This dish is a hearty stew of beans and meat, perfect for meat lovers. While there are many variations of feijoada throughout Brazil, they all share the same core ingredients. Here is a step-by-step guide and recipe for preparing a classic Brazilian feijoada.

Ingredients:

• 1lb of black beans
• 1lb of pork shoulder
• 1/2lb of bacon
• 1/2lb of dried beef
• 1/2lb of smoked sausage
• 1 onion, chopped
• 5 cloves of garlic, minced
• 2 bay leaves
• 1 tablespoon of cumin
• 1 tablespoon of paprika
• 1 orange, sliced
• 2 limes, sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Soak the black beans in water overnight. Drain and rinse them the following day.
2. In a large pot, cook the pork shoulder in water until tender. Remove from the pot and cut into bite-sized pieces. Set aside.
3. Cook the bacon and dried beef in the same pot until crispy. Remove from the pot and cut into small pieces. Set aside.
4. Cut the smoked sausage into rounds and cook in the same pot until browned. Remove from the pot and set aside.
5. In the same pot, sauté the onion and garlic until translucent.
6. Add the black beans, bay leaves, cumin, and paprika to the pot. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and let it simmer for an hour.
7. Add the pork shoulder, bacon, and dried beef to the pot. Simmer for another hour.
8. Add the smoked sausage to the pot and simmer for an additional 30 minutes.
9. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
10. Serve the feijoada hot with rice, sliced oranges, and limes on the side.

Tips:

• Feijoada is a dish that tastes even better the following day, so go ahead and make a big batch to enjoy throughout the week.
• For a healthier version, you can use turkey sausage instead of smoked sausage, and remove the bacon and dried beef.
• If you want to add some spice to the dish, chop up a chili pepper and add it in with the onions and garlic.
• This dish pairs well with a cold beer or a caipirinha, a Brazilian cocktail made with lime, sugar, and cachaça.

Feijoada is a filling and delicious dish that is perfect for a weekend meal with friends and family. Give this recipe a try and taste the flavors of Brazil!