Baião de Dois (Rice & Beans with Cheese)

• Prep time: 15 minutes

• Cook time: 35 minutes

• Total time: 50 minutes

• Servings: 6 servings

• Country of Origin: Brazil

• Description: A hearty northeastern comfort dish of rice and black-eyed peas cooked together in seasoned broth with bacon, sun-dried beef, and melted cheese cubes.

• Presentation & How It's Eaten: Served hot on a large platter, topped with melted queijo coalho cubes and fresh cilantro. Eaten as a main dish or side.

• Ingredients:

  • 1.5 cups long-grain white rice

  • 1.5 cups cooked black-eyed peas (with broth)

  • 1/2 lb sun-dried beef or beef chuck, cooked and shredded

  • 1/4 lb bacon, diced

  • 1/2 lb queijo coalho or halloumi/panela cheese, cubed

  • 1 yellow onion, diced

  • 3 cloves garlic, minced

  • 1 green bell pepper, diced

  • 3.5 cups beef broth

  • 1/2 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

  • 2 tbsp butter or bottle butter (manteiga de garrafa)

• Step-by-Step Directions:

  • Fry Bacon & Beef: In a deep skillet or pot, cook bacon until crisp. Add shredded beef and cook for 4 minutes until browned.

  • Sauté Aromatics: Add onion, garlic, green bell pepper, and butter to pan; cook for 4 minutes until soft.

  • Add Rice & Beans: Stir in white rice, cooked black-eyed peas, and beef broth. Season with salt and pepper.

  • Simmer: Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, cover, and cook for 20 minutes until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed.

  • Melt Cheese: Fold in cheese cubes and chopped cilantro, cover pot for 3 minutes until cheese melts slightly, and serve warm.

• Optional: Drizzle with manteiga de garrafa (clarified bottle butter) before serving.

• Cooking Tips: Using pre-cooked black-eyed peas along with their cooking broth imparts deep flavor to rice grains.

• Nutrition Facts:

  • Calories: ~480 kcal

  • Total Fat: 22g

  • Saturated Fat: 10g

  • Cholesterol: 65mg

  • Sodium: 680mg

  • Total Carbohydrates: 50g

  • Dietary Fiber: 5g

  • Sugars: 2g

  • Protein: 22g