Fofo com Carne Seca
Fofo com Carne Seca is a hearty and traditional Angolan dish featuring a dense, cassava-based porridge (fofo) served with flavorful dried beef (carne seca). It's a staple that embodies the rustic and satisfying nature of Angolan cuisine.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cups Cassava flour (fuba de bombó)
- 6 cups Water(divided)
- 500 g Dried beef (carne seca)(soaked overnight and shredded)
- 1 large Onions(chopped)
- 4 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(chopped)
- 3 tbsp Palm oil
- 1 Bay leaf
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the carne seca: Soak the dried beef in water overnight to rehydrate and soften. Drain, rinse, and shred the beef.
- 2
In a separate pot, sauté the chopped onions and minced garlic in palm oil until softened. Add the shredded carne seca, chopped tomatoes, bay leaf, salt, and pepper. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the beef is heated through and the flavors have melded.
- 3
Prepare the fofo: In a large, heavy-bottomed pot, bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Gradually whisk in the cassava flour, a little at a time, ensuring no lumps form. Stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until a thick, smooth porridge forms.
- 4
Continue to cook the fofo over low heat, stirring constantly, for about 20-30 minutes, adding more water (up to 2 cups) as needed to reach a firm, yet pliable consistency. The fofo should be dense and hold its shape.
- 5
To serve, place a generous portion of fofo on a plate and top with the prepared carne seca mixture. Serve immediately.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓The key to good fofo is constant stirring to prevent lumps and achieve a smooth, dense texture.
- ✓If you can't find cassava flour (fuba de bombó), you can substitute with cornmeal (fuba de milho), though the texture will be slightly different.
- ✓Ensure the carne seca is well-soaked to remove excess salt and achieve a tender texture.
🔄 Variations
- Some variations include adding other vegetables like okra or spinach to the carne seca stew.
- A small amount of ground peanuts can be added to the fofo for extra flavor and richness.