Mountain Rice (Arroz Da Serra) - Portuguese Brazil

Debbie R.'s Note:

This is from "Cuisines of Portguguese Encounters", which as recipes from the author's travels thru Portugal and its former colonies. This dish was made by Portuguese settlers combining their foods with the customs of the Tupi-Guarani Indians It's now part of Brazil's national cuisine. I haven't made it yet.

• Total Time: 50 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 35 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 2 cups rice
• 1 lb ground beef
• 6 green bananas
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• ½ lb fresh goat cheese

Directions:

1. Bring 4 cups of water to a boil. Add rice, stir, cover, reduce heat and simmer for 20 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, saute the beef until it's not pink. Set aside.
3. Peel bananas and slice 1/2-inch thick. Heat oil in a large skillet and brown them quickly on each side. Remove and drain on paper towels.
4. Heat oven to 350. Butter a 2-qt. casserole and layer the ingredients. Start with the rice, then beef, slices of cheese and banana slices. Continue layering, ending with bananas. Bake for 15 minutes or till cheese is melted.
5. Serve warm.

Reviews

[Chef #1436109]

This recipe provides a good starting point but, as it stands, it is completely BLAND. When I noticed that there were no seasonings whatever called for, I started adding salt, pepper and thyme, but it still was pretty unexciting. Even as a side dish, it lacked character. However, I think if you played with the spices, the combination of ingredients is a good one.

[Val ley]

Delicious! The goat cheese and the fried banana go so good together! I made the mistake of making mine with crumbled goat cheese instead of fresh and it sort of overwhelmed the dish a little. I think the recipe calls for the fresh goat cheese that doesn't have a whole lot of flavor. Next time I will use the same goat cheese I used, just less of it, (maybe 1/4 pound). Great though! I will definitely be making this again!!