Escondidinho de Carne Seca: Brazilian Shepherd's Pie Recipe | Desapega

Escondidinho de Carne Seca is Brazil's ultimate comfort food — a layered casserole of intensely flavoured shredded dried beef topped with creamy cassava mousse and gratinated with cheese. The name means “little hidden one”: the beef hides beneath the mousse.

With Carne Seca de Vaca from Desapega, you can make this authentic Nordeste classic at home in the Netherlands.

Ingredients (Serves 4-6)

From Desapega:

• 250g Carne Seca de Vaca — dry weight, soaked and cooked
• Ferbar Bay Leaves — for soaking and cooking
• Ferbar Alho Granulado
• Yoki Farofa — to serve alongside
• Mabiju Requeijão Cremoso — optional, stir into mousse for extra creaminess

From Dutch Supermarkets:

• 800g cassava (manioc) — fresh or frozen
• 2 large onions, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tomatoes, diced
• 100ml cream
• 50g butter
• 100g grated cheese (Goudä or Parmesan)
• Olive oil, black pepper, fresh parsley

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Carne Seca (12-24 hours ahead)

1. Cut carne seca into 5-7cm pieces
2. Soak in cold water in the fridge 12-24 hours, changing water every 6-8 hours
3. Pressure cook 25-30 min with bay leaves (or simmer 60-90 min)
4. Cool slightly, shred into thin strands with two forks

Step 2: Make the Cassava Mousse (20 minutes)

1. Peel cassava, remove hard core, cut into pieces
2. Boil 20-25 minutes in salted water until very soft
3. Drain, mash or blend until smooth
4. Stir in butter and cream until silky. Season with pepper.
5. Optionally stir in requeijão for extra richness

Step 3: Make the Beef Filling (10 minutes)

1. Sauté onions in olive oil 8-10 minutes until golden
2. Add garlic and alho granulado, cook 1 minute
3. Add tomatoes, cook 3-4 minutes
4. Add shredded carne seca, stir and cook 5 minutes. Season with pepper.

Step 4: Assemble and Bake (20 minutes)

1. Preheat oven to 200°C
2. Grease a baking dish
3. Layer 1: carne seca filling, spread evenly
4. Layer 2: cassava mousse, spread over the beef
5. Top generously with grated cheese
6. Bake 15-20 minutes until golden and bubbling
7. Grill 3 minutes for extra crispy crust

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Escondidinho?
Escondidinho (“little hidden one”) is a classic Brazilian casserole from the Nordeste region. Shredded carne seca hides beneath a layer of creamy cassava mousse, topped with melted cheese. One of Brazil’s most beloved comfort dishes.

Can I make this ahead?
Yes — assemble completely, refrigerate, bake the next day (add 10 minutes to baking time). Ideal for dinner parties.

Can I use potato instead of cassava?
Yes, but it won’t be authentic. Cassava gives a slightly sweet, creamy flavour that potato doesn’t replicate. Frozen cassava is available at Asian supermarkets.

Where can I buy carne seca in the Netherlands?
At Desapega — online delivery throughout the Netherlands. Full buying guide (NL).

What is carne seca?
Traditional Brazilian salted and dried beef. Must be soaked 12-24 hours before cooking. Full guide (NL).

More Carne Seca Recipes & Guides

• Escondidinho de Carne Seca Recept (Nederlands)
• Wat is Carne Seca? (Nederlands)
• Carne Seca Kopen in Nederland (Nederlands)

🛒 Order Carne Seca de Vaca at Desapega — delivery throughout the Netherlands.

Bom apetite! 🇧🇷