Pão de Queijo: Brazilian Cheese Bread

Course: Side Dish

Ingredients

  • 2 cups whole milk
  • Salt to taste
  • 1/2 cup vegetable oil
  • 8 tablespoons butter melted
  • 4 1/4 cups tapioca flour
  • 4 eggs
  • 2 cups grated farmer's cheese or any firm, fresh cow's milk cheese
  • Optional: 1/4 cup cheddar cheese grated

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350 F.
  • Mix milk, salt, vegetable oil, and butter in a pot, and bring to a boil. As soon as it boils, remove from heat.
  • Stir tapioca flour into the milk and butter mixture.
  • Stir in the eggs and the cheese, and mix well.
  • Let mixture cool for 15 to 30 minutes so that it will be easier to handle. (You can chill it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or so).
  • With floured (tapioca flour) hands, shape the dough into golf ball-size balls and place them on a baking sheet.
  • Bake rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, until they are puffed up and golden. They will rise slowly and puff up mostly in the last 5 or 10 minutes.
  • Serve warm.