You guys asked for it, so here it is! ❤️ No wonder this is by far the most requested recipe on this blog to this date. Feijão Tropeiro is really to die for and is the ultimate Brazilian dish. As in, as I was eating it, I felt like I was home! Funny how that works! I am always amazed at this insane power that food has, not only nourishing our bodies but also our souls. There is definitely something special about the act of eating: it can stimulate a wide range of feelings and transport us to all sorts of places! Good food should be able to satisfy your hunger AND your spirit, it should improve your mood and it should connect us to one another. That, right there, is the reason I write this food blog! I celebrate the joy of food and my recipes are the projection of my heart. From me, to you, to your families and friends, to the world. We are all one, connecting from the moment an ingredient leaves the farmer’s hand to making its way onto our forks. This might read a little “hippie”, I know, but it is so true. I guess if you, like me, are living far away from your country, it is easier to understand the solace that only a dish from home can bring. I think that’s why Brazilian restaurants here in the U.S. are so expensive. The ingredients for the food they sell are cheap, but they know Brazilians will come no matter what, because they need that emotional connection from a plate of Brazilian food.
Did I scare you already? Are you running for the hills thinking I am completely crazy? Hopefully not. I have a feeling we share the same passion for food and that you are now dying to make this Feijão Tropeiro, to see what could have possibly awoken all of these strong emotions in me. Am I right? ?
It’s the simple things in life that are the most extraordinary. This dish is made from simple, easy to find (in Brazil, but we’ll get to that!) ingredients and is usually made with leftovers. If you don’t usually have leftover beans, that’s okay! Just be prepared to wash lots of dishes. Totally worth it, though!
Feijão Tropeiro translates to “Cattleman’s Beans”. I’ll explain: back in Brazil’s colonial times, troops of cattlemen – known as “tropeiros”, in Portuguese – would travel long distances to explore the inland territories of Brazil and transport cattle and commodities. The expeditions were long and could last for months, so they carried certain staple provisions – that didn’t need any refrigeration – along with them, like dried beans, carne seca (salted dried meat) and manioc flour. These ingredients were eventually combined into one hearty and filling dish, the Feijão Tropeiro, which since then carries the nickname of the explorers. As the dish became popular throughout the country, many cooks have come up with their own interpretations, using different types of beans and meat or adding other ingredients. Everybody’s mother or grandmother makes a delicious Feijão Tropeiro and swear by it. I swear by my version, but feel free to modify according to your likings, so you can swear by YOUR version! I am suggesting substitutes for the ingredients I think you won’t find as easily if you’re not in Brazil. Again, this is a very forgiving dish, so if you can’t get your hands on the right type of beans or sausage, use whatever you can find.
Feijão Tropeiro is traditionally served with white rice and torresmos (fried pork cracklings). It sometimes acts as the “side dish”. For me, it is the star of my table, so I served with rice and a sunny side egg on top. (I like my egg crispy on the sides, don’t judge!) Whether you are a Brazilian living far from home, the spouse or significant other of a Brazilian living far from home who wants to cook something nice for your loved one, or just someone who is intrigued to try Feijão Tropeiro, I am 100% sure you will love this! I am really glad you guys asked for this recipe. Keep the requests coming! They keep my creativity flowing and give me ideas of what dishes to share here with you. You don’t have to request only Brazilian dishes. Anything, from any part of the world, is fair game. ? Have a great week! ❤️
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