Black Bean Stew with Meats

1. Beans:

     Small black beans are usually used, even in regions that don't usually use black beans, except in Bahia and Goiás where red or brown beans are sometimes used. This dish is best made from dried beans soaked overnight with salt, but if you don't have the time you can use a "quick brine" (for details see our Soaking / Brining Dried Beans page. Use fresh dried beans as old ones will never become tender.

2. Linguiça:

     Most recipes in English call for Choriço, but Portuguese and Spanish Choriços available in North America are rather dry, and Linguiça is more appropriate for a stew. Brazil has a couple sausages called "Linguiça, but Linguiça Calabresa is not the one to use. If you can't find the other one, use Portuguese Linguiça, pretty much the same thing. Whatever you do, do not try to use Mexican Chorzo, as some recipes suggest. It is totally different from anything used in Brazil. A quality Polish Kielbasa would be a much better choice. For details see our Sausages page.

3. Bacon:

     A few recipes call for Pancetta, but I favor a good smoked slab bacon as we need more smoky flavor in this recipe.

4. Meats:

     1 pound weight is for all boneless meats - if using bony meats you may need up to 2 pounds. Brazilian recipes call for many salted meats, but in Brazil (and Europe) pig feet, ears, tongues, snouts and tails are salted, and salt dried Carne Seca is easily available. In North America, all those pig parts are sold fresh, and salt dried beef is not common, so we must use mostly fresh meats. In Brazil, a smoky flavor is often preferred, so a small smoked ham hock would be a good item to include. Typical meats are:
   • Pork Baby Back Ribs
   • Pork Tails
   • Pig Ears
   • Pig Feet
   • Pig Tongues
   • Pig Snouts
   • Smoked Pork Loin
   • Smoked Ham Hocks
   • Ham (diced)
   • Pork, lean
   • Carne Seca - see recipe Dried Beef - (soak overnight for use).
   • Ox Tails
   • Beef Tongue - usually salted and/or smoked
   • Beef Short Ribs
   • Beef, lean
   Markets serving Philippine, East European or Hispanic communities are where to look for most of this stuff. The photo example was made with Ox Tails, Pig Tails, Smoked Pork Loin, Pork Tongue and Portuguese Linguiça.

5. Vinegar:

     This is optional, but it does lighten the flavor of bean dishes. I use Sherry Vinegar, but others will work fine as well, though I'm not fond of cider vinegar in recipes.

6. Slow Cooker:

     I do not cook in a slow cooker, I am too impatient and too much of a control freak. On the other hand, I do, with recipes of this sort, sometimes use a slow cooker after bringing the whole recipe to a full boil on the stovetop. I then dump it into a slow cooker set to High, and when it starts to bubble I turn it down to Low. It will still take a bit longer, but the results will be good. For "slow cooker all the way" I have seen comments that beans were not tender enough after 6 hours, so figure 8 to 10 hours.

7. Service:

     The way this stew is served in Brazil is quite standardized. It is usually served at leisurely events, particularly on Saturdays. The accompaniments and garnishes are very standardized as well.
   • Orange Slices:   These are very traditional, and supposed to help digestion. I would serve them on the side, especially for buffet service.
   • Rice:   This should be a plain steamed white rice (Thai Jasmine works great). In Brazil they usually serve the Feijoada over the rice, but I prefer serving it beside the rice so I can mix in my own proportions and renew one or the other separately.
   • Farofa:   While always included as a side to this stew in Brazil, it's a bit of a problem in North America. Manioc Farina is much less available here than the other ingredients we have listed. Manioc Flour is not acceptable (too fine). Farofa is easy to make by our recipe Farofa.
   • Collard Greens:   [Couve Mineira Refogada]   This is an almost essential side dish in Brazil for any rich or meaty main dish. Fortunately, it's very easy to make by our recipe Collard Greens. and can be made even days ahead as it reheats just fine.

8. Cheiro Verde:

     This is just Parsley and Scallions (or Chives) chopped small. If you want a recipe, we have Cheiro Verde: (ignore the variations).

9. History:

     Many writers presume this originated as a slave dish, based on beans and pork "scraps" (ears, feet, tails, tongues, etc.), but historians disagree. Those "scraps" (to Americans) were held in high regard by Europeans of that time, and in many regions to this day. This stew is closely related to similar stews in Portugal and other parts of Europe, thought to be based on stews made by the Roman Legions. The first written recipes from Brazil are from the mid 19th century and were directed to the upper classes. Slaves ate their beans with manioc flour.
10. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste

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