Rice carreteiro recipe: Traditional, Simple and Mineiro

If there's one recipe that exudes tradition and comfort in Brazilian cuisine, it's the famous Arroz Carreteiro. Originating in the lands of Minas Gerais, this dish is a true ode to simplicity and the remarkable flavor of rustic ingredients. Combining rice, dried meat and typical spices, Arroz Carreteiro is an option that pleases all palates and provides a genuinely Brazilian gastronomic experience. 

Traditional Arroz Carreteiro Recipe

Arroz Carreteiro is more than just a recipe; it's a symbol of Brazilian tradition, history and culture. Originating in the vast lands of Minas Gerais, this simple and comforting dish is a manifestation of the gastronomic wisdom that is passed down from generation to generation, preserving the flavors and aromas that connect us to our roots.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of white rice
• 300g jerked beef
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 chopped garlic cloves
• 2 chopped tomatoes
• 1 chopped green bell pepper
• 2 tablespoons of cooking oil
• Greenery to taste (parsley and chives)
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Enough water to cook the rice

How to prepare

Soak the dried meat in water for at least 12 hours, changing the water a few times to desalt it.

After the desalting period, cook the dried meat in fresh water until it is tender.

Shred the meat and set aside.

Preparing Arroz Carreteiro

In a large saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat and sauté the onion and garlic until golden. Add the chopped tomatoes and peppers and sauté for a few more minutes until they are soft.

Add the shredded dried meat to the pan and mix well with the spices.

Add the washed and drained rice to the pan, stirring so that all the grains are coated in the seasoning. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Add enough water to cover the rice and meat, approximately twice the volume of rice used. Cook over a low heat, with the pan partially covered, until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed. Finish with chopped greens to taste, mix well and serve hot.

Tips

You can add other ingredients to your Arroz Carreteiro recipe, such as diced carrots, peas or green corn, depending on your preference. The use of dried meat gives this dish a distinctive flavor, but if you prefer, you can substitute beef cut into small cubes.

Accompany your Arroz Carreteiro with a good portion of grilled coalho cheese for an even more authentic experience. With its simplicity and outstanding flavor, Arroz Carreteiro from Minas Gerais is a true celebration of Brazilian cuisine. Try this recipe at home and let yourself be enveloped by the aromas and flavors that connect us with the traditions of our roots. 

Recipe for carreteiro rice with barbecue leftovers

If there's one thing Brazilians love as much as a good barbecue, it's finding creative ways to reinvent their leftovers. And when we combine the tradition of Arroz Carreteiro with delicious barbecue leftovers, the result is an explosion of flavors that takes this classic dish to a new level of taste and texture. 

Additional ingredients

• Leftover barbecue meat (picanha, sausage, pork, chicken, etc.)
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1/2 cup green corn (optional)
• 1/2 cup peas (optional)
• 1/2 cup diced carrot (optional)
• 1/2 cup diced curd cheese (optional)

How to prepare

Chop the leftover barbecue meat into small pieces. Set aside.

Addition to Arroz Carreteiro Recipe

After sautéing the onion, garlic, tomatoes and peppers according to the previous recipe, add the chopped barbecue leftovers to the pan.

Sauté for a few minutes to warm the meat and allow the flavors to blend.

Add the washed and drained rice to the pan, following the steps described above.

If you wish, add green corn, peas and diced carrots to complement the dish with more texture and color.

Continue the cooking process according to the traditional recipe.

Finishing and Serving

Before finishing the Arroz Carreteiro, add the cubes of curd cheese, if desired, for an extra touch of creaminess and flavor.

Mix well and cook until the rice is tender and all the liquid has been absorbed.

Finish with chopped greens to taste and serve hot, enjoying the perfect combination of barbecue flavors with the tradition of Arroz Carreteiro.

Tips

Leftover barbecue meat adds a smoky flavor and juicy texture to Arroz Carreteiro, making it even more irresistible. Feel free to adapt the recipe according to the leftovers available, experimenting with different cuts of meat and barbecue accompaniments.

Serve your Arroz Carreteiro com Sobras de Churrasco with a fresh salad and a homemade pepper for a complete and memorable meal. With this delicious fusion of tradition and culinary innovation, Arroz Carreteiro com Sobras de Churrasco promises to delight the taste buds of all lovers of good food. 

So make the most of your leftover barbecue and let yourself be carried away by the magic of Brazilian cuisine!

Arroz Carreteiro with Chicken: A Light and Tasty Version

If there's one way to make the classic Arroz Carreteiro even more versatile and accessible, it's by adding chicken to the recipe. This light and tasty version of the traditional dish is an excellent option for those looking for a balanced meal full of flavor. Let's now complement our previous recipe by replacing the leftover barbecue with succulent chicken and dive into this delicious gastronomic journey.

Additional ingredients

• 2 boneless chicken breasts, cut into cubes
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil

How to prepare

In a large frying pan or saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat.

Add the chicken cubes to the pan and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Cook the chicken until it is golden brown and cooked through, stirring occasionally.

Remove the chicken from the pan and set aside.

Addition to Arroz Carreteiro Recipe

After sautéing the spices according to the previous recipe, add the cooked chicken cubes to the pan.

Sauté for a few minutes so that the chicken absorbs the flavors of the spices.

Then add the washed and drained rice to the pan and continue the process as described above.

Finishing and Serving

Continue cooking the Arroz Carreteiro com Frango according to the traditional recipe.

When the rice is ready, garnish with chopped greens to taste and serve hot, enjoying the irresistible combination of chicken flavors with the rusticity of Arroz Carreteiro.

Tips

You can vary this recipe by adding vegetables such as carrots, peas or corn, depending on your preference and availability of ingredients. For an extra touch of flavor, try seasoning the chicken with dried herbs such as thyme or oregano before cooking.

Serve your Arroz Carreteiro com Frango with a fresh green salad or grilled vegetables for a complete and nutritious meal. With this light and comforting version of Arroz Carreteiro, enriched with the juicy flavor of chicken, you'll have a delicious and easy-to-prepare option for any occasion. 

So, grab your pan and your best seasoning and embark on this gastronomic journey that celebrates the best of Brazilian cuisine!

Recipe for carreteiro rice with pork

For an even more authentic and comforting gastronomic experience, we're elevating Arroz Carreteiro by adding the richness and unique flavor of pork. With its unmistakable juiciness and aroma, pork adds a new dimension to this traditional dish, turning it into a real feast for the palate. Let's now complement our previous recipe by replacing the chicken with pork and explore the secrets of this culinary delight.

Additional ingredients

• 300g pork (such as shank or loin), cut into cubes
• 1 tablespoon cooking oil

How to prepare

In a large frying pan or saucepan, heat the oil over medium heat.

Add the pork cubes to the pan and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Brown the pork on all sides, cooking until it is well seared and golden.

Remove the pork from the pan and set aside.

Addition to Arroz Carreteiro Recipe

After sautéing the spices according to the previous recipe, add the cooked pork cubes to the pan.

Sauté for a few minutes so that the pork absorbs the flavors of the spices and becomes even juicier.

Then add the washed and drained rice to the pan and continue the process as described above.

Finishing and Serving

Continue cooking Arroz Carreteiro com Carne de Porco according to the traditional recipe.

When the rice is ready, garnish with chopped greens to taste and serve hot, enjoying the explosion of flavors and textures of this improved version of the dish.

Tips

To further intensify the flavor, you can marinate the pork in a mixture of orange juice, garlic, onion and herbs before cooking.

Try adding a smoky touch to the dish by using smoked pork or adding a little smoked paprika during cooking.

Serve your Arroz Carreteiro com Carne de Porco with orange slices and farofa for a complete meal full of personality.

With this irresistible version of Arroz Carreteiro, enriched with the succulence and outstanding flavor of pork, you're sure to delight your guests and leave their mouths watering. So get ready for a memorable gastronomic experience and enjoy every bite of this dish that celebrates the best of Brazilian cuisine!

Curiosities and origin of arroz carreteiro

Arroz Carreteiro, an emblematic dish of Brazilian cuisine, carries with it a rich and fascinating history that goes back to rural traditions and life in the countryside. Its origins are deeply linked to the culture of the muleteers and the carts that crossed the interior of Brazil, transporting goods and supplies on long journeys across the country.

History

Historically, muleteers played a key role in Brazil's economic development and territorial expansion, especially in the 18th and 19th centuries. These brave and courageous men traveled vast distances, often facing adverse and challenging conditions, to transport cattle, food, manufactured goods and other essential items between different regions of the country.

During their long journeys, the muleteers needed food that was practical, nutritious and could be easily prepared over improvised open fires. This is how Arroz Carreteiro was born, a simple and comforting recipe that combined the basic ingredients available in rural areas: rice, dried meat (charque) and simple spices such as onion, garlic and peppers.

Preparation

The preparation of Arroz Carreteiro was a true art, where each muleteer developed his own version of the dish, adjusting the ingredients according to his personal preferences and the resources available along the route. The result was a substantial and tasty meal, capable of providing energy and nutrition to face the challenges of dusty roads and cold nights under the stars.

Over time, Arroz Carreteiro has ceased to be just a traveling meal and has become an integral part of Brazilian gastronomic culture. Today, it is enjoyed throughout the country, not only as a nostalgic reminder of the times of the tropeiros, but also as a delicious and comforting dish that brings people together around the table.

It is important to note that, over the years, Arroz Carreteiro has undergone several adaptations and variations, incorporating new ingredients and preparation techniques according to the influence of different regions and culinary traditions. However, its simple essence and its connection to Brazil's history and identity remain unshaken, ensuring that Arroz Carreteiro will continue to be enjoyed and celebrated for generations to come.

See also: Simple lemon tart with cornstarch: Here's how to make it

March 30th, 2024