Simple Brazilian Carreteiro Rice

• •500 g Desalted and cooked shredded dried beef (carne seca) (Ensure it's desalted, cooked, and shredded prior to starting the recipe.)
• •3 cups Long-grain white rice
• •200 g Bacon (diced)
• •200 Calabresa sausage (skin removed and diced)
• •1 piece Large ripe tomato (seeded and diced)
• •1 piece Large onion (diced)
• •1 tsp Red pepper flakes (or to taste)
• •6 cups Water
• •to taste Salt
• •1 cup Fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)

Instructions

1. 1

   If starting with raw carne seca, ensure it has been properly desalted, cooked in a pressure cooker until tender (approximately 30-40 minutes), cooled, and then shredded. Dice the bacon, remove the skin from the calabresa sausage and dice it. Dice the large onion and the seeded tomato. Have all your ingredients prepped and ready.

2. 2

   In a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, add the diced bacon and calabresa sausage. Cook, stirring occasionally, until they are golden brown and have rendered their fat, about 8-10 minutes. Remove excess fat if desired, leaving just enough to sauté.

3. 3

   Add the diced onion, diced tomato, and red pepper flakes to the pot. Sauté for about 5-7 minutes, until the onion is softened and translucent and the tomato has started to break down. Stir in the shredded carne seca.

4. 4

   Add the 3 cups of rice to the mixture. Stir well to coat the rice grains with the fat and flavors, toasting lightly for about 2-3 minutes. This step helps ensure fluffy rice.

5. 5

   Pour in the 6 cups of water. Stir gently, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and let it simmer for about 18-20 minutes, or until all the water has been absorbed and the rice is tender. Taste and adjust salt if necessary (carne seca is already salty, so be cautious).

6. 6

   Once the rice is cooked, turn off the heat and let it rest, covered, for 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork, then sprinkle generously with fresh chopped parsley before serving.

Chef's Tips

• 💡Desalting Carne Seca: If using traditional dried beef, remember to soak it in water for at least 24 hours, changing the water multiple times, before cooking. This is crucial for flavor and sodium content.
• 💡Flavor Boost: For an extra layer of flavor, you can add a minced garlic clove along with the onion and tomato in Step 3.
• 💡Perfect Rice: Avoid stirring the rice too much after adding the water in Step 5, as this can release starch and make it gummy. Let it cook undisturbed until the liquid is absorbed.
• 💡Serving Suggestion: Arroz Carreteiro is a complete meal on its own, but it pairs wonderfully with a simple green salad or a fried egg on top for an even heartier dish.