Brazilian Cheesebread (Pão de Queijo)

 Ingredients:

2 cups cassava or manioc flour  (polvilho doce)

1 teaspoon salt

½ a cup of water

1 cup of Minas cheese, grated*

2 eggs

½ a cup of melted shortening

Bring water and shortening to a boil. Slowly add the cassava or manioc flour, stirring constantly. Remove from fire. Knead a bit, then add salt, cheese and eggs.

Knead well. With hands greased, form dough into balls about the size of a ping- pong ball (1 ½”). Place on greased cookie sheet, about 2″ apart, and bake in a preheated oven at 450ºF for 15 minutes.

 Makes about 20.

*Similar brands in the US to Minas cheese are fresh cheeses such as: Ole, La Morenita and Cacique.  Try and get a harder, more ripened version so it can be grated.