Tapioca with jerked beef

Tapioca with dried beef is a Northeastern Brazilian classic that has won over the entire country: crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, it’s the perfect wrapper for the bold, shredded flavor of dried beef — a meat so flavorful that wherever it shows up, it steals the show. Originally from states like Pernambuco, Ceará, and Bahia, it’s now sold at street markets, food trucks, and tapioca shops all over Brazil, and works any time of day: breakfast, a quick lunch, an afternoon snack, or dinner.

Ingredients:

• 500g dried salted beef (raw)
• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped (seeds removed)
• 1 tablespoon clarified butter (or regular butter / olive oil)
• Black pepper to taste
• Fresh herbs (parsley and chives) to taste
• grated provolone and Parmesan cheese.
• 500g of tapioca starch

Preparation Method

1. Desalt: Rinse the dried beef under running water and cut it into medium pieces.
2. Place in a bowl, cover with plenty of water, and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, changing the water 3 to 4 times.
3. Cook: Drain the water again, place the beef in a pressure cooker, cover with fresh water, and cook for about 30 to 40 minutes after it reaches pressure, or until tender.
4. Shred: Drain the water, let it cool slightly, and shred the beef with a fork or food processor.
5. Sauté: Add the butter (or olive oil), garlic, and chopped onion, and let it brown. Add the shredded beef and mix well.
6. Turn off the heat, add the chopped tomato, season with black pepper, and finish with fresh herbs to taste.

Step-by-Step: How to Prepare the Tapioca (Crepe)

1. In a cold skillet, add 4 tablespoons of tapioca starch and spread it out with a spoon, covering the entire bottom in an even layer.
2. Cook: Let it cook over low heat for about 1 to 2 minutes, until the edges start to lift and the dough becomes firm. Flip the tapioca and turn off the heat.
3. Fill and Fold: Add the filling along with the cheese to half of the tapioca, then fold it in half, into a half-moon shape. Place on a plate and serve right away.