How To Make a Feijoada

Here is everything you need to make a Brazillian feijoada.

INGREDIENTS

• 8 cups of black beans
• 3 pounds meat (dry cured salted Brazil)
• 2 pounds sweet sausage
• 2 pounds baby back spareribs
• 2 bay leaves

The night before, soak the beans in a large bowl with water to cover at least 3-4 inches. Soak the dried beef in water to cover. The next morning, drain the beans and place in a large pot with water to cover at least 3 inches. 

Meanwhile, cut the beef jerky and sausage into small pieces and also the ribs. Place them in a pan and boil to remove the salt for about an hour.

Add the dried beef, sausage, ribs and bay leaves to the beans. Simmer for about 2 hours or until tender. (Black beans usually take about 2 hours to be well cooked and tender.) Stir occasionally, adding water as necessary to keep the beans covered. Keep an eye on the beans so they do not burn the bottom!

Continue to boil gently for at least another hour, adding water, if necessary. A good feijoada should have a thick sauce that's creamy! Remove the bay leaves.

Serve the feijoada with white rice and sliced peeled oranges.

In Brazil, we use to drink caipirinha with feijoada.